By Staff
special to The Star
July 29, 2003
DECATUR Lucille Wood has spent most of her 50-year career in education on the campus of East Central Community College.
Wood will offer her observations of the college she has served for almost five decades when ECCC celebrates its 75th anniversary during a special program Aug. 28 on the Decatur campus.
Activities get under way with a reception from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Gold Room of Mabry Memorial Cafeteria. The program begins at 10:45 a.m. in Huff Auditorium and will be followed by lunch provided on the East Mall near the cafeteria.
Wood, who joined ECCC in 1956, said her comments will mostly be about the people of East Central Community College.
A native of Winston County, Wood teaches physical education and education classes and serves as chair of the Social Science Department. She served as head coach of the Lady Warrior basketball team from 1974-1986, guiding her squads to two state championships and numerous division titles.
She was also the first coach of the Mississippi Junior College Women's All-Star Basketball Team.
Wood was among nine recipients of the annual "Power of One" awards presented at the 2003 Mississippi Women's Conference held earlier this year.
Dr. Phil A. Sutphin, ECCC president, former presidents Dr. Eddie M. Smith of Decatur and W. Arno Vincent of Meridian, and ECCC Board of Trustees Chairman Prentice Copeland of Philadelphia have also been invited to speak at the ceremony.
Smith served ECCC from 1985-2000 and Vincent led the institution from 1953-1962. Copeland has served as board chairman since 1996. He has accumulated more than 35 years service as a board member.
Sutphin, who began his tenure as president in July 2000, said ECCC has obviously "changed and grown" a lot since its founding 75 years ago.
Other program participants are Gen. Denver Brackeen, State Board for Community and Junior Colleges; Dr. Lavinia Sparkman, vice president for instruction; the Rev. Chris Vowell of Philadelphia; and the ECCC Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Chris Jenkins.