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HAILEY

influential. They all have in common the characteristics that helped me tre- mendously as a young college student. They were liberal with their advice. They always seemed candid about critiquing my strengths and weakness, and were willing to advise me about whatever I inquired about. Sometimes I got more than I asked for, but I am sure I needed it! Dr. Hailey has lived in many places throughout the country, but considers the East Central area home and is glad to be able live and practice medicine in a place he loves. “I have many wonderful friends from EC and although I have many friends from many other institutions and experiences, those from EC are the ones who are ‘my favorites.’ I have trained and been educated all over the United States and have been afforded the opportunity to live and practice in many locations that may seem more desirable to most people, but I came ‘home’ because of my dearest friends and friendships that I made while I was at EC.” Hailey and his wife, Carol, have two children: a son, Rhet, and daughter, Rylee.

that continue today and are stronger now than ever. “The dorm life was key for me to make EC feel like home. I developed a true appreciation and respect for people who came from different back- grounds. I like to think we all made each other better,” he said. When asked about funny stories he remembered from his time as a student, Hailey simply said, “Probably none that can be published and frankly they are the most cherished!” When asked about his greatest influ- ences, Hailey said, “I learned from my father that we should learn from every- one that we come in contact with. This was a lesson that took 20-plus years to sink in, but I like to think that everyone who I have been exposed to for any sig- nificant amount of time has influenced me. Some have taught me what things to do and others have taught me what things NOT to do. Observation and deduction are skills that he instilled in me and are available to us all. “Several people from EC stand out as extra special to me. Dr. Eddie Smith, Dr. (Richard) Fisher, Dr. (Richard) Etheridge, Mr. (Ovid) Vickers, and Dean (Gene) Davis I think were the most

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that continue to change and cause my greatest frustration.” Unsure of the career path he wanted to take following high school, Hailey initially chose to attend East Central as a first step until he made a decision about his future, but he said he quickly fell in love with EC and his fellow students. “I came with the idea of staying one year but wound up hating to leave after two years. It felt like home. Hailey served as president of the ECCC Student Body Association, which he considers a great honor that fellow students would deem him worthy to represent, and he was also named to the Student Hall of Fame and was cho- sen Mr. ECCC. “I have great memories of friends in the dorm, faculty in class and non- teaching roles, as well as times on the athletic practice field and road trips to the many other community colleges in our state.” He said his time living in the dormi- tory was an invaluable experience and started bonds with friends and people

ECCC Golf Team Alumni Tournament Nov. 4 • Dancing Rabbit Golf Club • Choctaw, MS Cost: $150/team (includes 1 mulligan/player) Registration: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. • Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m. Lunch and prizes provided upon completion of play. Each team must have at least one former ECCC Golf TeamMember. For more information contact: Chris Clark 601-917-7396 ALUMNI NEWS

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