2014-2015 President's Report

Strategic investments in human, physical, financial, and technological resources have a fundamental impact on the desired outcomes of a community college. Therefore, we will align our resources with our vision, mission, core values, and institutional commitments and pursue innovative resource utilization and development strategies in an effort to ensure student success and community development. TAACCCT G rant ECCC was awarded a $2.5 million grant to provide workforce training opportunities in Winston County, one of the college’s five support counties. East Central was among 270 community colleges nationwide and the first announced Mississippi community college to receive the grant, which is provided by the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. The grant is being used to provide training in information technology, healthcare, energy and advanced manufacturing at the Louisville Career Advancement Center. New Synthetic Turf East Central unveiled its new synthetic turf on Warrior Field at Bailey Stadium in August in front of a packed stadium. The turf installation would not have been possible without the support from former NFL coach Tony Dungy, whose appearance on campus and at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia for “Laying the Foundation: An Evening with Coach Tony Dungy” netted approximately $160,000 for the $727,000 project. In addition to home football games, the synthetic turf allowed for the first Warrior soccer matches to played at night under the Bailey Stadium lights. Additional Student Scholarships Much-needed new financial support is available for ECCC students thanks to alumni and friends who have established various annual and endowed scholarships during the past academic year. Among the most recent scholarships established are the Dr. Vernon Clyde & Vashti Muse Endowed Scholarship, Dr. Earl Laird Sr. Scholarship, Derek Pouncey Memorial Scholarship, Friendship Breakfast Club Scholarship, Bobby Addy Memorial Scholarship, Future Leaders Scholarship, Brenda K. Johnson Gospel Choir Scholarship, and Albert P. and Blanche W. Thompson Memorial Scholarship. R esource P lanning & D evelopment

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