House Concurrent Resolution 121

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COPIAH-LINCOLN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR ITS 75 YEARS OF SERVICE IN PROVIDING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, in the fall of 1915, Copiah Lincoln Agricultural High School was created as a boarding school to serve the rural districts of Copiah and Lincoln Counties; and

WHEREAS, in 1928, under the authority of Section 308, Chapter 283, of the General Laws of the State of Mississippi of 1924, Copiah-Lincoln (Co-Lin) Junior College was organized to meet the educational needs, beyond the twelfth grade, of Copiah and Lincoln Counties; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment in 1928, Co-Lin has been led by many prestigious presidents, including: Russell Ellzey, who was the first president in 1928; James Malcomb Ewing, who became the second president of Co-Lin Junior College in 1932 and served until 1956; Willie H. Smith, who was named acting president and became the third president of Co-Lin from 1943-1945; Francis Marion Fortenberry, who became the fourth president of Co-Lin in 1956 until his retirement in 1968; Billy Bass Thames, who became the fifth president of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in 1968 until he retired in 1997; and Howell C. Garner, who became the sixth president of Co-Lin in 1997; and

WHEREAS, throughout its rich history, Co-Lin's educational reach has extended to include additional counties, in response to requests from Simpson County in 1934, Franklin County in 1948, Jefferson County in 1967 and Adams County in 1971, allowing students in these counties to receive the benefits of a two-year college; and

WHEREAS, Co-Lin has continued to grow in size and prestige by opening a branch campus in Natchez, Mississippi, and a facility in Simpson County to better meet the educational needs of the citizens in those areas; and

WHEREAS, on July 1, 1988, Copiah-Lincoln Junior College was renamed Copiah-Lincoln Community College as approved by the state and the board of trustees to reflect Co-Lin's continuing service to the community, its young people, adults and senior citizens; and

WHEREAS, Co-Lin has a long tradition of excellence providing two full years of academic education preparing students to transfer to a senior institution; and

WHEREAS, Co-Lin continues to meet the educational and training needs of the local community through its quality programs and services, providing a variety of educational programs, which include adult basic education, continuing education and community service programs for individuals striving for professional growth and personal enrichment and offering outstanding career and technical programs to prepare students to enter the workforce; and

WHEREAS, Co-Lin maintains a strong commitment to the use of state-of-the-art technology in all college programs and services; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Co-Lin is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has chosen as its theme: "A Celebration of Learning, Community and Commitment," which appropriately describes Co-Lin's rich history and its philosophy for the future; and

WHEREAS, Co-Lin will share this time of remembrance, reminiscence, fellowship and appreciation with special events throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to pay tribute to an exemplary educational institution such as Copiah-Lincoln Community College:

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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College upon its 75 years of service in providing higher education in the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Copiah-Lincoln Community College.