Warrior Magazine December 2019

From the Desk of the President . . .

In this issue of The Warrior you will read that I recently announced my retirement from the position of President at East Central Community College effective at the close of business on June 30, 2020. I want you to know that since early this summer, Stephanie and I have been praying about this important decision and it became very clear to me that this was the decision I needed to make. Since the announcement, many people have asked me the same question: Why? The best way I know to explain my decision would be to tell you about my relationship with my wife. I met Stephanie almost 30 years ago at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. At some point in our dating relationship, I knew she was the one I was to marry and the one with whom I would spend the rest of my life. Now if you had asked me to explain that at that time, I would have simply responded that I just know she is the one. And I am happy to share that we just celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary and I am, among men, most richly blessed. That is my response now when people ask me why I am retiring as President of East Central. I just simply know that it is time. I can’t explain it and I can’t describe it, I just know. I wrote in my letter to the Board of Trustees, “God has led me and my family every step of our journey, and this is no different. During

this time of prayer and contemplation, I was led to Ecclesiastes 3:1: ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.’ I am convinced that this verse is true and I am at peace that my season as President here at ECCC will come to a close after eight years of service next year.” I am also convinced that this transition in leadership will be good for East Central. When I arrived on campus on July 1, 2012, I was given the wonderful opportunity to lead our College through a comprehensive strategic planning process that resulted in 2020 Vision . That strategic plan has guided everything we have done as an institution and has been the catalyst for the consistently positive results seen in Student Success, Teaching and Learning, Community Partnerships, Resource Planning and Development, and Communication. It has also resulted in numerous instances of national and state recognition for our College. Now, 2020 Vision is coming to a close and a new, dynamic strategic plan for the future of East Central will soon be developed with the input of all college stakeholders. Had I remained in this office next year, I would have developed a strategic plan and then, at some point in the near future, handed it off to a new president to implement. To me, that didn’t seem quite fair to a new president or to the institution. So not only is this the right time for me, I believe it is a good time for the College as well. During a recent interview with the Newton County Appeal , I was asked what I wanted my legacy to be here at East Central. What did I want to be remembered for? I really hadn’t thought much about that, but I immediately remembered the chorus of a song by Casting Crowns which says it better than I ever could.

“I don’t want to leave a legacy. I don’t care if they remember me. Only Jesus. I only have one life to live. I’ll let every second point to Him. Only Jesus.”

That is indeed my utmost desire in terms of my service here at East Central Community College and my 30 years in education—that people would see and remember Him, not me.

I hope to have other opportunities to express my thoughts and my appreciation to the Warrior family prior to June 30, 2020. Until then, I look forward to “Finishing Strong” during the spring and summer of 2020.

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Warrior . Merry Christmas!

Dr. Billy W. Stewart President

2