2014-2015 President's Report

C ommunity P artnerships

The long-term strategic goals of any community college must be aligned with and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves as it seeks to provide a high-quality, postsecondary education. Therefore, we will engage in collaborative and innovative partnerships with business and industry, education, government, and community groups to enrich the learning experiences of our students and communities and to advance the quality of life for our citizens. F irst -E ver W arrior W onderland The college hosted its first-ever Warrior Wonderland in December, following the Decatur Christmas parade. The event was a tremendous success in bringing campus and community together. There were special performances by the Wall O’ Sound Band, Ac’cents show choir, Collegians rock band, Concert Choir and other local entertainers throughout the evening. Free photos with Santa, bounce houses and carnival rides, food and drink vendors, movies, a hayride, live nativity scene, Christmas village display, and various specialty booths set up by campus clubs and organizations also were part of the festivities. Inaugural Cultural Arts Series ECCC kicked off its inaugural Cultural Arts Series during the 2014-2015 academic year as a way to bring performing artists and visual artists to the campus throughout the year for both students and the community. Among the events during the year were the Medgar Evers Exhibit This is Home , a gallery talk by Jackson native and Christian artist Gary Walters, a presentation on “The Culture of a Community as Reflected in its Quilts” by Carol Vickers, and the Jackson State University Jazz Band. Paving, Lighting, Sidewalk Improvements Officials from ECCC and the Town of Decatur officially dedicated the completion of paving, sidewalk, and lighting projects during a ceremony in May. The projects were made possible by Surface Transportation Program and Transportation Alternatives Program grant funding provided through the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The improvements not only made the area more aesthetically pleasing, but improved the safety of students and others living and attending classes on the South Campus.

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