MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Nicholson, Bailey, Eakes, Livingston, Malone, Moody, Reeves, Smith (27th), Stringer

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. EDDIE M. SMITH UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, Dr. Eddie M. Smith, President of East Central Community College, will retire at the end of the 1999-2000 school year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith, a native of Hernando, Mississippi, attended the public schools of Jackson and Noxapater, graduating from Noxapater High School in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith furthered his education at several state institutions of higher learning including earning an A.A. Degree in General Education from East Central Junior College, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education and a Master's Degree in Science Education from Mississippi State University and earning a Doctorate Degree in Higher Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith began his teaching career in the Natchez-Adams Public Schools, teaching biology, chemistry, advanced biology and earth science, and in 1969, he became Assistant Principal of the South Natchez-Adams High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1970, Dr. Smith began working for the University of Southern Mississippi in Natchez as a college professor and Director of Academic Affairs; and

WHEREAS, in 1972, Dr. Smith was named Campus Director of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, the Natchez Campus and was named Dean of the Natchez Campus in 1975; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, Dr. Smith was named President of East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, where he has served for the past 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith has been an outstanding member of his community and participated in various church and civic organizations including Clark-Venable Baptist Church, the Decatur Lions Club, the Wesson Baptist Church, Parkway Baptist Church, the Natchez Kiwanis Club, the Wesson Lions Club, Newton County Community Concert Board, Bobashela District Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors and the American Cancer Society; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his community service, Dr. Smith has been a member of numerous professional organizations such as the Mississippi Education Association, the Mississippi Science Teachers Association, the Mississippi Association of Colleges, the Mississippi Association of School Administrators, the Mississippi Public Junior College Deans' Association, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges and many more; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith has received various awards and honors throughout his career including being named as Outstanding Young Educator, Outstanding Young Man of America, East Central Community College Alumnus of the Year and being presented the National Leadership Award by the College of Education, University of Texas at Austin, and the Phi Theta Kappa Bennett Award of Distinction, and also being honored by the naming of the Eddie M. Smith Student Union of East Central Community College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Smith has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his wife, Charlotte, and his two children, Kelli and Wendy; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and pay special tribute to remarkable educators and administrators such as Dr. Eddie M. Smith, who has provided outstanding educational leadership to the young people of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Eddie M. Smith, President of East Central Community College, upon his retirement and express our deepest appreciation for his services as an outstanding educator and administrator to the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Eddie M. Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.