Warrior Magazine December 2019

Hurst

“The best memories I have from EC all involve the people and friendships I made. Some of the people I got to know at East Central became godparents to my kids, and others became my roommates in college when I went to Millsaps. I have stayed very close to many people from my EC days, and I am always excited when I run into them, or meet other EC alums, as I work throughout the state.” When he is not working, Hurst spends his time with family and church activities. “My priorities are God and my fam ily, in that order. We recently moved from Madison, where we were members of Broadmoor Baptist Church and I was Chairman of the Deacons, in addition to leading a Sunday School class and par ticipating in many mission trips. We are currently building a house in Sandhill and are members of Pinelake Church and lead a weekly small group in our home.” His hobbies also include a love of old cars and woodworking, although he says he is neither a good mechanic nor a skilled carpenter. “I have a number of old cars that I love to tinker on and take for drives with the family. And, I have made a few pieces of furniture for my wife, although I only think she keeps them around because she feels sorry for me.” Hurst is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Celeste McKee, a Newton native and 1996 ECCC graduate, and they have five children: Anna Rea gan (19), Amelia (17), Asa (14), Ainsley (12) and Aliza (2). They are also raising Mike’s 17-year-old sister, Olivia, following the death of their father in 2012. - All photos submitted by Mike Hurst.

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managed Phi Theta Kappa and took us around the United States to PTK conferences where we again were exposed to new people, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. Basket

ball Coach Marty Cooper was also very important to my early leadership devel opment, as he gave me a chance to play basketball and develop my leadership abilities, even when many others would not have done so. In my experience, the se cret to ECCC’s success is and has always been its people.” Hurst said he always encourages high school stu dents with whom he speaks to choose Mississippi’s com munity colleges, especially East Central, as he believes it is among the best. He noted the quality of academic edu cation one receives, coupled with the relatively low price,

and that small, hometown feel, and said he couldn’t imagine any better place for a graduating high school student to attend their first two years of higher learning. Hurst served as president of Phi Theta Kappa, president of the Student Body As sociation, secretary of Mu Alpha Theta, co-captain of the basketball team and was a member of the Presidents Council, Warrior Corps, and Students Against Drunk Driving. He also played various intramural sports.

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