PRCC board welcomes four new members

POPLARVILLE – Four new members joined the Pearl River Community College Board of Trustees at the board Jan. 10 meeting.They are superintendents Brian Freeman of Forrest County, Alan Lumpkin of Pearl River County and Craig Robbins of Marion County and public school teacher Teresa Stafford.Freeman, Lumpkin and Robbins serve on the board as part of their duties as elected county school superintendents. Stafford was appointed to represent Pearl River County.Im glad to do anything to help education, she said. I hope to have some input that will help the students coming up to get a degree.Stafford, who lives in Carriere, teaches first grade and is teacher-in-charge at Southside Lower Elementary School in Picayune. She holds bachelor and master degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and an administrative degree from William Carey University. She began her career in education as a teacher assistant.Freeman lives in Hattiesburg and holds bachelor and master degrees from USM in coaching and administration. After teaching for three years at Columbia Academy, he joined the Forrest County schools as a teacher and has served as an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.Wed like to continue the growth Dr. (William) Lewis has been successful with and create a great place for our students, he said. Community college is really a great place for our students to continue their education.Lumpkin has spent 15 years in education as a teacher, coach and administrator and holds the bachelor degree from USM and the master degree from Jones International University. He lives in McNeill.Being on the board is an opportunity to represent the Pearl River County School District and provide extended school for our students to further their education, he said.Robbins served 12 years as superintendent and on the PRCC board but lost the 2007 election. He was re-elected in November. He holds the bachelor degree from Mississippi State University, the master degree from USM and the specialist degree from Carey.During his 37 years in education, Robbins served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, including a six-year stretch as superintendent of Columbia Training School. He lives in Foxworth.I hope to be able to provide leadership on the building projects that are going on and be involved in the decision making to make things better for the Pearl River students, he said.Frank Ladner of Hancock County is board chairman. H.R. Nobles of Forrest County is vice chairman, and Sonny Knight of Pearl River County is secretary.Ladner was recently reappointed to the board by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors.

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.