Spears predicts successful 2005-06 year
by Nancy Patterson
8/10/05

When new Northwest Mississippi Community College President Gary Lee Spears addressed faculty and staff at the annual back-to-school meeting, the message that was repeated was that "Northwest is a great place to be."

Dr. Spears was enthusiastic about the upcoming fall semester, announding an institutional goal of reaching 7,000 students on four campuses. The college, now the third largest among the state's community colleges, has seen increases in enrollment for the past 10 years.

Along with Spears, Academic Dean Marilyn Bateman and Assistant Career and Technical Dean David Campbell, welcomed 14 new academic faculty members and three new career-technical faculty. Most positions were replacement slots for retiring faculty members. Three new math faculty have been added as well as a math lab coordinator.

Returning faculty were updated on building and construction projects that have been recently completed or are underway. The new David M. Haraway Center officially opened last semester and will begin serving students next week. The new 15,000-square-foot Ag Tech facility, a building that will house the college's agricultural technology/John Deere program is also near completion.

Street construction is underway on Northwest Drive. Campus police will direct traffic there for students attending registration on Aug. 11 and 12. Part of that street project includes a new parking lot across from the Lafayette Humanities Building on Northwest Drive. Since many faculty members left for the summer break a new boulevard entrance to the college off Alumni Drive has been completed. Additional landscaping for the project is planned.

Improvements that include new sidewalks, fences and gates will give a new look to Ranger Stadium and Bobby Franklin Field. Major expansions are underway or nearing completion at campuses in Southaven and Oxford, adding classroom space in both locations. Future projects, according to Spears, are the construction of a new president's home and a new science building, both to be built on the Senatobia campus.

Another reason for Spears' excitement about the upcoming school year is new Head Football Coach Randy Pippin and his staff. Pippin welcomed new players Aug. 7 and is preparing for the 2005 season. The first game will be Sept. 1 with East Central in Decatur, and the home opener is set for Sept. 8 on Bobby Franklin Field with Southwest at 6:30 p.m.

Coach Peter Jarjoura's soccer teams will face Copiah-Lincoln at home Sept. 6. The women play at 2 p.m., followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.

"Northwest is a great place to be," Spears said. "....a great place to go to school, a great place to work.....a great place for the community. It's easy to be excited about the great things happening here this fall."

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 15.Late registration will continue through Aug. 19.