2014 Combined

Wednesday, March Z6, Z014 J Wlrullln Q:w-_.., I - -=QUCOaJ East Central moving f oiward with from press reports

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zine's September edi tion, ECCC was includ ed in the 2013 College Guide's annu~ ranking of "America's Top 50 Community Colleges." The success of ECCC students was also recog nized in recent reports from Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, which revealed that transfer students from East Central achieved the highest cumulative grade point average (3.18) of all community college transfers in the state. In addition to its aca demic success, East Central Community College was listed as the Sixth · Fastest Growing Community College in the nation with enrollments from 2,500 to 4,999, accord ing to i·eports published in Community College Week. The college was also recognized for success in recruiting, retaining and providing services to military students and for two consecutive years has been named a Military Friendly School. G.I. Jobs maga zine included ECCC in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide in providing educational services to military students fol lowing a survey of more than 12,000 schools. East Central Community College's athletic department also received national recognition as seven ECCC teams were hon ored for their success in the classroom. The men's and women's tennis teams

Association Academic Tennis Teams of the Year. Men's Soccer (2nd), Baseball (3rd), Women's Soccer (Tied for 4th), Softball (Tied for 12th) and Golf (Tied for 23rd) all placed in their respective sport areas. Warrior athletic teams have also been nationally recognized for various community service projects. Recent support from alumni and community partners has helped East Central provide financial assistance to many students and to make much needed upgrades to facilities. In October 2012, the college received in excesses of $3 million dollars from the estate of Frances Gaines Blum Slagle, a 1940 ECCC graduate and former Decatur resident. The cash, stocks and certifi cates of deposit were used to establish stu dent scholarships and this gift represents the largest single donation ever received by East Central Community College.

When Dr. Billy W. .::zewart was selected as pr~fil.dent of East C o::ltral Community C Jllege in Decatur in _ 12, his goal was to e.::.tablish a strategic planning process, which would shape and guide the future of the 85 vear-old institution. · As a result, 2020 Vision was created and includes a long-term desire to be nationally recognized and locally preferred while meeting the educational and training needs of the residents of the college district, which includes Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Winston counties. According to Dr. Stewart, 2020 Vision's seven Core Values of Wisdom, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, Enthusiasm, Efficiency and Creativity (WE ARE EC), "define the institution's highest pri orities and deepest-held beliefs ." 2020 Vision is also comprised of five insti tutional commitments: Student Success, Teaching and Learning, C ommu n ity Partnerships, Resource Planning and Development, and Communication. During the past year, the college began mak· mg strides towards those commitments as evidenced by recent suc ce..;.ses and accomplish mcints. East Central C mmunity College received national recog nition for its success in providing a quality edu cation when it was

One priority of East Central en-- room. History instructor Dr. ~ ,.__....-•.,. have recently been outfitted Vr':th O/Q. I a:c::::i::....11-e · Internet acoess and video ~ ·~:t:l:l~::::::a::;::::=;:.;!!l be accessed dur1~ class.

Hall Science Building is currently undergoing renovations and will

Various Endowed and ~ DEMOCRAT other Special Scholarships are pre- OUNTY TIMES sented each year during

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the ECCC/AT&T I COUNTY JOUR /.<_ --- Sc h ola r s hip A p p r e c i a t i o n -LEDGER-------·

Program/Luncheon. Approximately 130 stu-" dents received scholar ships valued at more than $71 000 at the most rect!nt ceremony. With state and pri vate funding, improve ments have.. also been made to the college's physical plant. Heading the list is the completion of Davi5 TT ,, -•-•- J.L._ ft~