MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Upshaw, Arnold, Baria, Barker, Bennett, Brown (20th), Crawford, DeBar, Dixon, Eure, Guice, Haney, Nelson, Patterson, Read, Shirley, Woods, Zuber, Brown (66th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND CONGRATULATING THE INSTITUTION FOR ITS DISTINGUISHED LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENTS.
WHEREAS, established on September 5, 1911, by the Harrison County School Board as the Harrison County Agricultural High School, what would become Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) was birthed into existence, and on September 17, 2012, MGCCC will celebrate the historic occasion of its 100th Anniversary in acknowledgement of its heritage and accomplishments as an institution of higher learning; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to have the new campus located in the sleepy town of Perkinston in northern Harrison County, prominent citizens donated 566 acres of land and $626.00, and on September 17, 1912, the institution began operations in the campus' sole building, Huff Hall; and
WHEREAS, Stone County was formed from the northern portion of Harrison County on June 5, 1916, and the school continued under the dual support of both counties; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature soon realized the educational concept and benefit of how the junior college model best suited the needs of Mississippians, and in 1924, allowed counties to cooperate with the state in offering higher education, with one of the first junior colleges organized being founded in conjunction with the Harrison-Stone Agricultural High School, which acquired the added support of Jackson County in the summer of 1925; and
WHEREAS, opening as the Harrison-Stone-Jackson Agricultural High School and Junior College on September 14, 1925, the school offered the first year of junior college coursework, graduating its first junior college student on May 20, 1927; and
WHEREAS, George County added its support to the institution on July 15, 1942, and the school assumed the official name Perkinston Agricultural High School and Junior College; and
WHEREAS, during the World War II era, the addition of career-technical programs to the institution's curriculum began a new phase of development, resulting in the minimalization of the agricultural high school; and
WHEREAS, on May 10, 1962, after a push from junior college administrators to divert funds formerly used for agricultural high schools to junior college academic and career-technical programs, Governor Ross Barnett signed into law House Bill No. 597, creating the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District serving the people of the Counties of Harrison, Stone, Jackson and George; and
WHEREAS, in September 1965, MGCCC became the first multi-campus junior college in the State of Mississippi when two additional campuses were added: the Jefferson Davis Campus in the Handsboro Community, now Gulfport, and the Jackson County Campus in Gautier; and
WHEREAS, additional campuses were added later, including: the George County Occupational Training Center, the Harrison County Occupational Training Center and the Keesler Center, and in 1985, the West Harrison County Occupational Training Center began operation; and
WHEREAS, in the spring of 1991, the college opened the Mississippi Gulf Coast Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center, established as a joint partnership between MGCCC, Mississippi Power Company and the Harrison County Development Commission; and
WHEREAS, since its establishment, the following individuals have served as Chief Executive Officers of MGCCC: James Andrew Huff, 1912-1917; Claude Bennett, 1917-1920; John Jefferson Dawsey, 1920-1921; Thomas Ira Cook, 1921-1922; J.H. Forbis, 1922-1924; Jefferson Lee Denson, 1924-1929; Cooper J. Darby, 1929-1941; Albert Louis May, 1941-1953; J.J. Hayden, Jr., 1953-1985; Barry L. Mellinger, 1986-1998; Willis H. Lott, 1998-2011; and Mary S. Graham, 2011-present; and
WHEREAS, a Centennial Committee appointed by President Mary S. Graham has prepared a timeline of activities and events to include monthly ceremonies and celebrations leading up to the anniversary celebration in September; and
WHEREAS, MGCCC responds to the educational needs of thousands, across numerous communities throughout Harrison, Stone, George and Jackson Counties by providing a superb learning environment supported by superior instructors and state-of-the-art services; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that this Legislature joins with the students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration of MGCCC to celebrate this monumental occasion, celebrating education and leadership in making a positive difference in the lives of Mississippians:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and extend to the students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration of this remarkable institution best wishes on this most auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to MGCCC President Mary S. Graham, the MGCCC Board of Trustees, the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.