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Gambrell, Gooden, Reid, Smith, Walker honored on Founder’s Day
CLARKSDALE – "If the
Bible were written today, these individuals would be in it," said the Rev. Valmadge
Towner, keynote speaker at Coahoma Community College’s Founders Day celebration.
Referring to the five leaders
being honored by the college: the late Frank Gambrell, former academic dean; Bennie S. Gooden, alumnus and longtime trustee;
Charles F. Reid, former academic dean; Eddie C. Smith, veteran science professor and alumni director; and George F.Walker,
chairman of the Mississippi College Board of Community and Junior Colleges, Towner pronounced all worthy of the "landmarks"
being dedicated to them.
The dedicated "landmarks" include the Frank W. Gambrell Student Affairs Multi-Complex. Bennie
S.Gooden Avenue, the Charles F. Reid Sponsored Programs Building, the Eddie C. Smith Sportsplex, and the George F. Walker
Wellness Center.
More than 700 attended Wednesday’s ceremony in the Pinnacle, including many members of the Gambrell,
Gooden, Reid, Smith, and Walker families. Photographs of the honorees and landmarks were projected on a large overhead screen.
Opening
the program, CCC president Vivian Presley outlined the school’s progress since it opened in 1949 with 21 students. "Today we have more than 2200 students, many new programs and buildings, and we want
to recognize five friends and supporters" who have contributed to this history. "his day is for you," she said.
Praising Frank Gambrell as "deserving of accolades," the keynote speaker who is a CCC alumnus and trustee
and serves as Quitman County School District superintendent, continued his personal observations of Charles Reid as "smooth
and quiet, but carried a big stick," and "never has there been a biology teacher who could dress so clean as Mr. Smith."
"Everybody
has to have a Stone, and you wanted to be like Bennie Stone Gooden," he said
Describing George Walker as a "modern-day
Joseph," Towner added, "He has a microphone for Coahoma in high places."
"We will not forget them; we did not get where
we are today without them," he said.
Dr. McKinley Martin, former CCC president, was recognized as Dr. Presley announced
a new sign installed on the McKinley Martin Lifelong Learning Center that was dedicated in his honor years ago.
William
West, computer technology specialist, was honored and presented an award for his 25 years service.
Music was presented
by the CCC Concert Choir singing, "Trying to Make Heaven My Home," and saxophone soloist Ezra Howard playing, "Amazing Grace."
Meditations
were presented by Henry Dorsey, and greetings by Darrell Dixon, Student Government Association president.
Pauline Rhodes,
Coahoma County School District superintendent, introduced the keynote speaker.
Afterward the honorees were special
guests at a luncheon in the Magnolia Room of the Student Union.
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