Summer 2010 - East Mississippi Community College
Transcription
Summer 2010 - East Mississippi Community College
In his 16-year career, legendary East Mississippi Coach “Bull” Cyclone” Sullivan produced 31 All-Americans, including All-American quarterbacks for five consecutive seasons. More than 200 of his players became coaches, passing on his legacy to new generations of athletes. And now, Mike Frascogna, author of “Gridiron Gold” and “Y’all vs. Us,” has written a book about the life of Coach Bob “Bull” “Cyclone” Sullivan. The book will be available in August. You can order a copy or pick one up at Homecoming, Oct. 15-16. Send your check to the EMCC Development Foundation; PO Box 158; Scooba, MS. Each copy is $24.95 plus shipping. To ensure proper delivery, please include a note with your name, address and phone number. You can also purchase copies by phone using a Visa or MasterCard; call Gina Cotton at (662) 476-5063. East Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees Larry Bell Charles Rigdon Billie Dickson Kathy Dyess Lions’ Pride Volume 10, Number 1 Tim Heard Theresa Hughes, Secretary Summer 2010 COVER STORY Linda Jackson, Chair Rupert L. “Rudy” Johnson EMCC put together a recordbreaking 27-7 season on the basketball court. As the North Division champions, the Lions hosted the MACJC state tournament – and went on to capture the NJCAA Region 23 championship. Robert McDade Dennis Morgan, Vice Chair Ed Mosley Jim Murray Bob Marshall, Board Attorney Pages 16-17 Administration Dr. Rick Young, President Dr. Jacqueline Stennis, Vice President for Scooba Campus, INSIDE Student Affairs and Civil Rights Dr. Paul Miller, Vice President for Golden Triangle Campus and District Operations Dr. Raj Shaunak, Vice President for Workforce and Community Services Dr. Steve Vacik, Vice President for Instruction Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Debby Gard, Vice President of Finance Mickey Stokes, Vice President for Athletics and Campus Operations James Gibson, Vice President of Student Services and Financial Aid Nick Clark, Director of Institutional Development and Alumni Affairs Alumni Association The Lions’ Pride The Lions’ Pride is the official publication of the East Mississippi Community College Development Foundation/Alumni Association. It is published twice a year by EMCC’s Public Information Office. Sheila Aust, President Lisa Briggs, Secretary Project manager/editor: Suzanne Monk Contributing writers: Nick Clark, Gina Cotton, Paul Jones, David Rosinski, Rick Young, Margie Agnew Contributing photographers: Suzanne Monk, Jenny Box, David Rosinski, Mitch Deaver, Clint Scrivener, Paula Merritt Design and layout: Tonya Downey Cover photo: Spruce Durden Foundation Board Charlie Studdard, President Carles McComb Debby Gard Theresa Hughes Mickey Stokes Linda Malone Mark McPhail Janet Briggs From the Director’s Chair................................................................................................2 President’s Message ......................................................................................................2-3 Lion Diary ....................................................................................................................4-11 EMCC saddles up for the rodeo ..................................................................................12 For Ray Gildon, who always had time..........................................................................13 EMCC welcomes new board member ..........................................................................13 Homecoming, alumni events..........................................................................14-15, 24-25 Sports ........................................................................................................................ 16-23 Philanthropy ..............................................................................................................27-30 Alumni Updates ..............................................................................................................31 In Memoriam ..................................................................................................................32 Paul Miller East Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Max Johnson Cheryl Sparkman Marianne Stuart Jairus Johnson Johnny Fisher Ike Hopper Robert McDade Dr. Jackie Stennis, Vice President for Scooba Campus Davis Administration Building P.O. Box 158 Scooba, MS 39358 662-476-5000 jstennis@eastms.edu Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 1 FroM ThE DirECTor’s Chair East Mississippi Community College is poised for another banner year. Construction on the new football stadium is under way. We plan to start building Phase II of the Chapel in the Pines any day now, and the new Student Union building will be put out for bids in September. Additional student Nick Clark housing is on the way, and we are planning a capital campaign to help fund a new Regional Corporate Services and Allied Health Building near the Golden Triangle campus. The excitement just continues to build at EMCC. We have at least three groups of alumni that are planning a reunion gathering at Homecoming: the Korean War Veterans, football players and band members. The Korean War Veterans have had a reunion every Homecoming for as long as I can remember. This year, former EMJC Band members are planning another reunion in honor of Mr. Gene Crago. In addition, a group of former football players is planning to meet for fun and fellowship; look for details on pages 14-15. Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16. I hope you will plan to be a part of the EMCC excitement! In fact, if you are interested in starting a reunion group or participating in one of these, please call me. I will be delighted to assist. On a personal note, it is with a very sad and heavy heart that I write this report. My lovely wife of 41 years passed away on May 27, 2010. Dinni was a real fighter; with God’s help she survived pancreatic cancer nine years ago. However, the trauma of the cancer surgery and subsequent treatments put a lot of stress on her body. She lived a fairly normal life for nine years before her liver just “played out.” Thank you for the many, many cards, letters, e-mails, phone calls, flowers, memorials and prayers that you have blessed our family with during this most difficult time. Please stay in touch. Nick Clark Director of Development and Alumni Affairs 2 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 By Rick Young EMCC EMCC... We’re beginning to sound like a broken record. Despite hard times, East Mississippi Community College is still expanding in both enrollment and educational programs. In short, EMCC is, once again, the fastestgrowing community college in the state. Enrollment in the summer terms was up more than 30 percent, for the second straight EMCC President Dr. Rick Young at the year, and an early registration 2nd Annual Sporting Clays Challenge Cup push has already brought thousands of students through our doors to register for the fall semester. Thanks go out to our hardCommunity College, Stephen Stringer has working faculty, staff and counselors who doubled the size of the Mighty Lion have stayed late to get students squared Marching Band. The sudden growth spurt away for the fall – and for all the hard work made a move to Aust Hall necessary, and that is yet to come. last time I checked, he was busy getting Our first class of Associate Degree everything reorganized in his new space. Nursing students started classes in January. Planning for a new fellowship hall at We are working to secure support for a new Chapel in the Pines, as well as a new facility to house all of EMCC’s current Student Union building, continue at the health care programs and provide room for Scooba campus. We’ve included new future growth in this area. renderings from our architects, Pryor & The overall mission of this four-story Morrow, so you can see what they will look facility has also been broadened to include like. economic development in the Golden Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t Triangle area, and it has been renamed the congratulate our athletic programs. The Regional Corporate Service and Allied men’s basketball team won the Region 23 Health Center. The first floor will serve the championship. The Scooba campus public with a gym/wellness center, medical welcomed a new head baseball coach, Chris clinic, coffee shop and child care services. Rose, who comes to us after much success The second and third floors will house at Meridian Community College. EMCC’s health-related programs. The And this season will be the EMCC fourth floor will provide rental space, as football program’s last at the old Sullivanwell as a multi-service business resource Windham Field. A new football stadium is center with an online library, computer under construction on the west side of stations and meeting rooms. campus, adjacent to Highway 16. We want In other expansion news, Workforce to recapture our heritage in athletics by Services is becoming more active on the giving our student athletes the resources Scooba campus. they need to succeed in sports and in the Step one was a class about how to start classroom. The new football field will also your own business. Over the summer, the raise EMCC’s profile, and its state-of-thefirst group of Health Care Assistant students art amenities will make it a gathering place graduated through an accelerated Workforce for the community. class. New classrooms and lab spaces have I look forward to seeing you at been built. A carpentry class is under way, Homecoming, Oct. 15-16. and the next offering will be basic manufacturing skills. Dr. Rick Young is president of East More good news. In his second year as Mississippi Community College. band director at East Mississippi still on the grow! Left, EMCC’s first class of Associate Degree Nursing students Right, architect’s rendering of the entrance to the Regional Corporate Service and Allied Health Center Architect’s rendering of the new football stadium Architect’s rendering of Phase II, Chapel in the Pines Left, Bruce Hanson of EMCC in Workforce Services’ new carpentry lab Right, band director Stephen Stringer over the summer Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 3 Campus News Feb. 3 Feb. 2 Feb. 2: TIME grant kicks off at Golden Triangle 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 is available at EMCC’s Website, www.eastms.edu, under the “Latest News” category … or on the college’s Facebook page. EMCC hosted a kick-off reception on Feb. 2 for the TIME grant, a three-year program designed to give high school students, teachers and counselors an opportunity to explore job skills needed by modern technology companies. TIME stands for Technology Initiative in Manufacturing and Engineering. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the $900,000 grant is a partnership among Mississippi State University, EMCC and Itawamba Community College. The first group of students to participate, from Columbus High School took classes at EMCC, learning skills like precision measurement, blueprint reading and manufacturing concepts, earned real-world certifications and toured local businesses and Feb. 4 & 11 4 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 industries. Students completed their work on June 30. A separate program for teachers and counselors is under way this summer. In the photo: Rosie Lowery, EMCC student and mother of one of TIME student Corey Lowery, visits during the reception with Dr. Steve Vacik, EMCC vice president of instruction. Feb. 3: MUW offers tuition guarantee to EMCC grads Mississippi University for Women announced it will offer a Tuition Guarantee program for Lowndes County students who Feb. 5 have earned associate’s degrees at East Mississippi Community College. Dr. Bucky Wesley, vice president for student services, said, “This is an opportunity for EMCC and MUW to partner in ensuring access to higher education for Lowndes County residents.” This program will allow qualified students to attend MUW tuition-free for up to four semesters. EMCC offers a twoyear tuition-guarantee program to high school graduates throughout its six-county district. MUW may eventually follow suit, Wesley said, Campus News Feb. 12-13 but the program is restricted to Lowndes County students for now. “We’re trying to be good stewards of the resources we have. Right now we feel like we can handle this reasonably well. If this is successful we will move it out further,” Wesley said. The program is paid for by donations from a consortium of private Mississippi businesses. In the photo: Callaway clock tower, one of Mississippi University for Women’s most notable landmarks. Feb. 4, Feb. 11: Return of Career Boosters EMCC students had a chance to get advice about resumes, take part in mock job interviews and get career and degree counseling at Career Boosters held Feb. 4 at the Golden Triangle campus and Feb. 11 at the Scooba campus. The Career Booster events were inaugurated in the 2008-09 school year, and brought back by popular demand in the 2009-10 school year. In addition to EMCC staff and students, about 50 business leaders generously donated their time and helped make the Career Boosters a success. In the photo: Noxubee County District 1 Supervisor Larry Tate, a community volunteer, advises a student during a Career Booster. Feb. 5: Scholars’ Olympiad More than 100 high school students competed for scholarships in academic and career-technical areas during the Scholars’ Olympiad. The annual event, now in its fourth year, was held Feb. 5 at the college’s Golden Feb. 19 Feb. 25-26 Feb. 18 Triangle campus. “The Scholar’s Olympiad was once again a tremendous success. It was certainly exciting to have area students on the EMCC campus,” said Dr. Steve Vacik, EMCC vice president of instruction. “But more that, it is encouraging to see the intellectual ability of our young people on display. It is no wonder more and more businesses and industries are seeing the potential for settling in our state, both now and in the future.” Participating students came from eight high schools in the EMCC district. The overall school winner was New Hope High School. West Point High School took second place, and Caledonia High School finished in third place. In the photo: The overall Scholars’ Olympiad winner, New Hope High School, claimed three individual first place ribbons, three second place ribbons and two third place ribbons – and swept the automotive technology category. Feb. 12-13: Rotary Club saddles up for EMCC The Rotary Classic Rodeo, the Starkville Rotary Club’s largest fund-raiser, is held at the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville. This year, Rotarians donated the proceeds from the Feb. 12-13 event to East Mississippi Community College’s tuition guarantee program through SOAR Starkville/ Oktibbeha Achieving Results. The tuition guarantee program allows qualified high school graduates to attend EMCC tuition-free for up to four semesters. In the photo: Rotary Club emblem Feb. 18: Capitol Day More than 200 community college students, faculty members and administrators gathered at the Mississippi Capitol Feb. 18 to lobby lawmakers for more funding. Community college enrollments soared an average of 13 percent in the fall. East Mississippi Community College posted the largest increase, nearly 20 percent. In 2007, state lawmakers and Gov. Haley Barbour committed to mid-level funding, a per-student Summer 2010 Feb. 24 funding level for community colleges midway between funding for K-12 students and regional public university students. But, to date, that commitment has not resulted in the needed mid-level funding. Rep. Kelvin Buck, D-Holly Springs, and chairman of the House Universities and Colleges Committee, said state representatives will do what they can to make progress toward that goal – despite recent state budget cuts. The Lions’ Pride 5 Campus News Mar. 1 Feb. 26 Feb. 26 In the photo: Student Ambassador Taylor Dinsmore of Macon models the “Capitol Day” T-shirt, which bills community colleges as the “sweetest deal in Mississippi.” Feb. 19: Career-technical staff hosts open house East Mississippi Community College hosted an open house Feb. 19 at its Golden Triangle campus in honor of Career and Technology Month. Prospective students from the EMCC district were able to meet local business leaders, and the college’s instructors and students, and ask questions about EMCC’s more than 30 career and technical programs. In the photo: Career-technical instructor Bob Lovelace and student David Horton of Columbus Education Appreciation Day – Working for Academic Excellence. Among the people honored were instructor Gary Gammill and student Stephanie McCully, both of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. “Gary Gammill and Stephanie McCully take the initiative to go beyond the usual standards of excellence set by East Mississippi Community College,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. “They take a proactive approach in everything they do, and are always looking for ways to expand and enrich their lives, both in and out of the classroom.” In the photos: Gary Gammill, Stephanie McCully Feb. 25-26: Annual Mass Choir Festival Students and faculty members from the state’s universities and colleges gathered Feb. 24 in Jackson for the 23rd annual Higher The EMCC Concert Choir and Reflection Singers climbed aboard the college’s big, white bus and drove down to Meridian Feb. 25-26 for the Mississippi Community and Junior College Mass Choir Festival. This year’s festival was at the MSU-Riley Center in downtown Meridian. The EMCC Choir presented 6 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 Feb. 24: HEADWAE Awards in Jackson three selections: “Festival Sanctus” by John Leavitt, “The Silence and the Song” by Mark Patterson and “Shout Glory” by Byron Smith. EMCC students also performed with a mass choir made up of about 400 students from all over the state. In the photo: Quincy James of Columbus and Brittney Brown of Macon check their music before the festival. Feb. 26: Humanities Council honors EMCC instructor EMCC history instructor Kelly Elizabeth Cantrell was honored with a Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher Award. The presentation of the award came Feb. 26 during a banquet at the Hilton in Jackson. Among the accomplishments that earned Cantrell this award was a paper she wrote called, “Cooking Up the Revolution: Food and the Creation of Americans,” which she presented during the college’s Proud to be an American program in November. The paper traces the evolution of American cuisine from the colonial era through the early republic, and argues that Americans expressed their political leanings in the Revolutionary era by changing their diet. In the photo: Kelly Cantrell Mar. 5 Feb. 26: WIST Conference More than 250 students from area high schools attended the Women in Science & Technology Conference Feb. 26 at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus. The longstanding annual event gives young women a chance to explore career possibilities in areas like health care, metal trades, computers, aerospace engineering, design and engineering, electronics and transportation. Rachel Forsyth of PACCAR was the keynote speaker. The day also included break-out sessions and a panel discussion by five women serving in the U.S. Air Force at Columbus Air Force Base. In the photo: Chief Master Sgt. Barbara Steffen introduces the panel from Columbus Air Force Base. In addition to the panel, CAFB was also represented by seven other women serving in the U.S. Air Force who greeted attendees and answered questions. Campus News Mar. 25 March 1: Riley, MSU announce “Next Step” scholarship program Community College, Jones County Junior College and East Central Community College. The Riley Foundation and Mississippi State UniversityMeridian announced the Riley “Next Step” Scholarship program. The program is designed to recognize students who have excelled at the communitycollege or junior-college level and want to pursue higher education opportunities at MSU-Meridian campus. The recipients of this scholarship will be known as “Riley Scholars” and will receive full tuition to Mississippi State University-Meridian for two years – four semesters, fall and spring. In the photo: EMCC alumnus and current MSU student Zac Clay, far left, was one of four students asked to pose with the MSU mascot for this “Next Step” publicity photo. The other students represent three other participating schools, Meridian March 5: Mastering math Apr. 22 Students from eight public and private schools competed March 5 in the District Junior High Mathematics Tournament, hosted by East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus. Competing in the math tournament were students from Heritage Academy in Columbus, Hebron Christian School in Pheba, New Hope Middle School in Columbus, Caledonia Middle School, Central Academy in Macon, Starkville Academy, Lee Middle School in Columbus and Armstrong Middle School in Starkville. “I’m hardly an impartial observer, because I teach mathematics at EMCC, but I’m Mar. 29 - Apr. 1 always so pleased to meet young people with an interest in this area,” said event organizer Annalisa Ebanks. “It’s so important to have a grasp of mathematics, and know how to apply those skills in your own life. Whether you’re balancing your checkbook or trying to figure out how many miles to the gallon your car is getting, math is a part of daily life.” In the photo: Hannah Park of Hebron Christian School in Pheba won first place in the eighth grade competition. She is pictured with EMCC recruiter Michael Black. March 25: All-Mississippi Academic Team awards Four EMCC students were named to the All-Mississippi Academic Team during a ceremony March 25 in Jackson. The All-Mississippi Academic Team recognition program Apr. 28 applauds the scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of community and junior college students across the state of Mississippi. Honorees were recognized at the State Capitol by the Mississippi Legislature, and were the guests of honor at an awards luncheon at the Jackson Marriott. This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In the photo: EMCC honorees are pictured with instructors at the Mississippi Capitol. They are, first row from left, instructor Susan Carpenter, Adriana Rodriguez of Brooksville, Katherine Higginbotham of Starkville and Stephanie McCully of Ackerman. In the second row are Kyle Harriman of Louisville, instructor Derrick Conner and instructor Janet Briggs. March 29-April 1: Pine Grove Festival East Mississippi Community College showcased the artistic achievements of its students March 29-April 1 during the annual Pine Grove Arts Festival. The festival has been celebrated for more than 40 years at EMCC’s Scooba campus, and the Golden Triangle campus began its own Pine Grove tradition in 2009. The festival includes concerts, plays and art shows … as well as good food and Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 7 Campus News May 7-8 fellowship at outdoor events. In the photo: Samantha Johnson of Pheba acts in a production of “He Calls Me by the Thunder,” by Mississippi playwright M.J. Euta. April 17: Students fight Multiple Sclerosis EMCC students took part April 17 in the Multiple Sclerosis Walk at Probst Park in Columbus. Fifteen EMCC students – among them a number of Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa members – marked EMCC’s third year of participation in the event. EMCC’s team worked ahead of time to secure pledges and raised $500 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The faculty sponsors for the effort were Delfi Wilson of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus and Wendy Smith of the Scooba campus. April 22: Taming the Employment jungle East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus in Mayhew was the place to be April 22 – as more than 850 people gathered at the Lyceum auditorium to meet with nearly 50 employers at the East Mississippi Job Fair. Attendees also had chance to meet with volunteers from EMCC and the business community for one-on-one consultations about interview skills, winning resumes and May 7-8 8 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 dressing for success. In the photo: Jim Murray of Prestage Farms in West Point, right, a member of the EMCC Board of Trustees, speaks with EMCC student Toby Cherry. April 28: Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon East Mississippi Community College hosted the 21st Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon April 28 at its Golden Triangle campus. The event celebrates the college’s partnership with the business community – and it includes the presentation of the Director’s Award, Best Practices Awards and Special Recognition Awards. This year’s luncheon featured keynote speaker Dr. Hank Bounds, commissioner of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The day’s top award, the Director’s Award, went to Severstal Columbus for implementing superior workforce training, demonstrating management excellence with superior outcomes, continuing to improve and build upon superior results and excellent systems and deploying world-class processes. Best Practice Awards went to Weyerhaeuser Columbus, Stark Aerospace and Baptist Memorial Hospital, Golden Triangle. Dexter Holloway and the State Board for Community & Junior Colleges received a Special Recognition Award. In the photo: Ray Hamer accepts the Director’s Award on behalf of Severstal Columbus. May 7-8: Two days, three graduations! Nearly 700 students took their next step toward academic excellence during graduation ceremonies at EMCC. The Golden Triangle campus hosted two graduation ceremonies May 7, one at 2 p.m. for academic students, one at 6 p.m. for career-technical students. Students from the Columbus Air Force Base branch participated in these ceremonies. Graduation at the Scooba campus was May 8 at 10 a.m. It included students from the Naval Air Station Meridian branch. For more about graduation, read these items in the “Stories May 7-8 Campus News May 19 from Lion Country” album on EMCC’s Facebook page: “EMCC, Wedding Bells & the Reluctant Graduate” and “EMCC, Baseball & the Guy Who Loves Numbers.” In the photos: Golden Triangle academic graduate Gary Strother poses after the ceremony with one of his biggest fans. EMCC board member Tim Heard, right, catches sight of his son, EMCC graduate Christopher Heard, during careertechnical graduation at the GT campus; at left is Dr. Delfi Wilson. Instructor Eric Ford, with EMCC ceremonial mace, and Dr. Rick Young share a laugh before graduation at the Scooba campus. May 19: LINK honors instructor Bill Gavin Bill Gavin of East May 24 Mississippi Community College received the 2010 ColumbusLowndes Development LINK’s Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award. An instructor for more than 30 years, Gavin teaches drafting in EMCC’s Career-Technical and Workforce Services divisions. During his career, he has also taught at Lowndes County Vocational Center and Mississippi State University, and serves on many local, state and national committees. “I believe it is my responsibility to teach and make an impression on a student’s life. I stress the importance of punctuality, honesty, loyalty, self-discipline and responsibility. As young people today prepare themselves for employment, it June 3 is critical that these traits are developed,” Gavin said. “I take great pride in my students and their performance in the workplace. It is a great comfort to hear from employers that not only see the quality of education that my students have received, but also the inner qualities that I have had a part in developing.” In the photo: Bill Gavin speaks at an EMCC gathering. May 24: Saying goodbye to EMCC retirees … East Mississippi Community College said farewell to these honored faculty and staff members who retired during the 2009-10 academic year: Bill Baldner of Meridian, coach and health instructor, Scooba campus, 25 years; Jannie Hampton of Columbus, maintenance, Golden Triangle campus, six years; William Lowrimore of Crawford, drafting instructor, Golden Triangle campus, 23 years; Marsha Patterson of Cottondale, Ala., art instructor, Golden Triangle campus; seven years; Frank Rogers of Scooba, maintenance, Scooba campus, 27 years; Clay Williams of Scooba, coach and biology instructor, Scooba campus, seven years; and Kary Williams of Scooba, mathematics instructor, Scooba campus, 24 years. In the photo: Drafting instructor Ernie Lowrimore and his sister applaud May 24 as colleague Brenda Wilson sings a song she wrote in honor of the veteran teacher’s retirement. June 3: Well done, GED graduates! East Mississippi Community College held commencement exercises June 3 for its latest class of GED graduates. So far this year, 159 students have graduated from this high school equivalency program offered throughout EMCC’s six-county district. More than 30 of them took part in a graduation ceremony at the Lyceum auditorium at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. “In our society, education is June 11 Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 9 Campus News June 14: Summer enrollment jumps almost 35 percent June 20-26 the great equalizer. Fifty years ago, 60 percent of jobs could be done by unskilled workers. Rising technology has turned that statistic upside down. Today, 65 percent of jobs require skilled workers, and there are more new kinds of high-tech jobs every year,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. “I commend these graduates of East Mississippi Community College’s GED program for putting in the hard work necessary to take that next step for themselves and their families.” In the photo: GED graduate Phillip “Trevor” Burns of Columbus won a special award for making the highest score on the GED test. He is pictured with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. MUW will offer completion degrees that complement the associate’s degrees offered by EMCC. “East Mississippi Community College can now utilize the power of a four-year, degreegranting university to recruit future students by offering them a seamless continuation of their degree program in a bachelor’s degree,” explained Dr. Bill Mayfield, MUW dean of the School of Professional Studies. “They can do it at home after work or, in some cases, companies provide a couple of hours of time during the work day so their employees can complete their degrees and the company receives the benefit of that new education.” The V3 program, also called V-Cubed, recalls Julius Caesar’s famous three-word message to the Roman Senate after his defeat of Pharnaces II in the Battle of Zela: “Veni, vidi, vici.” Translation: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” In the photo: Emblem of MUW’s V3 program Enrollment in summer classes at EMCC took another swing upwards. As of June 14, a total of 3,087 students were enrolled –795 students more than the same time last year. “We’re happy to see so many students taking summer classes, whether they’re getting a jump start on the next academic year, or taking classes for their own personal enrichment,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. “At EMCC, we’re all about knocking down the barriers that stand between people and a better future. If students have scheduling barriers, counselors can work around jobs and family responsibilities. If the barriers are geographical, we try to offer classes in as many places in our six-county district as possible. And, of course, the tuition guarantee program is still available to high school graduates in our six-county district.” In the photo: Students work together in a science lab at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. June 11: MUW, EMCC sign “V3” online agreement An agreement between EMCC and Mississippi University for Women paved the way for EMCC graduates to take advantage of The W’s “V3 Online College” – the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two institutions. 10 The Lions’ Pride June 14 Summer 2010 Campus News July 15 June 20-26: Skills USA National Conference EMCC students Dillon Sawtelle of West Point and Sharon Washington of Starkville won the only two gold medals awarded to Mississippi students at the 46th Annual Leadership and Skills Conference, held June 20-26 in Kansas City, Mo. Both won in Job Skill Demonstration categories, Dillon for a disc brake job, and Sharon for an oil change. The national conference followed an earlier state-level competition in April, hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In the photo: First-place winners in the state competition included, from left: Taylor Watson of Sturgis, Automotive; Wesley Nickoles of Columbus, Diesel; Dillon Sawtelle of West Point, Job Skill Demonstration A; and Sharon Washington of Starkville, Job Skill Demonstration B. Pictured behind the students is EMCC instructor Dale Henry. July 15: Licensed Practical Nursing graduation EMCC held commencement exercises July 15 for its latest class of Licensed Practical Nursing graduates. Fifteen new nurses took part in the graduation ceremony at the Lyceum auditorium at the college’s Golden Triangle campus. The keynote speaker was Dr. Keith Watson of West Point, a pediatrician who assisted in the training of the class. Watson had three pieces of advice for the graduates: “First, remember why you went into this field. You wanted a career where you could help people. You’re there to take care of another human being who trusts you. Next, be human. People don’t want a robot who walks into a room, spits out a bunch of big words and then leaves. They want a person taking care of them. Finally, always remember it’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know.’ It’s never wrong to say ‘I don’t know,’ but it’s always wrong not to find out the answer. I learn something every day.” Lisa Pickett of West Point won the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. Pickett started a new job right after graduation at West Point Women’s Clinic. She plans to work for several years, then return to EMCC to pursue a degree as a Registered Nurse. In the photo: Lisa Pickett, center, with EMCC nursing instructors, from left, Suzy Tillett, Karen Taylor, Linda Hebert and Karen Gray July 26 July 26: Mighty Lion Band moves to a new den In his first year in Scooba, new band director Stephen Stringer has doubled the size of the marching band, now called the Mighty Lion Band. Stringer joined the EMCC faculty in 2009, after a three-year stint at Meridian High School, where he doubled the size of the Wildcat Band. He expects this year’s band membership to grow to about 70 members. And this means, the Mighty Lion Band has outgrown its den. Stringer is in the process of re-locating the band to new quarters in Aust Hall. In the photo: Band director Stephen Stringer waits on the sidelines at Sullivan-Windham Field with his Mighty Lion Band. Ending July 30: Early registration blitz! Finally, enrollment at EMCC is growing fast, really fast. And when thousands of students show up at the last minute to register for fall classes, the lines can’t help but get long. So, over the summer, administrators made it their mission to encourage students to register early by offering an $80 discount on registration fees. The campaign was publicized in newspaper and TV ads … and drilled into the ground on EMCC’s website and Facebook pages. We hope it worked! In the photo: Early registration ad from the Commercial Dispatch July 30 Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 11 Campus News Rodeo comes to Lion Country By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride Intercollegiate rodeo will debut at East Mississippi Community College this fall. In the works for several years, EMCC’s rodeo Goodrich program is under the direction of head coach Morgan (Gully) Goodrich – a familiar name around the East Mississippi sports landscape. The former Kemper Academy standout previously competed for the EMCC women’s basketball team and, most recently, served as an assistant on Sharon Thompson’s Lady Lion coaching staff. Though basketball is close to her heart, Goodrich said beginning an intercollegiate rodeo program from scratch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A former Reserve Champion as an All-Around Cowgirl during her collegiate rodeo days at the University of West Alabama, Goodrich most recently became the 2008 Champion Breakaway Roper at the La Honda Rodeo in California. “I was very, very excited when Dr. Young approached me with this great opportunity,” Goodrich said. “Rodeo is something I’ve spent my whole life being involved with, and it’s always special to be a part of something from Day 1. My husband has been in professional rodeo for many years, and my dad and brother are also involved in rodeo.” Keeping it in the family, Goodrich’s husband, Wes, will be a volunteer assistant coach. A veteran member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, he ranked among the PRCA’s Top 20 cowboys in 2001 and 2002. The couple has spent the past several months mapping out the logistics of building a rodeo program from the ground up. Affiliated with the nine-state Ozark Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, EMCC will join fellow in-state member Northwest Mississippi Community College and neighboring North Arkansas College, along with four-year schools, such as West Alabama, Troy, Tennessee-Martin, Murray State, Southern Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello and Missouri Valley College. With more than 100 rodeos sanctioned annually by the NIRA throughout its 11 regions, Goodrich said, it may take some time before East Mississippi is able to host a rodeo event. “We’ve got to first get our feet on the ground as a program and then look at things down the road,” Goodrich said. “When we do get to that point, we could host an event in West Point or Meridian, among other places. We definitely want to find a place best suited for our fans, while also providing a good environment and setting for our kids.” With their sights set on the College National Finals Rodeo, EMCC’s team will compete for 12 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 INAUGURAL TEAM Set to begin competition in the nine-state Ozark Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association this fall, the inaugural 2010-11 East Mississippi rodeo team will be guided by head coach Morgan Goodrich, far right, and her husband, Wes. point awards in bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping in men’s events, while the women will compete in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. Men and women will also participate in a combined team roping event. Planning for as many as 10 rodeo events for the school’s initial 2010-11 schedule, Goodrich has been hard at work scouring the state for talented riders. Fortunately for EMCC, the school’s own sixcounty recruiting district is fertile ground for rodeo talent, especially in the West Point area. With as many as four signees hailing from the West Point area, EMCC’s inaugural rodeo roster figures to headlined by Will Lummus of Oak Hill Academy. A second-generation rodeo standout, Lummus was Mississippi’s 2009 State Champion Steer Wrestler and Reserve Champion Calf Roper. Also expected to headline East Mississippi’s debut rodeo squad is Cody Warner, by way of Winston Academy in Louisville. Already attending EMCC’s Mayhew campus, Warner is a National Wrangler All-Star team member. Currently made up of eight men and two women, EMCC’s rodeo roster also includes West Point natives Taylor White, Ty Miller and Jake Pollard, along with Carson Bright of Mathiston, Jesse Rush of DeKalb, Taylor Jane Taggert of Starkville, D.D. Hunt of Shuqualak and Sara Kate McIlwain of Cedar Bluff. Goodrich plans to have a 12-person roster for the coming campaign. “I’ve watched a lot of our signees grow up, and many of them are second-generation rodeo performers,” Goodrich said. “I know several of them have good bloodlines for rodeo, so they all have good potential.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. Alumni news For Ray Gildon, who always had time… By Suzanne Monk EMCC Toward the end of July, I drove up to Galloway-Chandler-McKinney Insurance in Columbus to take a photograph of Jimmy Galloway and his wife, Pam. The couple has established a scholarship in honor of Pam’s late father, Mr. Ray Gildon, who worked as a mechanic for the Lowndes County School District. The new award is called the Ray Gildon Excellence in Automotive Technology Scholarship. My idea was to raise the hood of a car and take a photo of Jimmy and Pam Galloway pretending to work on the engine. I thought that would make a nice photo, but when I arrived, I learned they had another idea. “Listen, if you don’t mind, what we’d really like to do is drive out to Pam’s mother’s house and take the picture out there,” Jimmy said. “Pam got to thinking about it, and she remembered her father’s truck. It’s one he restored from the chassis up. We went out to her mother’s house in the country, and we got the truck started and backed out of the barn. Pam spent all day yesterday getting it shined up and looking nice. Would it be too much trouble to ride out with me and take the picture there?” No trouble at all. We met Pam and her mother, Nealie Gildon, at a peaceful house on a hill. And there, parked under a tree, was a fully restored 1948 Ford F1 pickup. “If it had wheels on it, my father worked on it. He loved old cars, but he didn’t have time NEW SCHOLARSHIP Jimmy and Pam Galloway pose for a photo beside a 1948 Ford F1 pickup restored by Pam’s late father, Ray Gildon. The couple has established a scholarship in Mr. Gildon’s name. to spend on them until he retired. He actually restored this truck from pieces of three trucks,” Pam said. “My father never went to mechanic’s school, but he was always teaching himself, and someone was always calling him because they were broken down on the side of the road.” So, the scholarship is a tribute to Ray Gildon, who always had time to help. “We’re big supporters of EMCC,” Jimmy said. “We’d like to help young, aspiring, mechanically adept students in the automotive technology program. And we’d like to honor Pam’s father. He was a humble, hard-working benevolent man with a passion for his profession.” The first Ray Gildon Excellence in Automotive Technology Scholarship will be awarded to an EMCC student at the Golden Triangle campus this semester. Suzanne Monk is the director of public information for East Mississippi Community College. EMCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELCOMES NEW MEMBER Rupert L. “Rudy” Johnson, left, the newest member of the EMCC Board of Trustees, poses for a photo with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young during a recent meeting of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College Trustees. An alumnus of Mississippi State University, Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts, trade industry, and a master’s degree in educational administration. He was assistant director of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus in Mayhew from 1980-90. For the past 20 years, he has worked with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, currently serving as its director. “I am glad to serve on EMCC’s Board of Trustees. It has a lot of very good members who have the school, and its staff and students, in their hearts,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with them and helping do anything I can to help provide a better quality of education and a better workplace.” Johnson replaces R.S. “Scotty” Wofford of Starkville, who retired after representing Oktibbeha County since March 1992. We would like to thank Mr. Wofford for 18 years of devoted service. Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 13 Alumni news Y’all come to… HOMECOMING EVENTS By Suzanne Monk EMCC What al look liukmni when the e tellingy’re “Bull” S u livan stories l… FRIDAY, OCT. 15 5:30 p.m. Sports Hall of Fame Reception Cafeteria East Room 6:30 p.m. Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Cafeteria West Room Jimmy Kibe SATURDAY, OCT. 16 9 a.m. Foundation Board Meeting Davis Administration 9 a.m. Alumni Registration, Stennis Lobby Memorial Prayer, Korean War Memorial Tailgating Area Opens, Aust Hall 9:15 a.m. Korean War Veterans’ Meeting, Stennis 120 10 a.m. Alumni /Foundation Joint Meeting Stennis Hall Auditorium Charles Swoope 10:45 a.m. Campus Tours, Shuttle Service 11:30 a.m. Alumni / Friends Luncheon Alumnus of the Year & Distinguished Service Award Keyes Currie Coliseum 1:45 p.m. Pre-game Recognition of Hall of Fame Inductees Sullivan-Windham Field 2 p.m. EMCC vs. Pearl River Sullivan-Windham Field Half-time Recognition of Alumnus of the Year & Distinguished Service Award Recipients Homecoming Court Presentation Sullivan-Windham Field Post-game Band & Football Players Reunion Cafeteria 14 The Lions’ Pride Carles McComb This year’s Homecoming gathering will have all the events you’ve come to expect – Sports Hall of Fame induction, alumni meetings, luncheon in Keyes Currie Coliseum and recognition of the Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner, campus tours, Lion football and presentation of the Homecoming Court. But, this year, it will have a bonus feature, a reunion of East Mississippi football players and band members. “Some of us have begun to get in touch with each other in recent years, and it has been very meaningful and enjoyable. We want to rekindle old friendships and find a way to stay in touch,” said Lester Smith, a “Bull” Sullivan era football player. “We won’t have an agenda of any kind. We just want to pick up where we left off, when we left Scooba long ago.” A group of football alumni met recently at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus to talk about the reunion. Jimmy Kibe is leading the charge to locate former football players. He’s working a list, and trying to let people know about the reunion. “We thought about doing it on the morning of Homecoming, but there’s so much going on. We finally decided on a post-game reception,” Kibe said. “And, we want to emphasize, it’s not just for football players. All alumni are welcome to come and visit and reconnect with each other.” Things are moving along on the band side of the roster, too. Alumni Janet Nester and JoAnn Kibe are working to reunite Lion band members, especially those from the Gene Crago era. “My family lived right on campus, near where the maintenance department is now, so I more or less grew up at East Mississippi. I have a big list of band names, almost 200, and I’m looking for addresses and telephone numbers,” Nester said. “If anyone out there was a band member, I’d appreciate it if they’d give me a call.” Suzanne Monk is director of public information for East Mississippi Community College. Don Edwards Summer 2010 WHO TO CALL For more information about the football and band reunion, or to help out, call: Football, Jimmy Kibe, (662) 328-8813 Band, Janet Nester, (601) 743-5624 Or JoAnn Kibe, (662) 328-8813 Alumni news Homecoming in Scooba BAND REUNION The 1969 Lion yearbook was dedicated to band director Gene Crago, left. Former students JoAnn Kibe and Janet Nester, far left, are leading the effort to organize a band reunion during Homecoming this year. They are pictured after an organizational meeting last year. EMJC MARCHING BAND This photo of Gene Crago and the EMJC marching band was included in the 1956 Lion yearbook. Do you see yourself there? FOOTBALL REUNION A group of East Mississippi football alumni is working on reunion plans. They are, from left, Jimmy Kibe, Carles McComb, Don Edwards and Charles Swoope. At left are the lists Jimmy Kibe is working to locate former football players. Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 15 Lions claim Region PG16&17:4/05 layout 9/3/10 11:28 AM Page 2 By Paul Jones special to the Lions’ Pride Entering the 2009-10 campaign, East Mississippi menʼs basketball coach Mark White liked the pieces he had assembled through another solid year of recruiting. Still, questions remained about the allimportant intangible known as team chemistry. “Going into the year, I thought we had the pieces of the puzzle needed to be successful,” White said. “I knew we had a lot of individual talent. But we had to see about the team chemistry, which is so vital at any level.” With White fitting the pieces together to form the bond needed for team success, the 2009-10 Lions put together a record-breaking 27-7 season that included many school-first accomplishments. In claiming a first-ever MACJC North Division title, EMCC earned the honor of hosting the state tournament. After finishing as state runners-up to Pearl River, the Lions went on to capture the NJCAA Region 23 championship and made the programʼs first appearance in the tradition-rich NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. “You have to give the kids all the credit,” White said. “People never really know how much we ask of them, and how much work they put in, to get to this point. These players showed as much work ethic as any group Iʼve ever been around.” The team earned a season-ending No. 12 national ranking, and the campaign was also highlighted by several individual honors. White was tabbed as the NJCAA District 15 Menʼs Basketball Coach of the Year. Sophomore guard CoCo Ware was named to the NJCAA All-American First Team and col- lected NJCAA All-Region 23 honors for the second straight year. In addition, freshman playmaker Deonte Alexander was rewarded for an excellent postseason by being selected to the all-tournament teams of the regional and national tournaments. The Nashville native returns as White one of the top players in the Mississippi junior college ranks after averaging 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a collegiate rookie. “This past season, the main thing was the guys really saw their hard work pay off,” White said. “They got to see their rewards, as a team and individually, and that makes it special. It also serves for good motivation for next year.” Whiteʼs Lions have made steady progress during each of his three years as head basketball coach. Improving from 11-14 in 2007-08 to 17-11 two years ago and most recently to 27-7 this past season, the former Mississippi State assistant coach now owns a 55-32 career mark at East Mississippi. “The third year is the one many coaches like to point to and see where their program is,” White said. “As coaches, we look for improvements each year. This past year gave us a lot of pride in seeing how hard work paid off for our players.” Looking ahead to next season, White returns four players who played a lot as freshmen. Along with Alexander, the Lions bring back 20-game starter Jonathan King, who averaged 8.9 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds an outing a year ago. The native of Panama also shot 52 percent from his power forward position. Swing player Donovan Walker of Meridian saw action in all 34 games, including five starts, averaging 7.8 points on 51-percent shooting as well as 3.7 rebounds per game as a rookie. Also looking to step up for the Lions in 2010-11 will be powerful guard Joe McCoy, who showed his future potential with a 16point effort against Brunswick, N.C., in last yearʼs NJCAA Tournament. “Weʼve got four guys coming back who made big plays for us last year,” White said. “They will all help us tremendously next year, and they give us a good core to build our team around for next season.” White appears primed to reap the rewards of yet another outstanding recruiting class by having signed a talented collection of players this past off-season. Within their local recruiting district, the Lions have added guards Raymond Walters of New Hope and Caledoniaʼs Rickey McCollum, along with forward Marcus Heidelberg of Quitman. The EMCC staff also scoured the state for out-of-district talent and inked forwards Millaun Brown of West Bolivar High School and Darris Ollie of S.V. Marshall High School, as well as guards D.J. Evans of Brandon, Tradarrius McPhearson of Raymond and Dione Milsap of Yazoo County. “We are always looking for the right fits for our program, and we believe these guys should allow us to continue competing at the highest level,” White said. “Like every season, we want to improve on the year before, and these guys should help us do that.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. 23 title BANQUET: Members of East Mississippi’s first-ever NJCAA Tournament team pose for a group photo on their way to the pre-tournament banquet. at Keyes Currie Coliseum during the MACJC state basketball tournament. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS The 2009-10 men’s basketball team enjoyed the most successful season in the history of the EMCC men’s basketball program by winning the MACJC’s North Division championship and finishing as state tournament runner-up. The Lions capped the season by earning a first-ever national ranking and making a school-first appearance in the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. TOP GUARD Nashville product Deonte Alexander is expected to be one of the state’s top guards next year after earning postseason all-tournament honors as a freshman. LEADING REBOUNDER: A 20-game starter for the 27-7 Lions last season, sophomore forward Jonathan King ranked as EMCC’s leading rebounder and No. 3 scorer in 2009-10. CONGRATULATIONS: EMCC head basketball coach Mark White gets a hug from his wife, Brittany, after the Lions won the NJCAA Region 23 crown with a 78-64 win over Itawamba Community College. STRATEGY: Head coach Mark White talks strategy ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM Sophomore guard CoCo Ware was named to the NJCAA All-American First Team and collected NJCAA All-Region 23 honors for the second straight year. He will play for the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils in the 2010-11 season. After falling to Pearl River in the championship game of the EMCC-hosted 2010 MACJC State Basketball Tournament, the EMCC Lions knocked off Northeast Mississippi (86-79), Hinds (81-74 in OT) and Itawamba (78-64) to capture the school’s first NJCAA Region 23 men’s basketball title and earn a first-ever berth in the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. After claiming an opening-round 86-65 win over Brunswick, N.C., to advance to the championship bracket, EMCC dropped decisions to Navarro, Texas, and Northwest Florida State. Guided by third-year head men’s basketball coach Mark White, the 2009-10 Lions finished their record-setting season with a school-best 27-7 overall record and 10-2 division mark. Ranked as high as No. 8 nationally during the regular-season, EMCC was ranked 12th in the final NJCAA national poll. Sophomore standout guard CoCo Ware of Starkville closed out a brilliant two-year playing career in Scooba by being named to the 2009-10NJCAA All-American First Team after ranking among the national leaders in scoring (19.4 ppg) and steals (2.5 spg) for the second straight season. The two-time NJCAA All-Region 23 selection helped lead the EMCC Lions to a two-year composite record of 44-18, while totaling 1,196 career points (19.3 ppg), 382 rebounds (6.2 rpg), 168 steals (2.7 spg) and 120 assists (1.9 apg). Freshman point guard Deonte Alexander was chosen to the MACJC’s All-North Division First Team upon the conclusion of the regular season, while also earning a spot on the NJCAA Region 23 All-Tournament team and NJCAA All-Tournament team following postseason play. The Nashville product was EMCC’s second-leading scorer (13.0 ppg) in 2009-10, and averaged 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. With a career coaching record of 55-32 in his three seasons at EMCC, Mark White garnered the 2009-10 NJCAA District 15 Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year honor. Under White’s guidance, the Lions have improved from an 11-14 team in 2007-08 to 17-11 two seasons ago and most recently to 27-7 this past year. SportS Lion FootbaLL: By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride It is no secret that the resurgent East Mississippi football program made history in 2009. The Stephens numbers – and honors – proved it. Under the direction of 2009 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year Buddy Stephens, the Lions captured the school’s first-ever MACJC state football championship and finished with a school-best 11-1 record, capped by a 27-24 victory over Arizona Western in the Mississippi Bowl. Ranked as high as second nationally earlier in the season, EMCC earned a program-high No. 4 national ranking in the final NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll. For the second straight year, the Lions rolled through the MACJC’s North Division with a perfect 6-0 mark. Last year’s division title led to a repeat playoff berth to mark the first time EMCC football had reached the postseason in back-to-back years. “The big thing for our coaches and players to realize is that what we did was very, very special. But it is also something that doesn’t happen every year,” said Stephens, who has a 19-3 two-year record. “When people start talking about having to defend our state title, it sounds like somebody can take something away from you. But it will always be our part of history, and no one can ever take away what we did last year.” This year, Stephens and his staff have had to replace 10 players who inked scholarships with Division FBS (I-A) 2010 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 2 at Miss. Gulf Coast 7 p.m. Sept. 9 HINDS 7 p.m. Sept. 16 NORTHWEST MISS.* 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Itawamba* 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Coahoma* 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 NORTHEAST MISS.* 7 p.m. Oct. 16 PEARL RIVER (HC) 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Miss. Delta* 6 p.m. Oct. 28 HOLMES* 7 p.m. * North Division games 18 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 programs, including NJCAA AllAmerican quarterback Randall Mackey (Ole Miss) and defensive lineman Brandon Lewis (Alabama). A quartet of Lions (Billy Audrey, T.J. Ballot, Quarter Cox and Pat Shed) signed with UAB, while Lance Lewis and Davao Simpson headed to East Carolina together. In addition, Claude Davis and John Rice went to South Florida and Western Michigan, respectively. With 27 players from their 2009 roster moving on to fouryear schools, the Lions also had tandems sign with Southeastern Louisiana (C.J. Jenkins and Luther Chambers), TennesseeMartin (Dugan Brown and Hedrick Blanks), West Alabama (Alvin Ellis and Gabe Poe), Alcorn State (Kenny Roby and Avis Shelton), Central Arkansas (Derrick Steele and Jermaine Let) and Arkansas Tech (Anthony Hines and Maurice Owens). Also advancing to the next level were Bill Franks (Delta State), Stephan Johnson (Kentucky Wesleyan), Truman Norwood (Valley City State University), Jeremiah McDonald (Belhaven) and Deejay Watkins (Stillman). A year ago, Stephens didn’t have to worry about staff turnover, but he was busy in the off-season replacing departed assistant coaches Mike Volarvich, Ed Holly and Tommy Ferrill. Stephens was able to reel in two of the most respected, veteran community college coaches anywhere with the additions of Andy Siegal (offensive coordinator) and Larry Williams (defensive line coach). And he got an up-and-coming coach in Josh Pruitt from Troy University. “On top of replacing a lot of great sophomores, we’ve also had POWER LINEMAN Anchoring the EMCC Lions’ defensive line will be highly touted 6-foot-6, 330-pound Quinton Dial to replace three great coaches,” Stephens said. “So we have to make sure we are all on the same page. We brought in some great guys, and this will be a big year for us in that regard. We have to make sure we are all pulling in the right direction and maintaining our level of performance.” Looking ahead to the fall, the cupboard isn’t exactly bare, however. The Lions return several sophomores on the defensive side, including secondary members Izauea Lanier of Gordo, Ala., Fred Tate of Noxubee County and West Point’s Perrance Ward. Anchoring the defensive line will be highly touted 6-foot-6, 330-pound Quinton Dial of Clay, Ala. “We have more experience returning on defense, and that SportS “new year, new opportunities” will be our strong suit early on,” Stephens said. “We need our defensive guys to play at a high level.” Offensively, Stephens faces the task of replacing Mackey, who accounted for 7,005 yards of total offense and 65 career touchdowns as a two-year standout for the Lions. “We are not going to be the same on either side of the ball because of the new faces coming and going,” Stephens said. “We will likely have a different-looking offense, because there will never be another quarterback like Randall Mackey. But one thing about our system, we will always mold our offense around our personnel.” Top performers returning for the Lions’ newlook offense include former Starkville High School quarterback Brad Henderson, running back Floyd Graves of Newton County and Meridian’s Marcus McQuarley at wide receiver. “We will run the same type of stuff on offense and still try to throw the ball around,” Stephens said. “It will just be new names on the uniforms doing the running and passing.” And those new names and faces will take their shot at making history in 2010. “What we did last year was great, and I tell our kids to take nothing for granted,” Stephens said. “Nobody is going to give them anything based on what we did last year. We have to earn our own respect all over again and earn our chance to play for another state title. That is what we are trying to instill into our kids – it’s a new year with new opportunities.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. State champs get new stadium By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride The sports landscape in Scooba has brightened over the last couple of years as EMCC reclaimed its tradition of success in state and regional competition. On the heels of new baseball and softball facilities, and improvements to the basketball arena, a football stadium is now taking shape on the west end of the campus – a new home for Lions’ nationally ranked football program. “We’re hoping to have our new football stadium open soon, depending on the construction schedule and the weather over the next few months,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. The timing couldn’t be better. The Lions are coming off an 11-1 campaign, EMCC’s first-ever MACJC state football championship and a No. 4 national ranking. “In all that we do with East Mississippi athletics, we strive to be the best,” Young said. “Our top objective is to provide our studentathletes with the best resources. Now, thanks to donations and support from alumni and fans, we are able to give our football program a stadium that is the equal of any in the state.” Mickey Stokes, vice president of athletics, agreed. “We wanted to keep up with the success we’ve had on the field,” Stokes said. “To do that, we have to keep up with the improvement of our facilities. The recent success we’ve enjoyed in football and other sports makes it easier to get the support we need to reach our goals.” The new stadium will serve a dual purpose for Lions’ head football coach Buddy Stephens and his staff. First, it will give EMCC state-of-the-art surroundings, including an artificial turf field and more stadium seating. And, it helps the football program when it comes to recruiting potential prospects to Scooba. “If we are going to continue competing with the best programs, we need to provide our studentathletes with the best facilities around. We believe we are doing just that,” Young said. “We want to recapture our heritage in athletics by giving our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed in sports and in the classroom. Some of our student-athletes would not have the opportunity to attend college if not for sports.” Designed with better accommodations for campus visitors, the new football stadium will no doubt attract more fans to the Scooba campus, who will in turn appreciate a more enjoyable game experience. And, the facility is versatile. It will also be the home of EMCC soccer when that program is reintroduced in Scooba. “It’s going to be a great asset for our college and our district,” Stokes said. “Our football facilities have been outdated and in need of replacement for a long time. We discussed renovations to the old stadium, Sullivan-Windham Field, but there were so many regulations that required additional space that we just don’t have. So we opted to build an entirely new stadium at a new site.” Young said improvements on campus will not stop with the football stadium. “We are certainly not finished with our growing process. We are working on a Student Union building, something we’ve never had on the Scooba campus, and we will be adding a fellowship hall to the Chapel in the Pines,” Young said. “At our Golden Triangle campus, we opened a new Humanities and Fine Arts building three years ago and we’re in the planning stages for a building that will house our nursing and health care programs near the Columbus industrial park.” The top priority for EMCC athletics and academics, Young said, never changes – provide our students with the best opportunities and the best facilities we can. Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 19 SportS Chris Rose steps up to the plate By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride Throughout his coaching career, Chris Rose has been known for his ability to spot baseball talent. Earlier this summer, Rose again displayed his knack for spotting a golden opportunity at East Mississippi Community College. A proven winner and established recruiter in the Mississippi junior college ranks, Rose was named the Lions’ new head baseball coach in June after five seasons as head coach at Meridian Community College. Rose replaced Tony Montgomery, who compiled a four-year mark of 83-110 as head coach of the Lions. “Dr. Rick Young and his entire administrative staff have been so supportive in my move, and I could not be more appreciative,” Rose said. “The East Mississippi administration has a great vision, and I share the same goals for the program.” Those visions and goals for EMCC’s baseball program are helped by recent improvements to Gerald Poole Field on the Scooba campus. Rose plans to use the renovated baseball facility to his advantage in the recruitment of future players. “When you build a facility like this, it shows how important this program is to East Mississippi,” the Findlay, Ohio, native said. “It is something that will definitely reap dividends in recruiting. I’m not sure I’ve seen a better junior college field than the one we have here at East Mississippi.” With a new baseball facility in place and his vast baseball connections already coming in handy, Rose is committed to winning. “With this opportunity come expectations. But I did not come here to fall short,” Rose said. “I would have not taken the job if I didn’t think we could get it done. It’s a brand new challenge and one I am very excited about.” A former catcher and later an assistant coach at the University of Mobile in Alabama, Rose is no stranger to success on the diamond. In compiling a career mark of 186-93 over five seasons at Meridian Community College, Rose guided the Eagles to a pair of MACJC state championships and an NJCAA Region 23 title in 2009. “I really enjoyed my time at Meridian,” Rose said. “But this job opened up and, after I met with the administration, I saw the direction they wanted to take with this program.” Without question, EMCC administrators and supporters hope to see Lion athletic teams competing for championships across the board. Over the past two years, the Lions have been ranked among the nation’s top 10 football teams and claimed the school’s first-ever state football championship last fall. Basketball 20 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 PRESS CONFERENCE Chris Rose, left, poses for a photo with Mickey Stokes, EMCC vice president for athletics, after a press conference June 10 announcing that Rose would be joining EMCC as its new head baseball coach. has also achieved new-found success, with the men making school history with a program-first NJCAA Region 23 title in March. On the women’s side, the Lady Lions took the Region 23 title two seasons ago, and the EMCC softball team has made back-toback state tournament showings. “I will definitely use our recent athletic success here on the recruiting side of things,” Rose said. “It shows what we can do here if we have the right things in place. We get to show what other sports have done, and that is an exciting thing.” As for the immediate future, Rose wants to focus primarily on the Lions’ pitching staff during the 2011 campaign. At the same time, he credits the team’s improvements on offense and defense this past year. “We really need to concentrate on arms and upgrade where we are there,” Rose said. “We are excited about what we have coming back on offense and defense, as well as what we have coming in. We just need to get better on the mound.” All of this optimism could go a long way toward reaching new heights with the Lions’ program. Never one to shy away from expectations, Rose has his own lofty goals for EMCC baseball. “It needs to be a mindset change, where we expect to win every time we step on the field,” Rose said. “At the end of the year, our goal is to be in the postseason. Anybody can win once they get there, and anybody can get hot at the right time. We just need to win enough games to put ourselves in that position.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. SportS Softball has its eye on the postseason By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride Consistency and stability. Those are the two key ingredients head coach Kate Neely is meshing together in the East Mississippi softball program. In Neely’s second full Neely season at the helm, the Lady Lions were able to produce satisfying results for the second straight season. A year after reaching the state tournament for the first time since 2002, EMCC softball was back in the postseason again in 2010. The freshman-laden Lady Lions finished a challenging slate with a 20-30 overall record, but their impressive 18-6 league mark garnered runnerup honors in the MACJC’s North Division standings. “This past year was very important to us,” said Neely, who is assisted by Casey Finch. “The athletics program across the board is becoming very successful here at East Mississippi, and we always want to be moving forward. Our softball team went from third place in 2009 to second place in the division this year. With a couple of breaks, we could have won the North Division. We want to continue moving forward each season.” A key factor in EMCC’s steady progress in 2010 was the play of NJCAA All-Region 23 sophomore pitcher Courtney Nunn. The Jonesboro, La., native posted a 1622 mark and 3.30 ERA in the circle this past spring, while striking out 217 batters in 231.1 innings of work. For her efforts, Nunn was voted to the MACJC All-North Division First Team, in addition to being tabbed as the division’s Best Defensive Player. Nunn was joined on the first team by EMCC freshman outfielder DeShuni Sanders of New Hope, who led the 2010 Lady Lions with a .358 batting average, 37 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Along with Sanders’ rookie impact at the plate, on the bases and in the field, the Lady Lions will again count on the versatile play of rising sophomore Mallory Pace during the coming season. A former standout at Northeast Lauderdale High School, Pace ranked second on TEAM LEADER EMCC freshman outfielder DeShuni Sanders of New Hope led the 2010 Lady Lions with a .358 batting average, 37 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. HEAVY BAT A former standout at Northeast Lauderdale High School, Mallory Pace ranked second on the team in batting average (.329) and runs batted in (23). Summer 2010 the team in batting average (.329) and runs batted in (23) to earn second-team all-division honors. Neely is just as proud of her team’s work off the field. “We have a great group of girls and that makes our job as coaches that much easier. When you basically lose half your squad from year to year, you have to make sure you recruit good people. These girls also excelled in the classroom, with four of our players earning 4.0 grade point averages,” Neely said. “With the season we had, it is obvious these girls worked hard on the field and with their conditioning. We did come up short in some games, but they were always giving us good effort.” Next spring, the Lady Lions will return a solid nucleus for another anticipated run at the postseason. Along with Sanders and Leigh Ellen Barefield in the outfield, EMCC also returns steady outfielder Courtney Castleberry from Clarkdale High School in Lauderdale County. Headed by Pace as the team’s ideal utility player capable of competing at a number of different positions, EMCC also brings back the right side of the infield with Cayla Coleman at second base and Justine Jenkins at first base. Versatile Whitney Sumrall also returns to the mix for the 2011 campaign. Another valuable dual-position player is 6-foot, two-sport standout Nashedra Barry, who led EMCC with three home runs and 25 RBIs as a .311 hitter this spring – despite playing only half the softball season after the completion of the basketball campaign. The former Columbus High School performer also posted a 3-2 pitching mark as a freshman in Scooba. “It doesn’t get any easier from year to year. This game changes every year, from the way we play to the way we condition. But we want those changes to keep us moving in the right direction,” Neely said. “Last year we had a couple of games that we lost in the late innings. It was due to us not capitalizing on opportunities, and that is something we have to change this next year. We have to make the plays that make the difference in close games.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. The Lions’ Pride 21 SportS thompson: ‘ready to keep it going’ By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride Despite a roster filled with inexperience and youth, head coach Sharon Thompson’s EMCC Lady Lion basketball team achieved a primary goal in 2009-10 by advancing to the postseason for the second consecutive year. “Unfortunately at the junior Thompson college level, the turnaround is so quick. We only returned two players from our team that won the NJCAA Region 23 championship the previous year. Plus, we had 12 freshmen last season,” said Thompson, who will enter her sixth season at the East Mississippi women’s basketball helm in 2010-11. “But our goal all year was to keep getting better, and that’s what we did. “We were able to make the Region 23 tournament again and finished tied for third in the MACJC North Division. Even with our inexperience, we wanted to get to a point where we could make some noise in the postseason.” Coming off a 25-7 campaign in 2008-09, during which they made the program’s first NJCAA Tournament appearance since 1978, the Lady Lions achieved their goal of making the postseason for the second straight year. In posting a 15-13 overall record and 8-4 divisional mark, EMCC advanced to the regional semifinals this past season by knocking off state champion Jones County. “We had so much experience on that 200809 team. This past year we found ourselves, at times, starting four freshmen. To see what we did accomplish, it just speaks volumes about the kind of kids we had this year. These girls gave us a chance to win in every game, and we remained competitive throughout the season,” Thompson said. “We want solid student-athletes in our program who work hard both on the court and in the classroom. I’m very proud of the fact that we had several players with grade point averages of 3.0 or higher.” Headed by 2009-10 NJCAA All-Region 23 forward Martika Hull signing with McNeese State, the Lady Lions sent three players from this past year’s team to NCAA Division I programs. Also moving on together to the next level were freshman post players Shelby Crawford and Rickiesha Bryant, who inked with Tennessee-Martin. Looking ahead to the fall, Thompson brings back a solid nucleus with three returning starters, including Columbus natives Natalie 22 The Lions’ Pride SOPHOMORE TALENT Returning sophomore Natalie Tate of Columbus, No. 10, finished second on the EMCC women’s basketball team last year in scoring (12.0 ppg), assists (2.6 apg) and steals (2.3 spg). Tate and Nashedra Barry. Tate finished second on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg), assists (2.6 apg) and steals (2.3 spg) as a rookie, while Barry ranked third in scoring (6.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (4.6 rpg) a year ago. The EMCC women look to also get production from returning sophomores Shanteria Tate and RoTasha Windom from nearby Noxubee County and Kemper County high schools, respectively. Tate led the Lady Lions in assists (3.0 apg) in addition to averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest as a 21-game rookie starter. Windom contributed 3.4 points and 3.6 boards an outing in starting the final seven games of her freshman campaign. “We’ve got some girls returning who earned valuable playing time this past year,” said Thompson, who is 40-20 over her last two campaigns. “We’ve got an athletic corps with experience coming back for us. These girls were so competitive last season and were willing to work hard. The way we finished last season should also help and keep us in the running next year.” Summer 2010 DOUBLE THREAT Nashedra Barry of Columbus ranked third in scoring (6.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (4.6 rpg) on the 2009-10 basketball squad – and was also a standout on the EMCC softball team. Along with bringing back a solid corps of sophomores, Thompson has also secured a talented group of newcomers. Former Starkville High School teammates Kala Williams and Kierra Jones will be reunited in Scooba after Jones spent last season at Meridian Community College. The Lady Lions will also welcome another transfer in Columbus native Jamie Gunter, who averaged 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 30 appearances as a collegiate rookie last season at LouisianaLafayette. East Mississippi will also welcome local backcourt performer Chadisty Hickman from Kemper County High School and out-ofdistrict guard Shanika Turner of North Pike High School. Forward Raven Howard from Baton Rouge, La., is also expected to make an impact as a rookie. “We looked to fill in the missing pieces with this year’s recruiting class,” Thompson said. “We’re ready to get going again and keep it going.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. SportS Golf team rallies late in season By Paul Jones special to The Lions’ Pride The 2010 campaign featured mixed reviews for the East Mississippi golf squad. After starting out slow with a pair of fifthplace finishes, the Lions seemed to Peay come together and enjoyed some late-season success. But in the end, a seventh-place effort in the MACJC State Tournament was not good enough to earn a repeat invitation to the NJCAA Region 23 event. “We played kind of the way I figured it would go,” EMCC head golf coach Dale Peay said. “We didn’t quite play up to our capabilities, but we did improve late in the season. We could have been more consistent this year, and we all had our struggles. But we did have some good moments.” One of the year’s bright spots was the play of sophomore Michael Lauseng. The Louisiana native led the team with a 75.3 stroke average and battled for the prestigious Hubert Tucker Award, as the state’s stroke-average leader, right up until the final regular-season tournament. “Michael had a tooth removed two days before that tournament and was leading that race until the last day,” Peay said. “If he had been completely healthy and played his normal game, Michael would have been the first East Mississippi golfer to win that award.” Freshman Jackson Bryant also enjoyed a solid rookie campaign for the Lions. The Natchez native posted a stroke average of 78.6 for the year and qualified for the NJCAA Region 23 tournament with a 12th-place finish at the state tournament. Bryant came within two strokes of becoming the second EMCC golfer in as many years (joining 2009 entry Hal Larkin) to qualify for the national tournament. As a team, the Lions rallied late in the regular season to finish second at the Copiah-Lincoln event and tied for third at Northeast Mississippi’s tournament. Glancing ahead to 2011 minus sophomores Lauseng, Trey Adams, Will Black, Garrett Alford, Andrew WORLD-CLASS GOLF TOUR The 2009-10 EMCC golf team poses for a photo at the Atlanta Athletic Club during last year’s World-Class Fall Golf Tour. FAULKNER EXCELLENCE IN GOLF AWARD EMCC golf coach Dale Peay, left, presents the Henry W. “Buddy” Faulkner Excellence in Golf Award to Trey Adams of Belmont. The ceremony came March 5 during EMCC’s annual Wild Game Dinner at Old Waverly Golf Club. The annual award honors EMCC alumnus Buddy Faulkner, who passed away in October. A member of the Class of 1964, Faulkner was named Alumnus of the Year in 1994 and inducted into the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame for football and baseball in 2001. Faulkner was also the chairman of the “Bull” Sullivan Memorial Division of the EMCC Development Foundation. Hicks and Reed Aldridge, Peay will return only Bryant and Ian McAdams, who compiled a 79.3 stroke average this past spring. “Jackson and Ian had a couple of good tournaments and got some great experience,” Peay said. “They will be our leaders next year and we expect some good things from both of them.” Peay will welcome a Summer 2010 newcomer class that features a pair of high school teammates – Bobby Bowlin and Weston Wallace – from Northwest Rankin, both of whom finished among the top six in the Mississippi Junior Golf Association’s 2009 Player of the Year Division A rankings. “We have also signed Zac Taylor of Caledonia, who played in the state championships during his junior and senior years,” Peay said. “The guys above Bobby and Weston in the state rankings have all signed with four-year schools. So we feel we are getting the best golfers in the state that are going to junior college. As always, we are trying to find the best guys to fit into our program. We want to find the best eight guys for our roster and continue to keep this program moving forward.” Peay also continues to credit the opportunities created by EMCC’s World-Class Fall Golf Tour for his team’s steady improvement the past few years. Last fall, the Lions toured the Atlanta area and had the benefit of playing on some championship golf courses. “We are always looking for some great courses to play at and it helps us tremendously. Last year, we played at the Atlanta Athletic Club, which is hosting the PGA Championship next year. We also played at The Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, which has hosted several men’s NCAA championships,” Peay said. “We were also able to play at Eagle’s Landing and at Lake Lanier Islands. The fall tour is something we definitely look forward to every year, as we are again this coming fall.” Peay praised the school’s administrative decision to move EMCC’s golf program from Scooba to the Golden Triangle branch a few years back. “We are now within 20 minutes of five different courses,” Peay said. “We’ve really benefitted from that, and it pays off during the season and off-season.” Paul Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Starkville. The Lions’ Pride 23 Alumni neWS Jo i n u s f o r t h e s e East Mississippi alumni gather several times a year for fellowship. If you’re not already a “regular” at these gatherings, choose an event or two and renew your ties to Lion Country. Wild Game Dinner & Auction: The “Bull” Sullivan Division presented the 7th Annual EMCC/Billy Joe Cross Wild Game Dinner and Auction March 5 at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point. More than 160 EMCC alumni and friends attended – a record for the event. As always, the evening featured the cuisine of celebrity chef Billy Joe Cross and fast-talking auctioneer Nick Clark sold a mountain of items donated by EMCC supporters, alumni and staff members. The next Wild Game Dinner & Auction will be Friday, March 4. Sporting Clays Challenge Cup: A new event celebrated its second anniversary this year. The Sporting Clays Challenge Cup, presented by Pryor & Morrow Architects, was held May 28 at Burnt Oak Lodge in Crawford. The team from Burnt Oak Lodge won the first place team award; that team was made up of Rusty Hicks, Jay McCrary, Pat Popwell and John Robertson. One of two Pryor & Morrow teams – made up of Gordon Flowers, Chris Morrow, David Morrow and Al Puckett – claimed second place. And third place went to Bill Colloredo, Sonny Jameson, Tony Rosetti and Brad Suggs of Old Waverly Golf Course. The next Sporting Clays Challenge Cup will be May 27. Old Waverly Golf Classic: The 15th Annual Old Waverly Golf Classic will be held the 24 The Lions’ Pride Kathy Dyess of the EMCC Board of Trustees and her husband, Dwight Dyess, Wild Game Dinner Coach Tom Goode, left, Kenny Dill and Jessie Harmon, Wild Game Dinner Kline Shepherd, Wild Game Dinner Steven James, left, EMCC instructor Johnny Fisher and Darren Leach, Wild Game Dinner Cheryl Sparkman, left, and Marjorie Studdard, Wild Game Dinner week before Homecoming on Monday, Oct. 4. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Lunch is served around noon, and tee time is 1 p.m. Summer 2010 Oop Swoope, left, Charles Swoope and Jimmy Kibe, Wild Game Dinner Alumni news A l u m n i E ve n t s Tony Rosetti, Old Waverly Golf Club team, Sporting Clays Challenge Cup Chris Morrow, left, and his son, David, at the Sporting Clays Challenge Cup Brodie West, left, and Brad Arinder of the West Brothers team, Sporting Clays Challenge Cup Homecoming: The EMCC Sports Hall of Fame Induction will be Friday, Oct. 15. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. at the cafeteria on the Scooba campus, followed by the banquet and induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Homecoming kick into high gear on Saturday, Oct. 16, with alumni meetings, band and football reunions, the alumni luncheon, recognition of the Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner, presentation of the Homecoming court … and, of course, the Lions’ match-up against Pearl River Community College. For more about Homecoming, see pages 14-15. Rick Garner, driving, with Rick Bishop in the passenger seat and Tommy Johnson riding behind, Garner team, Sporting Clays Challenge Cup Keith Cherry, McDade & Company team, Sporting Clays Challenge Cup Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 25 AluMNI NEWS Scarborough inducted into Hall of Fame By David Rosinski EMCC Former East Mississippi basketball player Tom Scarborough was inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in April. Scarborough was a two-year basketball letterman (1950-52) for East Mississippi Junior College, following an outstanding prep career at Hickory High School. Scarborough helped lead the Lions to a two-year composite basketball record of 52-14 in earning All-state honors both seasons in Scooba. After graduating from East Mississippi, he went on to Delta State, where he was named to the Allconference basketball squad and earned the team’s best defensive player award. “On behalf of my family, I am very honored by this selection into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame,” Scarborough said. “The close-knit, family environment of the Scooba campus afforded me the opportunity to continue my education at Delta State. I remain very grateful for my college experiences in helping to provide a solid foundation for my career both personally and professionally.” Upon graduation, Scarborough served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, and worked in the intelligence field as a cryptologist until 1956. After serving his country, Scarborough began a successful 25-year high school basketball coaching career in Arkansas and Mississippi. At Madden High School, his teams claimed six county championships and he received two coach of the year honors. During his next stint at Beulah Hubbard High School, Scarborough twice guided the boys’ and girls’ teams to fourth-place state finishes. He completed his coaching career at Newton Academy, where his girls’ team finished as state runner-up in 1985-86. A member of East Mississippi Community College’s inaugural Sports Hall of Fame induction class, Scarborough worked for the Mississippi Employment Service from 19661984 before getting into the insurance and financial planning business in 1990. As a financial planner, he has also enjoyed tremendous success as his company’s top producer, and has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. Scarborough and his wife, the former Audrey McKee, have two daughters and three grandchildren. Currently residing in Decatur, Scarborough is very active in his church, serving as deacon and church clerk, along with teaching adult Sunday school classes and serving on various committees. Scarborough was joined during this year’s Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Jackson by: Marvin Hogan (Coahoma); A.J. “Red” Mangum (Copiah-Lincoln); Van Chancellor (East Central); Edsel “Tad” Thrash (Hinds); Greg Robinson (Holmes); Paul Johnson (Itawamba); Gwen Sullivan-Magee (Jones County); Paul Phillips (Meridian); Sam Latham (Mississippi Delta); George Vernon Ehlers (Mississippi Gulf Coast); David “Nub” BASKETBALL COACH EMCC alumnus Tom Scarborough, center, was a stand-out player for EMCC and later coached high school basketball for 25 years. A member of EMCC’s inaugural Sports Hall of Fame class, Scarborough is pictured at the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame banquet with two other EMCC Hall of Famers, Mac Robinson, left, and Max Johnson. Strickland (Northeast Mississippi); Jamie Howell Sr. (Northwest Mississippi); J.E. Loiacano (Pearl River); and Bobby Nelson (Southwest Mississippi). This year marked the fourth class of the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Scarborough joins previously elected EMCC inductees Elbert “Lum” Wright (2009), Don Edwards (2008), Ken Waddell Sr. (2008), Bob “Bull” Sullivan (2007), Bill Buckner (2007), and Clyde “Baby Doll” Pierce (2007). David Rosinski is director of sports information for EMCC. E-mail him at drosinski@eastms.edu. MAKE A NOMINATION Alumnus of the Year Distinguished Service Award EMCC Sports Hall of Fame Next year’s Alumnus/Alumna of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner will be honored during Homecoming. Nominees for Alumnus/Alumna of the Year must have attended EMCC at least 15 years ago; alumni status is not required for Distinguished Service Award nominees. In both cases, the winner must be able to attend ceremonies on Homecoming Day. To make a nomination for either award, send a letter to: Nick Clark, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs; East Mississippi Community College; P.O. Box 158; Scooba, MS 39358. Your letter should include: Name of nominee When nominee attended EMCC/EMJC Address of nominee Nominee’s history, accomplishments and contributions Your name, address and telephone number You can also download nomination forms on EMCC’s Web site; visit www.eastms.edu and click on the “Alumni” button. For more information, call (662) 476-5075 or (662) 476-5063. 26 The Lions’ Pride Summer 2010 PhilanthroPy The financial support of alumni and friends is essential to maintain the level of excellence we have come to expect from the fastest-growing community college in Mississippi. Here’s a look at those who have made contributions of $200 or more – and Cub-level supporters who gave between November 2009 and May 2010.Thank you for being a part of the East Mississippi Community College success story! Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Mr. Richard Price Scooba United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Secrest Mr. C. H. Simpson Dr. N. James Smith, Jr. John and Marjorie Briggs Solomon Sports Specialty, Inc. Wesley Foundation Mr. Bobby Westmoreland Lion King $2,000 – $4,999 LONG SERVICE TO EMCC Seven members of East Mississippi Community College’s board of trustees were recognized for their years of service in July during a meeting of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College Trustees. Pictured with EMCC President Dr. Rick Young are, front row from left: Larry Bell, Oktibbeha County, 20 years; Billie Dickson, Noxubee County, 20 years; Linda Jackson, Kemper County, 20 years; and Dennis Morgan, Lauderdale County, 20 years. In the second row are Ed Mosley, Lauderdale County, 20 years; and Tim Heard, Lowndes County, 10 years. Not pictured is Teresa Hughes, Noxubee County, 10 years. Foundation Club $25,000 - up President’s Club $10,000 - $24,999 Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Fred Adams, Jr. AT&T Cellular South Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Davis, Jr. Mr. Ikie Ethridge Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. “Buddy” Faulkner Mr. X. M. Frascogna Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hopper Kenneth E. and Dottie Smith Boring Charitable Foundation Ms. Pansy Light Mr. and Mrs. Buster Orr Pryor and Morrow Architects The Citizens Bank The Elizabeth M. Irby Foundation Cadence Bank Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Cloar, Jr. Mr. Billy Joe Cross EMCC Forestry Club Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Furr Mr. and Mrs. Rick Garner Stanley and Margaret Gray Mr. and Mrs. Ike D. Hopper Mississippi Power Educational Foundation Ms. Elizabeth B. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rigdon Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Smith Sodexo, Inc. The Create Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Rick Young Super Lion King $5,000 - $9,999 Louis and Ruth Anderson Ms. Oneta P. Baker BankFirst Financial Services Bancorp South Al and Brownie Briggs Bounds Mrs. Bessie Briggs Mr. and Mrs. Nick Clark EMCC Alumni Association East Mississippi Electric Power Association Electric Mills Wood Preserving Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Fisher Judge Little Company, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Galloway Gipson Steel, Inc. Global Pharmaceutical Corp. Frederick and Peggy Harbour Mrs. Jimmie Hopper Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Jeffries Mr. Max Johnson Mr. Ronald Marion Ms. Linda Marsh Mr. and Mrs. Robert McDade Mr. John Meacham, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Aust Mr. Johnny Baker Baptist Student Union Mr. Eddie Briggs Mr. and Mrs. Greg Briggs Browder and Sons Veneer Co., Inc. Mr. Louis E. Bryan Albert C. Clark Dr. and Mrs. John Clay Columbus Nissan, Inc. Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic Commercial Bank Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Couch Dwight and Kathy Dyess Mr. and Mrs. Don Edwards EMCC Society of Exceptional Students Mr. Jimmie Evans Mr. Kevin Flaherty Mr. Jack Forbus Galloway, Chandler, McKinney Insurance Mr. Mike Godfrey Mr. Elmer Higginbotham Mr. and Mrs. Gert Hill Mr. Rick Hodges Mr. Pete Hodo Mr. and Mrs. Garry V. Hughes IBM International Foundation J & J Wholesale Florist Mr. Joe Jackson Mr. Tommy Johnson Dr. Scott Jones Mr. and Mrs. Harold Kitchens Mr. James Koutroulis Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Lee Mr. Van Lee Danny and Carolyn Lipscomb Mr. and Mrs. Richard McCann Summer 2010 Mr. Carles McComb Mr. Mark D. McPhail Mr. Hu Meena Mr. Glenn Miller Mr. and Mrs. Randy Rigdon Mr. and Mrs. Bruff Sanders Sara Lee Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Salmon Mr. Buddy Sauls Scooba Presbyterian Church Mr. Kline Shepherd Dr. and Mrs. Jimmie L. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Rob Smith Southern Ionics, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Sparkman Dr. and Mrs. Earl Stennis Mr. and Mrs. William T. Stovall, Jr. Underwriters Group, Inc. Mr. Cecil Vaughan, Jr. Wade Lunday and Associates Mr. Billy Walton Ms. Margaret S. Womble Pride Leader $1,000 - $1,999 Mr. Tommy Abston Alply, Inc. Mrs. Joyce Aust Mr. and Mrs. David Barge Andy and Sherry Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Box Briggs Chapel Memorial Church Mr. and Mrs. Billy Brown Mr. and Mrs. Otho W. Brown, Jr. Mr. George Bryan Mr. Joe Bryan Mr. and Mrs. Bill Buckner Mr. and Mrs. Conner Clark Ms. Blanche Clay Collinsville Chevron, LLC Columbus Bank Association Mr. Charles “Bulldog” Coggins Coy United Methodist Church Crystal River Dr. Ed Davis Ms. Patricia W. Dehmlow DeKalb Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Lance Eiland Ellis Construction Mr. and Mrs. Billy C. Eskridge Exxonmobile Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Rick Farr Mr. John S. Featherston Ms. Carol Floore The Lions’ Pride 27 PhilanthroPy WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Chris Rose and his wife, Dana, pose for a photo with EMCC board members Dennis Morgan of Lauderdale County, left, and Bobby McDade of Kemper County. The photo was taken after a press conference in June announcing that Rose would be joining EMCC as head baseball coach. Patrick and Debby Gard Mr. Hoot Garriga Dr. and Mrs. Bill Gates Graham Roofing Greater Columbus Lions Green-Save, Inc. Mr. Karl M. Hansen, Jr. Harpole Steel Buildings, Inc. Ms. Bobbye Henderson Henderson Steel Mr. Carl Hildreth Mr. Darwin Holliman Renee Hood and Company Mr. David Hopper Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center Coach William Jones Dr. Ann Marie Lamb Liberty Baptist Mr. Thomas Mayberry Mr. J. Roy McComb Moody Farms Moody Land and Timber, Inc. Mr. Charlie Morgan Mr. Doug Moulds Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Dr. David Mullins Mr. Gene Murphy Northeast Metal Processors Mr. Jason Pepper Mrs. Peggy Persons Mr. Billy Phillips Pillar Sales Group Mr. Richard Powell Pritchard Engineering Mr. Harmon A. Robbie Robinson 28 The Lions’ Pride Mr. and Mrs. Mac Robinson Mr. Frances B. Rush Lanelle Brown Russell Sam’s Club Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scarborough Second Mile Band Mr. Kimbel Shepherd Shuqualak Baptist Church Sigma Phi Sigma Mr. Roy Simpson Mr. and Mrs. James Skipper Dr. W. S. Smith, III Southern Ionics Eddie Al and Cheryl Sparkman Mr. and Mrs. Billy Strohm Structual Steel Dr. Jackie Stennis Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Studdard The Commercial Insurance Agency The Peoples Bank and Trust Co. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Thomason Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Turner Mr. Ricky and Dr. Joyce Walker Wal-Mart West Brothers Construction Weyerhaeuser Ms. Yvette Wilkerson Lion $200 - $999 Mrs. Paul K. Adams Ms. Jane Aldridge Mr. Joel Alexander Summer 2010 All Seasons Two Amsouth Bank Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Anderson Mr. Clay Armstrong Mr. Jason Armstrong Mr. Trey Askew Ms. June Craig Aust Mr. George Nick Autrey Mr. Cam Bane Mr. Scott Bane Baptist Memorial Hospital Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barge Mr. and Mrs. Jackie C. Barrett Mr. John A. Barron Ms. Brenda Barton Mr. Ronald Baum Barry and Karen Beach Mr. James Bearden Romie Bearden Mr. Glynn Beasley Bell Building Supply, Inc. Mr. Harry C. Bell, III Ms. Angela Bennett Tommy and Anita Bennett Mr. and Mrs. Billy Benton Ms. Dawn Best Big Oak Methodist Church Barry and Margaret Black Mr. Danny Bohon Mr. Jerry Boatner Mr. Orlando Bobo Mr. David Boteler Ms. Beth Bounds Mr. Larry Box Mr. David Boyd Mr. Stephen H. Boyd Ms. Sharon Boyd Ms. Ruth H. Boyd Boyles Moak Insurance Mr. Randall Bradberry Ms. Marion Breckenridge Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Briggs, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Lyle Briggs Ms. Mary Ruth Briggs Mr. C. B. Bright Mr. H. D. Broadnax Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brown Dr. James Brown Mrs. Janelle Brown Mrs. Tanzie Brown Ms. Vickie Brownlee Ms. Donna Bruce Mr. and Mrs. David Bryan Mrs. Minnie Bryan Mr. Wilkes Bryan Martin and Joanne Buchanan Burford Electric Services, Inc. Builders Sunday School Class Ms. Kimberly Burk Ms. Diane Burnham Mr. Joe Burns Mr. Jon Burt Mr. Jim Butler Mr. Larry Butler Mrs. C.M. Cade Mr. Joseph A. Cammaleri Donald E. Canada Mr. James Cantrell Capital Bolt and Screw Company Ms. Mary Ruth Caradine Ms. Mary Caraway Carl Hogan Automotive, Inc. Coach Roger Carr Col. William R. Chambers Mr. Teddy M. Cheatham Mr. and Mrs. Terry Cherry Ms. Tina Chick Mr. and Mrs. Gary Chism Choir and Music Theater Workshop Mr. Jim Clark Mr. Brock Clay Mrs. W. D. Clifton Mr. Philip A. Coco Mr. Billy Coleman Mr. David Coleman Mr. Bobby Collins Mr. Bill Colloredo Community Bank Mr. Will Cooper Mr. Chris Cornett Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cotton Mr. Dan Cotton Ms. Rachel Covington Elonda Cox Coy and Lynville Methodist Church Coye Assembly of God CPI Group, Inc. Ms. Barbara R. Cruey Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Culpepper Mr. Marvin Cunningham Dr. D. K. Curtis Dan and Cindy Dabbs Mr. Jimmy P. Daniels Danny’s Cars and Trucks Mr. Jim Darby Mr. R. B. Davis Ms. Vanessa Davis Mrs. Mary Jane Daws Mr. Wilmer C. Daws, Jr. DeKalb Methodist Church DeKalb United Methodist Women Deposit Guaranty Dialogic Communications Mr. Kenneth D. Dill Dr. and Mrs. Conrad DiMichele Mr. Norman Downey Ms. Mary Jane Dudley Ms. Wilma Duncan Mr. Jerry Dyess Ms. Bonnie Edwards Mr. Michael Edwards Mr. Gary Eldridge EMCC Faculty and Staff Mr. Dennis Erby Ms. Amy Esslinger Mr. Keith Evans Falcon Contracting Company, Inc. Farm Bureau Ins. Agency Mrs. Emmett Farrar Dr. Linda L. Farrar Fifteenth Ave. Baptist Church Farris Brothers Mr. John Files Mr. Truman Finchum Mr. Tom Fisher Mr. Walter Fleming Dr. Clint Fletcher Mr. Mattson Flowers Mrs. Marilyn Young Ford Mr. Tommy Fortner Mr. Dennis Foster Mr. Kennedy Foster Four County Electric Power Association Mr. Doug Fowler Mr. Steve Fredrickson Mr. Michael D. Fulton Mr. Gregory J. Fuselier Richard and Sandy Gardner John and Helen Garrison Dr. and Mrs. James Gatewood General Pump and Equipment Mr. Delane George Ms. Susan George Larry and Grace Gibson Mr. Jerry Gibson Kim Gibson Ms. Doris W. Gipson Golden Triangle Golf Association Mr. Tom Goode Mr. Walter Goode Don and Anita Goodwin Mr. Paul Goolsby PhilanthroPy Gordman Insurance Mrs. Marie Gordon Rev. James Granger Ms. Patsy Grasse Dr. Billy Gray Mr. Gene Gray Mr. James M. Gray Mr. Robin Gray Mr. Donnie Grayson Mr. Jason D. Green Mr. and Mrs. Paul Green Ms. Janie Gregg Mr. Miller Griffin Mr. Bryce Griffis Mr. Stacey Gosvenor Mr. Toxey Haas Mr. Edward E. Haddock Mr. Wade Hailey Mr. Rhett Hailey Mr. Bubba Hampton Mr. Bubba Hannah Mr. Wayne Hanson Ms. Sherry Harbour Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Harcrow Ms. Viola Harper Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harrell Mr. James Harris Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Harris Mr. and Mrs. Hiawatha Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hays Mr. Timothy Heard Hebron Methodist Church Mr. Donald Hefner Ms. Retha H. Henderson Mr. Wayne Henson Mr. Perry S. Hendrix Mr. Danny Hicks Mrs. Judy Higginbotham Mr. Bill Hunter Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter Ms. Veranice R. Hill Hill’s BP Mr. Chris Holbrook Mr. Gains A. Holder Hollis Roofing, Inc. Mr. Dennis Hopper Ms. Gail Hopper Ms. Janice Hopper Mr. George Hubbard Mr. Joe Hudnall Mr. Bob Hudson Ms. Earline Hull Mr. Les Hull Ms. Nelda Humphries Mrs. Tonya Hunt Dr. Zachary M. Hutchens Mrs. Joe C. Hutcherson Mr. Otis Hutcherson Mrs. Sandra Irby Ms. Bessie Jackson Mrs. Ethel Jarvis Mr. Phil Jenkins Mr. Ben Jones Billy and Judy Jones Colbert and Debbie Jones Mr. Garry H. Jones Dr. James Jones Mr. Jeff Jowers JPS Elastomerican Mr. C. Keen Ms. Tina Keenan Ms. Diane Keith Mr. L. C. Kellogg, Jr. Kemper Academy Class of 1990 Kemper Academy Class of 2001 Kemper Baptist Association Kemper Chamber of Commerce Kemper County Board of Supervisors Kemper County Farm and Building Supply Kemper County Economic Dev. Authority Mr. Bill Kennedy Ms. Sue Key Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Kibe Mr. Claude K. “Pat” Knight, Jr. Mrs. Richard Knox, Jr. Ms. Sylvia Lackey Mr. Jack Lamour Mr. Steve Landwehr Mr. Bob Langford Mr. Roy Lanier Mr. Michael Lee Ms. Mable Lester Ms. Wanda Lilly Ms. Charline Limerick Mr. Oliver Limerick Mr. Marvin Little Little London Apts. Mr. and Mrs. Steven Lockley Ms. Judy Lofton Mr. Sam J. Logan Dr. Chester Lott Lowndes County Cattlemans Association Corey Luke Mark and Brenda Luke Mr. Timothy Luke Mr. and Mrs. David Lummus M and F Bank Mr. Brandon Mabry Mr. Greg Malatesta Phillip Maples Marion Chevron Mr. Bob Marshall Mr. Don Massey Mr. Richard Mathis Ms. Belinda McKee Matlock Mr. Gary Matlock Mrs. Genevieve Maxon-Stark Ms. Ann Maxwell Ms. Linda May McAdams Consulting Mr. Jay McCrary Mr. Jim McAlexander Ms. Alma McAlister Mr. Rocky McBride Mr. Dwight McComb Ms. Thelma McConnell Ms. Lynn McCoy Mr. James McCulloch Mr. Ben McDade Mr. D. N. McDaniel Mr. and Mrs. Mike McGrevey Mr. James E. McKern Mr. Prentiss McLaurin LION FAN Longtime EMCC supporter Ikie Ethridge of Lauderdale County cheers for the Lions during the MACJC state basketball championships at Keyes Currie Coliseum. Ms. Barbara P. McLaurin Mr. Richard G. McSpadden, Sr. Dan and Sue Meacham Meridian Coach and Travel Mr. Joe Miller Mr. Jacob Mills Mr. Demando Mingo Mississippi Bottled Water Company Mississippi Annual Conference Mitchell Automotive Mr. John C. Mitchener Ms. LaPari Morant Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Morgan Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Mosley Ms. Sue Mosley Mr. Jim Murray Coach Kate Neely Mr. Lee Wayne Neely Mr. Kent Newton Mr. Richard Newton Ms. Irene M. Nichols Noxubee County Baptist Associaiton Old Waverly Investments Mr. Douglas Olinger Mr. Carol Ott Mr. and Mrs. Al Oubre Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Overstreet Mr. and Mrs. Pete Papas Mrs. Bobby Neal Parker Ms. Chrystal Parker Mr. Robert A. Patrick, Jr. Van and Sheila Pearson Ms. Jewell Peden Mr. Mike Perkerson Ms. Janell Perkins Dr. John Perry Ms. Kiyomi E. Persons Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Peters Phi Theta Kappa Mr. Clyde “Baby Doll” Pierce Pilgrim’s Foodliner Rhen W. and Nell M. Pierce Pontotoc Loans take a step toward excellence! 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 $25,000 and up ____ Pride Leader $1,000 - $1,999 ____ President’s Club $10,000 - $24,999 ____ Lion $200 - $999 ____ Super Lion King $5,000 - $9,999 ____ Cub $25 - $199 ____ Lion King $2,000 - $4,999 Development Foundation P.O. Box 158 Scooba, MS 39358 662-476-5063 I will support EMCC with a gift of $ _______ for the following: ___ General Support ___ The Chapel in the Pines ___ Athletics ___ Annual Scholarships ___ Classroom/Laboratory, Golden Triangle Campus ___ Fine Arts ___ Virginia’s Garden ___ Student Services Building, Golden Triangle Campus ___ Tuition Guarantee ___ Endowment of Scholarships ($5,000 in lump sum or over 5 years) Comments _____________________________________________________________________________________ When mailing a contribution, please include this form, and your name, complete mailing address, and phone number. Summer 2010 The Lions’ Pride 29 PhilanthroPy Coach Mark and Brittany White Mr. Patton Whitten Mr. Felix Wicks Mr. David Wilder Mr. John C. Williams Mr. Shane Williams Mr. Wayne Wilson Mr. R. S. Wofford Mr. Peter Wood Wood Carriers, Inc. Ms. Barbara S. Young Young Adult Methodist Sunday School Class Mr. Lee Younger Cub $25 - $199 BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS EMCC President Emeritus Dr. Tommy Davis and his wife, Rita, show their support for the Lion basketball team during the MACJC state basketball championships. Mr. Gerald Poole Mr. Oscar Poole Mr. Richard Poole Mr. Don Pope Ms. Betsy Porter Dr. Steve Porter Mr. Frank Portera Mr. Ron Posey Ms. Beth Powell Price McGiffert Construction Mr. Harry Puckett Mr. Robert Ramage Rea, Shaw, Griffin, and Stuart Rebecca Sunday School Class Ms. Linda H. Reed Ms. Donna Richards Mr. Doug Richardson Mr. Hollis P. Risley Mr. Thomas L. Rivers Langston Rogers Mr. Gail Rolison Mr. Pete Rowell Mr. Tim Roye Rush Foundation Hospital Mr. John Sampietro Ms. Barbara Sanders Mr. Jimmy Sanders Mr. Hob Sanderson Ms. Melinda Sciple Hubert B. Scrivener Foundation Seven Oaks Funeral Home Severcorr, LLC Mr. Steve Sharp 30 The Lions’ Pride Mr. Chris Sharzinski Dr. Raj Shaunak Ms. Dorothy Shaw Mr. Herman Shaw Mr. David Shelton Slay Steel, Inc. Mr. David E. Skelton Skelton Funeral Home Mr. Lester Smith Mr. Richard Smith Mr. Robert Smith Mr. Dusty Snider Southwire Mr. Eddie Sparkman Spencer Furniture Appliance Mr. Chase B. Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Ted Spencer Ms. Lisa Spinks Dr. Walt Starr State Farm Companies Foundation Coach Buddy Stephens Mr. Wayne Stewart Ms. Marsha Stoddard Ms. Charlene Stokes Mr. and Mrs. Don Stokes Mr. Mickey Stokes Mr. David Stowe Mrs. Tammy Sudduth Rev. Auzie Sullivan Ms. Bobby Sullivan Mr. Dan Sullivan Sunbelt Wholesale Supply Co. Mr. Homer Swain Summer 2010 Mr. Steve Swedenburg Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Swoope Mr. and Mrs. Warren Swoope T’s The Big One Mr. Larry Tabor Mr. George Taylor Mr. Flint Tedder Mr. Charlie Temkovits Mr. Robert Temkovits The Taylor Group Ms. Suzanne Thomas Mr. Donnie Thornton Mr. Bobby Thrash Ms. Billy Travis Triangle Federal Credit Union Trustmark National Bank Underwriters Group Tommy and Debbie Upton Joe and Lynn Utsey W.G. Yates and Sons Construction Company Mr. Ken Waddell, Sr. Mrs. Donna Wade Water Service Company Mr. Mike Waters Lance and Carol Walters Watt Equipment Mr. and Mrs. Woody Webb Mr. Earl Weeks Mr. C. H. Welch Mr. Jonathan Wells Mr. Charles B. White Mr. Joe L. White Roy and Linda Adams Robert and Margie Agnew Mr. Mark Alexander Richard and Charlotte Armstrong Kelly Atwood Jean Atwood Ken and Sheila Aust Ms. Julia Autrey Barefield Poultry Farm J. L. Blankenship Hines and Linda Brannan Paula Brooks Mr. David Burns Ms. Wynelia Cherry Mr. Ashley Chism Mr. Eddie Coleman Mr. Fred Corley Ms. Rebecca Davis Billie C. Dickson Mr. John Douglas David and Kathy Dye Mr. Dikki Dyson Niko Edwards Marcus D. Evans Huiel and Debbie Farmer Coach Casey Finch Charlotte Fredrick Mrs. Sharon Frey Ms. Taunya Graham Vernon and Gladys Gregory Ms. Lisa Greer Mr. Frank Griffin Mr. and Mrs. George Hailey Ms. Judy Hairston Johnny and Theresa Harpole James “Cubby” Harris Roger Henry Ms. Herta Holly Mr. John Irwin Ms. Christina Jackson Mr. Jay Johnson Bobby Jones A. J. Kilpatrick Fran Knight Termie Land Matt Lautar Wanda Lawrence Judd Lisenby Mike and Carol Martini Dr. Andrea Mayfield Wesley and Linda McCool Billy and Jean McCulloch Mr. Mac McLellan Mr. David Miller Mr. Rachel Miller Mr. Robert Moncrief Tim and Susan Morgan Mr. Patrick Nelson Mr. Russ Nowell Noxubee Farm Supply Ms. Penny O’Quinn Terri Pace Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parker, Jr. Mrs. Tammy Parkes Mrs. Catherine Penick Ms. Della Phillips Ms. Diana Pruett Al and Anna Puckett Mr. John Quarles Mr. Joe Rebecca Mr. Wayne Richard Mr. Dustin Roberts Mrs. Rita Rushing Mr. Jim Scribner Ms. Tina Seals Bobby and Judy Shackouls Mr. Stanley Shows Mr. and Mrs. James Smith Mr. Jackie Spencer Mrs. Mildred Staten Mr. Joe Studdard Mr. Vic Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Swain Ms. Janie Tarlton Ms. Tracie Thomason Ms. Deborah Treloar Gene Tullos Union United Methodist Church Ellis Vaughn Sparky and Mary Ann Walker Senator Giles Ward Ms. Karen Wedgeworth Ms. Hope Wellborn Mr. John Wiggins Mr. Randolph Williams Mr. James Woodfin Mr. Roland Wright Alumni updAtes Class of 1999 Class of 2004 Toshia Vernette Jones and Undray Tyrone Dunlap were married May 8, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Starkville High School and East Mississippi Community College. She is employed by H&R Block. The groom is a graduate of West Point High School and is employed by Golden Triangle Waste Services. Brooke Leigh Shepherd and Anthony Lynn Toler were married May 15, 2010. The bride is a graduate of New Hope High School and EMCC and is employed by Columbus Scrap Metals Inc. The groom is a graduate of Aberdeen High School and Itawamba Community College. He is employed with Toler Construction Company. Class of 2001 Class of 2008 Brandi Rashel Scarbrough and Adam Monroe Carmichael were married June 4, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Meridian Community College and is currently in nursing school. The groom earned an associate’s degree from East Mississippi Community College and is employed at Nelson Hall Chevrolet. Jorga Sue Edmonds and Christopher Gilbert Wilson were married May 1, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Starkville Academy and EMCC, and is currently attending Mississippi State University. The groom is a graduate of Oak Hill Academy, EMCC and MSU. He is employed by Aflac Insurance Company. Class of 2002 Class of 2009 Adrian Fields and Frederick Turner were married April 10, 2010, at the Stephen D. Lee Home. The bride is a graduate of Columbus High School and is employed by the Commercial Dispatch. The groom is a graduate of West Lowndes High School and EMCC. He is employed with Triangle Maintenance. Hollie Elizabeth Blair and Derek Charles Lampkin were married May 29, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Vaughn’s Beauty College and is employed as a licensed cosmetologist at Brickerton Day Spa. The groom is a graduate of EMCC, where he earned an associate’s degree in electrical technology. He is employed at Minteq International at Severstal. Kayla Joanna Murphy and Kevin Charles Hatcher were married November 7, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Columbus. The bride is a graduate of New Hope High School, EMCC, the University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is employed by Rehab at Work as a physical therapist. The groom is a graduate of Caledonia High School and is pursuing a degree in secondary education and coaching at Mississippi University for Women. He is employed with Hatcher and Livingston Construction. Marcie Lynn McClain and Justin Blake Atkinson were married May 15, 2010. The bride is a 2004 graduate of the University of Mississippi. She is employed by the Social Security Administration. The groom is a graduate of EMCC and is the owner of the Ole Country Store in Steens. Other Classes Rebecca Lynn Boatner and Stephen Landon Hood were married June 5, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Benton Academy, EMCC and MUW. The groom is a graduate of Holmes Community College and MSU. He is a civil engineer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Barbara Rachelle Dale and Tommie Lee Epps Sr. were married November 21, 2009, at the Scooba Reunion Building in Scooba. The bride is a graduate of Kemper County High School, Meridian Community College and EMCC. She is an employee of Noxubee General Hospital. The groom is a graduate of Livingston High School and is employed at Mannington Wood Flooring. Elizabeth Ashley Genin and Jonathan Blake McCuiston were married May 1, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Northeast Mississippi Community College and Itawamba Community College. She is employed at Baptist Memorial Hospital as an ultrasound/X-ray technologist. The groom earned an associate’s degree in industrial technology from EMCC and is employed at Columbus Rubber and Gasket. Phylicia Holmes and Daniel Cox were married November 21, 2009. The bride is a graduate of Lamar County High School and currently attends EMCC. The groom is a graduate of New Hope High School and earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from EMCC. He is currently attending MUW. Hailey Elizabeth Hillhouse and Travis Wayne Stewart III were married May 29, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Eupora High School and attended Holmes Community College. She is employed by Mississippi Home Care in Starkville. The groom is a graduate of EMCC and Mississippi State University. He is employed by the Mississippi Forestry Commission. Summer 2010 Jill Hopkins and Robert Spell Jr. were married April 24, 2010. The bride is a graduate of ICC and NEMCC. She is employed by A. G. Rhodes Nursing Home. The groom is a graduate of EMCC, MSU and Kent State University, with degrees in communications and anthropology. He is a licensed practical nurse. Britney Nichole McElroy and Andrew Bryant Pippin were married May 29, 2010. The bride is a graduate of the University of West Alabama and Northeast Lauderdale High School. She plans to teach elementary education in the fall while pursuing a master’s degree. The groom earned an associate’s degree in forestry from EMCC and is employed by Barrett Logging. Marilyn Kate Riley and Joseph Heath Atkins were married April 24, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Bayou Academy and Delta State University. She is employed by Viking Range Corporation, where she is a culinary buyer and inventory manager. The groom is a graduate of Lee High School. He earned an associate’s degree in electronics technology and instrumental technology from EMCC, and is employed by Waters Truck and Tractor. Haley Robertson and Edmund Brock were married April 10, 2010. The bride is a graduate of Nanih Waiya Attendance Center. She has a degree in drafting and design from EMCC and is employed at Weyerhaeuser Inc. The groom graduated from Columbus High School and attended EMCC. He is employed with Thermal Control Inc. The Lions’ Pride 31 student at EMCC, where Mrs. Ford taught for 16 years. She is survived by her daughters, Olivia Reese and Dr. Beth Jackson; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Tim Gibson and Virginia Sullivan Timothy O’Neal Gibson died on November 2, 2009, at his residence. He was a retired conductor of the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He was a stroke survivor for more than 11 years and an active member of the Tom Maynard Stroke Support Group. Mr. Gibson was inducted into the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 for football and baseball, 19631965. Survivors include his devoted wife, Mary Harmon Gibson of Meridian; children, Jan Miller and her husband Eddie, Jason Gibson, April Britton and her husband Jimmy, Brittany Gibson, Tammy Boyette and her husband Bobby, all of Meridian, and Ricky Dickerson and his wife, Julie, of Florence; nine grandchildren, Dru, Jett, Alex, Connor, Landon, Allie Claire, Chris, Hunter and Ashton; sisters; JoAnn Wilkinson, Frances Sharp and Patsy Ingle; and one brother, Ricky Gibson. Woodrow Thomas Covington Jr. died February 24, 2010. He was the retired owner of Covington Fish Farm in Daleville. Mr. Covington graduated from East Mississippi Junior College in 1954. He was an All-American in basketball and a member of the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame. Survivors include his children, Brandy Daily, Drew Covington and Tom Covington; three grandchildren; and one brother, Jerry Covington. Edna Harbour Holloway Ford, 87, died March 17, 2010, at her residence in Preston. She graduated from Meridian High and Mississippi State University with special honors. Mrs. Ford’s love for literature and English inspired countless students over the 49 years of her teaching career. She was honored by former students, Dr. John and Beth Clay, when they established the Edna Harbour Ford English Literature Scholarship at East Mississippi Community College. The scholarship is presented annually to a deserving 32 The Lions’ Pride Adrian Perry Gaither III, 72, died April 12, 2010. He graduated from Central High School in Memphis. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Memphis State University, and his master’s degree in English at Mississippi State University. Mr. Gaither taught English at Noxubee High School and East Mississippi Community College for more than 35 years. He is survived by his wife, Judy Sledge Gaither; two daughters, Emily Gaither Smith and Julia Broox Gaither Fox; one son, Adrian Perry Gaither IV; and three grandchildren. Graham Garrison Heleniak, 45, died February 28, 2010. Born in Memphis, he moved to Pontotoc where he grew up and attended school. He was an avid football fan and participated in school sports. He earned an associate’s degree in mortuary science from EMCC. He had worked with U.S. Tire since 1992 and as a licensed mortician since 1987. Mr. Heleniak is survived by his wife, Tammy Anne DeAngelo Heleniak of Oxford; one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Heleniak; and his parents, Stan and Martha Heleniak. Joseph Wrencher McNeil, 36, died March 25, 2010. He was born to Kenneth McNeil Sr. and the late Margarine Moore-McNeil. He graduated from Kemper County Schools and from East Mississippi Community College, where he majored in vocational agriculture and forestry. He is survived by Joequela Kirk, Joseph Kirk, Christina Terry, Kenneth McNeil Sr., Peggy Scott, Robert James Houston, Patrick Renard Moore, Adrian Douglas Moore and Kenneth Jerome McNeil Jr. Annie Cross Moore died October 25, 2009. She was a graduate of East Kemper High School and East Mississippi Community College. She was the owner of C&M Trading Post in Geiger, Ala., where she worked until her health failed. She was an active member of the Sunflower Baptist Church in Scooba. Mrs. Moore is survived by her husband, Tony Charles Moore Sr.; one daughter, Chiquita Grace; one son, Tony Charles Moore Jr.; and two granddaughters. Dottie E. Murphy, 81, died March 24, 2010, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. She was a native of Kemper County and a graduate of Kemper Summer 2010 County High School and EMCC. She was a licensed nursing supervisor, hospital administrator and administrator of Whitfield Nursing Home. Ms. Murphy is survived by one brother, Meck Main Murphy; two nieces, Barbara Correro and Nancy Abercrombie; and seven nephews. Charles Andrew Owens died February 21, 2010. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who graduated from East Mississippi Community College. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and was a metallurgist with the Bureau of Standards U.S. Mint in Washington, D.C. Survivors include his siblings, Grace Dunigan, Dorothy Thornton and the late Jack M. Owens Sr.; and two grandsons. John E. “Red” Reed, 85, died November 25, 2009. Mr. Reed attended DeKalb High School and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He served in World War II in the 512th Police Battalion of the 4th Armored Division, receiving five Battle Stars. After his service, he returned to DeKalb and earned his GED at East Mississippi Community College. Mr. Reed worked for the Department of Transportation for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Reed; one son, Dave Reed; and one granddaughter, Scout Reed. He is also survived by his brother, Coy S. Reed of DeKalb. Arthur Paul Scales died February 24, 2010. Mr. Scales graduated from Starkville High School. He received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Education, and Educational Specialist degrees from Mississippi State University. He served as director of vocational-technical education at EMCC in Scooba and with the Research and Curriculum Unit at MSU. He returned to the Starkville School District and served there until his retirement. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and received many awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to his profession and his community. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Scales; son, John Scales; daughter, Susan Huffman; five grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Quentin Spencer Quentin Spencer, 20, died April 20, 2010. He was born January 14, 1990, to Tremelle Cooper and the late Angela Howell, and Kathyleen Gorham and the late Ollie Gorham. He was a sophomore at East Mississippi Community College. The people listed on this page passed away between October 2009 and May 2010. Keeping up with EMCC! You’ve got a new way to keep up with what’s going on in Lion Country. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/East.Mississippi.Community. College. The site includes news, updates, photo galleries and more. And, once you’ve joined the site by hitting the “Like” button, you can post on East Mississippi Community College’s “Wall.” As a matter of fact, we’re thinking about making a separate Facebook page for EMCC Alumni. If that sounds like a good idea to you, send an e-mail to Suzanne Monk, director of public information, at smonk@eastms.edu. www.facebook.com/East.Mississippi.Community.College Alumni Office P.O. Box 158 Scooba, MS 39358 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID AMORY, MS 38821 PERMIT NO. 20