By Staff
FRIENDLY GREETINGS Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, left, talks to state Rep. Charles Young, D-Meridian, after graduation ceremonies for the Leadership Lauderdale class of 2002-2003 on Wednesday. Winter challenged the graduates to "make waves" for positive change in their community. Photo by Kyle Carter/The Meridian Star
By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Aug. 28, 2003
Former Gov. William Winter challenged Leadership Lauderdale graduates to make waves in the community if they want to see improvements.
Winter served as governor from 1980-1984. During his remarks, he said it is more important now than ever that visionary members in a society participate in their communities.
Commencement
After a year of meetings, studying and working on projects, 27 participants graduated from the Leadership Lauderdale Program on Wednesday.
Before they received their certificates in a ceremony held at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus, one graduate talked about putting what he has learned about community leadership into action.
Volunteer symposium
This year, nonprofit organizations, civic clubs and other volunteer organizations participated in the program.
Bill Crawford, president of The Montgomery Institute, said the Volunteer Leadership Fair and Symposium was a way to make sure the participants become engaged in the community.
Leadership Lauderdale is sponsored by the East Mississippi Business Development Corp., Meridian Community College, The Montgomery Institute, MathFirst and The Phil Hardin Foundation.
In addition to the graduation, more than 40 non-profit organizations that rely on volunteers set up booths in the MSU-Meridian Campus auditorium.
One participant in the volunteer symposium said she was thrilled to be a part of the graduation ceremonies this year.
Smith said the current focus of Main Street is to revitalize the historic African American business district downtown.
Graduates
Residents who graduated from Leadership Lauderdale Wednesday include: Kelli Clearman, Fred Cole, Paul Davis, Dan Derrington, Barbara Dobrosky, Carolyn Russell, Jason Dudley, Steve Dyess, Tammy Eason, Yolanda Hill, Morris Jones, Eddie Kelly, Danyell Gibson, April Luke, Barney Partridge, Eddie Partridge, Leslie Payne, Mary Perry, Bertha Roberts, Sheri Rush, Will Simmons, Jimmy Slay, Patricia Flowers, Dan Talley, Marcus Trotter, Tim Walker and Gloria Willis.