Spring/Summer 2014 - East Mississippi Community College
Transcription
Spring/Summer 2014 - East Mississippi Community College
PRIDE Cover:Layout 1 6/5/2014 3:43 PM Page 1 LIONS’ A Fond Farewell, A Warm Welcome Page 13 A publication of East Mississippi Community College Pages 2-3 Volume 14, No. 1, Spring 2014 NJCAA National Championship Coverage Pages 8-9, 18-19 Lion Hills bursting with potential Pages 16-17 Inside Cover:Layout 1 6/5/2014 3:50 PM Page 1 Relive the glory days! PAST and PRESENT CALL (662) 476-5063 to order these DVDs today! COMING TO THE EMCC BOOKSTORE THIS FALL! Page 1:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:25 AM Page 1 PRIDE LIONS’ BOARD OF TRUSTEES Larry Bell Billie Dickson Kathy Dyess, Chair Tim Heard Teresa Hughes Linda Jackson, Secretary Rupert L. “Rudy” Johnson Robert McDade Jimmie Moore Ed Mosley Jim Murray, Vice-Chair Charles Rigdon Bob Marshall, Board Attorney ADMINISTRATION Dr. Rick Young, President Nick Clark, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Alumni Affairs Debby Gard, Vice President for Business Operations and Lion Hills Campus James Gibson, Vice President for Financial Aid Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Vice President for Scooba Campus Dr. Paul Miller, Vice President for Golden Triangle Campus Dr. Raj Shaunak, Vice President for Workforce and Community Services Mickey Stokes, Vice President for Athletics Dr. Thomas Ware, Vice President for Instruction ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Kate Cherry, President Terisa Mayatt Pittman, Vice President Lisa Briggs, Secretary FOUNDATION BOARD Charlie Studdard, President Philip Busbee Nick Clark R.B. Davis Dikki Dyson Johnny Fisher Debra Gard Ike Hopper Teresa Hughes Max Johnson Linda Malone Dr. Andrea Mayfield Carles McComb Mark McPhail Dr. Paul Miller Melissa Mosley Michael Shelton Cheryl Sparkman George Spinks Mickey Stokes Marcus Wilson Dr. Rick Young Volume 14, No. 1 Spring 2014 Fast Forward Lion Hills is roaring, with no plans to hit the brakes. PAGES 16-17 INSIDE From the Director’s Chair..................................2 Simply the Best..............................................2-3 Lion Diary.......................................................4-7 Return to Form: Champs Again......................8-9 A Waking Giant...........................................10-11 Quick Takes: Around the District......................12 Moore Joins Board..........................................13 Alumni Events.................................................14 Homecoming 2014..........................................15 Sports.........................................................18-25 Philanthropy................................................26-31 In Memoriam/Obits..........................................32 The Lions’ Pride The Lions’ Pride is the official publication of the East Mississippi Community College Development Foundation/Alumni Association. It is published by EMCC’s Public Information Office. Project manager: Jason Browne Design and layout: Rocky Higginbotham Editors: Jason Browne, Nick Clark, Gina Cotton, Rocky Higginbotham, Suzanne Monk, David Rosinski Contributing writers: Jason Browne, Kate Cherry, Nick Clark, Gina Cotton, Rocky Higginbotham, Paul Jones, Suzanne Monk, David Rosinski Contributing photographers: Lee Adams, Stan Beall, John Bowen, Jason Browne, Mitch Deaver, Chris Ellis, Craig Fry, Paula Merritt, Suzanne Monk, Adam Robison, Clint Scrivener, Bob Smith, Kerry Smith, Chris Todd, Ben Watts, David Allen Williams Cover Photos: Jason Browne East Mississippi Community College is commied to assuring that the College and its programs are free from discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by state or federal law. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Andrea Scott Mayfield, Vice President for the Scooba Campus Davis Administration Building P.O. Box 158 Scooba, MS 39358 (662) 476-5000 ascott@eastms.edu Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 1 Page 2:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:25 AM Page 1 FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR Nick Clark, center, with Bill Buckner and his wife Patti before the NJCAA National Championship football game in December 2013. It is with a very heavy heart that I write this report. Indeed it is a sad time in the lives of thousands of people who knew and loved Bill Buckner. Bill passed away on May 23 from complications associated with leukemia. Bill had one of the best Christian testimonies that I have ever witnessed. Notice I said witnessed, not heard. He lived his life for Christ every day. You have heard it said of someone that he or she not only “talked the talk but walked the walk.” Bill Buckner was the epitome of that statement. He definitely walked the walk. He literally touched thousands of lives, and everyone was the better for having known him. I was eating lunch with Bill several months ago, talking about everything: Football, hunting, timber management, EMCC, family, and finally we talked about his health. I will never forget what he told me. Bill said, “Nick, I have the best of both worlds. It is a win-win situation for me. If I die, I go to be with the Lord. If I live, I get to keep on doing His work.” Wow! What a powerful statement. Bill and I played football together at Scooba. I used to laugh in telling Bill that I made him an All-American. My blocking and protection gave him the time to run Coach Sullivan’s pass-oriented West Coast-style offense. Bill would respond with, “Where were you in the Jones game?” (when his jaw was broken). The truth of the matter is, Bill made us all a lot better than we were. He was a great football player and the most unselfish guy I have ever known. I could write a book on the things that Bill has done for EMCC and for me personally. He was a great encourager and a leader who led from the front. He served as chairman of the Sullivan Committee following the death of Buddy Faulkner. And when he offered a suggestion for the Sullivan group, he led the charge, made the phone calls and made the contacts to help assure the success of the project. He never let us get out of line either. He would admonish the group occasionally with that soft-spoken voice and a smile on his face. He was one of those guys you just wanted to please. Bill used his ability as an athlete to glorify Christ. He started the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle group at EMJC in 1965. Bill had gone to Mississippi State and came back to start FCA at EMJC. As an athlete, he was very active in FCA at Mississippi State and Delta State and, I am sure, with the Atlanta Falcons as well. He was also very active in FCA during his 18 years of coaching. After coaching, he was called to the ministry of FCA as state director, later becoming regional director for Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. When he started as the state director in Mississippi, he was it! Now, FCA has grown to a staff of 30 with six volunteers in Mississippi. I think that speaks volumes about Bill’s inner strength, confidence, determination and commitment to God’s work. You can be assured, my friends, that Bill Buckner will be missed. I leave you with this thought, “We don’t cry because it’s over, we smile because it was.” SIMPLY In midst of continued growth, EMCC tabbed among nation’s best We’ve known for years that EMCC is one of the best community colleges in the country. Now we have independent verification. Now we’re working toward dropping the “one of” part to stand alone as, simply, “The Best.” The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named EMCC one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges earlier this year, making us eligible to compete for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds. “The Aspen Prize is one of the most prestigious recognitions in our country for two-year colleges. Colleges do not apply for this recognition. Eligibility to compete comes as a result of information in federal reports as compared to criteria established by the Aspen Prize Committee,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. “There are more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, and EMCC was chosen as one of only 150 eligible to compete for the 2015 Aspen Prize. EMCC is honored by this recognition, and we will be submitting an application.” But we’re doing much more than that. Blessed Union Our constant efforts to enhance the quality and accessibility of education available at EMCC will see major developments in outreach and infrastructure over the next several years. The first of these major improvements is the construction of a new $17 million Student Union and multi-purpose building at the Golden Triangle campus. We broke ground on construction for the Union June 6 and anticipate completion some time in 2016. The twostory building, which will stand in the southwest corner of the GT campus, will house a large commons area, cafeteria, book store, classrooms, a lecture hall, a computer lab and multiple offices. Stay in touch, Nick Nick Clark is EMCC Vice President for Instutitional Advancement and Alumni Affairs 2 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 An architect’s rendering of the new GT Student Union. THE BEST Page 3:Layout 1 6/5/2014 3:52 PM Page 1 The space freed by the new classrooms will also allow for a reconfiguration of existing instruction areas at the GT campus, such as those currently used by our Allied Health programs. Even more space will become available at the GT campus in several years following the construction of what we’re calling the Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence 2.0. CMTE 2.0 Booming economic development in the Golden Triangle has led to a sharp increase in demand for highly skilled labor. As the region’s leader in workforce training, we must grow in order to meet that demand. Our goal is to build a brand-new facility sometime in the next five years at the entrance to the Global Industrial Aerospace Park in Lowndes County that will house our Manufacturing, Technology and Engineering Division’s credit and non-credit courses. “We are working with area supervisors to make this vision come true. This is a major economic development effort for the region,” said Dr. Raj Shaunak, Vice President for Workforce and Community Services. The proposed facility will house degree programs such as Electrical, Electronics, Industrial Maintenance, Automation & Control and Draft- An architect’s rendering of the proposed CMTE 2.0 to be built at the Golden Triangle Global Industrial Aerospace Park in Lowndes County. ing & Design, along with Workforce courses like Basic Manufacturing. It will also house targeted Workforce training courses, such as those being developed for the new Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi plant currently under construction in Clay County (see pages 10-11). Industry demand for technicians will lead to the creation of three new non-credit programs: Electromechanical, Mechatronics and Welding Technician. The facility will also host high school juniors and seniors in an effort to create Dual Enrollment pathways for students interested in transitioning directly into the workforce or pursuing applied technology degrees at local universities. Ops Center EMCC’s nationally-recognized athletics programs are also set to receive a new flagship facility with a planned Athletics Operations Center on the Scooba campus. Slated to begin construction in 2015, this 53,000-square-foot, $5 million facility will be located adjacent to Sullivan-Windham Field and will house a 24,000-square-foot indoor practice field along with coaches’ offices, conference rooms and class rooms. The building will also be home to EMCC’s sports medicine program and athletic training facilities. Across the street from the new Athletic Operations Center, Keyes-Currie Coliseum is scheduled to receive an 11,000-square-foot expansion that will increase seating capacity and lobby space and see the addition of a VIP lounge, a weight room, four renovated locker rooms (men’s and women’s home and visitors), meeting rooms and coaches’ offices. The $2.6 million project is also scheduled to begin in 2015. And More… The preceding infrastructure projects, as big as they are, are only the items at the top of EMCC’s list of coming improvements. Future projects include a four-story dorm at the Scooba campus. An FM radio station is in the works at the GT campus. And we’re looking to partner with Mississippi State University on developing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for agricultural use. And we’re exploring partnering with Mississippi University for Women to expand athletic opportunities at both colleges. There’ll be plenty more Ands to look for in the coming years as we strive to make EMCC “The Best” community college in the country. An architect’s rendering of the proposed Athletics Operations Center, which will be located adjacent to Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 3 CAMPUS NEWS Page 4:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:26 AM Page 1 Lion Diary There’s always something going on at East Mississippi Community College. Here’s a look at just a few of those events. More information and photos about many of these items are available at EMCC’s website, www.eastms.edu, or on the college’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/East.Mississippi.Community.College July 12: Cantrell Wins Dual Awards Golden Triangle campus history instructor Kelly Cantrell was honored in April as the Golden Triangle Development Link’s 2013 EMCC Post-Secondary Educator of the Year. And that award came on the heels of receiving the William Winter Faculty Scholar Award from the Mississippi Humanities Council. Cantrell also garnered a Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher Award in 2009. July 15: IKTHOOS Church Camp Nearly 200 IKTHOOS campers spent a week at the Scooba campus participating in Bible study, rallies, music and team games. The camp, sponsored by Grace Community Church and Pine Bluff Baptist Church in Starkville, marked its ninth year at EMCC. Former EMCC President Dr. Tommy Davis congratulates Thelma McConnell at McConnell’s reception in the library. September 6: Thelma Briggs McConnell Day EMCC, Scooba and Kemper County officials, friends and family poured into the Tubb-May Library on the Scooba campus to congratulate Thelma Briggs McConnell at the ceremony officially opening the Thelma Briggs McConnell Archives. McConnell donated much of her collection of local historical documents and artifacts, which are now permanently housed at the library. Scott Stricklin speaks to Student Ambassadors in the Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence at the GT campus. August 23: MSU AD Visits Student Ambassadors Mississippi State University Athletic Director Scott Stricklin stopped by the GT campus to chat with students selected as Student Ambassadors during the annual Ambassador Retreat. August 28: Back to School Bash Students were welcomed back to the GT campus with a party in the breezeway between the library and the Math & Science building that featured free snacks, T-shirt giveaways and fun activities. Representatives from campus clubs on hand recruiting and answering questions from students. 4 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 September 30: Bucket List Golf Tourney The Funeral Service Technology program at the Scooba campus was one of the first to take advantage of the newly-acquired Lion Hills Center with its Bucket List Golf Tourney fundraiser. Cash prizes were up for grabs at the tournament, which raised money for FST students to travel to industry events. FST instructor Octavia Dickerson said the event was also a networking opportunity because “a lot of funeral directors play golf.” October 7: Pink Out Nursing students at the GT campus draped themselves in pink and served up a buffet of pink food for an event to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention. Nursing instructor Debbie Treloar, a breast cancer survivor, spoke on the importance of prevention to local media. Page 5:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:27 AM Page 1 October 29: Reality Fair/Haunted Hallway The annual Reality Fair, which introduces high school students to EMCC and its various programs at the GT campus, came with a twist last year. On the way out, high schoolers were offered the chance to walk through the Haunted Hallway created and populated by EMCC faculty and staff. Jumps and screams were plentiful. CAMPUS NEWS November 19: The Big Bad Musical Mr. Wolf wasn’t the only fairytale character on trial when EMCC’s Choir and Music Theater Workshop put a twist on numerous fables with its performance of “The Big Bad Musical: A Howling Comedy.” October 31: Scooba Industry Appreciation Luncheon Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn was the guest speaker for the Scooba campus’ annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon. Electric Mills Wood Preserving of Kemper County and the Kemper-Neshoba Regional Correctional Facility both received best practices awards. The Kemper Economic Development Authority received a special recognition award. November 8: LAN Party The Computer Networking program and the Association of Information Technology Professionals at the GT campus created a new event aimed at games with the AITP LAN Party. The Lyceum at the GT campus stayed open late as students and community gamers brought their video game consoles and televisions inside for a gaming party and competition. All money raised went toward travel costs for AITP members to represent EMCC at competitions. The Mighty Lion Band makes its way through downtown Philadelphia. November 28: Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade The Mighty Lion Band traveled to Philadelphia, Pa., on Thanksgiving day to march and play in the Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving parade. December 9: The Great Golf Ball Drop The Business & Marketing program at the GT campus hosted The Great Golf Ball Drop at the Lion Hills Center. Wendi McMinn of West Point won a $75 gift card when her golf ball came to rest nearest to the hole after rolling downhill with 75 others. Students raised $300 for travel expenses. December 13: ADN Pinning Fourteen Associate Degree Nursing students received their pins. Marianne Johnson, RN, MSN, chief nursing officer/director of clinical services at Trace Regional Hospital in Houston served as guest speaker. A group of gamers gather around a table for a multi-player game. November 10: The Big Read Art Winner Samuel Mingo of Philadelphia, an art major at the Scooba campus, won first place in the undergraduate college category of the 2013 Big Read Art Contest: Fahrenheit 451. The contest was sponsored by the MSU Riley Center and community partner Meridian Museum of Art. The artwork of all the winners, inspired by the book “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, was displayed Nov. 10-11 in the Grand Lobby of The MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian, before and after Aquila Theatre’s production of “Fahrenheit 451.” February 4: Beauty & Beau Pageant Victoria Butler of Cedar Bluff was crowned “Most Beautiful” and Dante Sanders of Vicksburg was the judges’ choice for “Most Handsome” at the annual pageant on the Scooba campus. November 13: Proud to be an American Day The annual GT campus program recognized and honored American veterans of all wars, but this year was dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Guest speaker for the event was Maj. Gen. Augustus Collins, adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard. November 18: Workforce Awards First Certificate to Inmate Kemper County inmate Keith Reeder of Pearl became the first inmate to receive an Electrical Systems certificate from EMCC’s Workforce Services division. He completed EMCC’s Online Manufacturing Technician Pathways Electrical Systems course while incarcerated. The Top 5 Beauties were, from left, Morgan Corder of Starkville, Krissy Holmes of Scooba, “Most Beautiful” Victoria Butler of Cedar Bluff, Rachel Clay of DeKalb and Morgan McMahon of DeKalb. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 5 CAMPUS NEWS Page 6:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:27 AM Page 1 February 7: Scholars’ Olympiad Seven high schools and more than 100 students participated in EMCC's annual Scholars' Olympiad at the Golden Triangle campus. New Hope High School walked away with the overall top spot. And the top three students testing in each category will receive scholarships. Participating schools included Caledonia High School, Columbus High School, New Hope High School, Oak Hill Academy, Starkville Academy, Starkville Christian School and West Point High School. Phi Theta Kappa honorees, pictured with PTK faculty sponsors, are, first row from left, Rachel Clay of DeKalb, Laura Beth Hull of DeKalb and Rebecca Sepaugh of Mathiston. On the second row are Lauren Clay, Janet Briggs, Derrick Conner and Kelly Cantrell. March 20: Chef Hastings Cooks at Lion Hills Dr. Rick Young receiving his award from MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum February 7: Dr. Young Named MSU College of Education Alumnus of the Year EMCC President Dr. Rick Young was named Mississippi State University’s College of Education’s Alum of the Year and honored on the MSU campus. . February 21: Math Competition The Golden Triangle campus hosted the Mississippi Conference of Teachers of Mathematics’ district tournament. About 20 students from five area middle schools participated. The top two testers from each grade moved on to the state competition in April at Mississippi College in Clinton. Chef Chris Hastings, owner and executive chef of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, prepared a five-course meal for the Columbus Red Wing Garden Club at Lion Hills. Hastings won the 2012 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the South and defeated celebrity chef Bobby Flay in a cooking competition on the Food Network’s program Iron Chef America. April 1: Relay for Life Students, employees and members of the community turned out at Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba as EMCC hosted its Third Annual Relay for Life. The walk-a-thon also included games, vendors' booths and activities as volunteers worked to raise $10,000 for the American Cancer Society and cancer research. February 25: Capitol Day More than 40 EMCC students, faculty and staff members and administrators traveled to Jackson to remind legislators of their 2007 promise to provide “mid-level” funding to community colleges, halfway between funding levels for K-12 and public universities. February 28: Women In Science and Technology Conference More than 300 female high school students, some from schools 100 miles away, attended EMCC’s largest Women In Science and Technology conference in the event’s 20-plus-year history at the Golden Triangle campus. March 7: PTK All-Academic Team Three EMCC students were named to the Mississippi All-Academic Team during a ceremony March 5 in Jackson: Rebecca Sepaugh of Mathiston, Laura Beth Hull of DeKalb and Rachel Clay of DeKalb. Honorees were recognized at the State Capitol by the Mississippi Legislature and were the guests of honor at an awards luncheon. 6 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Cancer survivors make the first lap at Relay for Life. Page 7:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:27 AM Page 1 May 2: Tornado Relief CAMPUS NEWS The East Mississippi Community College 18-wheeler was parked outside Lyon Insurance in West Point for 12 hours gathering supplies for those affected by the April 28 tornado in Louisville. EMCC worked with the United Way of Clay County to fill the truck before pulling out for Louisville. Students, staff and faculty from EMCC’s Scooba campus also gathered supplies and donations to send to Louisville in a separate trip. The EMCC football 18-wheeler sits in front of Lyon Insurance in West Point. April 11: Creative Writing Conference at Lion Hills The Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association held its 2014 annual conference at Lion Hills April 11. EMCC swept the poetry category and won Best Professionally Printed Literary Magazine. April 25: Dr. Young Receives Gordon Award Dr. Young received the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at the Phi Theta Kappa International Conference in Orlando, Fla., after being nominated by the Scooba chapter of PTK. The award is presented to community college presidents based on their outstanding support of Phi Theta Kappa. April 24: Golden Triangle Industry Appreciation May 15: Kemper County Community Dinner EMCC's annual Golden Triangle Industry Appreciation Luncheon recognized PACCAR with the Director's Award, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle with the Best Practices Award and Special Recognition for the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, Sen. Terry Brown and retired EMCC Director of Workforce Services and Industrial Services Otis Taylor. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves was the speaker. A large crowd packed the board dining room of the F.R. Young Student Union on the Scooba campus for the Kemper County Community Dinner. The first-of-its-kind, relationship-building evening provided an opportunity for school officials to meet and discuss ideas with elected officials and business leaders from the community. Representatives from PACCAR accept the Director’s Award. Scooba campus Vice President Dr. Andrea Mayfield and State Representative Michael T. Evans at the Kemper County Community Dinner. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 7 CAMPUS NEWS Page 8:Layout 1 6/5/2014 3:54 PM Page 1 National Champs! For the second time in three years, the Lions ripped through an undefeated season on their way to EMCC’s second NJCAA national football championship and third MACJC state championship. Once again, the state title was won on home turf Nov. 9 at Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba as the Lions defeated Jones County 61-24 for the MACJC title. Then it was off to the coast for another “home” game, as the Mississippi Bowl in Biloxi hosted the NJCAA national title game Dec. 8. The Lions upended top-ranked Georgia Military College 52-32 to bring home all the trophies. Above: EMCC President Dr. Rick Young, head coach Buddy Stephens and athletic director Mickey Stokes accept the Mississippi Bowl and NJCAA national championship trophies in Biloxi last December. At right: EMCC defensive lineman Jamison Goins and a member of the Jackson County-based Dream Program head upfield during one of two contests before the national title game. More than three dozen Dream Program members, staffers and their families braved the cold for an afternoon of football and fellowship with the Lions. 8 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Page 9:Layout 1 6/5/2014 3:55 PM Page 1 2,300 TO BILOXI CAMPUS NEWS After nearly 60 years of waiting and one missed national championship, Jim Scribner refused to miss a second one. Scribner, pictured here to the right of EMCC President Dr. Rick Young, played football for EMJC in 1953 and ’54. He traveled 2,300 miles from his home in Martinez, Calif., over the course of 60 hours to witness EMCC winning its second NJCAA national football title in Biloxi last December. Only it shouldn’t take 60 hours to travel that distance. Business obligations prevented Scribner from traveling to Arizona in 2011 to witness EMCC’s first NJCAA title game. Then in December, he made it as far as Houston, Texas, before bad weather grounded all flights for 24 hours. After the skies cleared, Scribner finally made it to Jackson, by way of Atlanta, and then Biloxi to see the Lions win it all. “It was worth every bit of it. If I had it all to do again, knowing it would be the same, I wouldn’t hesitate a bit,” said Scribner. “To me, if it had been the World Series I wouldn’t have felt any better. Knowing the way the school was when I was there to being the best in the nation is quite an honor. There’s a lot of pride knowing you played at a school that rose up from nothing to a national championship.” Above: EMCC head football coach Buddy Stephens presents Senate President Pro Tempore Terry Brown with a 2013 NJCAA National Championship team autographed ball, as assistant coach Marcus Wood (left) looks on along with Vice President/Director of Athletics Mickey Stokes (right). On the second row are assistant coaches (from left): Scott Gasper, Derrick Steele, DeCarlos Holmes, Archer Sallis, Clifton Collins, and Jordan Lesley. The Lions were presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 520 by Brown in recognition of their 2013 national title. Top right: Defensive lineman Jarran Reed, who signed to continue his playing career at the University of Alabama, whips the big EMCC crowd into a frenzy at the Mississippi Bowl in Biloxi. At right: The statue of legendary coach Bull Sullivan overlooks a standing-room-only crowd for the MACJC State Championship game at Sullivan-Windham Field. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 9 CAMPUS NEWS Page 10:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:29 AM Page 1 Tadaharu Yamamoto, president of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, meets and exchanges business cards with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young and Dr. Malcolm Portera, workforce development consultant with the LINK and former Mississippi State University president and University of Alabama system chancellor, at the Golden Triangle campus Center for Manufacturing Excellence. On The Road To ... In April 2013, Yokohama Tire Corporation of Japan signed an agreement with the state of Mississippi to locate its new Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi plant in Clay County. The plant is on schedule to open in late 2015 with 500 available jobs. If all goes according to plan, additional phases of production and expansion will bring more jobs until the plant is at full strength with approximately 2,000 employees. EMCC has worked hand-in-hand with YTMM and the Golden Triangle Development LINK since before the plant’s opening was announced, pledging to provide the specialized training YTMM requires of its employees. This is the story of where we started and where we are in that process. Sept. 20, 2013: YTMM executives make an official visit to the Golden Triangle campus to meet with EMCC officials and Workforce staff. From left: Dr. Raj Shaunak, EMCC Vice President for Workforce and Community Servcies, walks YTMM officials through the training process; EMCC Workforce instructor Dr. Jim Huerkamp shows YTMM officials one of the diesel engines donated to EMCC by PACCAR for training; and Dr. Shaunak describes a piece of training equipment to YTMM officials during their tour of the CMTE. 10 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Page 11:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:29 AM CAMPUS NEWS Page 1 Sept. 23, 2013 YTMM executives and state officials break ground at the site of the new plant in Clay County. Photo courtesy of NE Miss. Daily Journal Dec. 21, 2013 YTMM executives and public officials host an information session at the Golden Triangle campus. Thousands of interested job seekers attend. From left: Clay County Supervisor Shelton Deanes, far left, and West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson, center, attend the information session at the GT campus; Dr. Shaunak with Mr. Yamamoto at the information session; and Mr. Yamamoto personally greets individuals attending the information session. May 1, 2014 YTMM representatives speak with job seekers during the East Mississippi Job Fair at the Golden Triangle campus. To date, more than 500 people have been assessed by the Workforce Services team and nearly 200 are currently taking or have taken manufacturing classes aimed at finding work with YTMM. To supply the 500-employee workforce needed to open the plant, more than 5,000 will be assessed and trained by EMCC. The Future Architect renderings of the sprawling, $1.2 billion dollar, 1 million-square-foot YTMM plant in Clay County. The Workforce Services team wishes Otis Taylor, right, retired director of Workforce services and industrial services, farewell following the Golden Triangle Industry Appreciation Luncheon April 24. Taylor spent 13 years with EMCC Workforce after a career that took him to United Technologies and Mississippi University for Women. “Otis is a very dedicated, honorable and customer-focused team player. He was always looking to improve EMCC and our standing in the community,” said Dr. Raj MR. TAYLOR TAKES IT EASY Shaunak, Vice President for Workforce and Community Services. Taylor was an integral part of the Workforce team at a time that saw the arrival to the Golden Triangle of manufacturers like American Eurocopter (now Airbus), Severstal, PACCAR and, most recently, Yokohama. EMCC Workforce Services carried out employee training for many of the hightech, manufacturing jobs now located in the Golden Triangle. We offer our thanks and wishes of good luck to Mr. Taylor. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 11 CAMPUS NEWS Page 12:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:29 AM Page 1 Shelley Rae Edwards, pictured at graduation ceremonies with Dr. Young, is EMCC’s first Dual Enrollment student to earn an associate’s degree prior to graduating high school. First of her kind MAYHEW – Shelley Rae Edwards made history in May when she became the first EMCC student to earn her associate’s degree before graduating from high school. The Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit student took full course loads of online classes each semester, including summers, beginning the summer prior to her junior year. She walked in the Golden Triangle commencement ceremony just days before participating in East Webster High School’s graduation ceremony. Cindy Johnson, EMCC director for the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit program, said Edwards’s graduation is an extreme example of what is possible through Dual Enrollment, made possible by her equally extreme dedication to her goal. Edwards plans to attend Millsaps College in the fall. GT’s All-Star MAYHEW – This spring, Mathiston native Rebecca Sepaugh became the first-ever Golden Triangle campus student to earn the prestigious Guistwhite Award through Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Sepaugh, who graduated from EMCC May 9, was homeschooled through most of her high school years, but in just two years of community college managed to rack up nearly Rebecca $20,000 in scholarSepaugh ships which she’ll take to Ole Miss in the fall. In addition to the $5,000 Guistwhite Scholarship, which is presented annually to just 20 community college students nationwide, she also earned a Coca-Cola Gold Scholarship through PTK and a William Winter Scholarship. Sepaugh further cemented her standing as one of the best students ever to come out of the GT campus by earning Mississippi All-Academic team honors and graduating as one of the first students to complete the GT campus’s revamped Honors Program. EMCC Hotel & Restaurant Technology program head Dr. Linda Farrar and EMCC Culinary Arts student Ali Browne speak with MUW President Dr. Jim Borsig at a press conference to announce a partnership between the schools’ culinary programs. Savory partnership COLUMBUS – A partnership signed with Mississippi University for Women in November will enrich the educational experience for culinary students at both schools. EMCC President Dr. Rick Young joined MUW President Dr. Jim Borsig to sign an agreement which allows graduates of EMCC’s Hotel & Restaurant Management Technology program to seamlessly continue their educations in MUW’s Culinary Arts program. In addition to The W accepting transfer credits from EMCC’s program, MUW students will have access to training opportunities in the kitchen at Lion Hills. “This opportunity is a win-win that gives both groups of students an edge,” said Dr. Young. From EMCC to Chief of Police Nichols knew he was bound for law enforceSTARKVILLE – New Starkville Police Dement. He had been an aircraft director on two partment Chief Frank Nichols would be in law aircraft carriers, the USS Kitty Hawk and USS enforcement no matter where he went to colIndependence, and part of a then lege. But he has no qualms about record-breaking 112 straight days at crediting East Mississippi Commusea when his boat was deployed to nity College with starting him down the Persian Gulf in 1990 as part of the path that led to his current posiOperation Desert Shield. tion. After being promoted to Petty Officer “I don’t think I could have gone at just 19 years of age, he was “volto any other college and be where I untold” as part of the Navy’s new am today. And that’s because of the Master at Arms military police profaculty at EMCC and the way they gram. Once exposed to law enforceeased me along,” said Nichols. Frank ment, he never looked back. But he Nichols, like many students at Nichols did remain in the military as part of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus, the Mississippi Army National Guard, was non-traditional, having been out where he earned the Combat Action Badge of school for nearly 10 years when he began for engaging in enemy fire while in Bagdad in attending in 1996. August 2005. “I was kind of intimidated to go back to Nichols earned his associate’s degree school,” he said. from EMCC in 1999, a time when the Golden It’s hard to picture Nichols being intimiTriangle campus had just a few hundred studated by anything. After a stellar stint in the dents. Navy fresh out of Starkville High School, 12 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 “I loved it because there were a lot of people my age and the faculty handled us with kid gloves. That motivated me to go on and get my bachelor’s (in sociology and educational psychology) from Mississippi State University and my master’s (in criminal justice) from Troy University,” said Nichols. Already a member of the SPD at the time, he credits his success at EMCC with emboldening him to pursue higher degrees, which would in turn open doors in his career, such as providing the qualifications to be a chief of police. But he didn’t want to be chief just anywhere. Nichols has turned down offers to head other nearby police departments while awaiting his chance. And in February, after 22 years with the SPD, his chance arrived. And now EMCC has a chief of police on its adjunct faculty, as well. Nichols began teaching criminal justice courses at EMCC’s Columbus Air Force Base extension in 2009 and began teaching online courses this January. Page 13:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:30 AM ALUMNI NEWS Page 1 Familiar ground One EMCC veteran steps in for another as Lauderdale County trustee Last October, EMCC bid the municipal marketing profesfarewell to a 23-year trustee and sional for Mississippi, Tennessee welcomed the school’s former and Alabama. business manager back to the fam“It’s important that we have ily as a member of the Board of strong leaders from the Lauderdale Trustees. County community presLauderdale trustee ent on our Board of Dennis Morgan, who Trustees. Jimmie Moore, joined the Board of and his fellow LaudTrustees in 1990, stepped erdale trustee Ed Mosley, down last September to are our men on the attend to his family busiground, our eyes and ness. As the owner and ears, so to speak, in president of Morgan Lauderdale County,” said Plant Farm in Toomsuba, EMCC President Dr. Morgan was especially Rick Young. Jimmie Moore well-versed in financial “We’re currently atand hiring matters. He tempting to increase our also knew EMCC from footprint in Lauderdale inside and out: First as a County, as well as seek1956 graduate, class ing a larger financial conpresident and basketball tribution from the county captain, and later as a for the unrivaled quality trustee. of our contributions in “A lot of the trustees building a stronger workcome from different force in the area. Mr. backgrounds and occupaMoore’s experience and Dennis Morgan insight into the county are tions. Some own businesses. Some work in of great value to EMCC.” government. My business backMoore said he’s impressed by ground helps with budgeting and EMCC’s profound growth in eninterviewing for leadership posirollment, infrastructure and intions,” said Morgan. struction since his time with the Jimmie Moore brings a similar college, a period when Morgan business savvy and familiarity with helped steer the college along with EMCC to the board. The Meridian the 11 other trustees. native served 16 years as EMCC’s “I have a unique perspective on business manager in the 1970s and the progress. I was at EMCC in the 80s. He later spent three years as lean years when we didn’t have a Kemper County administrator and lot of brick and mortar money. I’m currently works for Waste Pro as somewhat amazed at the growth in At top: Dennis Morgan with Dr. Rick Young during Homecoming 2012. At bottom: Jimmie Moore with Dr. Bruce Hanson at Sullivan-Windham Field. facilities and enrollment since I left,” said Moore. “I consider it a great honor to serve on the board. The commu- nity college system is the best educational value in the state and I look forward to being a part of the continued growth of EMCC. THE ALUMNI REPORT: EMCC Memories Kate Cherry Memories! Our lives are built on them, and some of my most precious memories are of EMCC. I attended Margie B. Aust Elementary School through the eighth grade, which was next door to the college. In the first grade the college’s recruiters visited us. Yes, even in the first grade, and gave us T-shirts to encourage us to attend when we finished high school. I have continued to live in Kemper County since five years of age and have watched the college grow tremendously from a very small school to one of the greatest community colleges in the nation. How about those Lions?! Memories do keep us coming back and participating in programs. So, how can you participate? Keep in touch through the EMCC Development Foundation, which is a constant source of information about the happenings and needs of the college. Many of us, myself included, were benefactors of scholarship money provided through the generosity of those who attended before us. It is most important that we support the Foundation with our contributions to ensure the stability of EMCC will last for generations to come. As president of the alumni association, I pledge my support to the administration, faculty, staff and students. And I will work to promote and protect our great name. Please join me in celebrating a year of unparalleled excellence at EMCC. Kate Cherry President, EMCC Alumni Association Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 13 ALUMNI NEWS Page 14:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:30 AM Page 1 MORE CHANCES TO SUPPORT LION COUNTRY! HOMECOMING 2014 2013 Homecoming Queen Rachel Clay and her father, Bruce. The defending NJCAA national champion and MACJC state champion Lions take on Jones County Junior College Oct. 4 at Sullivan-Windham Stadium in Scooba. The contest will be a rematch of the 2013 MACJC State Championship contest between the Lions and Bobcats – a game EMCC won in convincing fashion, 61-24, last November. On the morning of Oct. 4, alums will gather for the annual Korean War Memorial Prayer, Alumni Foundation meeting and other fellowship opportunities to celebrate Homecoming. Flint Tedder’s team out of Meridian shot the 1st Place Net score of a 46. Pictured from left are EMCC Golden Triangle campus Vice President Dr. Paul Miller with golfers Flint Tedder, Les Hull, Scott Johnston, Ricky Mauldin and EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. EMCC GOLF CLASSIC The EMCC Golf Classic will be held Oct. 13 at Lion Hills in Columbus. The tournament is a four-person scramble. Registration begins at 10 a.m. A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. Tee time is 1 p.m. Players and guests can stay for a 6 p.m. dinner for a small additional charge. The 17th Annual Old Waverly Golf Classic was held Oct. 22, 2013 in West Point. The presenting sponsor was C Spire. The First Place Gross prize went to the Harpole Steel Buildings team of Henry Pruett, Price McGiffert, Bunk Harpole and Mike McCleod with a 52. First Place Net went to the team of Flint Tedder, Les Hull, Scott Johnston, Ricky Mauldin with a 46. WILD GAME DINNER & AUCTION The dining room at Lion Hills was filled to capacity during this year’s Wild Game Dinner. The “Bull” Sullivan Committee invites you to join us again at Lion Hills in Columbus on March 6, 2015, for the 12th annual EMCC/Billy Joe Cross Wild Game Dinner & Auction. The social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Any company wishing to partner with EMCC as a sponsor for this event is welcome to contact Gina Cotton (info at bottom of page) in Alumni Affairs. The Pryor & Morrow Quitman team of Brian Fleming, Chris Morrow, John Roberts and Nicky Fleming finished 1st Place with a high score of 337/400. The team is pictured with Golden Triangle campus Vice President Dr. Paul Miller, far left, and Bull Sullivan Committee member Jimmy Kibe, far right. SPORTING CLAYS CHALLENGE CUP The Sporting Clays Challenge Cup will celebrate its seventh year on May 15, 2015, at Burnt Oak Lodge in Crawford. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and a complimentary lunch follows the competition. First Place Individual Shooter for the 2014 competition went to Brian Fleming of the Pryor & Morrow Quitman team, who shot 94/100. P&M Quitman took the top spot at the competition with an overall score of 337/400 on the course. The presenting sponsor of this event is Pryor & Morrow Architects and Engineers of Columbus. For more information about fees or sponsorship opportunities, call Gina Co!on of Alumni Affairs at (662) 476-5063 14 The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Page 15:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:30 AM ALUMNI NEWS Page 1 Bradberry joins MACJC Hall of Fame PEARL – Former EMCC quarterback and head football coach Randall Bradberry was one of 15 individuals inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame April 29 at the Clyde Muse Center on Hinds Community College’s Rankin Campus. The Sturgis native was recognized for a distinguished career of nearly 40 years as an administrator, educator and athletic coach at the state, collegiate and high school levels, all in Mississippi. Bradberry was recruited to EMCC by Bob “Bull” Sullivan and joined the Lions in the fall of 1967. With the honor of having played quarterback for the Hall of Fame coach during Sullivan’s final two seasons on the Scooba campus, Bradberry helped lead the Lions to a two-year composite record of 155, including a state runner-up finish as a freshman. As a sophomore team co-captain, he capped his EMCC playing career by being tabbed as a North Division All-Star in 1968. Randall Bradberry shows off his hardware with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young following Bradberry’s induction into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in April. Bradberry went on to become Delta State University’s starting quarterback, establishing several school passing records. Upon graduating from DSU in 1971, Bradberry returned to his high school alma mater to kick off his coaching career. He became head football coach at EMCC in 1976. Highlighted by a seven-win season in 1978 and responsible for the program’s first-ever state football playoff appearance in 1984, Bradberry spent a dozen seasons at the Lions’ football helm. He also served as director of athletics and dean of students, ultimately becoming interim president before departing EMCC in 1988 for Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He became head coach at CoLin in 1990 and guided the Wolves to a second straight South Division title. Bradberry also served as the college’s director of institutional research while completing his doctorate degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in community colleges from Mississippi State University. Bradberry later joined the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges as commissioner of athletics for all MACJC-sanctioned sports. He became the associate executive director for community college academic programs before retiring in 2008. Left: The Harpole Steel Buildings team out of Columbus and Birmingham, Ala., shot the 1st Place Gross score with a 52 in the Old Waverly Golf Classic. Pictured from left are EMCC Golden Triangle campus Vice President Dr. Paul Miller with golfers Henry Pruett, Price McGiffert, Bunk Harpole, Mike McCleod and EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. Center: John Roberts, foreground, presses the button to release a clay pigeon as the event’s Top Shooter Brian Fleming hits one of his 94/100 targets. Right: EMCC alum Johnny Apple, second from right, donated this golf cart to the college at Homecoming. 2014 EMCC Sports Hall of Fame We will honor our 2014 EMCC Sports Hall of Fame inductees with a reception and banquet on Friday, Oct. 3, in the F.R. Young Student Union. Reservations are required to attend. The 2014 EMCC Sports Hall of Fame Class is as follows: Thomas Adkins Baseball 1968-70 Orlando Bobo Football 1992-93 Junior Files Football 1963-64 James J.J. Johnson Football 1995-96 Steve Moore Football 1969-70 George Belvin Football 1963-64 Ronnie Carter Football 1963 Rick Garner Football 1967-69 John Mason Football 1973-74 Eddie Permenter Football 1963-64 LeGarrette Blount Football 2006-07 Buddy Conn Football 1964-65 Tom Goode Football Coach 1992-2003 Don Massey Football 1959-60 Rod Richards Football 1956-57 Tommy Smith Football/Basketball 1967-68 Antowain Smith Football 1993-94 Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 15 Page 16:Layout 1 6/10/2014 10:54 AM Page 1 Growth EXPLOSION! At the close of its first year as a college campus, Lion Hills has accomplished its mission. Now it must live up to its potential. From the outside, East Mississippi Community College’s educational and recreational facility looks much the same as it did during its former life as the Columbus Country Club. The only outfacing evidence of a change in ownership is a wrought iron gate at the front entrance adorned with a giant “LH” and bracketed by a pair of lion statuettes in the adjacent flower beds. But inside and out, thousands of man hours of labor were poured into renovations. Not just for our students’ use but also for public use. In the months following EMCC’s improvements, golf memberships at Lion Hills ballooned to over 350 A new irrigation system was installed and bunkers reworked. A world-class chef and a dining room remodeled in lush wood paneling drew such large crowds to the restaurant that would-be diners sometimes couldn’t find a parking space. Approximately 30 civic clubs meet at Lion Hills each month. Wedding receptions and class reunions are booked through 2015. Elsewhere on the campus, the Hotel & Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts program and the Recreational Turf Management 16 The Lions’ Pride program share a newly-remodeled building. The HRT/CA kitchen is stocked with industrial grade ovens and refrigerators, and the Turf Management garage is packed with specialized riding mowers, tractors and other vehicles. The improvements at Lion Hills are profound, but they’re still not enough. “I’m not a patient person, and everyone who works here knows that,” said Debby Gard, Spring 2014 EMCC’s vice president for Lion Hills. “Sometimes I have to sit back and think where we were a year ago and think of the tremendous progress we’ve made.” Gard, who has been the person on the ground for EMCC at Lion Hills since it was purchased in federal bankruptcy court in October 2012, crafted much of the vision for Lion Hills along with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. From the interior decorating to the business policies, Gard’s influence is everywhere. And so is her impatience. “I want to start serving Thursday night dinner. We’re out recruiting more civic clubs. I want to host more golf tournaments. There’s a lot of landscaping left to do. I want to expand the Culinary Arts program and add a landscaping program to go with Turf Management,” she said. While those goals seem fairly standard for a golf course, Gard and EMCC administrators see them only as objectives on the way to the ultimate goal of marrying college and community at Lion Hills. “We’ve put ads in the papers explaining that we’re open to the public. Page 17:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:31 AM Page 1 At left, EMCC students prepare meals in the practice kitchen at Lion Hills, where they assisted in hosting the Wild Game Dinner (center). At right, part of the new grounds equipment; and below, Turf Management students get their hands dirty with a little landscaping project. “That seems to be the biggest thing people don’t understand. Lion Hills is not just for members. It’s for everyone,” said Gard. What’s Cooking? Half a mile east down Military Road, in a small brick building adjacent to the golf course, in a kitchen packed with stainless steel equipment and culinary ingredients, Dr. Linda Farrar can finally stretch out. Not in a personal sense; Farrar’s immaculately styled hair is the widest feature of her slender frame – but in a professional sense. Farrar originated the Hotel & Restaurant Management program for EMCC back in 1997 and served as its lone instructor until this year. Constricted by limited kitchen and classroom space at the Golden Triangle campus – and limited opportunities due to the GT campus’s location out in the fields of Lowndes County – she finally has the appropriate square footage and venue at Lion Hills to create the robust program EMCC deserves. As it turns out, things are still tight. There’s just more space to fill up. “So many people were applying we had to close registration. We hired two adjunct instructors, both of whom have taught for Mississippi University for Women’s Culinary program. But we had to cap the lab classes at 14 students. It’s a challenge to get all these classes scheduled to use the kitchen where we’re not on top of each other,” said Farrar. Luckily, the main kitchen in the clubhouse at Lion Hills relieves some of the pressure on the practice kitchen while simultaneously allowing students to rack up work study hours. Booming lunches and a never-ending schedule of events at the clubhouse provide invaluable experience in buffet cooking, catering receptions or outdoor dining by the pool. “Lion Hills also provides an opportunity for these students to learn about how to run a golf course or a country club. Both the front-of-thehouse marketing and hospitality and back-ofthe-house business like how much banquets cost, how much to rent rooms for, labor costs, etc.,” said Farrar. For the students in EMCC’s Culinary program, a one-year certificate program, who want to learn how to make gourmet food, the opportunities are similarly bountiful. Many of Farrar’s students and instructors assisted at Lion Hills during the 2014 Wild Game Dinner alumni fundraiser, preparing dishes such as fried quail and frog legs in the kitchen. Culinary students were on hand to help when Chef Chris Hastings, owner and executive chef of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham and the 2012 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in the South, prepared a special meal at Lion Hills a few weeks after. Not to mention Farrar’s students have won the Mississippi Culinary DECA competition for the past four years in a row. Despite the rapid growth, Farrar and her programs aren’t slowing down. In 2013 EMCC signed a deal with MUW that would allow EMCC grads to transfer credits to The W to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the culinary program. In exchange, MUW students have access to Lion Hills for work study. Several MUW students were in the kitchen during the Wild Game Dinner. Farrar eventually hopes to add night classes to the schedule and open classes up for audit, so community members can sit in on classes to learn without receiving college credit. But her programs can’t monopolize all of their new building. They have to share with their new neighbors. Green Grass Guys The instruction building at Lion Hills is actually a two-parter. There’s the brick portion, where the practice kitchen and classroom spaces are housed. But the rear two-thirds is essentially a big metal garage chock full of shiny, new equipment. It’s here that instructor Danny Smith and the students in EMCC’s 1-year-old Recreational Turf Management program launch their excursions onto Lion Hills’ 18 holes. “We work closely with the grounds crew. I try to work with their regular schedules. If they cut tees three days a week, I try to get them to let my students do some of the work,” said Smith. Smith’s experience in horticulture and grounds keeping is extensive, both as a worker, administrator and instructor. He taught horticulture at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus from 1983-90, left to take the supervisor of landscaping job at MUW for 17 years, then returned to EMCC 6 years ago to oversee landscaping. He says the expedience of a two-year degree in turf management will be ample to get most of his students a job, but will also prepare them for four-year programs at any number of universities. “Lots of landscaping companies are looking for foremen. Not someone with a bachelor’s degree, but someone who is familiar with different turf grasses and knows how to run the equipment. Or they could go into business for themselves maintaining residential lawns. The job market is pretty good in this area,” said Smith. The prerequisites for the work are obvious, but still a reality to be reckoned with. “You’ve got to be willing to work in the heat and the cold every day. There are not many people in this industry that sit in an office,” said Smith. Pieces to the Puzzle Gard doesn’t spend much time in her office, either. With Farrar and Smith, golf operations manager Del Faulkner, golf pro and coach Benjiman Williams and accountant Cheryl Hubbard handling the office, she has the team she wants in place. But she still has to beat the bushes to let people know Lion Hills is for literally everyone. Corporate packages, which allow any four people from a business to play any time, are available to businesses. Coach Williams offers lessons for beginning golfers to veterans. Swimming lessons are available for kids. Mulligan’s, the BYOB bar, is still live every Friday night. Brunch, lunch and dinner are open to the public. And EMCC gets its use out of the facility. The Alumni Golf Classic will be hosted at Lion Hills this October. It was the site of an administrative retreat. ABE classes could be on the horizon. Evening cooking classes, too. Gard’s goals for Lion Hills are simple and plain, but not yet fully realized. “I want something EMCC going on here all the time. But I want everybody to use Lion Hills,” she said. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 17 SPORTS Page 18:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:32 AM Page 1 Taking it to the top Stephens, EMCC football program continue to reach unprecedented heights By Paul Jones Before the arrival of head coach Buddy Stephens nearly seven years ago, the East Mississippi Community College football program was often considered an afterthought among the junior college gridiron ranks. However, that mentality has certainly changed during recent years with the Lions consistently ranking among the state’s most dominant football programs as well as reaching the pinnacle of national success. In his six years at EMCC, Stephens has compiled an overall record of 56-10 as the NJCAA’s fourth-winningest football program. Dating back to the 2008 season, the Lions have claimed two NJCAA national championships, three MACJC state titles and five MACJC North Division crowns. Even more impressive is that Stephens and his assistant coaches have elevated the program to national prominence so quickly. Prior to Stephens’ arrival on the Scooba campus in December 2007, the Lions had only experienced one previous playoff berth in the school’s football history and had not produced a winning football campaign during the decade before his hiring. Yet through all of the Lions’ recent success on the field, what makes Stephens smile even more is to see his players succeed off the field and improve their lives once they exit the program. “The success is satisfying, the championships are nice, and it is great to see our guys move on to play on Saturdays or even in the NFL,” Stephens noted. “But the most gratifying thing for me is when I see our kids complete their degrees, move onto successful jobs and then return to campus for a game or come visit us at practice.” However, Stephens is also quick to point out that the success during his tenure has been a collective effort. Seeing that teamwork mentality when he interviewed for the EMCC opening is what helped sell Stephens on the opportunity in Scooba. “What sold me was (EMCC 18 Above: EMCC head football coach Buddy Stephens celebrates with his players during the 2013 season, one which culminated in the school’s second NJCAA National Championship in the last three years. Below: Stephens speaks to members of the media following a big Lion victory. President) Dr. (Rick) Young’s vision for our whole athletic program,” Stephens recalled. “Even to this day, he wants to be the best in everything. He continues to want outstanding graduation rates with our kids leaving with degrees. “I also knew we had a very football-rich area to recruit with excellent athletes. You put all of those things together and it was an easy sell to me.” Stephens has also worked alongside numerous coaches on his The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 various staffs who have moved on to be successful coaches elsewhere. That coaching tree has produced coaches at various levels of football all across the country. “We hire very good people here at EMCC,” Stephens added. “Sometimes those coaches are really young in their careers, and it is my job to help them any way I can. I try to help coaches attain their goals just like we do with our players. It is a testament to our program when our coaches move up the ladder.” But, while they are here with him on the Lions’ staff, Stephens remains appreciative of the loyalty shown by his assistant coaches. “It is a grind all year long and you can’t relish in past accomplishments or it will catch up with you the next year,” Stephens said. “We stick with the commitment we’ve made as a staff and it remains the cornerstone of our success.” And many generations from now, Stephens wants proud EMCC alumni to return to the Scooba campus basking in the light of football accomplishments achieved by their beloved Lions. “We were given the torch to bear when we came here to make sure we laid a foundation to last many, many years,” Stephens noted. “We want people to reflect back on this time and know that it was a great period for East Mississippi Community College.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville Page 19:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:32 AM Page 1 FOOTBALL SPORTS Title: Defining moment came early By Paul Jones During every national championship journey, there’s always that moment where a head coach realizes his team could produce a special season. Sometimes that defining moment comes during a specific game with a seasonchanging rally or perhaps through a series of events that leads to a desired result. For East Mississippi Community College, that journey was immediately set into motion on the heels of consecutive one-point setbacks that prematurely ended the team’s 2012 campaign and snapped the program’s 20-game winning streak. The year-long process of fulfillment was ultimately completed last December in Biloxi with the Lions’ 52-32 Mississippi Bowl victory over Georgia Military College in the 2013 NJCAA National Championship Game. Another 12-0 season on the gridiron earned EMCC the program’s second national title in three years. “I believe what made us really believe we could be a special team is when we got everybody together for our first practice in fall camp,” recalled EMCC head coach Buddy Stephens, whose 56-10 career head coaching record in Scooba also includes three MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 championships and five MACJC North Division titles. “I knew we could be good after seeing their work in the summer. But in that first practice I saw how determined they were. They had the mindset that they had a point to prove and were not going to leave any doubt.” The 2013 Lions didn’t leave any doubt whatsoever. EMCC’s potent spread-offense attack paced the NJCAA with an average of 62.2 points per game and established a new all-time NJCAA single-season record with 7,327 yards of total offense. The Lions often put games away in the first half and continued to put the pressure on opposing defenses all year long. “The big key was the offense Above: Lakenderic Thomas leaps to celebrate with teammates C.J. Bates (10) and David Mahaffey following a touchdown in the NJCAA National Champlionship Game victory over Georgia Military in December. Below: The Lions gather for the traditional trophy shot following their national title-game win in the Mississippi Bowl in Biloxi. moving the ball so well,” Stephens noted. “We stayed injury-free and had guys who were unselfish. Our offensive guys all worked for the same goals and our coaches did a fantastic job with the game plan. I felt like we would be explosive from the get-go, but our guys really stayed after it and grinded all season on offense.” The Lions’ defensive numbers a year ago were just as impressive, as East Mississippi led the nation with 67 sacks and finished second among the NJCAA team ranks with 30 pass interceptions. The Lions also ranked second nationally by allowing just 9.8 points an outing, including an early-season stretch that produced five shutout wins during a six-game span. “What made us very good was our ability to play all three parts of the game while doing everything well,” Stephens added. “There were so many times where our defense sparked us, or we returned a kick or blocked a punt to get us going through special teams.” Entering his seventh season at the EMCC football helm, Stephens remains just as proud of his players moving onto the next level. With East Mississippi averaging around 22 players signing with four-year universities each year, the 2013 Lions touted a near-100 percent success rate of sophomores graduating and moving onto the next level as signees, walk-ons or students. “We always have room for improvement on the field, but our graduation rates also continue to be very good,” Stephens stressed. “Our kids are graduating and moving on. That is the primary objective for our program and our main objective in recruiting.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 19 SPORTS Page 20:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:32 AM Page 1 MEN’S BASKETBALL White, Lions reflect on exciting year By Paul Jones The East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team saw its run of four straight NJCAA national tournament appearances snapped this past season. But there were plenty of things for veteran head coach Mark White to smile about concerning his seventh season in Scooba. The 2013-14 Lions finished 20-7 overall and second in the MACJC North Division standings while posting the program's fifth straight 20-win campaign. After finishing as state tournament runners-up, EMCC advanced to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament semifinals before suffering a heartbreaking loss to eventual NJCAA national champion Jones County on a last-second, three-point shot in overtime. “The group we had this past year was one of my favorite groups I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching,” White said. “We had a great group of kids and it was the closest group we’ve had, chemistry-wise. They were so close off the court and have built relationships that will last a lifetime.” EMCC’s season was nearly just as special as the previous four campaigns. Including identical 73-72 losses to JCJC in the regional semis and to Itawamba in the state championship game, the Lions’ seven setbacks a year ago came by an average margin of just 3.6 points per loss. “It goes in cycles and that’s the way sports is,” White noted. “In our seven losses, we were either ahead or tied with two minutes or less remaining in each game. It can be very frustrating when that happens.” The 2013-14 East Mississippi hoops edition was driven by solid play in the backcourt, led by the talented sophomore tandem of Jacolby Mobley and Avery Woodson. The team’s top two scorers at 16.5 and 15.7 points per game with 133 made 3-pointers between them are headed to Tennessee-Chattanooga and the University of Memphis, re- 20 Above: EMCC coach Mark White, sitting center, addresses his team during a timeout in an early-season tournament in Florida. Below: Avery Woodson, a University of Memphis signee, flies in for two points for the Lions. spectively. Fellow guard Mack Foster, who averaged 7.1 points this past season, has signed with Louisiana-Monroe. Joining Mobley at Chattanooga will be Davon “Chuck” Ester, who averaged 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds an outing for the Lions. Also in the EMCC frontcourt this past season, former Kemper County High School All-American Devonta Pollard thrilled the home crowd by averaging 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Lions. Pollard has signed with the University of Houston. “It was the best offensive team we’ve had and we averaged 80 points a game,” White stressed. “We could really score the ball and had really good guards. We just didn’t have the killer instinct we needed with our rebounding.” With the exception of returning sharp-shooting guard Antonio Finley of Meridian, plus the availabil- The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 ity of East Central CC transfer Chris Rhoney, the Lions will have a totally different look as the 201415 basketball season tips off. Having also transferred in at the break this past year and expected to contribute immediately for EMCC will be Virginia native Gervelle Kidd. Among the newcomers include Dontavius Self (Starkville), Juan Davis (West Point) and J'Vaughnte Harris (Meridian) from the Lions’ local district area. Other EMCC signees coming on board will be Denarrius Gray (Scott Central), James Jordan (Raymond), Daniel Simmons (Biggersville) and former Pascagoula teammates LaDatren Deas and Ladarron Johnson. “We went back to getting players from winning programs and that’s what we’ve done with this class,” White added. “All of these kids come from winning programs and are used to playing in state championship games. We went after kids who are tough and hardnosed, and we’re counting on that philosophy to make a big difference for us next season.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Page 21:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:33 AM Page 1 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SPORTS Dedicated sophomores lead to title By Paul Jones The East Mississippi Community College women’s basketball program enjoyed a rewarding bounce-back season this past year while adding another division title to head coach Sharon Thompson’s coaching resume. With their best record since participating in the 2009 NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Kansas, the 16-9 EMCC Lady Lions claimed the program’s third MACJC North Division title in six years with an 11-1 division record a year ago. “We had a good season and the key to it all was the good core of sophomores we had returning,” said Thompson, who completed her ninth season as the Lady Lions’ head basketball coach. “This sophomore class came in here, worked hard during the summer and continued to make progress throughout the season.” With any given season at the junior college level, a team’s roster from year-to-year typically remains fluid. But for Thompson this past season, she credited that sophomore class for their determination to finish what they started. “That speaks volumes about this group of sophomores,” Thompson noted. “They came back, stuck with it, and it paid off for them and our program. They really kept it together during the season and were committed to winning our division and having a successful season.” Thompson, a former standout player at Mississippi State University, always points to defense and rebounding as staples to her program. But this past season, her squad was also able to put pressure on opponents on the offensive end of the floor. The Lady Lions averaged an improved 64.3 points per game as a team and had eight players to average five points or better during the season. Sophomore Takera Mitchell, a Delta State University signee, led EMCC’s balanced offensive attack with 12.5 points per Above: Kyra Gulledge (left) and Takera Mitchell will both take their talents to the next level after helping head coach Sharon Thompson (below) and the Lady Lions to the MACJC North Division championship. contest from her backcourt position. Post player Kyra Gulledge, a transfer from Furman University, played a significant role on both ends of the court a year ago for EMCC while averaging 9.0 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds an outing. The former H.W. Byers High School standout will continue her collegiate career at Murray State University. “I am a defensive-minded coach and defense and rebounding are what we are going to stress every year,” Thompson noted. “However this past year, we could really score and it was different people doing it each night. That made it difficult for teams to scout us because of our balanced scoring.” Looking ahead to the 2014-15 campaign, the Lady Lions will have to replace virtually their en- tire team. But they won’t have a group completely void of experience. During the offseason, Thompson added a pair of transfers in highly touted former Mississippi State signee KiKi Patterson of Columbus along with Alecha Gibbs of Richland, who played last season at Palm Beach Atlantic University. The Lady Lions have also added incoming freshmen Cambrielle Campbell (Brandon), Annessia Durham (Raymond), Tajee Harper (Germantown) and Breanna Jernigan (Tupelo) as well as junior college transfers Robneicha Rush (Kemper County) and twins Angeline and Angelique Earl from McComb. “We are going to be young next season, but it won’t be the kind of youth we faced two years ago,” Thompson added. “We have added some transfers to the mix that will bring in some experience. We also had another good recruiting year which should keep us on track to compete for more championships in the years to come.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 21 SPORTS Page 22:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:33 AM Page 1 BASEBALL Rose, Lions enjoy resurgence By Paul Jones Entering this past baseball season, East Mississippi Community College head coach Chris Rose had a good feeling about the makeup of the Lions’ baseball team. Those original thoughts by EMCC’s fourth-year baseball coach came to fruition as the 2014 Lions produced one of the school’s best seasons on the diamond within the past two decades. A veteran, sophomore-laden East Mississippi squad finished 32-13 overall en route to winning the MACJC North Division championship and earning a spot in the MACJC state playoffs. The Lions’ 18-6 league mark produced the school’s first division baseball title since 1998, while the 32 victories were the most for the EMCC program since 1990. “I was very proud of our team and I think we set the foundation this year,” Rose said. “There is an expectation level here now and we proved we can win at East Mississippi. “I could not be more proud of our staff, our players and the support we received from our administration to make it all possible. I wish we could’ve gone further in the playoffs, but winning the North Division in an exceptionally competitive league is a great accomplishment.” Led by an 18-man sophomore class, Rose also pointed to the character and work ethic of his club regarding their success. “I really believed we would be highly competitive with a shot to win the division,” Rose revealed. “Once the team got together and were practicing, I had that belief then. From the character to the talent, I knew this group was going to work. The addition of (transfer shortstop) Chase Nyman in January made us that much better. “Credit needs to go to our assistant coaches Garrett Harris, Jarrod Parks and Hawk Seal for the excellent jobs they continue to do in recruiting and day-to-day coaching. Our administration also 22 Above: Colton Caver is congratulated at the plate following one of his three home runs this past spring. Below: EMCC head coach Chris Rose helped guide the Lions to the program’s most wins since 1990. played a huge role in making Scooba and EMCC a place that guys desired to be.” Nearly hitting .300 as a team this past season, Nyman led the way for the Lions at the plate with his .378 batting average to earn first-team all-state honors. Tyler Odom (.336), Kyle Liberto (.327) and All-Region 23 outfielder LeDarious Clark (.325) also topped the .300 mark. On the mound, freshmen J’Daylin Jackson (8-1) and Andrew Crane (6-1) were a combined 14-2 between them. Jackson joined Nyman and Clark on the MACJC’s All-North Division First Team. Sophomore closer Conner Burton also enjoyed a stellar season by turning in a 5-2 pitching record and recording seven saves. The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 “It was really a complete team effort throughout the season with different guys stepping up to have big hits or making big pitches when it counted,” Rose added. Despite the loss of six starting position players, the 2015 EMCC edition will feature pitching aces Jackson and Crane along with battery mate Dylan Vuncannon behind the plate. The Lions will also look to rising sophomores Liberto, Blake Key and Brandon Acker for additional contributions next spring. “My glass is always half full,” Rose stressed. “Our guys played with confidence from start to finish this season and that was huge for our program. In looking back, two years ago is where we really started to move forward when we brought in this outstanding sophomore class. They made a huge impact on our program and I expect us to keep moving forward.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Page 23:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:34 AM Page 1 SOFTBALL SPORTS Lady Lions pile up big numbers By Paul Jones In what has become the norm of late, the East Mississippi Community College softball team once again made a run at a division championship this past season en route to making yet another postseason tournament appearance. Under the guidance of secondyear head coach Kyndall White, the 2014 Lady Lions participated in postseason tournament action for the sixth consecutive season. In doing so, EMCC’s 27-22 overall record this past year marked the most single-season wins in the history of the school’s fastpitch softball program. A former standout at Auburn University, White has directed East Mississippi to 51 total victories and a combined 33-15 division record over the past two seasons. “I thought the season went well and we had a lot of sophomores who really took on good leadership roles,” White said. “We had a lot of talent at the plate and in the field. The girls put in a lot of hard work. “It was a special sophomore class for me, too, because it was my first class. I know that group is going to move on and be successful. The sophomore class knew what we wanted out of them and they prepared so well for that. That group helped us to set the foundation and it was like having a set of 12 coaches on the field.” With six regulars batting .326 or better during the season, the 2014 Lady Lions compiled a .311 team batting average, including an impressive .354 mark against division competition. Leading the way offensively for EMCC were sophomore outfielders Corey Dawkins and Jade Albritton, who batted .395 and .364, respectively. Catcher Abby Roberts, who will continue her collegiate career at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, hit .338 this past season in addition to receiving MACJC North Division Best Defensive Player honors for the second straight year. Above: Jade Albritton (9) is congratulated by teammates following one of her team-high five home runs last spring. Below: Catcher Abby Roberts prepares to make a throw to first base during the 2014 season. Roberts was named the best defensive player in the MACJC North Division for a second consecutive year. “Our strong point was really the offense this year,” White noted. “We put a lot of runs on the board. Our defense was strong, too, this season but it was our offense that really came up huge for us in some very big games.” Obviously, with an experienced group this season, the Lady Lions will have to fill several holes for the 2015 campaign. Along with the return of impact freshmen Kristen Mitchell (.333), Kasey Stanfield (.326) and Pepper Baker (.252) for next season, White and assistant coach Taryn Gray are putting the finishing touches on another successful recruiting class. “When I came in here, I knew the expectations were to make the playoffs and compete for championships,” White emphasized. “That is what East Mississippi is all about – being No. 1 in everything we do here. You can’t always control some things that happen on the field, but we can control our hustle, attitude and energy. Those three things will be constant in our program.” With valuable experience at the Southeastern Conference level, White understands just how obtainable consistent success can be with the necessary resources available and the proper attitude present. “We have been in the running for the (MACJC) North Division title,” White said. “If we can get that one timely hit or another timely pitch during a critical moment of a game, we can definitely get that title. That is our goal and we want to keep building that focus and attitude to keep EMCC softball on the map for years to come.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 23 SPORTS Page 24:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:34 AM Page 1 RODEO Strong finish creates optimism By Paul Jones The East Mississippi Community College rodeo team finished off another solid campaign during the 2013-14 season. And the youthfulness of the talent that helped produce much of last year’s success has EMCC rodeo coach Morgan Goodrich even more excited about the coming year. “We just had a really good group of kids that practiced so hard and worked hard at everything,” said Goodrich, who is assisted with EMCC’s rodeo program by her husband, Wes. “They really gained from that experience this year and finished the second semester very strong. So, we look forward to the experience they now have under their belts and hopefully we can carry over that momentum into next season.” This past season, the EMCC men’s squad finished fourth in the Ozark Region standings, while the women’s team posted a sixth-place finish. Along with capturing the school’s third men’s team title in the program’s brief four-year history at this past year’s Northwest Mississippi rodeo, East Mississippi will be represented in the College National Finals Rodeo for the fourth straight year this summer. EMCC’s team roping tandem of Colt Fisher and Justin Pruitt is slated to participate in June’s CNFR to be held in Casper, Wyo. While having competed for EMCC only during the spring semester after transferring from other schools, Fisher and Pruitt still managed to garner enough individual points to place second regionally in the team roping header and heeler categories, respectively. On the women’s side, KoryAnn McCuiston placed fourth regionally in breakaway roping. “We had 14 kids rank among the region leaders and that is very good considering we are competing against a lot of four-year universities with seniors and juniors,” Goodrich noted. “It took us a bit to get it figured out at first because of our lack of experience compet- 24 Above: Kory Ann McQuiston competes in breakaway roping for EMCC in a rodeo competition at the University of West Alabama. Below: Shane Overby finds his target for the Lions during calf-roping competition. ing at this level. But, we really put it all together and became more relaxed our second semester. We were able to put together two good runs in events and that experience started to show during the second semester.” This past year also marked the first full season that EMCC’s cowboys and cowgirls had an opportunity to practice daily in their own The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 on-campus rodeo facility. Naturally, that made for a much more comfortable setting for the team as a whole which in turn produced better results. “It was so nice to have that combination of everything we needed,” Goodrich added. “We were able to get into a good routine in August. It helps us so much to be able to compete in our own practice facility. The comfort level also adds a lot more structure to our practices.” With the school’s added facility and annual success on the intercollegiate rodeo scene, everything continues to carry over into the recruiting scene for Goodrich and EMCC’s rodeo program. Along with garnering interest from rodeo prospects throughout Mississippi and across the United States, EMCC is also beginning to attract national attention by sending cowboys and cowgirls to competitive university-level rodeo programs. “With the recognition we’ve received over the last four years and the success we’ve enjoyed, we are now sending kids to four-year schools and some of them are even competing against us now,” Goodrich said. “Everything has really come together for our program, especially within the state, thanks to the support we continue to receive from school administration and our community in general.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Page 25:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:35 AM Page 1 GOLF SPORTS Fantastic freshmen catch fire By Paul Jones The East Mississippi Community College golf team began the 2014 season journey playing in the cold conditions of practice rounds in January and February. Once again, the Lions responded by warming up on the links to compete for championships at season’s end. Guided by veteran coach Dale Peay, the Lions capped the 2014 campaign by capturing team runner-up honors at the NJCAA Region 23 Golf Championship. EMCC earned the program’s fifth regional appearance in six years by finishing just five strokes off the pace with a fourth-place team showing a week prior at the MACJC State Championship. “We had a lot of success and I was very proud of our young men,” Peay said. “And the big thing is that we had all freshmen playing in the Region 23 tournament. That is a quality group of young men and they were a hardworking group. “Back in January and February, they were working in the miserable and cold conditions. They were out there playing and not complaining one bit.” The freshman quintet responsible for East Mississippi’s most recent golf success was comprised of in-state products Hunter Harmon (Calhoun Academy), Steven Eilders (Ridgeland), W.D. Newlin (Bruce HS) and Trent Humber (Caledonia) along with Arkansas native Chase Chitwood. Harmon led the way for the youthful Lions for the better part of the regular season. Based on his consistent play and team-leading stroke average during the year, the Vardaman native collected second-team all-state honors and became EMCC’s fifth NJCAA National Championship participant in six years under Peay’s guidance. Chitwood, from Jessieville, Ark., excelled during the postseason in making a run at both the state and regional tournament titles. After forcing a playoff for medalist hon- Above: The EMCC golf team, pictured at the 18th EMCC Alumni Golf Classic at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point last fall, from left: Head coach Dale Peay, Trent Humber, Hunter Harmon, Chase Smith, John Pittman, W.D. Newlin, Chase Chitwood and Steven Eilders. Below: Hunter Harmon was one of the freshmen who helped the Lions to a strong finish in the spring of 2014 by earning all-state honors to qualify for the NJCAA National Championship Tournament. ors at state a week prior, Chitwood engaged in a 10-hole playoff at regionals before missing out on a national invite by a single stroke as a result of a 50-foot eagle putt by his Jones County counterpart. “The more experience they gained, the better they got,” said Peay of his rookie squad. “The group really bonded during our fall tour and they all got along very well. When we brought in those freshmen, I said then it was the most talented class we’ve signed. They went on and proved it on the course.” With the Lions’ success on the links over the past several years, the word is certainly getting out about East Mississippi golf. In developing that bond with young men who then leave EMCC to make their mark on society also gives Peay opportunities to reach out to prospective student-athletes. “To be honest, the players we’ve had in the past also help us a lot when it comes to recruiting,” Peay noted. “They are telling guys in their hometowns about their experiences at East Mississippi. “With more expectations, it definitely puts more pressure on us as a program,” Peay admitted. “But our guys have handled it so well. They come in knowing we expect to compete for the state and region championships. Those continue to be our goals and that is what kids come here to help us win.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 25 PHILANTHROPY Page 26:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:37 AM Page 1 Foundation Club $25,000 and up Mr. and Mrs. Fred Adams, Jr. Anonymous AT&T Mrs. Oneta Pearce Baker Mrs. Dottie Smith Boring C Spire Wireless The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Cloar, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Tommy Davis Ikie E. Ethridge Mr. and Mrs. Henry “Buddy” Faulkner Mr. and Mrs. Mike Frascogna Mr. and Mrs. Rick Garner Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gray Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hopper Elizabeth M. Irby Foundation Pansy Light Meridian Coca-Cola MS Power Education Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Buster Orr Pryor & Morrow Architects and Engineers Renasant Bank Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rigdon Sodexo, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Rick Young President's Club $10,000-$24,999 Dr. and Mrs. Louis T. Anderson Mr. John Apple AT & T Foundation BankFirst Financial Services Cadence Bank Mrs. Leola Knight Cowart East MS Electric Power Assn. Encore Rehabilitation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Fisher Create Foundation J. W. Furr Golden Triangle Development Link Mrs. Peggy Harbour Henderson Steel John M. Hodge Mr. and Mrs. Ike Hopper Wade Lunday Elizabeth B. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Bill Russell Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith Sports Specialty Charles and Marjorie Studdard Mr. and Mrs. Cecil R. Vaughan Mr. Chip Wells Super Lion King $5,000-$9,999 Johnny H. Baker BanCorp South Betty Morgan Benton Al and Brownie Briggs Bounds Carolyn D. Bourrage Bessie Ann Cherry Briggs Billy and Frances Brown 26 Leo had to wait in line just like everyone else to receive his free t-shirt during the Back to School Bash last August. Students at the Golden Triangle campus were also welcomed with activities and snacks. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bryan Mr. and Mrs. Nick Clark Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Dyess EMCC Alumni Association EMCC Forestry Club Founders Federal Credit Union Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Galloway Hoot Gipson Mike Godfrey Jimmy Gray Jimmie G. Hopper Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Jeffries Max H. Johnson Mr. Tommy Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Scott Jones Liberty Fuels Company, LLC Judge Little Linda Eldridge Marsh Jay McCrary Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. McDade John Meacham Mr. and Mrs. Hu Meena Pilot Club of Columbus Electric Mills Wood Preserving Richard Price Mr. and Mrs. Randy Rigdon Hollis Roofing, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Pete Rowell Mr. and Mrs. Andy Salmon Mr. Buddy Sauls Scooba United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Charles Secrest Mr. and Mrs. Kline Shepherd Chuck Simpson Mr. Roy Simpson John and Marjorie Briggs Solomon Eddie Al and Cheryl Sparkman Buddy and Robyn Stephens Mr. and Mrs. William T. Stovall Mr. Milton Sundbeck Robert H. Temkovits Mr. Bobby Westmoreland The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Lion King $2,000-$4,999 Tom Adkins American Eurocopter Anderson Regional Medical Center Clay Armstrong Corbett Legge & Associates Ken and Sheila Aust Bill Baldner Baptist Memorial Hospital Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edwin Box Brasfield and Gorrie, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Eddie J. Briggs Greg and Janet Briggs Louis E. Bryan Bill and Patti Buckner Burnt Oak Lodge Donald E. Canada Albert Clark Dr. and Mrs. John Clay Old Waverly Golf Club Browder & Sons Veneer Co. Columbus Bank Assoc. Century Construction Andrew and Christine Couch David E. Crawley, III Mr. and Mrs. Dana Dunbar Mr. and Mrs. Don Edwards Velocity Sports and Entertainment Mr. and Mrs. Billy Charles Eskridge Jimmie Evans Mr. and Mrs. Rick Farr Kevin Flaherty Jack Forbus IBM International Foundation Bill and L.L. Gates Mr. and Mrs. Wink Glover Mr. and Mrs. Paul Green Underwriters Group, Inc. National Guard Mike Gully Ms. Rufina Gully Bunk Harpole Mr. and Mrs. Hiawatha Harrison Mrs. Elmer J. Higginbotham Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Hildreth Mr. and Mrs. Gert Hill Rick Hodges Pete Hodo Mr. and Mrs. Chris Holbrook Garry V. Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hunter Joe Jackson Jon Jackson Coach William Jones Jimmy and Jo Ann Kibe Mrs. Mary Lou Kitchens Jim Koutroulis Edward J. Lee Van E. Lee Danny and Carolyn Lipscomb Mrs. Martha Marion Richard and Dawn McCann Mr. and Mrs. Carles F. McComb Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. McPhail Mr. and Mrs. Dick McSpadden Commercial Bank of Meridian Glenn Miller Mitchell Automotive Center Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Gene Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Jim Murray Noxubee Baptist Association Frank Portera Clyde Pritchard Molpus Forest Products, Inc. Al and Anna Puckett Mac & Betty Robinson Langston Rogers Michael Ross Lanelle Brown Russell Bruff and Melanie Sanders Tom Scarborough Scooba Presbyterian Church Mr. and Mrs. James A. Skipper Carolyn Smith N. James Smith Mr. and Mrs. Jesse R. Sparkman, III Slay Steel, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Earl Stennis Rea, Shaw, Giffin, and Stuart Gun Dog Supply Flint Tedder Mr. and Mrs. Matthew "Bulldog" Turner Billy D. Walton Mike Waters Weyerhaeuser Coach Mark White Yvette Wilkerson Margaret S. Womble Pride Leader $1,000-$1,999 4-County Electric Power Assn. Tommy & Janith Abston Joel Alexander Mr. and Mrs. Greg Andrews Jose and Rosa Arellano Joyce Craig Aust Page 27:Layout 1 6/5/2014 Mrs. Phyllis Aust Liberty Baptist Mr. and Mrs. David H. Barge Big Oak United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Briggs, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Terry W. Brown Bradley Joe Bryan Martin and Joanne Buchanan Jerry & Gayle Butler John and Jeanette Chancellor Terry and Kate Cherry Briggs Chapel Memorial Church DeKalb Assembly of God Church Shuqualak Baptist Church Circle M Plantation Mr. and Mrs. Conner Clark Beth C Clay Blanche Clay Peoples Bank & Trust Co. Charles "Bulldog" Coggins Dr. David Cole Bobby Collins Community Bank T. E. Lott & Company WAR Construction, Inc. Panola Construction Coy Methodist Church CPI, Inc. Billy Joe Cross Dr. Ed Davis Patricia W. Dehmlow DeKalb Baptist Church Commercial Bank of DeKalb Dr. and Mrs. Conrad DiMichele Lance and Phyfa Eiland Mr. Leon Ellis Highlands Entertainment John Featherston Carol P. Floore Exxonmobile Foundation Jerry & Cris Hayes Foundation Sam's Club Foundation Sara Lee Foundation Doug Fowler Patrick and Debra Gard Hoot Garriga Gator Athletics, Inc. Jack Gordman Marie V. Gordon Green-Save, Inc. Miller Griffin Pillar Sales Group Bubba Hampton Karl Hansen James (Cubby) E. Harris Phil Harris Mr. and Mrs. Tim Heard Bobbye May Henderson Wayne Henson Darwin Holliman David Hopper Rudy Johnson Colbert and Debbie Jones Dr. Anne Marie Lamb Matt Lautar Starkville Civic League Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Limerick Greater Columbus Lions Collinsville Chevron LLC Fabricators Supply, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Bob Marshall Thomas Mayberry Dr. Andrea Mayfield J. Roy McComb Tony and Ruby McCullough Ben McDade Mildred Cade Mickler 11:38 AM Page 1 PHILANTHROPY The nursing programs at the Golden Triangle campus raised more than $22,000 for research last Oct. 13, when they held the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Students received help from local organizations and 275 walkers showed up to take part in laps around the campus. Cora T. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Moore Charlie and Pam Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Chris Morrow Doug Moulds Dr. David F. Mullins Jack Newell Northeast Metal Processors Jason Pepper Peggy Persons Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Peters Billy W. Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Richard Poole Richard Powell Will Raiford Robbie Robinson Graham Roofing, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rose Frances Rush Subway of Scooba North Atlantic Security Structural Steel Services Dr. and Mrs. Kimble Shepherd Mr. and Mrs. Lester Smith Lori M. Smith Dr. Jackie Stennis Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Stokes Mr. and Mrs. Joe Studdard Dan Sullivan Robert Cooper Sullivan Kemper County Board of Supervisors Noxubee Farm Supply George Taylor Lucent Technologies Charles A. Temkovits The Commercial Insurance Agency Coach Sharon Thompson Moody Land & Timber, Inc. Deborah Treloar Don Vaughan Digital Sports Video Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Waddell Steve and Lynn Waddle Wal-Mart Emily Warren West Brothers Construction, Inc. Doug Wilkerson Barbara (Bobbie) S. Young Mr. and Mrs. Bill Young Lion $200-$999 Boyce Adams Paul K. Adams Robert and Margie Agnew Doug and Jane Aldridge Mark Alexander Tim Allen Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Allsup Mr. and Mrs. Donald Allsup Alply, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Amick Amsouth Bank Marcus & Nelia Anderson Jason Armstrong George Arrington Trey Askew Nolan J. Atkins Adventure ATV Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Atwell Dan Augustine June and Bubba Aust Automotive Machine Company, Inc. George Nick Autrey James L. Bailey, Jr. Kevin L. Baird Bobbie Neal Baker A Touch of Home Bakery Bank of America Guaranty Bank Ann Barefield Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barge Charles Barnett Jackie C. Barrett John A. Barron Brenda Barton Barry & Karen Beach James Bearden Romie Bearden Glynn Beasley Jerry L. Beavers Harry Bell Mr. and Mrs. George Belvin Benefits Management Group, Inc. Angela Bennett Tommy Bennett Billy F. Benton Dawn Best Jennifer Bible Rick Bishop Barry and Margaret Black Stevan Black J. L. Blankenship Barry Boatner Jerry W. Boatner Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Boggess Danny Bohon David Boteler Beth Boyd Bounds Mr. Sean Bowie Kelby Bowman Timothy and Laura Bowman Larry Box Andy and Sherry Boyd David Boyd Ruth Hutcherson Boyd Sharon Boyd Sherry Boyd Stephen H. Boyd Randall Bradberry Mike and Suzanne Brady Community Bank of Brandon Hines & Linda Brannan James T. Briggs John Lyle and Lisa Briggs Mary Ruth Briggs Tom Briggs Tommy and Polly Briggs C.B. Bright H.D. Brodnax Williams Brothers, Inc. David Brown Dr. James Brown Mr. John Brown Tanzie Brown Robert Brownlee Donna C. Bruce Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Bruton David and D. D. Bryan Joe Bryan Minnie Bryan Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes Bryan Builders Sunday School Class H.D. Bullock Kemper County Farm Bureau Kimberly Burk Diane Burnham Jon Burt Johnny Burton Johnny and Beverly Burton Mr. and Mrs. Phillip H. Busbee Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bush Jim H. Butler Larry & Joann Butler Bobby Cade Mrs. C.M. Cade Mrs. C.A. Cade Gary A. Cagle Jenny Caldwell Calvary Baptist Church Joseph A. Cammaleri Chip Campbell James Cantrell Mary Caraway Carl Hogan Automotive Inc. Gayla Carpenter Roger Carr Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 27 PHILANTHROPY Page 28:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:39 AM Janelle Carter Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Carter Justin Casano Mr. and Mrs. John P. Caskey Mr. and Mrs. Paul Caskey Cathy Castleberry Tracey K. Caver Barbara R. Cavey Golden Triangle Dental Center Univ. Miss. Medical Center Frank Chailand William R. Chambers Mr. and Mrs. Jay Chancellor Will Chancellor Eka Chemicals Marion Chevron Tina Chick DeKalb Methodist Church Green Chapel Baptist Church Hebron Methodist Church Scooba Baptist Church Jim Clark Young Adult Methodist SS Class Lauren Clay Dianne Cleveland Mrs. W.D. Clifton Greater Meridian Health Clinic Falcon Contracting Co., Inc. Morgan Construction Co. Prince Oil Co. Inc. Bottled Water Co. Capital Bolt & Screw Co. John O'Neal Johnson Motor Co. Sanderson Construction Co. Sunbelt Wholesale Supply Co. Philip A. Coco Mr. and Mrs. Derek Cody Mr. and Mrs. Billy Coleman Cliff Collins James Collins Bill Colloredo Dodie Colvin Kemper Chamber of Commerce Dialogic Communications H & O Truck and Trailer Company Newell Paper Company Gulf South Piling & Construction McAdams Consulting Mrs. Jimmie Cook Henry Cooley Coon Agency Clay County Co-Op Herman Cooper Will Cooper Conway Copies, Inc. Fred Corley Chris Cornett Cooper Marine & Timberlands Corp Hall Management Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cotton Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cotton Mississippi Beef Council Jerry Wayne Covington Rachel M. Covington Elonda Cox Coy & Lynville Methodist Church William Crozier E.B. Culpepper Mike Culpepper Glen Cunningham Marvin D. Cunningham David Curtis George Curtis Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy P. Daniels Jim and Pauline Darby W. T. Davis, Jr. Rebecca Davis 28 Page 1 EMCC President Dr. Rick Young shows off his Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. Dr. Young received the award at the Phi Theta Kappa International Conference in Orlando, Fla., in April after being nominated by the Scooba campus chapter of PTK. Vanessa A. Davis Pres Dawkins Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Daws Railroad Center Daycare Gary Dedeaux DeKalb Christ Assembly Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dennis Porter & Singley Family Dentist Mr. and Mrs. Billie Dickson Ken Dill Boykin-Coleman Dirt Portia Dooley Maloney Glass & Overhead Door Norman Downey Carol Driskill Ben and Mary H. Dudley Liz Dudley Robert D. Dugan Mr. and Mrs. Todd Dupre Jerry V. and Kathleen I. Dyess Edwards Storey Marshall Helveston & Easterling Thomas and Michelle Easterling Bonnie Edwards Mike Edwards Springer Engineering, Inc. B & G Equipment, Inc. Contract Services and Equipment Pump & Equipment Watt Equipment Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Erby Lance Eskridge Amy Esslinger Jim Ethridge Jeremy and Connie Evans Mr. and Mrs. Billy E. Ezelle Barefield Poultry Farm Debbie Farmer Allen Farms Cub Lake Farms J & J Farms Mrs. Emmett Farrar Linda L. Farrar Karen Farrow Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church John Files Casey Finch Truman D. Finchum Tom Fisher Betty Carol Thompson Flanagan The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Bill Fleming Dr. Clint Fletcher Mattson Flowers Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Floyd Hubert B. Scrivener Fndn. Marilyn Young Ford Dennis Foster Frank Foster Mark and Karla Foster Frank Chiles Insurance Agency, Inc. Grace H. Franks Steve Fredrickson Sharon Frey Charles Friend Michael D. Fulton Gregory J. Fuselier Eugene M. Futato Edward Garrard John Garrison Mrs. Delane George Susan George Mr. and Mrs. Billy Gibbs Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gibson Jerry Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gibson Kim Gibson Larry and Grace Gibson Mike and Kim Gibson Rebecca Gibson Mrs. Tim Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Gibson Robbye Gilbreath Mary Nell Gill John Gilliam Doris W. Gipson Hampton W. Glover, III Coye Assembly of God Golden Triangle Golf Assoc. Tom G. Goode Walter Leslie Goode, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Don Goodwin Paul Goolsby Eddie Gore Rev. and Mrs. James Granger Lucas Grantham Bill T. Gray Gene Gray Robin Gray Jason D. Green Janie R. Gregg Bryce Griffis Mr. and Mrs. Robert Grondin Insurance Advisory Group Scooba Focus Group Taylor Group Daryl Guest, M.D. Eddie Haddock Betty Gayle Hailey George L. Hailey Wade Hailey Janie F. Hailey-Tarlton Judy Beazley Hairston Cynthia Hall Peter Hankinson Sherry Harbour Bobby & Thretha Harcrow Phillip's Hardware Michael Hardy Viola W. Harper Caroline Bryan Harrell Daniel Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Houston Harrison Carolyn Hay Mr. and Mrs. Billy Hays Thomas and Stacy Hays Philip and Lynn Brooks Head Donald Hefner Mr. and Mrs. Shane Hegwood Mr. and Mrs. James Henders Retha Hand Henderson Perry S. Hendrix Roger Henry Brian and Mary M. Henson Kelly Herrington Danny Hicks Judy Stokes Higginbotham Veranice R. Hill Laura E. Hines Whitney Hodges Gains A. Holder Brian Hollis Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holloman Zak Holloway Angela Holmes DeCarlos Holmes Seven Oaks Funeral Home Skelton Funeral Home Kenneth Hood Renee Hood Bobby Hooks Gail Hopper Janice Hopper Mary and Dennis Hopper Rush Foundation Hospital West Alabama Animal Hospital Waffle House George E. Hubbard Richard and Sandra Hubbard Betsy Hubbuch Joe Hudnall Shelia Hudnall Bob Hudson Jimmy Hudson Henry B. Hudspeth Jim Huerkamp Teresa Hughes Dewayne and Lucy Hull Earline Hull Les Hull Teresa Hull Nelda D. Humphries Ed and Tonya Hunt Chad Hunter Zachary M. Hutchens Mr. and Mrs. Otis Hutcherson Wood Carriers Inc. Boyles Moak Insurance Page 29:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:39 AM Prince Investments Snowden Forestry Investments Southern Outdoor Investments George Irby Leland and Glynese Irby Sandra Irby Charles and Linda Jackson Dwight Jackson Rodger D. James Ethel B. Jarvis Phil Jenkins Hal Johnson John K Johnson Kim Johnson Thomas Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Mike Jolly Ben Jones Billy and Judy Jones Bobby Joe Jones Bryan Jones Garry and Rhonda Jones Jim Jones Kandice Jones Napoleon Jones Wes and Renee Jones Jeff Jowers Tina Keenan Mr. and Mrs. Chris Keene Diane Keith L. C. Kellogg, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Kelly Cathy Kemp Lamar Kemp Kemper County Baptist Association Kemper County Economic Dev. Auth. Bill Kennedy Foster Kennedy Kyle and Cindi Kennedy A. J. Kilpatrick Marilyn Klaus Claude Pat K. Knight Cletius Knight Mr. and Mrs. Richard Knox Univ. of Lafayette at LA Sylvia Lackey James Randal Lagergne Jason Laird Steve Landwehr Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Lang Bob Langford Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Langston Roy Lanier Jack Larmour Kemper County Civic League Noxubee County Activity League Jane Lee Lindy Lee Michael Lee Mable Lester Walter F. Lewis EMCC Library Wanda Lilly Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Lindsey Mr. and Mrs. Travis Lindsey Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Litwiller Prairie Livestock Mr. and Mrs. Gene Livingston E. G. Johnson Enterprises, LLC Equine Mega Omega, LLC Harrison, Jackson, McGowen, LLC Lawrence Motors, LLC Oil Mop LLC RTR, LLC Stockman's Supply, LLC Local Express #2 Brenda Pilgrim Lockley Sam Logan Page 1 PHILANTHROPY Chef Chris Hastings works with the kitchen staff at Lion Hills in March. Hastings, owner and executive chef of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham and winner of the 2012 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the South, prepared a five-course meal for the Columbus Red Wing Garden Club. Danny Martin Logging Dr. Chester Lott Danny Lott Charles Love Lowndes Count Cattleman's Assoc. Benpak, LTD Corey Luke Timothy Luke Mr. and Mrs. David Lummus Zelton Mabry Greg Malatesta Maloney Management Progressive Group Management Phillip Maples Anthony's Good Food Market T & D Mini Market Hubbard Maroney Don R. Massey Richard Mathis Belinda McKee Matlock Gary Matlock Ricky Mauldin Genevieve Maxon-Stark Ann Maxwell Linda May Jana Mayatt Alma McAlister Rocky McBride Kate and Josh McCarty Angela McCollum Dwight McComb Thelma Briggs McConnell Wesley and Linda McCool Lynn McCoy Grindle McCray Mrs. Dodie McCrory James McCulloch Mr. and Mrs. Dwight N. McDaniel Nelson McDaniel April McDougle Price McGiffert Mr. and Mrs. Michael McGrevey Donald McKee Robert and Tonia McKee Jim McKern Prentiss C McLaurin Barbara P. McLauring Marcille McLendon Sue Meacham Mercier Electrical and Mechanical Inc. Patterson Co. Medco Ed Medley Mars of Meridian Joe Miller Timothy G. Miller Jacob Mills DeMando Mingo Prestage Farms Mississippi, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mitchener Mr. and Mrs. John C. Mitchener Tony Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Moore Rosemarie Moore Tammy Moore LaPari Morant Bobby and Becky Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Morgan Tim and Susan Morgan Dr. Larry Morris Debra Morrow Bobbie Mosley E.T. & Nellie Mosley Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mosley Mitch Mosley Donna Moulder Marlan Theodore Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Bill Myatt George and Leisa Neel Lee Wayne Neely Neshoba County Gin Assn. Mr. and Mrs. James R. Nester Jacqueline Newton Richard E. Newton Irene Nichols Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Nickels Elmer Nielsen Northeast MS Coca-Cola Sales & Distribution Sallie Oglesby Doug Olinger OmniBank Grayson's Optical Manuel Orman James C. Ott A.J. Oubre Break Away Outdoors Hass Outdoors, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Overstreet Terri Pace David Palmer Mr. and Mrs. Pete Papas Tammy Parkes NAPA Auto Parts Ken Pate Robert A. Patrick, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pearson Van Pearson Keith Peel Mr. and Mrs. Mike A. Perkerson Janell Perkins Dr. John F. Perry Kiyomi E. Persons Mitzi Phelps Clyde Pierce Rhen W. & Nell M. Pierce Pilgrim Foodliner Charlie Pilkinton Henry Pilkinton Tracy and Pam Pitcher Glynn Pittman Terisa Pittman Hill's BP Truck Plaza Bank Plus GCM, Inc. of West Point Gerald D. Poole Oscar Poole Donald Pope Dudley Ann Pope Betsy Porter Mrs. Valcus Porter Mr. and Mrs. Ron Posey Beth Powell Mrs. Kathy Powell Diana Pruett Harry Puckett Paula Rainey Bob Ramage Chris and Deana Ramey Melissa Ramsey Nancy Ramsey Meadowview Ranch Larry Taylor Ray Linda H. Reed Magnolia Outpatient Rehab Old Mexico Mexican Restaurant Dr. and Mrs. Charles Rhea Donna J. Richards Wayne Richards Clay H. Richardson Doug Richardson Angie Rigdon Hollis Risley Thomas L. Rivers Ricky and Lynn Roberson Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Paul Roberts Nina Roberts Bobbie J Robinson Steve Rogers Gail Rolison Rita Rushing George Rutledge Victor Rzepecki Turner Shaw Fence Sales, Inc. Boswell's Golf Car Sales John Sampietro Sanders, Inc. Charles Sanders Glen Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Sanders Joe Charles Sanders, Sr. Rita Satcher Thomas F. Scarbrough Bobby and Melinda Sciple Linda Sciple Teresa Louise Sciple Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 29 PHILANTHROPY Page 30:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:40 AM Mr. and Mrs. Fred Scoggins Charles Scott Jim Scribner Randy & Michele Scrivner Tina Seals Electric Motor Sales & Service Noxubee Tire Service Shamrock Medical & Office Supplies Stanley Shannon Steve Sharp Dr. Raj Shaunak Sunbelt Shavings Dorothy W. Shaw Herman Shaw Thomas and Jean Sheffield David C. Shelton Michael Shelton Robert and Kathleen Shine Stanley Shows Galen Shumaker Melissa Simmons Claude Simpson David E. Skelton Bettye Bounds Sledge Virginia Sloan Bud Smith John and Beth Smith Margie R. Smith Nelson Smith Rob and Lori Smith Dr. Todd Smith Dr. W.S. Smith Dusty Snider Southeastern Pro Rodeo Association Southwire Chase B. Spencer Lisa Spinks Louie Spinks Mr. and Mrs. Douglas K. Sproat Clay Stafford Jimmy Standland John W. Starr Ed Staten David Stephens J. Steven Stewart Wayne Stewart Macon Stockyard, Inc. Charlene Stokes Don and Sue Stokes Sara Stokes Fred Stoops David and Marilyn Stowe Gerald Stuart Marianne G. Stuart Laws Stained Glass Studios, Inc. Tammy Sudduth Auzie Sullivan Bobbie Sullivan Bobby Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Vic Sullivan Kemper Co. Farm & Building Supply Leann Swafford Homer F. Swain Steve Swedenburg Gary Bradley Swink Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swoope Warren "Oop" Swoope Larry Tabor Mr. Dale Tate Dawn Tate Dr. Jim Taylor Tennessee Valley Authority Jim Terry Forever Green Plants & Things Suzanne Thomas Larry & Nancy Thomason Larry Thompson 30 Page 1 Kemper County inmate Keith Reeder is pictured with (from left) EMCC Workforce Trainer Ben Harris, Scooba campus Workforce Coordinator Dr. Bruce Hanson and Warden Johnny Crockett of the Kemper-Neshoba Regional Jail. Reeder, of Pearl, became the first inmate to receive an Electrical Systems certificate from EMCC’s Workforce Services division last November. Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Pat Thornton Bobby F. Thrash John Tierney Central Miss. Land & Timber Leslie Touchstone On Time Transportation Meridian Coach & Travel Bill Travis David J. Triplett Trustmark Bank Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Underwood Mark Underwood Union United Methodist Church Triangle Federal Credit Union Debbie Upton Mr. and Mrs. Joe Utsey Sam Vaughn Korean War Veterans David and Brenda Vowell W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Co. Wade, Inc. Donna R. Wade Delita and Don Waldron Mr. and Mrs. Bob Walker Dr. Joyce and Mr. Ricky Walker Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Walker Mr. and Mrs. Sparky Walker Steve Walker Michael Wallace Lance & Carol Walters Pete Ware Dr. Thomas Ware Mr. Bubbles Car Wash Becky Watson Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Weatherford, Jr. Linda Weatherly Dr. and Mrs. Don Weaver Woody and Cathy Webb Earl and Siglinda Weeks C. H. Welch Jonathan Wells West Point Livestock Auction Bill West Don West Delta Western Nikita Whitaker Joe L. White, Jr. Charlie White Patten Whitten Felix Wicks Mr. and Mrs. R. Lamar Wilbourn David Wilder The Lions’ Pride Spring 2014 Prairie Wildlife Jerry Wilkerson Dr. and Mrs. William Mr. and Mrs. John C. Williams John L. Williams Randy Williams Shane Williams Wayne & Sandra Wilson Stephen and Teresa Windish Al Wiygul WLS, Inc. Mrs. R. S. Wofford Scarlett Wolverton Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Wood Marcus Wood Peter Wood Johnny Young Russell Young Lee Younger Cub $25-$199 Vowell's Market Place #7 Michael and Lauri Abney Beasley General Agency, Inc. Jeffery Wilson State Farm Agency Dinsmore's Central Heat and Air Ken and Joanna Alford Steve Allen Wright Glass and Aluminum Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey Amacker, Jr. Rebekah C. Angle Jamey Anthony Kurt T Appel Linda Arledge Cassie F. Arnold Geneva Atkins Tosh and Missy Atkins Kathlene and Robert Atkinson Mr. Bobbie W. Attkisson Mr. and Mrs. George Aust Bo Haarala Autoplex Shirley Autrey Wayne Baines Hayley Ballard Jimmy Barham Elizabeth Barnacastle Billy and Patricia Barr Pauline Beaird Ms. Jeanette Beard Curtis Beazley Cynthia Belcher Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bennight Mr. and Mrs. Bob Billingsley Meeka T Bland True Blue Shan's Paint and Body Mr. and Mrs. John Bonham Holly Borntrager Nancy Boswell Meridith Bowlby George Bradford Richard Brandon Guy Brickman Faulkenbery's Bridal Terry and Mary Bridges Selena Broome Al Brown Rebecca Brown Russ and Tammy Brown Mr. Ernest Bryan Larry and Peggy Bullion Mr. and Mrs. Loren W. Burger, Jr. Stafford's Big Burger Sue Burkhalter John Burt Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Burton Carey Nelson Butler Mr. and Mrs. David Butler Lateshia Butler Lauri Anne Cameron Ken Canida Harold Carleton Brenda Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Carpenter A & M Used Cars Auto Parts Center Ed Chaney Tire Center Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss Chancellor Chris Chism Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Clark Hollingsworth Dental Clinic Newton County Animal Clinic Daniel and Sheri Coker Melanie Cole Mr. and Mrs. Eddie J. Coleman Joyce Renee Coleman Ricky and Sandra Collier Mary Collins Sherry Collins Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Comans Williston Timber Company, Inc. McElroy Electrical Company Richton Tie and Timber Company Toms Realty Company Tractor Supply Company H. E. Mosley Construction, Inc. Jay Harris Construction, Inc. Hugh Cooper James Benny Cooper Laura Copeland William Corder David and Susan Cordes Ila Cornelius Lew Cornelius Kathleen Covington Ray E Crawford George Henry Cummings Dr. and Mrs. David Curtis Craig Martin, DMD David B. Dale Mrs. Maggie Dale Sarah and Evan Dauterive John L Davidson Dan Davis Maggie Davis Taylor and Susan Davis Page 31:Layout 1 6/5/2014 Lynn Dean Scott Dedwylder Octavia Dickerson Robert Donald John Dudley Johanna Dufour Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Dunn Jeanette Dunn Dikki Dyson Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Eldridge Tim Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ellis Environmental Engineers, Inc. Bobbie Ethridge Tommie Ethridge Marcus Evans M & L - A Little Bit of Everything Longino Farms, Inc. Twisted Pine Farms Nowell Flake Mr. and Mrs. Mose Fleming Parker Florist Amy Fondren Mr. and Mrs. Artis Ford Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ford Kimberly Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gaddy Mr. and Mrs. Alan Gafford, Jr. Nancy Gallott Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gammill Eddy Garner Judy Garrett Rhonda Gigandet Mary Gorsuch Ralph Goss Harold D. Graham The Grapevine Mr. and Mrs. Chett Gregg Barbara J. Griffin Prater's Grocery Miller's Gymnastics Everett Hailey Jeff and Stacey Hall Steve Hampton Bubba Hannah Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Hanson Hailey's Hardware, Inc. Laura Harmon Johnny and Theresa Harpole Garrett and Amy Harris Jimmy D. Harris Margaret Harris Ron Hartness Rocky Higginbotham Mrs. Brandy Hill Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hill Joyce Hill Carolyn Hobgood Dennis Holliman Aliceville Manor Nursing Home Rachell Hopkins Mr. and Mrs. Billy Horton Seal-Laird Veterinary Hospital Till-Newell Animal Hospital Brittany Howard Paul and Terri Howard Cheryl Hubbard Robert and Alice Hughes Thomas and Mitzi Hughes Betty Hull Joye Lynn Hull Lisa Hull Mike and Jennifer Hull Patti Hull Kelly Hunt Tara Lynn Hurt Windham Tractor and Implement Twin States Flooring Installation 11:40 AM Page 1 Ballard Insurance Marvin and Bridgette Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Terry James Phillip Jenkins Diane Jernigan City Jewelry Julie Johns Cecil Johnson David C. Johnson Bill Johnston Scott and Holly Johnston Stephen Johnston Mr. and Mrs. William M. Jones Ruth Josey Mr. and Mrs. Brad Keeton Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Kennedy, Jr. William Kennedy Janelle Key Bobby Knight Carlie Knox Wilson Mat Krueger Charlie Roberson Contract Hauling Chiropractic 1st, LLC Edna Grayce's, LLC FST Starkville, LLC McKibben Ag Services, LLC Simply Irresistable, LLC Wall to Wall Plumbing, LLC James W. Latham, Jr. Mary Latham Proud Lawn Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Blake Layton Jordan Lesley James Lever Christopher Liberto Linda Lindley The Clothes Line Charles Little Jane Livingston Patricia Locke Reed Logging Jermango Demar Long Robert J Lovelace Eddie Lowe James and Geraldine Lowe Ladonna Lowe Mississippi Welding and Machine Susan Mackay Family Flea Market and Antique Mall M. M. Mallard Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Massey Peeples Building Materials Georgette J. Mattina Merlinda Mays Mr. and Mrs. Clinton McBrayer Virginia McBrayer Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds McCain James Clark McCully Jay McKee Ms. M. S. McKelvaine Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery McKnight Jackie McLaughlin Frank Messina David Mikkola John Ray Miles Jonathan Wade Miles Joseph and Tammy Miles Ms. Joni Miller Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Miller Rick Miller Jim Milstead Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell John and Shery Mitchell John and Suzanne Mitchell Nedra Mitchell Connie Monk Dora Moore PHILANTHROPY Randell Moore Tenisha Moore Ben Morgan Debbie Mosley Melissa Mosley Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mosley Mr. and Mrs. David Myers Mr. and Mrs. Frank Neal Wayman Newell Eddie and Chrystal Newman Elliott Newton Ronny Nicholson Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Odom Jarrod Parks Mr. and Mrs. Newt Parnell S. Patterson Shannon Pendergrass Catherine Penick Doyle Perkins Scott Peterson Whiddon Photography, Inc. Cecil Pittman Allen Plumbing Cash and Carry Cleaners of West Point First National Bank of Pontotoc Donald Porter Lynne Posey Deep South Pout Joe and Frances Price Zoo Crew Promotions John and Martha Quarles Mrs. Jimmye Ransburgh Carol Read Marc and Melinda Reeves El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant Marge Ann Revere Susan Reynolds Stan Rice Sue Richards Mr. and Mrs. George Richardson Mr. C. V. Rickman Phillip Rickman Carolyn Ring Ms. Jerry Roberson Mr. and Mrs. Roger Roberts Amy Rogers William V. Rogers Joey Rose Joseph Rowell Rev. James A. Ruffin Massey Super Mart Auto Sales, Inc. S & S Trailer Sales Donna Sanders William Sansing Rod Scott Tommy Scott Glenda Sellers Central Financial Services Mr. and Mrs. Roger Shivers Premier Paint Body Shop Randy Shults Mr. and Mrs. George Simmerman Ronald Singley Beverly Slaughter Paula Sledge Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sliman Cindy Smith Evelyn Smith Jerry Smith Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Smith Marilyn Smith Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith Wendy Smith Mr. and Mrs. William J. Smith Steve's on the Square Janice Stanfield Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Steed Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Stephens Travis and Sue Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stockman Mr. and Mrs. Doug Stokes Stribling Drug Store Mike Stringer Mr. and Mrs. Steve Stringer Mr. and Mrs. Scott Sullivan Jones County Medical Supplies, Inc. Shamrock Medical & Office Supplies Newton County Farm Supply, Inc. Brown's Farm and Garden Supply Lauderdale County Farm Supply Lowndes Farm Supply Philadelphia Printing & Office Supply Reeder Farm Supply Sake Sushi Belinda Swart Charlotte Swearingen Mid Mississippi Regional Library System Bobbie Jo Taylor Carolyn Butchee Taylor Mr. Jerry Taylor Otis Boyd Taylor Belt Tech Inc. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Teer Go Physical Therapy Cheryl Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Thomas John C. Thomas Amy Thompson Carlos & Jackie Thompson Mitzi Thompson Lillie Thornton Katherine Timmons Rodney Tingle The Added Touch Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Townzen Larkin and Larkin Trucking Monroe Tufline Gene Tullos Brent Unruh Marietta Unruh Nancy Vaughan John Vaughn Jill Vick Michael and Sommer Vick Mary Beth Cox Vickers Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Vincent John and Kristi Voss Jennifer Staten Vragovic Lester Waddell Barbara Wade Clifton Smitty Wade Marvin Warren Dana Weatherford Karen Wedgeworth Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Welborn Dr. and Mrs. Carl M. White Cathy White Kyndall White Christi Whitten Elizabeth Wiggins Jeffrey and Jo Anne Willers Debbie Williams Melissa Wilson Nathan Winkles Dental Works, Inc. Leeper's Metal Works Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Lee Wright J. Lynn Wright Tommie Joe Wylie Paul and Brenda Wynne Doris Yoder Yoo Yoo Yogurt Kelley Ann Young Lisa M. Young Spring 2014 The Lions’ Pride 31 Page 32:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:41 AM Page 1 Etna Jean Scarborough Gray George L. Hailey Decatur October 31, 2013 Louisville February 20, 2014 A Newton County native, Gray graduated from Hickory High School before attending EMJC, then Delta State. She played basketball at Hickory High and EMJC with her eventual sister-in-law, Audrey McKee Scarborough, and the two were inducted into the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. During her time in Scooba, Gray was a member of the Economics Club and the Bird Club. Gray taught elementary school for nearly 30 years in Meridian and Forest. She and her husband of almost 30 years, the late Paul Gray, made their home in Forest. Etna Jean Gray returned to Newton following her husband’s death Scarborough Gray and attended Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She is survived by three children and eight grandchildren. George Hailey played basketball at EMJC, but his 29 years as a coach defined him. The Louisville resident closed his career with a record of 867 wins and 17 losses. He coached at seven high schools, winning the state tournament at Lambert in 1962, and was voted to the Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987 and the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Hailey also worked as an educator and high school principal and served two enlistments in the Army. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of George L. Southern Mississippi and his master’s degree from MisHailey sissippi State University. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ceceile, one son, one grandson and two great-grandchildren. George Edward Hubbard Audrey McKee Scarborough A Forest native, Hubbard graduated from Scooba High School on the EMJC campus, where he was voted a Class Favorite. He attended EMJC briefly before serving as a medic in the Army in Korea. Years later he was instrumental in establishing an annual reunion event on the George Edward Scooba campus, which continHubbard ues to this day during Homecoming festivities, for all EMJC students who served in the military during the Korean War. A monument to those students stands outside the Davis Administration Building. Hubbard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Brenda, two children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Audrey Scarborough was raised in Newton County and attended Hickory High School before moving on to play basketball with her eventual sister-in-law, Etna Scarborough Gray. The two attended Delta State together and were inducted into the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame together in 2006. With her Audrey McKee husband, Thomas ScarborScarborough ough, by her side, Audrey worked as a special education teacher in Coahoma and Newton public schools, a case worker at a care home, a licensed cosmetologist and was a charter member of Grace United Baptist Church. The couple also lived in Germany for a time during the Korean War. She is survived by Thomas, their two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Forest February 22, 2014 Decatur February 4, 2014 Fred “Tick” Scoggins Leroy, Ala. April 3, 2014 Tick Scoggins traveled the world during his time in the Army. And when his deployment in Europe during the Korean War ended, he used the G.I. Bill to attend EMJC. In addition to playing football, which earned him a spot in the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame, Scoggins Fred “Tick” served as class vice president Scoggins during his sophomore year and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He met his wife, Marilyn, at Livingston College in Alabama and the two were married in 1959. He is survived by Marilyn, three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The EMCC family remembers these Lion alumni who passed away between July 2013 and April 2014: Jimmy Anderson Brooksville, MS November 1, 2013 Polly Ann Buchanan Porterville November 30, 2013 Hazel E. Bloodworth Brandon January 6, 2014 John Russell Dudley Former Instructor Scooba July 2, 2013 Jerome Waverly Briggs Meridian December 13, 2014 Charles F. “Cy” Fleming Scooba December 25, 2013 Ermagene Bryan Meridian August 29, 2013 32 The Lions’ Pride Don Herschel Luke Preston October 8, 2013 John Roy Prewitt Bardstown, Ky. April 26, 2013 Lucile Boyd McGee Macon September 26, 2013 Beatrice “Bea” Ross DeKalb November 11, 2013 John D. Hunter, Sr. Carthage April 10, 2013 Susan K. Moates Former Instructor, EMCC Trustee West Point February 27, 2014 Sherry Dodd Ross Columbus November 29, 2013 Dennis L. Johnson Columbus June 23, 2013 Frances J. Overstreet DeKalb December 31, 2013 Sam R. “Tiny Heard, Jr. Brooksville July 9, 2013 Martha Lindley Hightower Macon January 8, 2014 Spring 2014 William T. Stovall, Jr. EMCC Sports Hall of Famer Phoenix, AZ March 2, 2014 Belinda Townsend Walker Meridian June 21, 2013 Raymond Andrew Winters Ethelsville, Ala. October 10, 2013 Ruth Boydstun VonKohn Oxford January 5, 2014 Back:Layout 1 6/5/2014 11:21 AM Page 1 ALUMNI OFFICE P.O. BOX 158 SCOOBA, MS 39358 Development Foundation, P.O. Box 158, Scooba, MS 39358 662-476-5063 Absolutely! I will help EMCC to enrich its future. I understand my gift is tax deductible. I/We pledge a total amount of $____________ to the EMCC Development Foundation Annual Fund. I/We will give $____________ beginning in __________ (month) of __________ (year). Please send a reminder ____ monthly ____ quarterly ____ annually OR Enclosed is my/our annual fund gift of $______________ (Please make check payable to EMCC Development Foundation) _____ Foundation Club _____ President’s Club _____ Super Lion King _____ Lion King $25,000 and up $10,000 - $24,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $2,000 - $4,999 _____ Pride Leader _____ Lion _____ Cub $1,000 - $1,999 $200 - $999 $25 - $199 I will support EMCC with a gift of $ ______________ for the following: ____ General Support ____ The Chapel in the Pines ____ Foundation House ____ Athletics ____ Annual Scholarships ____ Classroom/Laboratory, Golden Triangle Campus ____ Fine Arts ____ Tuition Guarantee ____ Endowment of Scholarships ($10,000 in lump sum or over 5 years) When mailing a contribution, please include this form, and your name, complete mailing address and phone number.