2015

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- Gordon selected ECCC 'Alumna of the Year' Polly Matthews Gordon of

Grocery) and I thought she need– ed help. Instead, she suggested that I become a teacher, but I did– n't want to do that at the time," Gordon said. After graduating from Mississippi College in 1956, she married her husband, the honor– able Judge Marcus Gordon, and the two moved to Oxford, where he attended law school and she worked in the Office of the Burser, both at the University of Mississippi. She also completed the requirements for a graduate degree in business education. "At Ole Miss, I met a lady who was a business teacher at Thaxton High School (now Pontotoc County School District) who asked if I wanted her job when she retired," Gordon said. "I really didn't consjder it until she said, 'You can work eight months and frolic for four!' I also met with the principal who said he would suppon me during my transition into education." And so began her long and rewarding career, which included stints at Taylor High School in Lafayette County, Beulah Hubbard (now a part of the Newton County School District) and finally Union High School, where she spent 49 years before retiring in 2009.

that she made many lifelong friendships during her two years at the college. Gordon was a member ofsev– eral college organizations includ– ing Future Business Leaders, mixed choir, YMCA, annual staff and band. She said she received a $6 scholarship for band and that even though she didn't really want to be in it, her mother said she need– ed to stay and to also further her education in music as well. "There were only 12 students in the newly organized marching band at that time," she said, "and with no lead trumpet. When we were on the field at halftime we just faded away because there were 25 Centralettes in front of us! I told Mama that I wanted to quit because it was so embarrass- ing to perform, but she said it wouldn't be the last time I was embarrassed about something and that 'every little bit helps' so I should stay in and keep the scbol- : arship. l did what my mother said o and I never regretted the deci– sion." In addition to her long and rewarding career in education, Gordon has also been heavily involved in community activities. She bas been a member of the - .

Union was recently selected "Alumna of the Year" at East Central Community College in Decatur and will be honored Saturday, Oct. 17, during the annual Homecoming festivities. Upon notification of her selec– tion, Gordon said it was an "unexpected honor she will appreciate all of her life." "East Central has always pro– vided a superb education to the students in its district." she said. "I have always encouraged high school students to make EC their initial college choice. It provides the foundation for a successful transfer to a four-year college or the basis for advancement in vocational education." The students to which she refers now number in the thou– sands and are the result of a 52- year career as an educator. It was a career, which, ironically, she said was never in her future. "I was a business major. My mother was a bookkeeper in her grocery store (Matthews

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