January 11, 2023
The East Mississippi Community College Development Foundation is seeking donations to renovate Wallace Hall on the Scooba campus and convert it into a museum dedicated to the college’s history.
Sports memorabilia, photos and periodicals are among some of the items that will be on display in the museum once it is completed. The Development Foundation has set an initial fundraising goal of $400,000 for the project.
“To have a place where our alumni can view items on display from their time at EMCC and share those memories with members of their families is really exciting,” Dean of the Scooba Campus/College Advancement Tony Montgomery said. “This is something we have wanted to do for a long time and our goal now is to make it a reality.”
Once renovated, the first floor of Wallace Hall will house the museum, while tentative
plans call for the second floor to be dedicated to storage space. EMCC has many college
artifacts in storage that will be displayed in the museum and donations of other EMCC
memorabilia from alumni and their families will be welcome.
The first phase of the project will consist of renovating Wallace Hall and installing an HVAC system and temperature-controlled display cabinets.
“EMCC has a rich history that will be preserved for generations yet to come with the creation of this museum,” EMCC Executive Director of Alumni Affairs and Foundation Operations Gina Cotton said.
EMCC’s beginnings date back to 1927 when it opened as the Kemper County Agricultural High School, which offered a 13th grade. To commemorate that year, the Development Foundation has launched a “1927 Society Campaign” in which supporters can donate at least $19.27 a month to become members of the “1927 Society.”
Amazon shoppers can help support the project by shopping online at AmazonSmile, which will donate .5 percent of eligible purchases to the Development Foundation. For more information about EMCC’s museum fundraiser, call 662.476.5075 or email Montgomery (tmontgomery@eastms.edu), Cotton (gcotton@eastms.edu) or Christina Sciple Vernon (csciple@eastms.edu).
"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
662.243.1900
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