Warrior Magazine December 2018

WARRIOR THE The Official Publication of the East Central Community College Alumni Association Volume XXVII, No. 1 • December 2018

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From the Desk of the President...

It’s hard to believe that we are putting the finishing touches on another fall semester at East Central Community College (ECCC). It’s even harder to believe that 2018 marks my seventh fall semester at ECCC. And, as happens each year at this time, finals will soon begin, and students and staff will depart for home and what we pray is a peaceful and safe Christmas season. It seems like only yesterday that it was the first day of classes in August. Returning students were making their way around campus with ease and familiarity, while new students were searching for their classrooms and asking many questions. In addition to awarding diplomas at Commencement in May, those first few days of the fall semester are definitely one of my favorite times of the school year.

I hope you will take time to read this issue of The Warrior and the good news it brings about your college. I would like to personally mention three items of interest.

First, in December of 2016, I wrote to you about the college’s updated Campus Master Plan, which is a physical manifestation of our strategic plan, 2020 Vision . I wrote at the time that the Campus Master Plan is a roadmap for the physical needs of our campus for the next five, 15, and 25 years. In this issue you will read about another piece of that “roadmap” coming to fruition as we broke ground November 13 on a much-needed Warrior Hall football operations center. Not only will this facility serve the needs of the Warrior football team, but it will include a state-of-the-art training room that will benefit all student-athletes on campus. This building is being paid for by private donations as well as college funds that we will repay over the next few years similar to how we have funded other recent construction projects on campus. There are several other projects nearing realization as well, all part of the Campus Master Plan. Among these are construction of a new Band Hall, the addition of several parking lots throughout campus, renovations to residence halls, and other infrastructure improvements. If you haven’t done so already, I invite you to review the Campus Master Plan located on the college’s website. Second, you will read some very exciting news in this issue. ECCC is No. 1! Again! For the fourth time in six years, and for the second year in a row, students who transferred from East Central to one of the state’s eight public, four-year institutions earned the highest cumulative grade-point average of any community and junior college in Mississippi. ECCC students earned a 3.34 GPA at baccalaureate graduation in both 2017 and 2018. We are extremely proud of the success rate of students who attended East Central as based on data released by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). That is why we are here—to prepare students to continue their educations at four-year schools or move with success straight into the workforce. I would like to recognize the faculty who work so diligently to prepare our students to be successful once they leave our campus. Third, this fall we continued preparations for the college’s 10-year reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). You will hear much more about this over the next three years. Important and upcoming milestones in this process include submission of our compliance certification report to SACSCOC in March 2021, submission of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) report early summer 2021, the SACSCOC on-site campus review in September 2021, and the determination of our reaffirmation in December 2022. This fall we have been gathering ideas for the next QEP using the college’s Council/Committee structure to ensure participation by all faculty and staff. In closing, I want to thank each of you for your continued support and love for East Central Community College. Although I am not an avid reader of Dr. Seuss, I recently came across a quote from his 1971 children’s book titled, “The Lorax.” Dr. Seuss wrote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” I would say that because so many of you care a “whole awful lot” East Central is getting better and better. We’ve come a long way, but we have so much further to go! And, I look forward with anticipation to all of the wonderful things we will accomplish together in the years to come.

God Bless,

Billy Stewart, Ph.D. President

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In This Issue...

CAMPUS NEWS

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EC transfer students earn highest GPAs Cultivating culinary skills Common reader fosters experiences, ideas

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ALUMNI NEWS

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EC goes to Nashville Taylor, Gordon receive alumni honors Cox, Chaney join Athletic Hall of Fame ECCC Foundation welcomes new board members Alumni updates

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22 24 ATHLETICS

Plans announced for Warrior Hall Neel to coach Lady Warrior Softball

On the cover: Culinary Arts Technology instructor Chef Barry Karrh tends to the community garden he uses as a teaching tool for his students. Read more on page 6. •

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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, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of East Central Community College. N ONDISCRIMINATION 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 persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non discrimination policies of East Central Community College: Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI, ADEA, and Title IX are coordinated by Dr. Teresa Houston, Vice President for Instruction, Walter Arno Vincent Administration Building, Room 171, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6202, Fax: 601-635-4011, thouston@eccc.edu. Inquiries regarding compliance with Section 504 and ADA are coordinated by Dr. Randall Lee, Vice President for Student Services, Eddie M. Smith Student Union, Room 201, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6375, Fax: 601-635-3247, rlee@eccc.edu.

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

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www.facebook.com/EastCentralCC www.facebook.com/ECCCAlumni

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The college recently announced plans for construction of Warrior Hall, the new football opera tions center to be constructed on the north end of Bailey Stadium. This project is critical not only to the future of the football program but will also impact the entire athletics program at East Central. It is unique in the history of EC in many ways and I hope you will enjoy looking “inside the numbers” on this page to learn more and be inspired to take part in this exciting endeavor.

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice

The 2018 Legacy Annual Fund giving campaign is currently underway. Tax-deductible donations must be sent to the East Central Community College Foundation office on or before December 31, 2018, to qualify. Funds may be sent via the mail to: ECCC Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327 or online at: www.eccc.edu/estore. Thanks for your continued support of the Legacy campaign! “Believe you can and you are halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt Also as the year comes to a close, don’t forget about utilizing the PATH Act to give to the Foundation. The PATH Act permits individuals who are 70½ or older to roll over up to $100,000 from an individual retirement account – or IRA (Traditional or Roth) – directly to a qualifying charity – such as the ECCC Foundation – without recognizing the assets transferred to the charity as income. Donors cannot receive any goods or services in return for the IRA rollover contribu tion and gifts can be unrestricted or given to a specific department, scholarship, or program. Please contact my office for more information if you are interested in making an IRA charitable gift to the East Central Community College Foundation before the end of the year. “Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference.” – Kathy Calvin ECCC alumni, friends, and corporate partners can always make a difference when they choose to join the Alumni Asso ciation or give to the Foundation. All donations are significant and help East Central fulfill its mission. Think about the impact EC has made on your life and please join in supporting the Foundation or the Alumni Association. On behalf of the Alumni Association Board and the Foundation Board, thank you for your support and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2019! David LeBlanc Director of Alumni Relations and the Foundation David LeBlanc

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$2.6 MILLION Amount to construct Warrior Hall

$480,000 Private dollars raised for the project to date 12,300 Square footage of Warrior Hall 12/31 Last day to make a tax deductible gift for 2018

1 Naming gift available ($750,000)

365 Number of donations to the project

175 Individual donors to the project

3 Rooms still available to be sponsored

31 Rooms in Warrior Hall

90 Years EC has played football

To make a contribution to ECCC or to join the Alumni Association, visit us at www.eccc.edu/estore.

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ECCC transfer students again earn highest GPA at 4-year institutions

The report also again showed that community college transfer students performed academically as well or better in university courses than students who began their education at the senior institutions. The “native” students earned a 3.17 GPA. ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart said that he was extreme ly proud of the former students and for the role East Central Community College faculty and staff play in preparing the students to transfer to the four-year university level. “This data, compiled and reported by the IHL, affirms that we are meeting the institutional commitments of Student Success and Teaching and Learning, two of the hallmarks of our 2020 Vision strategic plan,” said Stewart. “I’m extremely proud of the academic accomplishments of our former stu dents and of our faculty who work so diligently to prepare them to be successful once they leave our campus. Based on the performance of our transfer students, no one does a better job of preparing students to be successful at the next level in the state of Mississippi than East Central Community College.”

Students who transferred from East Central Community College to four-year institutions earned the highest cumula tive grade-point average (GPA) of all community and junior college transfers in the state of Mississippi in 2018. Students who transferred from East Central to one of the state’s eight public, four-year institutions earned a 3.34 GPA at baccalaureate graduation, according to data released by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). The 3.34 GPA was the highest cumulative grade-point average of any community or junior college in Mississippi over the past five years. Students from the community/junior college with the sec ond highest GPA in 2018 earned a 3.26. The average for all 15 community/junior colleges combined was a 3.19 GPA. It was the fourth time in the past six years that students who transferred from East Central to a public four-year university in Mississippi earned the highest GPA of all state community and junior colleges. ECCC transfers earned a cu mulative 3.34 GPA in 2017, 3.29 in 2016, and 3.22 each year from 2013-2015.

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Chef Barry Karrh tends to the community garden located outside his classroom in Rives Hall.

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Cultivating culinary skills at ECCC Chef’s garden enhances education

P eople have been garden ing for centuries in one way or another. There are single family gardens and large farms that produce for the masses. There were “Vic tory Gardens” as far back as World War I and II, which not only helped increase food production during the war efforts, but also instilled a sense of patriotism in the communities in which they were planted. Today one Some people garden for the fresh and healthy benefits of home-grown food, others to save money, and for many, it’s simply a relaxing hobby. Restaurants have also taken to planting rooftop gardens and planters of heirloom vegetables and herbs to ensure the freshness of their prepara tion. For East Central Community College Culinary Arts Technology instructor Chef Barry Karrh, a community garden, which he started in 2012, was a way to enhance Teaching & Learning. In addition to grow ing fresh ingredients, he also included the arts of canning, freezing and drying as practical parts of the curricula, which in turn allows for a stocked kitchen full of fresh items he is able to use in the class room. “Because we try to keep a variety both in the garden and green house, we use fresh herbs throughout our projects, and feature might find com munity gardens in urban areas, which are plots of land that are usually rented by individuals or groups for private gardens in areas with not much land.

the vegetables in every class from Culinary I and II to Garde Manger and International Cuisine,” said Karrh. The garden really took on a new life af ter a lengthy visit between Chef Karrh and EC alumna the Rev. Jane Todd Gurry. “Rev. Gurry started the ball rolling and inspired me to use Mississippi native plants which were drought tolerant and would preserve our regional heritage,” Karrh said. The original garden began with a dona tion from the Decatur Progressive Club, as well as income earned catering for the ECCC Alumni Association. Later gifts given to the ECCC Foundation’s Culinary Garden Account helped with incremental expan sion. Presently the garden includes variet ies of Swiss Chard, Better French lavender, blue sage, chives, al lium, garlic, Ti plants from Hawaii for pit barbeque, sugar cane roots, fraise du boi and pink rose strawberries, pumpkins and gourds, bell peppers, and white, orange, purple and yellow carrots. It also includes a Hawaiian pineapple, which was sprouted from a plant that was donated. Chef Karrh said they rotate sections ac cording to type of plant and season. “This way not only are we replenishing the soil through the nutrient exchange of natural crop rotation, we use the compost generated from the garden as a free/natu ral fertilizer,” he said. The garden is maintained by Chef Karrh and his students, as well as some commu nity partners. Karrh said, “The garden has been vis ited by local chapters of the Boy Scouts Boy Tomatoes, Big Boy Toma toes, Marigolds, Golden Pansies, Silver Queen Corn, Yellow Dent Corn, red sweet potatoes,

“ ” ...Every summer the kids in Culinary summer classes spend time in the garden and learn about growing food simply and naturally.

– Continued on page 10

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EC presents record number of scholarships Over 150 endowed and annual scholarships awarded for 2018

Derek Pouncey Memorial Scholarship; James Shoemaker, Elva Smith Sigrest Scholarship; Garet Jones, Friendship Breakfast Club Scholarship and Regina Gail Gibbs Rigby Scholarship; Mya Spivey, Mable Moore-Carr Scholarship; and William Chambers, Youngblood Family Scholarship; all of Forest. Marshall Massey, Albert and Fannie Mae Hollingsworth Scholarship; Jordan McLemore, Bob Wilkerson Memorial Vo-Tech Scholarship; and Joshua Grimes, General William Patrick Wilson Memorial Scholarship; all of Lake. Nicholas Hardy, AT&T Scholarship; Baylee Lewis, Dr. Aus tin P. Boggan Scholarship; Tucker Cain, Dr. Frank and Bobbie McPhail Bowen Scholarship; Giuliana Donato, Eastside Pawn and Gun Scholarship; Adrienne Sisson, Iris Pellegrene Bog gan Scholarship; Gracey Wilcher, Jay B. and Frances Har ris Smith Scholarship; Lacey Hamilton, Kinoth & Ella Mae Thornton & Emerson Electric Scholarship; Keric Estep, Larry B. Therrell Memorial Scholarship; Reagan Harris, Lucille Wood Scholarship; Shelby Withers, Mississippi Automotive Manufactures’ Association Scholarship; Laurel Pope, Roscoe C. Pugh Memorial Scholarship; Joshua Mitchell, Ruth Round Volunteer Scholarship; Zackary Nowell, S. Lebrun Hutchison Scholarship; and Kalee Sturdivant, SouthGroup Cox Scholar ship; all of Leake Academy. Anna Burns, East Central Scholars (Thomas) Scholarship; Christian Sharpe, Etheridge Family Scholarship and Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers Scholarship; Rey Barragan, South Group Cox Scholarship; Shalaine Thompson, Square County Auctions Scholarship; and Kalyn Smith, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial Scholarship; all of Leake Central High School. Keyshawn Gladney of Louisville, Taylor Machine Works - Welding Scholarship. Justin Derrick, Bank of Morton Scholarship; Dylan

Numerous East Central Community College students were recipients of endowed and annual scholarships and were recognized during a reception held recently in the Brackeen Wood Gymnasium. A record 152 scholarships valued at over $170,000 were presented during the 2018 event. Eighty-five percent of recipients are from within East Central’s five-county district with 102 freshman and 50 sophomore scholarships pre sented. David LeBlanc, director of alumni relations and the foundation, said, “The record number of Foundation schol arships awarded is a direct reflection of both the wonderful generosity of our individual and corporate donors and the academic excellence of our outstanding students.” Those interested in establishing a scholarship at the college may contact LeBlanc at dleblanc@eccc.edu or all 601 635-6327. Recipients and their respective high schools and scholar ships include: Hanna Frazier of Bay Springs, Johnson-Thomas Scholar ship. Woody Vowell of Choctaw County High School, Harvey and Martha Wheeler Pre-Pharmacy/Pre-Med Schoalrship. Caleb Collins of Clinton High School, Pleas Clayton and Amanda Breazeale Blount Memorial Scholarship. Kaeleigh Thompson, Arno and Ruth Carr Vincent Schol arship; Lauren Parker, Bank of Morton Scholarshp; Emilee Tadlock, Dan Harrison Rush Health Systems Endowed Scholarship; Chandler Denton, Jessie Mae and Bobbie Everett Scholarship; Lauren Parker, Ovid S. and Carol F. Vickers Scholarship; and MaryGrace Lee, Robert J. Moody, Jr. Special Education Scholarship; all of East Rankin Academy. Ivan Araujo, Bank of Morton Scholarship; Chris Perez,

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Scholarship; Gillian Hitt, Jeffrey G. and Kathy Hitt Memorial Scholarship; Niley Craven, La-Z-Boy Scholarship; Landrey Godwin, Opal McMullan Dickerson Scholarship; Savannah Baucum, Robert G. Fick Scholarship; and Matthew Moore, Aaron R. Davis Scholarship; all of Newton County Academy. Oree Carmichael, Clyde B. and Flossie H. Goodson Scholarship; Elaina Pearson, Dr. Conrad Barnes Math & Science Scholarship; Hollie Horn, Dr. Earl L. Laird Sr. Scholarship and Nancy Harris Nursing Scholarship; Larry Reed, Dr. Shelby L. Harris Scholarship; Zack McMullan, Elton D. Wall Scholarship; Garrett Mills, James E. Land Memorial Scholarship; Nathan Lewis, Johnson Family Engineering Scholarship; Chris topher Mulford, La-Z-Boy Scholarship; Ethan McMullan, Martha Kate Tullos Hummel Scholarship; Stephen Wal ters, Newton Rotary Club Scholarship; Victoria Ferguson, Ona Mae Ethridge Scholarship; Laurel Shinn, Pam Harris Memorial Scholarship; Allyson Holling sworth, Paul V. and Voncile Breazeale Scholarship; Alexis Rover, Richard L. Harris Scholarship; Sarah Wright, T.T. Beemon Scholarship; Gavin Bailey, W. Clayton Blount Scholarship; Brianna Dailey, Warrior Golf Classic Alumni As sociation Scholarship; Joel Hill, Warrior Golf Classic Alumni Association Schol arship; and Rebekah Smith, Weems Family Scholarship; all of Newton County High School. Cortavius Robinson of Newton, BankPlus Scholarship. Madelyn Edwards, AT&T Scholarship; Orissa McDonald, James M. Vance En dowed Scholarship; Ty Duran, Missis sippi Land Bank Scholarship; and Jacob Robinson, W.R. Covington Scholarship; all of Noxapater. George Farid of Mississauga, On tario, Canada, Ann Burkes PTK Scholar ship. Kaehlyn Saxton, Charles and Judy Dowdle Thomas Scholarship; Chandler Posey, Jacob Stovall Memorial Scholar ship; Courtney Smith, Landon Bryan Burt Memorial Scholarship; Cherish McWilliams, Nellie Neill Cross Memorial Scholarship; and Matthew Smith, Rev. John Lambert Neill Memorial Scholar ship; all of Philadelphia. Sade Gammage of Scott Central, Coach Ken Pouncey Memorial Scholar ship. Emalee Rushing, Albert P. and Blanche W. Thompson Scholarship;

Bryce Callie Lott, AT&T Scholarship; Ethan Tharp, Cleveland Family Engi neering Scholarship; Colby Underwood, Dr. Howard Calton McMillin Scholar ship; Cedarius Bobbitt, J.C. White Schol arship; Alley Moulds, Kyle Dunkerson Memorial Scholarship; David Boykin, Polk and Jennie Pace Scholarship; Madison Leach, Shirley Renaud Memo rial Scholarship; Jenna McPhail, Wallace Strickland Rush Healthcare Systems Endowed Scholarship; and Skylar Belk, Willis Blum and Frances Blum Slagle Scholarship; all of Sebastopol. Alley Bernard of Southeast Lauder dale, Dr. Beverly (Henry) Oliphant-Mar tin Scholarship. Katie Wolverton, Citizens Bank of Philadelphia Scholarship; Baylee Rob inson, Dr. L.B. & Dixie Adkins Scholar ship; Destiny Jenkins, Jack and Mary Jo White Scholarship; Bailey Hedgepeth, Jessica Cager Memorial Scholarship; Macy Lott, Newton Rotary Club Scholar ship; Samantha Bishop, Pauline Mat thews Memorial Scholarship; Symone Cleveland, U.S. Electrical Motors Schol arship; Chloe Chapman, William Wade Long Memorial Scholarship; and Shania Moore, Willis “Bubba” Smith Scholar ship; all of Union. Katelyn Morson of Warren Central, Thomas Rudolph Mayes Scholarship. Ryan Ethridge, Alumni Association Lifetime Membership Scholarship; Maggie Wooldridge, Sylvia Ann Graham Haywood Memorial Scholarship; Jason Newbaker, Weems Family Scholarship; all of West Lauderdale. Blake Wyatt, Board of Trustees Scholarship; Marla Hudson, Classes of 1957, 1958 and 1959 Scholarship; and Lance Sanders, Ernest Harrison Boswell Memorial Scholarship; all of Winston Academy. Homeschoolers and other nontradi tional students receiving scholarships included Carrie Wolfe of Lake, Edwin and Marie Lowe Scholarship; Ciara Harris of Starkville, Hogue-Brantley Scholarship; Samantha McMullan, State Farm Insurance Scholarship, and Amanda Tero, Stella Weathersby New some Scholarship; both of Decatur; Amanda Konya, of Carthage James and Gloria McRae Scholarship; and Rachel Seibel, New Directions Scholarship, and Jeremy Seibel, Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association Scholarship, both of Lawrence.

Grantham, Dan T. Chatwood Scholar ship; Mary Wesley, Hubert D. Gilmore Scholarship; Roxanne Frith, R.O. and Bertha Hannah Scholarship; Kimberly Crotwell, Tony Dobbs Memorial Golf Scholarship; Khamiya Walker, Bank of Morton Scholarship; and Lexi Hannah, Bank of Morton Scholarship; all of Mor ton High School. Landon Weeks, Captain Charles E. Ward USN/RET Memorial Scholarship; Jarrett Bane, Charles P. and Bonnie Saxon Phillips Scholarship; Makinsie Clark, Dr. Beverly (Henry) Oliphant Martin Scholarship; Mackenzie John son, Dr. Margaret Mosal Scholarship; Savannah Watkins, Frank Edwin & Nena Holt Leatherwood Scholarship; Livia Bush, Hudspeth Scholarship; QuinnLee Nowell, Jones & Carrie Williamson and Bascom & Hattie Chisolm Memorial Scholarship; Madelyn Eubanks, Lavern and Elizabeth Vowell Memorial Scholar ship; Madison Boykin, Myrtle Hutchin son Scholarship; Kayle Reynolds, U.S. Electrical Motors Scholarship; and Dan iel Triplett, Wilks-Palmer Scholarship; all of Nanih Waiya High School. Katelyn Durant, Ben Myers Memo rial Scholarship; Hannah Stokes, Ben Myers Memorial Scholarship; Elijah Griffin, Dr. Vernon Clyde and Vashti Muse Endowed Scholarship; Taylor Harrison, East Central Scholars (Alumni Assoc.) Scholarship; Taylor Adcock, East Central Scholars (Thomas) Scholar ship; Caitlin Gray, East Central Scholars (Alumni) Scholarship; Dakota Bailey, Fred Preston Dallas and Maudie Threatt Dallas Memorial Scholarship; Court ney McNair, Johnson/Taylor Memorial Scholarship; Julia Rigdon, Prentice and Dorothy Copeland Scholarship; Jaiden Moore, Russell McCann Memorial Schol arship; AnneTaylor Adams, Sam Rush Memorial Scholarship; Madalyn Thomp son, Sam Rush Memorial Scholarship; Morgan McPhail, Sue Gunter Memorial Scholarship; Chreshun Horne, Taylor Machine Works - Machining Scholar ship; Isaiah Quick, Taylor Machine Works - Machining Scholarship; and Micah Burt, Taylor Machine Works - Welding Scholarship; all of Neshoba Central High School. Bailey McDill, BankPlus Annual Scholarship; Braxton Rose, Bobby Addy Memorial Scholarship; Bethany Weller man, Class of 1964 Endowed Scholar ship; Ciara Patterson, Donald Gray Triplett Scholarship; Zachary Finnegan, Frances Brown Crenshaw Nursing

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Garden

– Continued from page 7

and Future Farmers of America, who have also helped with the additions to get inspiration for their own projects. Mrs. Jill Wagoner at the Newton County Career-Technical Center has helped in sprouting of seeds and donating plants for fall projects. The Mississippi State Extension Service has also brought their own students to visit, work and taste in the garden, and every summer the kids in Culinary summer classes spend time in the garden and learn about growing food simply and naturally.” Karrh said he would love to have more involvement in the garden and make it a community endeavor. To find out more about the Culinary Garden and how individuals or groups might become involved or make dona tions, contact Karrh at bkarrh@eccc.edu or 601-635-6252.

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Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Grants continue to help EC students succeed

the computer lab, which will provide a safer student environment and also allow for a reorganized classroom promoting better instructor student interaction. Seven grant applica tions were submitted this year and selection criteria included items such as the number of students/staff positively affected, creativ ity, and the impact on the institutional commitments of Student Success and Teaching & Learning found in the college’s 2020 Vision strategic plan. “The Oliphant-Martin Grants support the proud educational tradition of East Central Community Col lege,” LeBlanc said. “I am ex cited to see these new items in action across campus.” The grants will be offered again in the fall of 2019.

priation reductions. This year, a $10,000 grant was awarded to the Science Division for updated labora tory equipment, allowing for a hands-on approach to learning science skills and a more rigorous science curriculum to better prepare students. The Collision Repair Technology and Automo tive Technology programs together were awarded a $5,000 grant to purchase Snap Circuit Trainers, which will provide students in both programs with training simulation and real-world application of electronic diagnosis. Also receiving a $5,000 grant was the Mathemat ics and Computer Science Division which plans to purchase flip-top tables and wiring to conceal all exposed components of

lence fund also support two Oliphant-Martin Foundation Scholarships, the Class of 57, 58, & 59 Foundation Scholarship, and various other Foundation scholar ships annually. “Beverly and John have been extremely generous to East Central for many years,” said David LeBlanc, director of alumni relations and the foundation. “The importance of their overall support to the foundation and to this grant program in particular can’t be overstat ed. Through their gifts, the Martins continue to make a positive impact on students and faculty at East Central.” The grant program was developed two years ago to assist the academic divi sions, career & technical programs, and healthcare curriculums on campus in dealing with state appro

For the second year in a row, the East Central Com munity College Foundation has awarded Oliphant Martin Faculty Excellence Fund Grants to various college departments to fund purchases that will enhance the college’s institutional commitments of Teaching & Learning and Student Suc cess. The East Central Com munity College Faculty Excellence Fund, established in 1997, was renamed in 2010 to the Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Fund to acknowledge the generous contributions of alumna Dr. Beverly Henry Oliphant-Mar tin (’58) and her husband, John Martin. The Martins have been consistent annual contribu tors to the Foundation for nearly a decade and in ad dition to the faculty excel

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Common reader fosters shared experiences, exchange of ideas

ECCC to offer new 16-week program in Electrical Utility Lineman The East Central Community College Work force Development Center will offer a new 16-week program in Electrical Utility Lineman beginning Feb. 4, 2019, on the Decatur campus. The new program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the field of utility power transmission and distribution construction, troubleshooting, and repair. It is a non-credit program. Over the duration of the class, successful stu dents will earn certifications including a Class A Commercial Driver’s License, First Aid CPR and OSHA 10-Hour. Also, as part of the prelimi nary screening of applicants, an individual will obtain a National Career Readiness Credential. According to Chris Clark, ECCC workforce development coordinator, the program will incorporate hands-on learning activities in cluding making connections of meter loops, transformers, and other equipment on de energized poles; assisting with the framing and installation of utility poles and apparatus on the ground; assisting in the burying of cable and other related work; operating vehicles and equipment safely, including bucket trucks, digger derrick trucks and forklifts; differenti ating between an energized and de-energized structure and recognize hazards; making basic connections and disconnections; and checking voltage/amperes. Participants will also learn all aspects of the American Public Power Association Safety Man ual and read and understand general informa tion in the Rural Electric Association spec book. During the semester students will also drive commercial vehicles with automatic and stan dard shift transmission and maneuver, back up, and park a trailer, which will require a CDL Class A Learner’s Permit with Air Brakes. A Mis sissippi CDL Learner’s Permit requires passage of the General Knowledge, Combination, and Air Brakes tests, along with a D.O.T. Physical and D.O.T. Drug Screen. Prospective students must obtain a CDL Class A Learner’s Permit with Air Brakes and the National Career Readiness Credential re quirement prior to January 2, 2019. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to Noon for 16 weeks. The cost is $1,500 per student. Financial assistance may be available. For more information, contact Clark at 601 635-6245 or email cclark@eccc.edu.

promoted interdis ciplinary teaching and learning.” “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is a short novella that has made such an impact it is now part of our lan guage. Cliburn said, “Even those who have never read the book have heard the phrase ‘Jekyll and Hyde,’ which is used many times

East Central Community College offered students an opportunity to experience learning beyond the tradi tional classroom environment when it introduced Rob ert Louis Steven son’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” as the common reader

for the 2018-19 academic year. Sherri Cliburn, chair of the college’s Literacy Committee and Career and Tech nical Support Services instructor, said, “East Central has never had a common reader, but we believe this will provide our student body with a shared experience, which will foster the exchange of ideas, perspectives and reactions to a common topic.” All students, faculty and administration were encour aged to read the novella, which was available in various formats through the college’s Canvas module, including HTML, Kindle, PDF, and Word. A small number of hard copies were also kept in the bookstore for those who pre ferred a printed copy. Then the reading was incorporated into numerous college courses. Misty Smith, who serves as Director of the Success Center, Testing and Continuing Educa tion and also chairs the Success Center Advisory Committee, was also involved in the process of selecting the common reader and said, “By incorporating the reading into the various classes, students were not only more likely to read the text, but also more concepts and projects regarding the material could be explored, which made for a more collaborative and community based project, which in turn

by people to describe someone’s unpredictable nature, which can range from very good to shock ingly evil.” While the trend at many institutions tends to lean toward contemporary, non-fiction texts of the self-help variety, Smith noted that “recent studies have shown that a more effective choice is the use of a classic text such as ‘Jekyll and Hyde,’ which has shown to elevate intellec tual engagement and challenge students to form their own opinions.” In its initial proposal, the ECCC Literacy Committee was especially interested in Ste venson’s novella as they said, “It can be connected to every course taught at ECCC, including courses as eclectic as commer cial wiring, web and program ming concepts, chemistry and advanced concepts of nursing, in addition to the more obvious connections to courses such as English, psychology and criminal justice.” In addition to incorporat ing the book into course work, the committee also integrated fun activities such as a book club, movie night, a Jekyll/Hyde haunted house, and surprise appearances by Jekyll and Hyde throughout the year.

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EC goes to Nashville

Alums making their mark on The Music City

T here is no shortage of East Central Commu nity College alumni making their mark in the music world that is Nash ville, Tenn. Country music fans would probably recog nize the names Billy Dean and Randy Houser who have performed for audi ences across the country. But there are also those like Michael Hardy, a native of Philadelphia, and Alicia Jordan Pruitt, who grew up in Sebastopol, who are making a difference behind the scenes in the songwrit ing and music publishing industries. Michael Hardy Michael Hardy has spent most of the last decade as a Nashville songwriter and said he might never have ventured to Music City if it weren’t for attending East Central Community College. “To be honest, if I hadn’t gone to EC, I might have never had the courage to move to Nashville. When I moved to Decatur, I had written one song. It was called ‘Caroline.’ I played it one night for a group of friends and I was as nervous as I’ve ever been to actu ally play something I wrote myself. But they loved it and I bet I played it 500 times that year because somebody always wanted to hear it. That was all I needed.” He’s been in Nashville for more than eight years now but has been writing songs since he was a senior in high school. He said his move north was on a whim when he only had two songs under his belt. “My sister, Madison, had already moved to Nashville a couple years before me and basically told me, ‘You could make a career out of songwrit

ing.’ At the time, I had no idea it was an entire industry. So after that, I decided to try to make it a career simply be cause I loved it and I have very sup portive parents who allowed me to go chase that dream.” Hardy says he writes both music and lyrics, but the method of songwriting is something he says has changed over the years. He says producers and song writers have streamlined the process so that it’s more “efficient and effective” when it comes to getting an artist to record one’s song. “These days you have a producer in the room who plays two or three songs he or she has already recorded but has no lyrics or melody yet and the song writers, as well as the producer, work together on the idea, lyrics and melody until it’s done. “You used to just walk into a room with other songwriters with an acoustic guitar and make the music yourself but the process of getting the songs re corded and mixed and demoed to pitch to artists takes way longer that way.” The songwriting process, Hardy says, is a lot like any other job. Many times it begins with coffee and conversation before the songwriting ever begins. “You walk in, drink a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze for a bit then sit down and go to work. It always starts with the writers throwing out different ideas and you just write the best idea in the room that day. “I write every weekday, and a lot of weekends I’ll go on the road with an artist and write as well. I don’t write at the same place every time though. There are studios and publishing houses all around music row that I write at. Sad to say, but usually I don’t even bring a guitar to a write anymore because producers have so many in their studio that it’s fun to just pick one up and start playing sometimes.” His songs have been recorded by Chris Lane, Tyler Farr, Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, and others. He said sometimes songs get pitched to the artist by the publisher and some times writers develop a relationship with the artist themselves and send them songs whenever they want to. “That’s how I got Florida Georgia

Line cuts. They had me out on the road to write with them about two years ago and we hit it off, so they had me out to write the rest of the tour and we ended up writing a lot of songs for their next record, including ‘Simple.’” ‘Simple’ was the lead song on Florida Georgia Line’s fourth studio album and was co-written by band members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley along with Hardy and Mark Holman. The song debuted at No. 24 on the Country Airplay chart on its release on June 1, 2018, and peaked at No. 1 on Country Airplay in October 2018. Hardy is signed with music publisher Relative Music, which is run by Jesse and Dennis Matkosky. His most popular song to date is “Up Down” performed by Morgan Wallen featuring Florida Georgia Line. It went No. 1 on country radio recently and was also certified platinum, which means it has sold over a million copies. Hardy said it would be really hard to pick his favorite song, but if he had to choose it would be a song he wrote by himself called “Dog Years.” He explained, “It’s written from the perspective of a dog that’s being put down and it’s ‘speaking’ to its owner and thanking him/her for being so good to it. The song got me my first publishing deal which may have never happened if I would have never written it, so it means a lot.” When asked about his musical influences, Hardy said, “I have a ton of influences. Lyrically, I love John Prine. He’s an awesome lyricist and has a very left footed way of saying things and I really respect that and try to do the same. Musically, I love rock and roll so I usually tend to lean more towards the rock side of country. Led Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands. I also love a lot of 90s rock: Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice In Chains. I didn’t listen to country music growing up at all, ironically, but I grew up living a country lifestyle as most people do in Mississippi so I can definitely speak the language.” Hardy is showing no signs of slowing down and has recently signed a record deal with Big Loud and will be going on tour this fall and into next year.

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writers. She said “I will continue to work with certain songwriters and take on a deeper role in the managing of certain artists. I was able to create my own company under the Redlight Management umbrella and I’m super excited to see what comes next. I will continue to work with certain songwriters who I have signed in cluding Lauren Alaina, Chris Staple ton, Kacey Musgraves, and Brantley Gilbert. I will also start to take on certain management roles for artists that I sign to the new deal. I’m super excited!” In both publishing and manage ment, Pruitt says she is always look ing for something that stands out. “Something different that makes you feel something. We call it the ‘it’ factor … you just can feel it when you hear or see it. I like real artists, real songwriters,” she said. Pruitt said the highlight of her ca

Alicia Pruitt Alicia Pruitt has been in Nash

ville since 2000 and completed her business degree in music at Belmont University. She said she started working in the music industry for free because she loved it so much. Today, she works with artists and songwriters across the genre. “I started in this industry working for free because I loved it so much! I think a lot of people have to do that. I answered phones, went to get a lot of coffees for people and anything and everything I could to make it. A lot of great people took the time with me and helped me climb the ladder. Even today, I’m still learning every single day from the greats. However, I would say my big break in life was having two parents who supported me and believed in me and helped me along the way. I owe it all to them.” Pruitt said she has had many great people influence her life, both in Nashville and back home in Mis sissippi. “There have been so many great people in my life. Every teacher at Sebastopol High School, the friends/ family I had there, great leaders and friendships here in Nashville. To name everyone who has made a difference in my life would take up every page of every article you could write. I will say that finding my Savior, Jesus Christ, right around my ECCC years, has been the biggest gift of my life. “East Central was a huge step for me. There were so many great people around that organization, including great teachers. It was the first years of my life away from my parents’ house and it taught me so much about life.” For the past 13 years, Pruitt has worked at Warner Chappell Music where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Artists and Repertoire. Her job was to sign, help guide, and maintain day-to-day activ ities of songwriters and artists. That included anything and everything from securing them record deals to helping them do demo sessions. Recently, Pruitt accepted a new position at Redlight Management, also based in Nashville, where she has moved into more of the manage ment world with artists and song

Michael Hardy Submitted Photo

reer so far has been working with artists on a daily basis and to see them succeed after years of hard work. “My favorite part of the job is to watch people who have worked so hard win! I love watching people succeed and getting to be a part of the creative process.” She said one of the most challenging aspects of the music industry is that it is mostly based off of people’s opinions. “Is that song or artist or songwriter good? It gets somewhat stressful when you believe something is one way and the person making the decision believes it’s another. Just like any job, things get stressful, but it’s also a very exciting and different job. Ev ery day is different,” she said. When asked what she sees for the future of the industry, Pruitt said, “I’ve been asked that in many interviews and the one thing that I will say about the industry, is it’s always changing. The way everyone is consuming music now is changing, which makes the rest of us have to change. People will always listen to music but how they do that is ever-changing.”

Alicia Pruitt Submitted Photo

ALUMNI NEWS

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Taylor, Gordon receive alumni honors East Central Community College

disrupting his lecture. We tried not to go back around the campus after that! “Another instance I remember hap pened while sitting in Mr. Thrash’s history class on a hot, just after lunch, afternoon. Most of the students were drowsy and some asleep. Just in the middle of the class, and most of us not paying attention, he lifted his wooden desk chair and threw it out into the middle of the class room. This made a great noise, woke us all up and we didn’t doze any more that day!” Taylor said, “I truly enjoyed every thing and loved the experience. I would do it all again without hesitation.” In addition to his banking and mili tary careers, Taylor has also been active in his community, serving in various ways. He was selected Forest Citizen of the Year in 1989, is a past Cub Scout Master and received the Award of Merit from Boy Scouts of America, received the Forest Junior Auxiliary Award, and is a member and past president of the Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, from which he also received the Golden Shovel Award. He has been an active member at Forest Baptist Church, where he is a past chairman of the deacons, treasur er, Sunday school teacher and chair of the audio/video committee. Taylor is past president of the For est Rotary Club and the Scott County Mississippi State University Alumni As sociation, and past treasurer of Forest Community Arts, Inc. He previously served on the Dean’s Council for Mississippi State University Meridian Campus and is former chair of the East Central Community College Foundation Board. He is a member of the Friends of the Forest Library and the Forest Country Club. A graduate of Decatur High School, Taylor received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and is a graduate of the Louisiana State Uni versity School of Banking of the South. He has completed additional course work and seminars with the American Institute of Banking, American Bank ers Association National Commercial Lending School, American Bankers Association Funds Management School and Citizens & Southern Commercial Lending School. Taylor and his wife, the former Jo McMullan of Decatur, have three children and six grandchildren. Susan and her husband, Terry Miller, reside in

of captain. When asked who has influenced him the most, Taylor credits family and for mer teachers with providing a positive influence on his life and career. “My family, my teachers at Decatur High School and East Central Com munity College, and the other folks in Decatur where I was born and raised, all contributed to my wonderful life. I remember so well all the great times I had as a young person, living and grow ing up in Decatur. I learned to work hard and try different things. “I think college many times does not totally prepare one for life’s work. However, it makes you mature and learn how to live and get along with others, while providing a great environ ment to learn.” Although he claims to have been just an ‘everyday plain student’ who struggled to keep his B average, Taylor has fond memories of his days grow ing up in Decatur and attending East Central. “I was so impressed with the qual ity of the instructors and their ability to work with each and every student. I loved the camaraderie we all had as students together. I run into EC friends every week and we all have friendships and great memories of EC.” Taylor also began his time at East Central with Freshman Day initiation like all first-year men in those days. “I will never forget that all fresh man boys were initiated into EC with a shaved head, thanks to the upperclass men. It did grow back.” He also reminisced about the week before East Central played Scooba (East Mississippi Community College) in football each year and how students would take turns and beat the Warrior drum 24/7 until the game was played. Many East Central alumni also have favorite stories about their professors, especially those taught by legendary in structors like Ovid Vickers and Tommy Thrash. Taylor is no exception and shared the following accounts: “Since I was a local Decatur boy, we would ride our motorcycles through the campus, especially on summer days, never realizing we might be inter fering with class. During those days the windows of the classrooms were raised to help deal with the heat and the class rooms were right on the street. One day as we were cruising through campus, Mr. Vickers, trying to teach, stuck his head out a window and yelled at us for

alumni George Taylor of Forest, retired vice chairman of Community Bank of Mississippi, and Gina Hollingsworth Gordon, gifted education teacher with the Newton Municipal School District, were recognized as Alumnus and Alumna of the Year, respectively, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, during the col lege’s annual Homecoming activities. George Taylor (’67) When talking to people who know George Taylor, the attribute that seems to always come up in conversation is humble servant. Those who know him well say that when one has a prob lem or a need they only have to “call George.” But those same people are also quick to tell you that he usually won’t take credit for what he does. That is perhaps why it was no sur prise when asked how he felt about being named East Central Community College Alumnus of the Year, Taylor humbly said, “I think it’s a very great, undeserved honor.” Taylor, who has held various posi tions with Community Bank of Missis sippi, formerly Farmers and Merchants Bank, since 1975, recently served as vice chairman from 2009 until his retirement this past spring. He began his career as an assistant national bank examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, before taking a position with First Mississippi National Bank in Hattiesburg. He would serve in various roles from assistant cashier, to assis tant vice president and branch man ager, and finally vice president. Taylor relocated to Forest in 1975 when he took a position as senior vice president with what was then Famers and Merchants Bank. He held various other titles throughout the years in cluding executive vice president, chief operating officer, president of Farmers and Merchants Bank and Forest Ban corp, vice chairman and president of Forest Bancorp, and president of Com munity Operations. Taylor also served in the United States Air Force. He received under graduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla., and was a pilot with the Mississippi Air National Guard at Key Field in Meridian. He re tired from active duty in 1975 after six years of service and reaching the rank

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