LEADERSHIP GRADUATION FIRST FORMAL EVENT AT COMMUNIVERSITY
June 5, 2019
The first formal event at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity took place June 5 with the 2018-19 Golden Triangle Leadership Program Graduation. Eighteen of the 22 graduates of the program attended the event in which they were honored and presented plaques.
EMCC mathematics instructor Alison Alexander and EMCC Director of Marketing and Recruiting
Julia Morrison were among the graduates.
Golden Triangle Leadership (GTL) is sponsored by Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, Greater Starkville Development Partnership, and Growth Alliance. The program’s goal is to bring leaders of the Golden Triangle together in order to strengthen the bond and development between all three regions, according to the GTL website.
Program participants meet once a month from June through September and twice in October for day-long sessions that include team building, community development, economic development, industry, education, government and media, and leadership training.
The invocation for the graduation was provided by Lisa Klutts, with a welcome by EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks. Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce President Lisa James offered a year in review of the GTL program, with a service project review by Jessica Pierce. GTL student speakers included Karen Clay and Wes Schrickel. James, Klutts and Hunter Harrington conducted the graduation ceremony, with closing remarks by Harrington.
EMCC’s Lion Hills Center provided lunch.
Here is a list of the graduates and the companies for which they work: Aubrey Adair,
T.E. Lott; Alison Alexander, East Mississippi Community College; Karen Clay, Mississippi
University for Women; Helen Copeland, North Mississippi Medical Center; Wayne Cothran,
Holiday Inn Express; Kara Crennan, Columbus Air Force Base; John Cunningham, Neel-Schaefer;
Julie Hill, West Point Consolidated School District; Joseph Iupe, T.E. Lott; Dr. Dusty
Knickrehm, Flexx Chiropractic; Dr. Cherie Labat, Columbus Municipal School District;
Joy Lathan, Northeast Mississippi Procurement Center; Gerry Logan, Starkville Parks
and Recreation; Misty McCraw, Columbus Brick Company; Brooke Minton, Community Counseling
Services; Julia Morrison, East Mississippi Community College; Jessica Pierce, Cadence
Bank; Wes Schrickel, The Orchard Starkville; Janie Shields; Chad Thomas, McConnell
Brothers; Jason Trufant, Mississippi University for Women; Ally Walker, Palmer Home
for Children
"Being a first-generation student at EMCC is not a limitation, it's an opportunity to rewrite my family's story. Every class I attend, every assignment I complete, is a step towards a brighter future. I am a pioneer, and my determination will light the way for those who follow."
“I chose EMCC because it gave me the best opportunities coming out of high school. I got plenty of scholarships because the school offered so many. I would not have been able to do half of the things that I have done if i didn’t come here. First generation students are already at a disadvantage. If you are able to you should get an education to break the generational curse and create generational wealth for your family. Education is the most powerful tool.”
“As a first gen student, I feel that it is important to obtain a college education because it gives me the opportunity to break barriers for the next generation of my family. I choose EMCC because of the opportunity to get a great education and to make a difference on campus, in the community, and in my family.”
1512 Kemper St., Scooba, MS 39358
662.476.5000
8731 South Frontage Rd., Mayhew, MS 39753
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