The multipurpose room on the Co-Lin Simpson Center campus in Mendenhall was decked out in school colors of blue and white to honor the Center’s 20 year anniversary this year.
Only a few chairs remained empty when the celebratory luncheon began. Several Simpson County public officials were in attendance along with former Copiah-Lincoln Community College presidents and Board of Trustees members.
The agenda included prayer and welcoming remarks by Simpson Center Vice President Dr. Anika Floyd before the crowd was invited to join the buffet line. While everyone enjoyed the meal, former presidents Dr. Howell Garner (1997-2008) and Dr. Ronnie Nettles (2008-2018) provided remarks on the establishment of the Co-Lin Simpson Center.
Dr. Garner said he was asked at Board of Supervisors meetings he attended when day classes would be offered in Simpson County.
A straw poll of the supervisors resulted in a unanimous vote to fund full millage for operations and maintenance of a campus in the county. The board officially approved the motion at the next regular meeting.
In addition to Dr. Nettles, Dr. Billy Stewart, the first dean, and Dr. John Dickerson, the first vice president of Co-Lin Simpson Center, offered comments on the community buy-in and community connections created in Simpson County. The three early leaders shared fond memories of their time, recalling many people who helped make Co-Lin the community college it is today.
Following a video montage showing scenes of Co-Lin Simpson Center through the years, Angela Durr, director of the Foundation and Alumni Relations, explained briefly the role of each organization. The Simpson Center currently has 21 Foundation scholarships available with the hope of adding more in the future. The organization has participated in building projects and are also active in campus student events such as the Homecoming Tailgate, Spring Fling and Gradfest.
President Dr. Dewayne Middleton shared closing remarks, reporting that 1,800 students have graduated from Co-Lin Simpson Center. He commented that “milestones are not simply about the passage of time but about the impact we all have made together. Let’s lead with pride in what we’ve accomplished in a shared commitment to making the next 20 years even greater than these past 20 years have been.”
