MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Holland, Sullivan, Huddleston (15th), Bell, Aldridge, Turner, Boyd, Brown (20th), Reynolds
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE OF DR. DAVID C. COLE AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE PRESIDENT OF ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, after a reputable career in education spanning some 44 years as a classroom educator and administrator, Dr. David C. Cole will formally retire on June 30, 2013, after diligently serving a total of 20 years as the fourth President of Itawamba Community College; and
WHEREAS, a native of Batesville, Mississippi, Dr. Cole graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor of arts in education, a master of education in educational administration and a doctor of philosophy in educational leadership, and upon graduation he began a teaching career at South Panola High School in his hometown, quickly working his way into an administrative role as Superintendent of the South Panola School District, a capacity for which he served from 1974 to 1992 before becoming President of ICC; and
WHEREAS, as president, he has blended faculty, staff and administrators from Itawamba Community College's three locations in Fulton, Tupelo and Belden, Mississippi, into a real family, and he has led as an innovator, servant leader and caring administrator who never misses an opportunity to credit his colleagues for the premier status that ICC enjoys; and
WHEREAS, since Dr. Cole brought his visionary leadership to Itawamba Community College two decades ago, and as a result of his hard work and dedication, enrollment has continued to skyrocket, and the college boasts beautiful state-of-the-art facilities, that rival those of a university, and he has led with care, compassion and fierce loyalty to ICC's students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and all partners of the college; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cole has worked tirelessly to ensure passage of history-making state legislative appropriations to better position Mississippi's community colleges with mid-level per student funding, capital improvements and an innovative high school dropout recovery program; and
WHEREAS, during his career, Dr. Cole has been an active participant in the Fulton Community and has served on numerous professional associations and committees including: the Board of Directors, Yocona Area Boy Scouts of America; Board of Directors, Itawamba County Development Council; Board of Directors, Healthcare Foundation; Board of Directors, United Way of Northeast Mississippi; Board of Governors, Mississippi Economic Council; Board of Directors, Community Development Foundation; Graduate of Leadership Itawamba; Chair, Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Presidents Association; former Chair, Legislative and Technology Committees for the MACJC Presidents Association; Chair, Board of Directors, Mississippi Corridor Consortium; Board of Manufacturing Extension Partnership; Fulton Rotary Club; Governor's Commission for the Recovery of Hurricane Katrina; past member, North Mississippi Health Services Executive Board; past member, Board of Directors of Southern Association of Community, Junior and Technical Colleges; member, Fulton United Methodist Church; former Co-Chair, Mississippi Appalachian Regional Commission; and Fund Chairman, Itawamba County for the American Red Cross of Northeast Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cole has earned countless awards and accolades, most recently receiving the premier honor as the Southern Region's Chief Executive Officer Award winner for the Association of Community College Trustees, and under his leadership, ICC was selected as one of the nation's top 120 community colleges in 2012; and
WHEREAS, as a key leader in economic development, as well as education, he was instrumental in helping build the educational and political groundwork for Toyota to locate its newest United States manufacturing plant in Northeast Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cole has been supported through all of his endeavors by his wife, whom he lovingly refers to as "Ms. Betty," as well as their four children and nine grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor remarkably selfless and talented individuals such as Dr. Cole, whose career serves as an example to all citizens of the State of Mississippi and whose legacy of service is exemplified by fairness, perseverance and prudent judgment:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the dedicated and distinguished career and exceptional service of Dr. David C. Cole, congratulate him upon his retirement as the President of Itawamba Community College, express acknowledgment to him for the hard work and many sacrifices he made to serve the people of our state and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Cole and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.