East Mississippi Community College’s Class of 2008 has graduated. Its members are even now contemplating their next steps toward excellence – whether it’s transferring to a four-year college or university or entering the world of work.

The number of students at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus has grown so large that graduates, family and friends can’t be seated in a single graduation ceremony. School officials hosted two ceremonies on May 9, one at 2 p.m. for academic students and one at 6 p.m. for career-technical students. Graduation at the Scooba campus was held on May 10.

Click on these links for more information:

• Golden Triangle graduation
• Photo gallery: GT graduation, academic program
• Photo gallery: GT graduation, career-technical programs
• News story: Daily Times Leader
• News story: WCBI-TV, Columbus
• News story: Commercial Dispatch, Columbus
• News story: Scooba graduation, The Meridian Star
• Photo gallery: Scooba graduation
• EMCC President Dr. Rick Young addresses the Class of 2008
• List of Graduates: Scooba
• List of Graduates: GT Academic
• List of Graduates: GT Career-Tech

       The 2008 Northeast Mississippi Job Fair drew 944
job-seekers on May 1, surpassing the attendance mark set
the previous year. Representatives of more than 60 businesses and industries attended the fair, held at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus.

“Northeast Mississippi and the Golden Triangle area are growing, economically vibrant areas, building on current
successes as their leaders plan for the future,” said Dr. Rick
Young, EMCC president.

“EMCC is pleased to have been the catalyst for bringing
together two important groups of people – businesses seeking
motivated, qualified workers and residents looking for meaningful
employment.”

GOLDEN TRIANGLE – Job fairs aren’t rock concerts. They’re not block parties or movie premieres or deep-sea cruises. In fact, there’s nothing glamorous about them at all.

But if you’re at the beginning of your work life, or out of a job, or thinking about a career change, attending the Northeast Mississippi Job Fair is one of the best things you can do to get yourself on track – or back on track. The third annual gathering of job-seekers and potential employers will be Thursday, May 1, at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus.

“This is a win-win. Everyone prefers to include personal contact in their employment decisions – instead of relying on mail, or e-mail, or telephone calls. And by that I mean people who are looking for jobs as well as businesses seeking quality employees,” said Dr. Rick Young, EMCC president.

“The Northeast Mississippi Job Fair brings these two groups of people together. If you’re on the hunt for a job, maybe this is the week to skip sending out a round of resumes and cover letters.

“Come out to EMCC and talk to some of the best employers in the area. They’re coming here to meet you and we appreciate their time and commitment to the community. Shake their hands, look them in the eye and make your case.”

The job fair begins at 9:30 a.m. at EMCC’s Lyceum auditorium. It is open to students from community colleges, as well as four-year colleges and universities, until 2:30 p.m. The general public is invited to attend from noon until 2:30 p.m.

More than 60 employers will be assembled – representing the gamut of businesses and industries in northeast Mississippi.

“We had a terrific response at last year’s Northeast Mississippi Job Fair,” said Susan Beasley, Human Resources director at Outdoor Technologies of Macon. “We received more than 350 applicants. We are looking forward to attending and getting more good applicants this year.”

About 900 people attended last year’s job fair.

Frank Hopper, president of Ellis Steel Co. of West Point, said his company will be there, too: “I was pleased to learn that EMCC is hosting a job fair. Last year, the Human Resources staff at Ellis Steel was very complimentary of the EMCC support, accommodations and overwhelming turnout. We are certainly looking forward to this year’s event. We hope to see you there!”

The Tennessee Valley Authority is staffing the fair because it likes what it sees in community college students.

“The TVA is always eager to attend community college job fairs because these students make good candidates for TVA’s technical training programs,” said Vicki Blackburn, recruiting program manager. “East Mississippi Community College offers degrees that TVA utilizes in the workforce, such as electrical technology, electronics technology and industrial maintenance.”

Linda Gates, coordinator of the Work-based Learning and Job Placement program at EMCC, said the Northeast Mississippi Job Fair also offers job-seekers a chance to practice interview skills.

“The more you talk to potential employers, the more you learn what kinds of questions they ask, and the better prepared you become,” Gates said. “You may find your dream job at the fair on Thursday. But, even if you don’t, the experience you gain will make you more effective the next time.”

EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus is at 8731 S. Frontage Road in Mayhew, off Highway 45 Alternate. For more information, call Linda Gates at (662) 243-1978 or visit www.eastms.edu.

SCOOBA – Two football stars from East Mississippi Community College’s past have been inducted into the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Sports Hall of Fame – Ken Waddell Sr. and Don Edwards. They were among 30 people honored April 22 during a ceremony at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson.

Ken Waddell Sr. was a student at then-East Mississippi Junior College from 1956 to 1958 – but he became a starter on the Lions football team while he was still a senior at Kemper County Agricultural High School. He made the Junior College All-State Team while a senior in high school, and again in both his freshman and sophomore years in at EMJC. During his sophomore year, Waddell was named the team's Most Valuable Player. He played in the East/West All-American Bowl in Stockton, Calif., and was a Junior College All-American.

Waddell later attended the University of Tennessee, where he became starting wingback and defensive back. He was the leading pass receiver for the Volunteers in 1960. In 1961 Waddell signed with the Minnesota Vikings. After a brief stint with the pros, Ken returned to EMJC as an assistant coach. In 1962 and 1963 he helped coach the Lions to victories in the Magnolia and Hospitality bowls.

Don Edwards threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for East Mississippi Junior College in 1960. During his 1961 sophomore season, Edwards was named to the Wigham All-American Team, was one of three Mississippians named to the Williamson Rating All-American team, led the nation in punting and field goals, was third in total offense, sixth in passing, ninth in scoring and played in the Albuquerque, N.M., All-American game.

Edwards was All-State, captain and MVP of the 1961 Lions – leading his team to an 8-2 season and the Hospitality Bowl championship.  Edwards spent three years at Mississippi State University, becoming the Bulldog starting quarterback in 1964. In a nationally televised game against Ole Miss in 1964, Don threw a touchdown pass, tied as leading rusher and led MSU to its first victory over the Rebels in 18 years.