Northwest president to speak at 90th annual commencement
by Mary Beth Johnson, Northwest journalism student
5/4/2006

Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president of Northwest Mississippi Community College, will deliver the commencement address for two ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Howard Coliseum on May 12.  A total of 564 students will walk in this 90th Northwest graduation, according to Larry Simpson, registrar.

Three hundred forty-three graduates will receive Associate of Applied Science degrees and career certificates at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Associate of Arts degrees will be awarded to 221 graduates at the 3 p.m. ceremony.

Dr. Spears is completing his first year as Northwest Mississippi Community College's eighth president. Before being named president, Dr. Spears had served in several positions with the college including registrar and director of Admissions and Records for 25 years, instructor, vocational counselor, assistant to the DeSoto Center director, and vice president for Student Affairs.

Originally from Eudora, Dr. Spears is a graduate of Hernando High School. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree and an Associate of Education degree from Northwest. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in social science and a master's degree in guidance and counseling at Delta State University. In 1991, Dr. Spears earned a doctorate in educational leadership at The University of Mississippi.

His leadership is already being felt throughout Northwest's four campuses as well as the Mississippi Association for Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC), where he is a member of the athletic rules and education technology committees. As a member of the Community College Foundation, Dr. Spears served as chairman of the Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee.

Patrick Chandler of Southaven will deliver the invocation at the 3 p.m. academic ceremony. The invocation for the career-technical ceremony will be delivered by Jeremy J. Wheeler of Tunica.

“Pomp and Circumstance” will be performed by the Northwest Symphonic Band under the direction of John Ungurait.  The Symphonic Band will also play Northwest’s Alma Mater. The Singers, under the direction of Susanne S. VanDyke will perform “America the Beautiful” during the ceremony.

Diplomas and certificates will be awarded at the 10 a.m. ceremony by Joe Broadway, executive assistant to the president and district dean of Career-Technical Education.

At the 3 p.m. ceremony, students will receive diplomas from Dr. Marilyn Bateman, academic dean. Simpson will participate in the awarding of degrees and certificates at both services.  

Nancy Patterson contributed to this story.