February 19, 2018

The Johnny W. Fisher Math and Science Building at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus was officially dedicated Monday, Feb. 19, during a ceremony attended by family, friends and co-workers of the building’s namesake.

The dedication took place following the annual Black History Month program in the Lyceum Auditorium where the guest speaker was U.S. Air Force retired Command Chief Master Sgt. Dr. Rita Felton.

Felton, owner of Felton Consulting Group in Columbus, said Fisher epitomized the leadership qualities that were the topic of her presentation.

“He was a man of compassion; a man of respect; a man of wisdom and character,” Felton said. “And that resonates with people. Without a doubt I know he made a difference today.”

The dedication took place outside the Math and Science Building where a plaque in Fisher’s honor had been erected. Attendees included, EMCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner, former President Dr. Rick Young, members of the EMCC Development Foundation and Board of Trustees and Fisher’s family.

When Fisher passed away last August, co-workers of the popular Criminal Justice instructor wanted to do something in honor of his memory.

“Everybody thought highly of Johnny,” said EMCC Faculty Association President Alison Alexander, who helped coordinate the event. “When we presented the idea of the building dedication to members of our Golden Triangle campus faculty association, everyone was behind it. Our Development Foundation also thought it was a great idea and it was approved by the Board of Trustees.”

Alexander’s office was located across the hall from the one occupied by Fisher in the building that now bears his name. The two became good friends.

“His interactions with students was by-the-book but he had a heart of gold,” Alexander said. “When Phi Theta Kappa would sell Homecoming T-shirts, he would buy 10 of them to hand out to students around campus.”

Fisher’s wife, Currie Jean Brewer Fisher, said her husband found teaching to be rewarding.

“He was passionate about his students,” Currie Fisher said. “He knew what a privilege it was to get an education.”

Fisher taught Criminal Justice at EMCC from 2008 until his death. He also served on the EMCC Development Foundation Board of Directors and the foundation’s “Bull” Sullivan Memorial Division.

“We will be forever grateful for Johnny’s service on the Development Foundation and his commitment to his students,” Huebner said. “It is fitting that his legacy here will live on with the dedication of this building in his name.”

A Columbus native, Fisher enrolled at then-East Mississippi Junior College for the 1969-70 academic year, helping lead the 1969 EMJC football team to a 9-1 record. He garnered National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American honors and was named to the Mississippi Junior College Association’s All-State/North Division squad.

He earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1977 from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

A Columbus native, Johnny Fisher served a long, distinguished career in law enforcement. His first job after graduation was as a correctional officer in Washington, D.C. He later joined the Baltimore City Police Department, where he received commendations and awards from the mayor of Baltimore and the governor of Maryland.

He later joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, earning gubernatorial and legislative recognition for his career that included work as an undercover agent.

“Our children had to learn not to speak to their dad if they saw him on the street because he was working undercover most times,” Currie Fisher said.

The Fisher’s daughter, Currie Jonniecka Fisher, recalls one time while living with her parents in New Jersey she came home to find two teenagers sitting on the family couch.

“You could tell they had a hard life,” Currie Jonniecka Fisher said. “My dad had my brother and I go up and shake their hands.”

As it turns out, the teenagers had been locked up by adults in a row house.

“They had been mistreated,” Currie Jonniecka Fisher said. “He had them stay with us for a couple of days. That’s the kind of man he was. He was always helping someone.”

Young said Johnny Fisher was a special person.

“When I learned that the Math and Science Building was going to be named after Johnny Fisher, I thought, ‘Wow, how appropriate,’” Young said. “He was a person who genuinely wanted to make this world a better place, and he did.”