By Staff
special to the Star
Aug. 29, 2003
Fourteen men who helped initiate and grow the Meridian Community College Foundation were recognized with a luncheon in their honor Thursday at MCC's Dulaney Room.
The college's first Foundation Past Presidents Luncheon featured MCC President Emeritus Bill Scaggs as the keynote speaker. Scaggs reflected on the early days of the foundation, its evolution, its programs and the individuals who made its growth possible.
Past presidents are Tom Bourdeaux, 1970-1973; Ralph Young, 1974-1976; Bob Rea, 1977-1980; David Williams,1981-1982; Robert Ward, 1983-1984; Edwin Downer, 1985-1986; Eddie Holladay, 1987-1988; Paul Nuckolls, 1989-1990; Bill Thornton, 1991-1992; Tommy Dulaney, 1993-1995; Bill Entrekin, 1996-1997; Hardy Graham, 1998-1999; Bob Malone, 2000-2001; and M.L. Waters, 2002-2003.
Also on hand was Russell Thompson, incoming foundation president.
All honorees received an MCC blanket as a token of the college's appreciation for their service. Representing Bourdeaux and Thornton, who are deceased, were their spouses, Norma Bourdeaux and Mae Carroll Thornton.
Also as part of the program, MCC President Scott Elliott read an original poem he wrote in honor of the occasion called "Coastal Commission."
Elliott also dedicated a new photo gallery in the Dulaney Room, which features all of the past presidents' pictures with an inscription noting their years in office.