2018-2019 President's Report

S ophomore Mario Asagunla of Jackson and English instructor Pam Croswell of Union represented the college at the 2018-19 Higher Education Appreciation Day: Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) program held in Jackson in February. The annual HEADWAE observance was estab lished by the Mississippi Legislature to honor aca demically talented students and faculty members Asagunla, Croswell Named HEADWAE Honorees Percentage of first-time freshmen enrolling at ECCC who graduated in academic year 2018 within 150 percent of the minimum length of a program of study. Percentage of first-time, full-time entering freshmen enrolling at ECCC who experienced a successful outcome of graduation and/or transfer in spring 2017. 61 42

from each of the 36 public and private member institutions of the Mississippi Association of Colleges. Asagunla is a sophomore mechanical engineering major and a graduate of Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson. He was named an NJCAA Academic All-American and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Croswell has 25 years in the field of education and has been employed at East Central since 2006. She was selected the college’s Academic Instructor of the Year in 2015 and was a Lamplighter Award recipi ent in 2013 The HEADWAE program begins at the State Capitol and is followed by a luncheon in downtown Jack son, during which each student and faculty honoree is recognized in front of their guests, institution leaders, corporate sponsors, and legislators.

TVA Stem Scholarship Sophomore Joshua Warnsley of Decatur was awarded one of two $2,250 STEM scholarships from Tennessee Valley Authority and Phi Theta Kappa. The scholarship is awarded to PTK members in Mississippi who plan to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). The students were selected based on academic achievement, leadership, campus and community service, and faculty assessments. TVA will also provide mentorship opportunities for the scholars.

Commencement The 2019 Commencement Ceremony was held May 3 at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia. Some 541 students received diplomas and/or certificates this year. Those participating in the commencement pro gram included graduating sophomores Ryan Ethridge of Collinsville, who gave the invocation; Rebekah Scitzs, also of Collinsville, commencement speaker; and Josh ua Warnsley of Decatur, benediction. Presenting the musical selection “Homeward Bound” were graduating sophomores Anna Brooke Skinner of Union, and Jack son Lovorn, Courtney McNair, and Courtney Smith of Philadelphia.

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