Senate Concurrent Resolution 585

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COPIAH-LINCOLN COMMUNITY COLLEGE UPON 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 serving 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 Junior College was organized to meet the educational needs beyond the level of the 12th Grade serving Copiah and Lincoln Counties; and

WHEREAS, in 1928, Russell Ellzey became the first president of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College; and

WHEREAS, in 1932, James Malcomb Ewing became the second president of Co-Lin Junior College until 1956; and

WHEREAS, Willie H. Smith was named an acting president and the third president of Co-Lin from 1943-1945; and

WHEREAS, two additional counties requested an opportunity to join in the support of Copiah-Lincoln, allowing their county students the benefits of the two-year college: Simpson County in 1934 and Franklin County in 1948; and

WHEREAS, in 1956, Francis Marion Fortenberry became the fourth president of Co-Lin; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Jefferson County requested an opportunity to join in the support of Copiah-Lincoln, allowing Jefferson County students the benefits of the two-year college; and

WHEREAS, in 1968, Billy Bass Thames became the fifth president of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College until his retirement in 1997; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, Adams County requested an opportunity to join in the support of Copiah-Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, in the fall of 1972, Copiah-Lincoln opened a branch campus in Natchez, Mississippi, to better meet the educational needs of the citizens of that area; and

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

WHEREAS, in 1997, Howell C. Garner became the sixth president of Co-Lin; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Copiah-Lincoln opened a facility in Simpson County to better meet the educational needs of the citizens of that area; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment in 1928, Copiah-Lincoln has continued to grow in size and prestige, now occupying a prominent position in the state's educational system; and

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

WHEREAS, Copiah-Lincoln provides a variety of educational programs that includes adult basic education, continuing education and community services programs for individuals striving for professional growth and/or personal enrichment; and

WHEREAS, Copiah-Lincoln has offered outstanding career and technical programs to prepare students to enter the workforce; and

WHEREAS, Copiah-Lincoln continues to meet the educational and training needs of the local community through its quality programs and services; and

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

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

WHEREAS, Copiah-Lincoln will share a time of remembrance, reminiscence, fellowship and appreciation with yearlong events; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this landmark in the history of Copiah-Lincoln Community College which has grown in size, gained status within the college system and serves the citizens of its district and the State of Mississippi by providing a quality education rivaling that of any institution, regardless of size:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Copiah-Lincoln Community College for its rich tradition of providing quality education to its service area and to the citizens of the State of Mississippi, on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary, and extend to the President and Board of Trustees of Copiah-Lincoln Community College the best wishes of the Legislature on this landmark event.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to President Howell C. Garner, in conjunction with anniversary activities, and be forwarded to the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.