Warrior Magazine December 2018

ECCC Foundation welcomes new board members

The East Central Community College Foundation recently welcomed three new members to its board of direc tors. Wallace Strickland

he has held since January. He retired as president/chief executive officer of Rush Health Systems, Inc. and has

member of the 1993-1994 and 1994 1995 men’s basketball teams. He and his wife, Valeria, also an EC alumna

more than 45 years of expe rience in the healthcare industry. Strickland and his wife, Judy, have two chil

and member of the ECCC Academic Hall of Fame, have four children. • Cleveland is the presi dent of Delta Directional, a leading hori zontal direc Billy “Blue”

of Meridian, Philip Prince of Philadel phia, and Billy “Blue” Cleveland of Hickory will serve a three year term on the board, which meets annually to oversee the finances,

dren: Julie (Jeff Lick)

tional love, patience, and motivation directed me to my career path I chose in life. My sisters have also influenced me greatly because through their help and undying affection for our family, I witnessed the true devotion of fami lies. My children have shown me that my love is infinite and have given me strength when I thought I didn’t have any left. “Of course, every teacher who has taught me from kindergarten to college influenced my career because the great ones instilled a love of teaching and the mediocre ones demonstrated the kind of teacher I was not going to be in my own classroom.” Gordon is a member of Mississippi Professional Educators, has served as Reading Fair committee chair, vice president of East Central Talented and Gifted, Science Fair committee chair, lead teacher, and Language Arts coordi nator. She has received National Board Certification, was named a Presidential Scholar, inducted into Kappa Delta Pi Oil Company, a family business started by his father more than 40 years ago. He has also been actively involved in youth ministry at Carthage Methodist Church since 2000. A former Warrior, Prince was a • Strickland, a pharmacist, and Jason (Tiffany) Strickland, who serves as corporate compliance officer for Rush Health Systems. He is a graduate of East Central Community College, Mississippi State University and the University of Ala bama. He was named ECCC Alumnus of the Year in 2012. • Philip Prince is employed by Prince Prince

Strickland

Cleveland

tional drilling company that he founded in 2001.

Gordon also learned the value of hu mor in the classroom and it’s a lesson she uses in her own classroom today. “I remember one day in Mr. George Mason’s biology class, he was not happy about two students talking when he was teaching. He stood up, put his hands on his hips and said, ‘Please don’t ignore me in class. The one thing I can’t stand is ignore-ance.’ It took a minute for people to realize what he meant. He showed me to always use humor in your classroom because life is too short not to laugh. I use that statement in my classroom every year.” Her family has been the biggest influence in her life and career, along with her own teachers she had growing up. “My parents greatly influenced me in my life, and their legacy is still a part of me today. Their constant uncondi policies, and operations of the ECCC Foundation. These include the scholar ship endowments, annual fund, and athletics donations. Current members include David Boydstun, Melissa Carleton, Aubry Cox (vice president), Ken Gordon, Jr., Dr. Jimmy Hollingsworth, Carolyn Huey, Bill Richardson, Dr. Billy Stewart, Gilbert Thompson (president), Mickey Vance (treasurer), and Larry Waggoner. • Strickland currently serves as chairman of the board of Rush Health Systems, Inc. in Meridian, a position Honorees – Continued from page 15

International Honor Society in educa tion and Pi Delta Kappa. She is a mem ber of First Baptist Church in Newton. She is a graduate of Newton County Academy and received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi State University. Gordon has two children: a 23-year old son, Cody, and four-year-old daugh ter, Bennett. Her family also includes three sisters, Shirley, Kathy, and a twin sister, Tina, all of whom attended East Central. She is the daughter of the late Clifton and Elizabeth Hollingsworth. “I am so honored to receive this recognition from such an awe-inspiring school. I enjoyed every minute of East Central – the classes, the ballgames, the other extra-curricular activities, and making new friends. It is an experi ence that helped to create the person I am today. I am very grateful,” Gordon said. He began his career as a laborer and advanced through the HDD industry, quickly excelling to leadership roles. He brings nearly three decades of continuous industry experience. Cleve land is a certified welder and gained extensive training at the American Petroleum Institute’s HDD drill fluids schools. He and his wife, Tammy, have three sons, Colt Cleveland, Cain Cleveland, and Jesus (Kayla) Aleman; and two granddaughters, Chesney and Camila.

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