2022FallWarriorWEB

WARRIOR THE The Official Publication of the East Central Community College Alumni Association Volume XXXI, No. 1 • September 2022

Homecoming O ctober 20, 2022 - S ee more details inside this issue

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A Message From the President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

At the mailing of this issue of The Warrior , we are about halfway through the Fall 2022 semester. It has been refreshing to return to normal operations following two years of a global pandemic. We have a wonderful group of active and outgoing students on campus this semester and we look forward to what this year brings for the college With You In Mind!

With You In Mind

As we prepare to celebrate Homecoming on Thursday, October 20, I want to issue a special invitation to all of you to join us at 3 p.m. in Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium for an Alumni Reception followed by the recognition of the 2022 Alumni Award honorees at 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public so bring your family too! More details and a full schedule of activities are available in this issue. We hope you will then stay with us for the Homecoming football game at 6:30 p.m. in Bailey Stadium, the crowning of the 2022 Homecoming Queen, and a performance by our Wall O’ Sound Band.

This issue also features articles on outstanding alumni, new leaders in several campus departments, plus much more.

As always, thank you for your continued support of and interest in East Central Community College. We look forward to seeing you soon!

With You In Mind,

Dr. Brent Gregory President East Central Community College #WYIM

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In This Issue

CAMPUS NEWS

4 5 5 6

Roberts Joins ECCC Everett Named Dean of Healthcare Spence New CTE Director Partnership Announced with Neshoba Schools

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ATHLETICS

8 9 11

All-Academic Athletes Honored Harris Named Women’s Basketball Coach Alum Donates Golf Equipment

ALUMNI NEWS

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Gaines Goes Hollywood Homecoming Schedule Alumni of the Year Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Alumni Updates

16-17 20-21 26

On the Cover: Members of the 2022 ECCC Homecoming Court include (front row, from left) freshman maids Neely Hawthorne of Morton, Belle Hollingsworth of Newton, Kaitlyn Jackson of Little Rock, and Skylar Miles of Morton; (middle row, from left) sophomore maids Jocey Bell of Forest, Anslee Boyd of Morton, and Nahriah Brown of Decatur; and (back row, from left) Anna Gray of Philadelphia and Natalie Verry of Philadelphia. They will be presented and the Queen crowned Thursday, October 20, during the ECCC vs. Copiah-Lincoln Homecoming football game in Bailey Stadium. •

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ACCREDITATION East Central Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Associate Degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of East Central Community College. NON-DISCRIMINATION East Central Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or qualified disability in its educational programs and activities, employment practices, or admissions processes. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non- discrimination policies of East Central Community College: Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI and ADEA are coordinated by the Executive Vice President, Walter Arno Vincent Administration Building, Room 171, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6202, Fax: 601-635-4011, Email: compliance@eccc.edu. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX and Section 504 are coordinated by the Dean of Student Services, Eddie M. Smith Student Union Building, Room 101, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6267, Fax: 601-635-6247, Email: compliance@eccc.edu. Inquiries regarding compliance with ADA are coordinated by the Director of Student Success, Mamie Ethel Burton Memorial Library, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6228, Fax: 601-635-2150, Email: compliance@eccc.edu.

The Warrior is printed two times annually and is distributed to alumni of East Central Community College and other friends of the college. Editorial staff members include Office of Public Information personnel: Bill Wagnon, Lucas Calvert, Maria McLeod, Karen Robertson, &Amy Thompson

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Dr. Roberts Joins ECCC D r . M arie R oberts T abbed to L ead ECCC’ s N ew E nrollment M anagement E fforts

from ECCC, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, a master’s degree in teach- ing, and a doctorate in community college leadership all from Mississippi State University. Hannah Smith is the college’s first Athletic Enrollment Management Spe- cialist. In this role, she is responsible for specialized enrollment, advisement, intervention, instructional counsel- ing, and general guidance services for the college’s student-athletes. Smith most recently was a Student Recruiter/ Enrollment Specialist at ECCC. She re- ceived an associate degree from ECCC, a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mississippi State University, and a mas- ter’s degree in business administration from MSU. Autumn McMillan is the new Native American Liaison & Enrollment Spe- cialist. In this role, she is the primary enrollment management specialist, stu- dent support services facilitator, and point-of-contact for Native American prospective and enrolled students and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indi- ans. McMillan previously was Advertis- ing/Media Content Coordinator at Pearl River Resort in Choctaw. She received an associate degree from ECCC and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Mississippi State University.

Specialist, and Native American Liaison & Enrollment Management Specialist. Roberts was most recently with the Lauderdale County School District, serving as Instructional Technologist since 2020. Prior to that she was em- ployed by Meridian Community College as Director of Digital Teaching and Learning from 2017-20 and as Director of Student Recruiting and Campus Life from 2014-17. Roberts was named to the Missis- sippi Business Journal’s 2022 Top 40 Under 40 and was the Mississippi Educational Computing Association’s Technology Specialist of the Year in 2022. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science/history from the Uni- versity of Southern Mississippi, a mas- ter’s degree in student affairs admin- istration from USM, and a doctorate in higher education administration from Delta State University. She graduated from the Mississippi Community Col- lege Leadership Academy in 2020. Dr. Amanda Walton is the new Di- rector of Student Success. In this role she is responsible for overseeing the college’s Student Success Center activi- ties. She most recently was Director of Housing and Student Activities at ECCC. She received an associate degree

Dr. Marie Roberts was selected to lead the college’s student recruiting and retention efforts as the first Executive Director of Enrollment Management. “East Central Community College began a restructuring of its student recruiting and retention efforts in the spring to be more in line with best prac- tices in colleges and universities across the nation,” said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. “This included the new position of Executive Director of Enroll- ment Management to lead this effort, as well as three other positions to provide support to Dr. Roberts and the existing recruiting and admissions staff. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Rob- erts in this new role. She brings exten- sive experience to our college in both secondary and post-secondary educa- tion, including in the areas of student recruiting and student life at a two- year community college in Mississippi.” In this new role, Roberts oversees the college’s student recruiting, admis- sions, placement, registration, and retention efforts. This includes the Office of Admissions and the Student Success Center. New positions created to aid in the college’s enrollment management efforts include Director of Student Suc- cess, Athletic Enrollment Management

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Same Faces, New Places

D r . D onna E verett N amed D ean of H ealthcare E ducation

Dr. Donna Everett is the new Dean of Healthcare Education at East Central. Everett is leading the college’s health-related programs, including the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs, Basic Emergency Technology course, and Surgical Technology program. She also will work closely with the col- lege’s Workforce Development program on other health-related certifications. She has been on the ECCC nursing faculty since 2018, serving as Director of the Nursing Faculty for the ADN program since 2020 and as Interim Dean of Healthcare Education since March 2022. Everett has more than 27 years of nursing experience, includ- ing on the faculty at Meridian Community College; as Director of Nursing at J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union, Beverly Healthcare of Carthage, and Bedford Care Center of Newton; and on the nursing staffs at Merit Health Rankin in Brandon, Laird Hospital in Union, and Laird Home Health in Union. Everett received an associate degree in nursing from Merid- ian Community College, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a master’s degree in nursing and a doctor of philosophy from William Carey Univer- sity in Hattiesburg.

C ody S pence is N ew D irector of C areer and T echnical E ducation

ECCC selected Cody Spence as its new Director of Career and Technical Education. The ECCC alumnus replaced Wayne Eason, who retired after 19 years at the college. In this role, Spence is responsible for leadership of the college’s Career and Technical Education programs, includ- ing on the Decatur campus and those offered in the college’s five-county district. ECCC offers certificates and the As- sociate of Applied Science degree in 14 technical programs and certificates in three career programs. Spence has been serving as a Work- force Coordinator at East Central since 2016. Prior to that he was a TAACCCT (Trade Adjustment Assistance Com- munity College and Career Training) Navigator at ECCC. He also has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilita- tion Services in Pearl.

He received an associate degree from ECCC, a bachelor’s degree in education- al psychology from Mississippi State University, and a master’s degree in rehabilita- tion counseling from the University of Kentucky.

CAMPUS NEWS

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Precision Manufacturing ECCC, N eshoba C ounty S chool D istrict A nnounce P artnership

ECCC Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology Instructor Donald “Mutt” Hardin (right) and his students demonstrate equipment following the ribbon cutting ceremony.

dents enrolled through dual credit. Precision Manufacturing and Machin- ing Technology prepares students to manufacture precision parts on ma- chines such as lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines, and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) equip- ment. Included is instruction in making computations related to work dimen- sions, testing, feeds, and speeds of machines; using precision measuring instruments such as layout tools, mi- crometers, and gauges; machining and heat-treating of various metals; laying out machine parts; and operation and maintenance of computer equipment. Students in the program can com- plete a 30-hour option or a 45-hour op- tion and receive a certificate that allows them to go straight into the workforce. Students also have the option to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree from ECCC by completing the 45-hour option plus an additional 15 semester hours of general education core cur- riculum courses. Donald “Mutt” Hardin of Union was hired in July as ECCC’s new Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technol- ogy instructor. He most recently was an industrial technologist with Taylor Sudden Service in Louisville. Hardin

is a graduate of both Neshoba Cen- tral High School and ECCC’s Precision Manufacturing and Machine Technology program. “This is an important sharing of resources between the two schools and allows East Central Community College to move a Career and Technical Educa- tion program that is pivotal to provid- ing employees to local industries to an area that is centrally located in relation to our five-county district,” said ECCC President Gregory. “This is the first time our college has offered a complete academic program outside of the main Decatur campus, and doing so opens up educational opportunities for both college and K-12 level students. “East Central Community College’s mission is centered around serving our five-county district of Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, and Winston counties, and we are excited to continue to fulfill that mission by partnering with the Neshoba County School District on this program.” “This partnership between the NCSD and ECCC is a tremendous asset to our students, the five-county area, and area industry,” said Neshoba County School District Superintendent Brantley. “Everyone wins in this scenario. I am

East Central Community College and Neshoba County School District in Philadelphia are partnering to offer one of East Central’s Career & Technical Education programs at the new Manu- facturing and Innovation Center located on the Neshoba Central High School campus. The announcement was made September 1 during a ceremony inside the new M&I Center. ECCC Presi- dent Dr. Brent Gregory and Neshoba County School District Superintendent Dr. Lundy Brantley participated in a partnership agreement signing and ribbon cutting, followed by tours of the classroom and shop and equip- ment demonstrations by students. David Vowell, president of the Neshoba County-Philadelphia Community Devel- opment Partnership, and Dana McLain, workforce development coordinator for Neshoba Central High School, also spoke at the event. For the first time this fall semester, the ECCC Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program is being taught in a classroom and shop area inside the new M&I Center. The first cohort of students includes both East Central Community College students and Neshoba Central High School stu-

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very excited for the future of this program. We have purchased state-of-the-art equip- ment along with remodeling the shop area to industry standards.” The Manufacturing and Innovation Center, located in the former ROTC facility on the Neshoba Central High School campus, opened in August 2021. The $610,000 project was funded in large part by federal monies. In addition to the Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program, the M&I Center serves as a space for Neshoba Central High School students in engineering, physics, agriculture, and digital media classes to col- laborate on projects during the school day, as well as for after-school and evening training available to the public in multiple areas of workforce development in partnership with

East Central Community College Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology Instructor Donald “Mutt” Hardin (center) cuts the ribbon opening the program’s new classroom and shop. Looking on are ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory (left) and Neshoba County School District Superintendent Dr. Lundy Brantley (right). L GA Y your GIFT. our FUTURE. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS Yes! I want to stay connected to East Central Community College by becoming an active member of the ECCC Alumni Association . Annual membership runs from July 1 to June 30 of each year. Check a box below to join the Alumni Association or to make an undesignated contribution. Single Membership: $25 Annual $200 Life Joint Membership: $40 Annual $250 Life I’m already an Individual or Lifetime Member, but would like to make an undesignated donation in the amount of $____________ to the Alumni Association. FOUNDATION GIVING Complete below to donate to a Foundation Project, Scholarship, Warrior Club, or to make an undesignated contribution. $_________________(Amount) _________________________________ Designated Fund (Please choose one.) ___Undesignated q q ECCC’s Workforce Development Center. For more information on East Central Community College’s Precision Manufactur- ing and Machining Technology program, contact Cody Spence, ECCC’s director of Career & Technical Education, at dcspence@ eccc.edu or 601-635-6211. q q q q q

Foundation Projects Annual Fund Unrestricted Alumni House Renovations Founders Gym Renovations Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Fund Other: Please designate desired fund you wish to con- tribute to:_________________________________ Scholarships Please designate desired fund you wish to contribute to: _________________________________

Warrior Club-Athletics Undesignated Baseball Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Cheer Football Golf Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Softball Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis

q q q q q q q q q q q q

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Name: ________________________________________________________ (Maiden): ____________________________ Class Year/Years Attended: _______________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________________ To pay by credit or debit card, scan the QR Code at right or visit www.eccc.edu/alumni-association-and-foundation-giving and select the giving option of your choice. Or you can mail the above form with payment to ECCC Foundation, P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327. Make checks payable to ECCC Foundation.

CAMPUS NEWS

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All-Academic Athletes 73 ECCC A thletes E arn A cademic H onors F ollowing 2021-22 S easons

broken down into three categories; First Team (4.0 GPA), Second Team (3.8-3.99), and Third Team (3.6-3.79). ECCC had eight student-athletes who garnered NJCAA All-Academic First Team honors across four different sports. Those recipients were Seline Decoteau and An- nabelle Miller (women’s soccer), Emmi Harkins, Ndrah Tanksley, and Caroline Jackson (softball), Kaleb Parish and Dominik Simunovic (men’s tennis), and Spencer Winans (men’s soccer). Along with individual awards, the six teams qualified for the NJCAA Aca- demic Team of the Year by maintaining a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. Those were softball (3.58), women’s soccer (3.53), men’s tennis (3.45), baseball (3.23), women’s tennis (3.05), and golf (3.01).

The East Central Community College athletic department announced that 73 student-athletes were honored by the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) for their academic performances in the 2021-22 school year, with 39 of those student- athletes earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Aca- demic honors. “Providing student-athletes an oppor- tunity to become well-rounded individu- als is what we strive for at ECCC, and academic accolades such as these prove that our student-athletes and coaches are reaching that goal,” said ECCC Presi- dent Dr. Brent Gregory. To qualify for athletic honors, student-athletes must maintain grade-

point averages of 3.25 or higher for all credit hours. At the conference level, awards are separated into Distinguished Academic All-State for student-athletes who maintain GPAs of 3.8 or higher and Academic All-State for those with GPAs ranging from 3.25 to 3.79. At the national level, awards are

Support Warrior Athletics! Support your favorite ECCC Warrior sports team by making a recurring or one-time donation online by visiting www.eccc.edu/foundation

GO WARRIORS!

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Harris Comes Home B etsy H arris N amed H ead W omen ’ s B asketball C oach

player development and overall team success is truly out- standing, and I cannot wait for her to get started.” Harris’ teams have historically lit up the scoreboard with her Florida Southern teams ranking top-50 nationally in scoring on multiple occasions, including ranking 18th nationally in 2018-19 with over 77 points per game. Her efforts as a coach have landed Harris WBCA South Region Coach of the Year in 2018-19 and Sunshine State Confer- ence Coach of the Year honors on three occasions (2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19). Prior to her tenure at Florida Southern, Harris spent three seasons as the head coach at College Coastal Georgia, an NAIA program. She led the Mariners to a 68-27 record and was the first coach in the school history to qualify a team for the NAIA National Tournament after a 24-9 season in 2012-13. Harris got into coaching as an assistant coa ch at the Uni- versity of West Alabama where she served for two seasons (1999-01). She also made stops at Troy (2001-02) and at East Central (2002-03) before returning to West Alabama for seven seasons from 2003-10. She also spent one season at Meridian Community College (2010-11) prior to taking the position at Coastal Georgia. Harris was an all-state player at Decatur High School and led the Warriors to their first-ever Mississippi Class 2A state championship in 1990

Decatur native Betsy Harris is the new head coach for the ECCC Lady Warrior basketball team. “We are so excited to have Betsy Harris return home to lead our women’s basketball program,” said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. “She has great ties to the local communi- ty and our district and brings a plethora of experience, both as a player and a coach, to our program. We are looking for- ward to the success that she will bring our student-athletes in all areas of competition.” Harris comes to ECCC after an eight-year stint with the Florida Southern Moccasins in Lakeland, Fla. During her ten- ure, she led the Moccasins to a 169-63 record including six consecutive NCAA DII Tournament appearances and an Elite Eight run in 2015. The Moccasins also won back-to-back Sunshine State Conference regular-season and tournament titles, climbed to as high as No. 6 in the Women’s Basketball Coaching Association Poll, and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA South Regional Tournament during the 2018-19 season. “Betsy Harris is someone who I have known since we were both in college together in the SEC. I have followed her career closely over the years and am absolutely thrilled that she has decided to lead our program,” said East Central Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. “She has been a winner at every level as both a player and coach. Our Lady Warriors will have a great role model who will continue our athlet- ics philosophy in helping them to grow into the best young women they can be on and off the court. Her record of

–HARRIS continued on page 11

ATHLETICS

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SOCCER ALUMNI, RSVP NOW! ECCC Soccer Alumni Night Friday, October 14, 2022 ECCC vs. Meridian Women’s Match at 5 p.m. Men’s Match at 7 p.m. ECCC Soccer Pitch All former ECCC men’s and women’s soccer players, managers, and coaches

DO YOU KNOW OF AN OUTSTANDING ECCC ALUMNUS OR FORMER ATHLETE? If you know East Central Community College alumni who would be good candidates for Alumni of the Year and Athletic Hall of Fame awards, which are presented each year during Homecoming festivities, please nominate them online at www.eccc.edu/homecoming- honoree-nomination-forms. For a printed copy of the nomination forms, please contact Maria McLeod at 601-635-6303 or e-mail mmcleod@eccc.edu. The deadline for submitting nomination forms each year is December 1. Nominations are good for five consecutive years. You are encouraged to submit additional information about nominees. Attach all additional information to the nomination form. Selection is based primarily on printed materials submitted.

will receive free admission to the games and access to a special reception tent. To RSVP, use the QR code below. For more information, contact Ryan Joiner, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, at rjoiner@eccc.edu or 601-635-6234, or Maria McLeod, Director of External Relations, at mmcleod@eccc.edu or 601-635-6303.

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Shown with the golf simulation equipment donated to the men’s golf program are (front row, from left) Director of Athletics Paul Nixon, ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory, donor Kevin Bounds, Head Men’s Golf Coach Chris Clark, and Assistant Golf Coach Scott Hill. The current members of the Warrior men’s golf team are in back. A lum D onates E quipment to ECCC G olf P rogram

way to fully furnish the location, which will be used as a practice option for the team during inclement weather. The inside will include a state-of-the-art golf simulator, putting green, locker room, strength and conditioning equipment, and restrooms. Donations can be made to the ECCC men’s golf program and the proposed indoor practice facility at www.eccc. edu/foundation. and Dr. Gregory I knew it was one I could not pass up,” said Harris. “East Central women’s basketball program has had several successful teams and I hope to continue that success with the young ladies this upcoming season. The area is rich with talent and the high school coaches are proven win- ners. I look forward to working with them and with my new East Central family. I’d like to thank Mr. Nixon and Dr. Gregory for bringing me back home to share my passion with my loved ones and with the Warrior faithful.”

He made the donation in memory of his father, the late Rodney Bounds of Newton, who was a graduate of East Central and a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. ECCC Head Men’s Golf Coach Chris Clark said the equipment will be used in a proposed indoor practice facility for the Warrior golfers, which will be located in an existing building on cam- pus. A fundraising campaign is under- season records for three-pointers made, and ranks seventh in career scoring with 1,519 points. She was nominated for the Wade Trophy, given to the Division I player of the year, and she participated in trials for the U.S. National Team. Upon her graduation, she continued her playing career for four seasons with teams in Greece, Iceland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Harris gradu- ated from Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 1995 and her master’s degree in teaching from West Alabama in 2001. “When I was given the opportunity to coach in my hometown by Mr. Nixon

East Central Community College alumnus Kevin Bounds of Brandon has donated golf simulation equipment to his alma mater to be used in a pro- posed indoor practice facility for the men’s golf team. Bounds played golf for ECCC during the 1989-90 season. Among the golf simulation equipment donated was a launch monitor, 55-inch TV, iPad, and camera.

HARRIS

– Continued from page 9

before moving on to the University of Alabama where she was a stand- out player for the Crimson Tide. She helped lead Alabama to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, in- cluding a Final Four showing in 1994. She was selected Second-Team All-SEC, earned MVP honors at the NCAA Mid- west Regional, and was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. While at Alabama, Harris set the school record for three-pointers with 272, tied for most threes in one game with eight, has the top two single-

ATHLETICS

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Gaines Goes Hollywood ECCC A lum J ason G aines F inds S uccess as an A ctor

Gaines said one of the most significant highlights of his career as an actor has been his membership in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), as that was a goal since becom- ing involved in film. “When I was first getting started, I remember being on location at different film sets and I remember how great it felt just to be part of the environment, to meet the crew, see how the process of filming works, and to see the cast members of these major productions coming and going from their dressing rooms or trailers. I knew this was where I wanted to eventually be in film, so I loved being part of the process. Thank the Lord I have been able to achieve my goals. Now, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild myself, I am very fortunate to continue to remain in various types of film projects and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.” Gaines said he has enjoyed the travel associated with commuting to filming locations and said he finds great relaxation in listening to music along the way. He also loves the experience of being on the various sets and meeting new people. From beginning to end, he said he enjoys the entire process of making a show or feature film. “Each set and experience is different for sure whether a commercial set, feature film, television series, or voiceover work. I’ve been very fortunate to work in each of these types of projects and really like the different aspects of them all. They each have their own uniqueness which I con- tinue to

Jason Gaines of Brandon said his choice to attend East Central Community College was made well in advance of his actual enrollment. Having grown up in Decatur so close to campus, he said East Central always felt like home. “As I was also involved in music, East Central seemed to be the right option for me, as EC was well known in the area for its great opportunities in music and the arts. The people who I met and experiences that I had, while being involved in different groups at EC, certainly gave me more confi- dence in trying new things moving forward.” Since his graduation, Gaines has enjoyed a successful ca- reer that has included military service, becoming a licensed EMT, licensed private helicopter pilot, and most recently his foray into the world of acting. Just this past year, he was part of the ABC hit series “Women of the Movement” as a recurring co-star. “The series was nominated for numerous awards and was such a great experience to be a part of,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate to work in television and feature projects for ABC, Hulu, Sony, and Lifetime, and I am very grateful to remain involved. I understand there are so many talented individuals who train and work hard in their craft for many years and still may never receive the same experiences that I have had, so I do not take these opportunities that I have been given for granted. I’m truly grateful.” Film work has been somewhat of an accidental career for Gaines, but one that he says he truly loves. It all began while watching the late-night news, where he saw that a movie would be filming in the area and would be having a local casting event the following morning. As someone who has always enjoyed being involved in the arts, it was some- thing that appealed to Gaines. “My wife had also recently let me know that I needed to find a hobby! I decided the next morning to attend the audi-

find inter- esting and enjoy very much.” Gaines has been selected

tion, where I was blessed to receive a role. This is when I realized that I wanted to continue to be involved in film, so I began looking at bigger proj- ects, meeting different individuals in the industry, and just learning every- thing that I could. Thank the Lord, this soon became more than simply an interest, but something that would become a major part of my life.”

Photo Courtesy of ABC, James Van Evers

by casting directors to audition for numerous roles, but he said he is careful in the selection of those roles for which he auditions. “When I am selected by a casting director to audition for a role

Photo Courtesy of Jason Gaines

in a film project, I’m always extremely grateful that they are interested in me possibly being a part. Unfortunately, I sometimes respectfully decline auditions due to the content

Photo Courtesy of ABC, James Van Evers

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that will be used by the character. I have certain perimeters in which I operate as an actor; however, casting directors have always been very respectful and understanding of such things from my experience. It may cost being cast in roles and/or projects from time to time, but we all have to make our own choices in such things.” His career path began as a student at East Central, when he chose military service. He said he felt the call to serve in the military just as numerous members of his family had done before him. He began with a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps and would later join the Mississippi Air National Guard. He later relocated to serve in the Texas Air National Guard. Along the way, his love

After graduating from Newton County High School, Gaines continued to hone his musical talents at East Central. He was a mem-

Photo Courtesy of ABC, James Van Evers

for the arts and trying new things continued to grow. He said, “I remained involved in music when at all possible and also began being involved in film work which I thoroughly enjoy to this day. Having

ber of the Collegians rock-n-roll band, Wall O’ Sound March- ing Band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and was a work-study student for

Photo Courtesy of Z.S. Photography

then band director the late Tom Carson. “Mr. Carson was someone who I certainly admired well prior to my attending East Central. I can remember attending Collegians concerts at EC while still in my early high school years. It was such an amazing experience for me at that time as there were few schools, if any, that offered a chance to be in a performance group of that type.

Photo Courtesy of S.J. Photography

… He was a great man and is truly missed. “What I remember most about East Central is that it truly felt like being part of a family. The staff were always very helpful. I was blessed to be involved in many differ- ent groups on campus, so I was able to stay connected with a number of the staff and students at that time. It was certainly a very comfortable, fun friendly environment. The highlights at EC for me at the time were having the oppor- tunity to travel and perform with the groups in which I was involved. I always enjoyed it.” East Central is a tradition for the Gaines family. His par- ents, Jim and Patricia Gaines, his wife, Detra (Carter), and oldest daughter, Alexis, along with many other extended family members, attended EC. He said his younger children, Corey and Elizabeth, have already spoken of their possible interest in attending when it’s time for college, which is something the Gaines are happy about. For clips of just a few of Gaines roles, visit www.imdb. com/name/nm4699944/.

a very supportive fam- ily and the many life experiences that I have

been blessed to have over the years have certainly contributed towards my involvement and achieve- ments in life as an actor and overall as an individual.” As for what comes next, Gaines said he continues to have projects in development and is blessed to be represented by some of the best agents in the industry. “I work both on and off set, and am very grateful. I be- lieve the next project that will be released is a Sony Films feature, that was filmed in Arkansas, but I haven’t received exact release dates yet.” Gaines said his love of the arts began with a superhero- themed record player given to him by his parents, which he would use to listen to his mother’s enormous record collec- tion. He said it was rare that he wasn’t surrounded by music in his home growing up. “As my music involvement continued to move forward, I eventually graduated from the superhero record player,” he said. Photo Courtesy of Z.S. Photography

ALUMNI NEWS

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STEP Program ECCC G rad U ses I nternship to J ump S tart C omputer S cience C areer

As Nolan Cater was completing the final requirements for his Associate Degree at East Central Community College in Spring 2022, he was looking for an internship to help build his resume. When his instructor mentioned the Career STEP Program during class announcements one morning, Cater not only got his internship but also a full-time job in his career field. The Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District’s Career Skills Training Education Pathways (STEP) Program is a workforce program that covers the cost of short-term (less than one year) training, such as workforce and career-technical education courses. The program part- ners with local community colleges, such as East Central Community College, to connect participants to training op- portunities and ultimately to career pathways. “Ken Ethridge, my computer science instructor at East Central, mentioned Career STEP in class one day and said it would be great opportunity for me,” said Cater, who gradu- ated from Wilcox Academy in Camden, Ala., but now calls Decatur home. “I had been looking for a technology intern- ship for quite some time so I could build my resume.” That internship was with the Information Technology Department of the Newton Municipal School District just down the road in Newton starting in February 2022. “I was able to get involved with all sorts of technology issues related to my field,” explained Cater. “I repaired stu- dent laptops, assisted in maintaining the district network, and helped teachers with any technology issues they had.” Cater said the internship came with many benefits, the most important of which was to put him in a position to be considered for full-time employment with the school district. “Not only did I get the experience I initially desired but I also was lucky enough to be in consideration for a full-time

Nolan Cater

position as a technician for the district,” said Cater. “A few months after the internship ended, I received the news that I had been selected for the full-time position.” Cater graduated from East Central in May 2022 with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in Computer Science. He began his computer science career with the Newton Municipal School District this month. “I would definitely recommend the Career STEP program to any East Central student for the experience alone,” said Cater. “This program opened so many opportunities for me and changed my life completely. I’m 20 years old, I have a full-time job with benefits, amazing connections and co- workers, and the amazing satisfaction with work in general. I didn’t even think this was possible before I started the program. It kick-started my career. “This was my dream job from the moment I discovered it and Career STEP, along with my education at ECCC, pro- vided me the path to this job.”

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Thursday, October 20 2 p.m. Class of 1972: 50-Year Reunion and Reception Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium 3 p.m. Alumni Association Homecoming Reception Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium Free and Open to All Alumni and Friends of the College 4:15 p.m. Class of 1972 Presentation Alumni of the Year/Athletic Hall of Fame Presentations Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium Open to All Alumni and Friends of the College 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Alumni Association Tailgating Bailey Stadium Free to Current Annual and Lifetime Members of the ECCC Alumni Association; $10 for All Others 6:30 p.m. ECCC vs. Copiah-Lincoln Football Game old B ack B lack and in G Thursday, Oct ber 20 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Class of 1972: 50-Year Reunion and Reception B rackeen -W ood G ymnasium Alumni Association Homecoming Reception B rackeen -W ood G ymnasium Free and Open to All Alumni and Friends of the College Class of 1972 Presentation Alumni of the Year/Athletic Hall of Fame Presentations B rackeen -W ood G ymnasium Open to All Alumni and Friends of the College Alumni Association Tailgating B ailey S tadium Free to Current An ual and Lifetime Members of the ECCC Alumni Association; $10 for All Others ECCC vs. Copia -Lincoln Football Game B ailey S tadium $10 Adults/$7 Students/5 and Under Free Halftime Presentation of 2022 Queen and Court Full Halftime Show by Wall O’ Sound Band For more information, please contact Maria McLeod, Dir c or of Ext r al Relations, at mmcl od@ ccc. du or 601-635-6303. ALUMNI NEWS

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Dr. Shea Hailey N oted C ardiologist N amed ECCC A lumnus of the Y ear

Bill Wagnon, who serves as vice president for public information at ECCC and is also a patient of Dr. Hailey, said, “He is not only an excellent physician, he’s a kind and caring individual who starts every visit with some- thing about East Central or my personal life. He truly cares about me and his other patients, and he’s made it quite obvious he cares about East Central Community Col- lege.” Dr. Hailey is a board-certified physician in the areas of internal medicine, cardiovascu- lar disease, and interventional cardiology. He received numerous awards during medical school and residency. However, he said his

Dr. Shea Hailey of Meridian, interven- tional cardiologist with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, was recently named Alumnus of the Year at East Central Commu- nity College and will be recognized during Homecoming activities scheduled Thursday, October 20. “I am honored and humbled,” Hailey said. “I feel like EC has so many successful alumni that it is such an honor to be recognized.” A native of Union and member of the ECCC Class of 1988, Dr. Hailey attended pharmacy school with the goal of becoming a retail pharmacist. However, it was during his pharmacy externship that he found his true calling–becoming a doctor. He said, “I advanced to my clinical externship at the University

”

greatest rewards are watching his patients’ lives improve. Jennifer Rodri- guez, a colleague

I am honored and humbled . I feel like EC has so many successful alumni that it is such an honor to be recognized .

of Dr. Hailey’s, said, “It is not surprising that Dr. Hailey is an interventional cardiologist, because he is “all heart”. His compassion and passion for excellence have driven him to become one of the best in his field. As remarkable as his skill and intelligence are, he is most known for his kind- ness, humor, and tireless service. He is a natural leader, in large part due to his uncanny ability to always find clarity amidst whatever storm is passing. He has a way of seeing the greatest potential in everyone and everything, and will not find peace until that greatness has been realized. When- ever help is needed, he is the first one called and the last to leave.” He was selected a Fellow for the Society for Cardiovas- cular Angiography and Interventions and the American College of Cardiology. He has participated on various professional committees and was a volunteer for the Wesley House Free Health Clinic for a number of years. He has been published in the American Journal of Pathology for research related to the detection of early acute myocardial infarction. “I don’t have any great awards or highlights to put on my resume, but my ‘awards’ are watching grandparents see a few more ballgames or weddings or the birth of another grandchild that they might not see without a little help or advice. “A really great day is seeing someone feel better … to see them smile and say ‘thank you’ because they feel like doing some activity that they didn’t feel like doing or couldn’t do before they met you.” He said the most taxing parts of his work are administra- tive challenges of governmental regulation and insurance limitations on delivery of care to patients. “These are challenges on top of the rigors of medicine

of Mississippi Medical Center as a senior pharmacy student and saw what the medical students, residents, and faculty were doing. I thought ‘this is what I have to do!’ Learn- ing about diseases and seeing medications actually work excited me and I realized this was my passion. This wasn’t work, it was fun and I just wanted more of it.” He said his pharmacy school counselor was elated when he called to tell him of this new revelation. “I was actually surprised by his encouragement and he immediately began helping me pursue my new-found career choice,” recalled Hailey. “Dr. Henry Pace was a true ambas- sador for Osteopathic Medicine in Mississippi. He worked tirelessly to help me and many others fill the clinics in rural Mississippi with Osteopathic Physicians.” After completing his bachelor of science in pharmacy, Hailey received the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree magna cum laude at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Mo. He completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Baptist Health Systems, Inc., in Bir- mingham, Ala., and fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. “Pharmacy School and the basics of pharmacology, physi- ology, and pathology were a tremendous advantage in my medical school studies,” he said. Dr. Hailey began his career as an inpatient physician at Rush Foundation Hospital and later held positions with Rush Cardiology Associates and Internal Medicine Clinic in Meridian. He has been employed by Cardiovascular Institute of the South since 2016. “The most important part of being a doctor is the pa- tient’s safety and well-being. You just want to see people get more from life because of your contribution,” Hailey said. “

–HAILEY continued on page 19

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Melissa Thrash Carleton MBCI A ttorney N amed ECCC A lumna of the Y ear

MBCI, said of Melissa, “She is super dedi- cated to the Tribe and her work. Her level of integrity and credibility is exceptional. She is probably the most dependable person I’ve worked with and I’ve often seen her ar- rive early and stay late to make sure tasks are completed. By all accounts her peers, elected officials, and those in tribal govern- ment depend on her and trust her. Her work load oftentimes expands because she is so dependable, even when some things may not fall under her responsibility. “This award is very well deserved. Melissa is a stellar representative for East Central Community College and the college should be proud to claim her as an alumna, based on her pro- fessional endeav- ors, her commu- nity involvement and volunteer work, and her dedication to her family.” While serving in this interim role, Carleton also continues to handle all duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Attor- ney General which include but are not limited to representa- tion of the Tribe’s interests in its business enterprises and the Tribal Government and representing the Tribe’s govern- mental departments including its school system, police and fire departments, social services, risk management, election, and public works departments. Carleton said, “I have always had an interest in the ju- dicial system and public policy. I had an uncle who was a preeminent criminal defense attorney in New Orleans, and I always admired him. He once defended a high-profile crimi- nal case in Newton County when I was in junior high school, and he used my parents’ home as his ‘office.’ I feigned ill- ness for a few days so I could stay home and eavesdrop on all of the trial prep and negotiations. Listening to my uncle negotiate those issues with the special prosecutor, Mike Moore, who then became Mississippi’s Attorney General, was fascinating and definitely inspired me to pursue a ca- reer in law.” Carleton has been the recipient of numerous awards during her career including the Mississippi Bar’s Woman Trailblazer Award and MBCI Employee of the Year recogni- tion on two different occasions, both of which she said were highlights of her career. She said one of the most humbling experiences of her career was being asked by Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon to take a leave of absence from the Tribe to work as Special Counsel and Judicial Assistant during the historic State v. ”

Melissa Thrash Carleton of Meridian, an attorney with the Mississippi Band of Choc- taw Indians, was recently named Alumna of the Year at East Central Community College and will be recognized during Homecoming activities scheduled Thursday, October 20. “I am deeply honored to be named Alum- na of the year, particularly since I have such strong family ties to the college,” she said. “When I was born, my parents brought me home directly from the hospital to faculty housing on campus, and I have continued to have a close connection to the college my entire life.” Carleton, who is a Decatur native and

1988 graduate of East Central Community Col- lege, began her career with the Mississippi Band

I am deeply honored to be named A lumna of the year , particularly since I have such strong family ties to the college .

of Choctaw Indians Attorney General’s office during Chief Phillip Martin’s administration and then worked with Miko Beasley Denson’s administration. Since that time, she has continued her work through the administrations of Chief Phyliss Anderson and current Chief Cyrus Ben, both of whom are also ECCC alumni. Her law practice began following graduation from the University of Mississippi School of Law when she took a position with Logan and May, P.A., in Newton in 1993. She then worked as a Senior Staff Attorney with the Administra- tive Office of Courts and was assigned to the Eighth Circuit Court District to work with Senior Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon and Circuit Judge Vernon Cotton. “In 2000, Chief Phillip Martin asked me to join the staff of the MBCI’s Attorney General’s Office, and I have been blessed to have been in that office in various positions for almost 23 years. Professionally, Chief Phillip Martin influ- enced my career more than any other person. He believed in me and promoted me to Acting Attorney General when I was relatively young and extremely inexperienced in the intricacies of federal Indian law,” she said. In her current position as Interim Attorney General, Car- leton serves as chief legal advisor to and chief law enforce- ment officer for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, including representation of the Tribe’s legal interests for approximately 40 governmental departments, programs, agencies, commissions, and business enterprises. She also oversees the staff of the criminal division who are respon- sible for the prosecution of offenses committed on the Reservation each year and serves as the primary liaison for state, local, and federal government interactions. She reports directly to the Chief and oversees a staff of 17 and a budget in excess of $2 million. John Hendrix, director of economic development for “

–CARLETON continued on page 18

ALUMNI NEWS

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