Meridian Community College
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| Meridian Community College | |
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| Established: | 1937 |
| Type: | Public, 2-year |
| President: | Dr. Scott Elliot |
| Faculty: | 147 (44 male / 103 female) |
| Students: | 3,435 (2005)[1] |
| Location: | Meridian, Mississippi, United States |
| Campus: | Urban, Commuter |
| Colors: | Green, White |
| Mascot: | "Victor the Eagle" |
| Website: | http://www.mcc.cc.ms.us/ |
Meridian Community College is a two-year public community college in Meridian, Mississippi (USA). Founded in 1937, it was originally named Meridian Junior College but changed its name in 1987.
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[edit] History
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This section relies heavily or entirely on one source (http://www.mcc.cc.ms.us/catalog/mcchistory.htm). Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations of additional sources. |
Founded in 1937 as the "13th" and "14th" grades at Meridian High School, Meridian Community College is the only one of Mississippi's 15 public community colleges to originate through the initiative of the local school system. MCC began as the vision of Dr. H.M. Ivy (1884-1977), superintendent of the Meridian Separate School District in the 1930s. The college, then known as Meridian Junior College, operated at Meridian High School until 1964 when the College moved to its present location.
In 1970, the College merged with the historically black T.J. Harris Junior College as a result of a federal court order to the Meridian Municipal Separate School System. More than 400 students joined the MJC campus from Harris that year.
Meridian Junior College made its final break with Meridian Public schools by establishing its own district and Board of Trustees in 1980.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the College changed its name to Meridian Community College to more accurately reflect the diversity of opportunities it provides for a growing community area.
[edit] Campus facts
The college is located on a 72 acre (29 hectare) campus located a short distance from downtown Meridian and is next to the campus of Mississippi State University's Meridian Campus[2]. Other facilities not located at the main campus include the college's Truck Driving School and Magnolia Hall which is widely used by the community.
Recent data shows enrollment at almost 4,000 students.[1] Meridian Community College offers students a wide variety of activities in which to participate. There are more than 20 student organizations on campus representing a wide range of academic and vocational interest. Many of the student organizations have won acclaim from local to international levels. In fact, in 2006, the college's Nu Upsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the two-year college was recognized as one of the Society's top chapters in the world.
[edit] Academics
Meridian Community College offers a wide variety of academic courses of study. Students can concentrate in a technical field such as construction trade technology, machine shop technology, electronics, cosmetology, dental hygienics, nursing, and many other fields of study. Students can also take pre-professional academic courses to prepare them for careers in medicine, science, engineering, mathematics, economics, education, languages, law, architecture, and many other fields of study.
Over the years, Meridian Community College has developed a reputation for placing an extremely high priority on academics. Some locals use the nickname "Harvard on the Hill" to describe the college. Members of the faculty take pride in giving students a world-class education at a world-class price. Students of Meridian Community College perform in plays for the public while world-class art shows in the art gallery are often open for public viewing. Theatrical and musical performances are often produced.
[edit] Athletics
MCC's athletic teams are called the "Eagles." "Victor the Eagle" is the official mascot and can be seen at various athletic events.
In its strong athletic history, MCC has won five NJCAA National Championships. [2]
Current NBA star, Ronald "Flip" Murray (Detroit Pistons) attended MCC and played basketball for the Eagles.
Several MLB players have started their careers with MCC.
Former Major League Soccer star Damani Ralph played soccer for MCC. He scored 59 goals in 45 games for the Eagles and was named MVP for the 2000 NJCAA tournament, which MCC also won. He then went on to play for University of Connecticut before being drafted by the Chicago Fire.
Sixteen MCC golfers have signed scholarships with various four-year schools in the past decade, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State University, Troy University, Middle Tennessee State University, Southern Miss, and the University of New Orleans. Former MCC golf coach, Lou Hart was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on July 27, 2007. Current MCC golf coach Sean Covich, who played under the direction of Coach Hart from 1998-2000, was named the NJCAA Region XXIII Golf Coach of the Year and Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges Golf Coach of the Year in 2007 after leading the Eagles to a school record nine tournament titles, including the 2007 MACJC State/NJCAA Region XXIII championships. The 2007 squad finished third in the NJCAA division II men's golf championship.
Current basketball rookie Jamario Moon (Toronto Raptors), also played for Meridan, where he averaged 20.8 points per game and 8.7 rebounds.
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