MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Fredericks, Broomfield, Compretta, Bennett, Dedeaux, DeLano, Eure, Guice, Ishee, Patterson, Peranich, Upshaw, Hamilton (109th), Jones (111th), Parker, Read, Zuber, Walley, Brown
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. WILLIS H. LOTT FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis H. Lott will retire June 30, 2011, with 43 years of educational service as a dedicated and visionary leader in the State of Mississippi who has made a positive difference in people's lives every day; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lott was named the 11th President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on August 1, 1998, after serving as the Vice President of the Perkinston Campus (1994-1998) and as the Vice President for Instructional Affairs (1992-1994); and
WHEREAS, his invaluable contributions and progressive thinking as an administrator, mentor and advocate for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College District with three comprehensive campuses and four centers influenced the increased educational opportunities, technological advancements and showcase facilities for the residents of Jackson, George, Harrison and Stone Counties; and
WHEREAS, his life's accomplishments have been fulfilled through his personal initiative, exemplary leadership and innovation, and hard work, while earning the bachelor of science, master of science, and doctor of education degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lott provided dynamic leadership in the development of the first Strategic Plan 2000 and the updated Strategic Plan 2010 for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College which has been the blueprint for master planning of capital improvements and infrastructure projects totaling $110.9 million with a total physical plant value of $205 million; and
WHEREAS, he served as Chair of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges in 2009-2010, and he successfully provided leadership in securing the largest state bond fund appropriation with each of the 15 community and junior colleges benefiting from these efforts; and
WHEREAS, he earned the reputation as a compassionate and renowned leader who guided the college through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when 200 employees lost or suffered severe damage to their homes or personal belongings; managed $21 million in physical damage to facilities; and provided refunds of $4 million to the 3,000 students who withdrew from college in one day; and
WHEREAS, the college was awarded reaffirmation in December 2010 after receiving a perfect report from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and ranked in the top 100 degree-granting institutions for seven years while achieving record enrollment to become the largest community college in the state for several years prior to Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, he has worked to ensure educational opportunities for world-class instruction and student success, reflected in the number of outstanding students who achieve academic recognition in Phi Theta Kappa International All-American and the numerous career and technical student competition winners; and
WHEREAS, he established the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Leadership Program and the Master Leadership Program designed to develop leaders from within the institution and enhance their professionalism; and
WHEREAS, his commitment to employees is evidenced by his establishment of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Difference Maker Awards Program for noninstructional employees; initiated the Professor Emeritus distinction for retired MGCCC faculty members; established an employee recognition program for years of service; implemented an Employee Customer Service Training Program; and was named the Educational Administrator of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Educational Office Professionals in 1994 and 2004; and
WHEREAS, his interest and support of eLearning has resulted in tremendous growth at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as early as 2001 with 53 courses offered and increasing to almost 300 courses being delivered to over 2,300 students; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership several significant accomplishments include hosting the Honorable George W. Bush, Jr., the first sitting United States President to deliver a commencement address to a community college; and receiving the largest donor gift of $1 million; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lott has valued community service throughout his life with involvement in various Rotary Clubs, economic development foundations, chambers of commerce and alumni associations which led him to establish the Willis H. Lott Community Service Annual Award with the recipient being a student organization chosen for outstanding community service; and
WHEREAS, his passion for athletics began early in his career as a coach and culminated with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College being the recipient of the 2010 Halbrook Award, a prestigious honor for athletes achieving the highest graduation rate in the state and a national championship football team; and
WHEREAS, he was the founder of the inaugural Mississippi Bowl, a national football bowl for community and junior colleges; established the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Athletic Hall of Fame; provided resources and support to build outstanding athletic facilities and championship teams achieving district, state, regional and national recognition; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lott has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, such as the 2010 Northrop Grumman Educational Leadership Award; 2007 ACCT Regional Chief Executive Officer Award; 2005 Recipient of Phi Theta Kappa's Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction; 2006 Citizen of the Year, Stone County Economic Development Partnership; 2005 South Mississippi's Outstanding Community Leader; 2005 member of Mississippi Governor's Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal; 2006 Administrator of the Year, National Association of Educational Office Professionals; 2008-2009 Board Chair of Federation of Humanities Council; 2004-2005 Board Chair of Mississippi Humanities; 2004-2005 Momentum Mississippi Workforce Education Team; and 2001 President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend such outstanding educational leaders as Dr. Willis H. Lott, who has dedicated his career to the people of the four-county Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College District and to the State of Mississippi, and whose lifetime of service to education and his commitment to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College have been recognized at the local, state, regional and national levels and is a testament to his visionary leadership:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Dr. Willis H. Lott for devoting 43 years to the field of education and for his 13 years of visionary leadership as President of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and extend to him heartiest wishes for success and prosperity in his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Willis H. Lott, the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.