The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — East Mississippi Community College's Gary Gammill, an instructor, and Stephanie McCully, a student, were among honorees at the 23rd Annual HEADWAE program. Gammill and McCully are both from EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus.
Students and faculty members from 35 universities and colleges in Mississippi gathered in Jackson for Higher Education Appreciation Day – Working for Academic Excellence. HEADWAE was established in 1988 by legislative resolution to honor individual academic achievement and the overall contribution of the state’s public and private institutions of higher learning.
The day began with a tour of the Mississippi Capitol, during which HEADWAE honorees were honored with a resolution by state lawmakers, followed by a luncheon at the Mississippi Convention Center.
“Gary Gammill and Stephanie McCully take the initiative to go beyond the usual standards of excellence set by East Mississippi Community College,” said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. “They take a proactive approach in everything they do, and are always looking for ways to expand and enrich their lives, both in and out of the classroom."
Gammill of Starkville is a graduate of Mississippi State University. He has taught welding at EMCC for nine years and, last year, was the recipient of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Award for Excellence in Vocational Education.
“Gary has set high standards for his students and strives to maintain excellence in the classroom in his knowledge base, technical and practical theory and overall classroom management,” said Dr. Melanie Sanders, an associate dean at EMCC. “He also opens the industrial field to his students by encouraging them to participate in the American Welding Society, which allows them camaraderie and networking opportunities with area employers.”
Gammill had almost 20 years of industrial experience in positions that involved employee training before making the transition from the private sector to public education.
“Moving into the community college system has allowed me to share my knowledge with students who want to master a skill that will allow them to have a good career, not just a job,” Gammill said.
“I enjoy sharing my real-world experiences with the students in the classroom and welding lab, so that when they enter the workforce, they will be prepared to succeed. The way I view it is, “If they don’t succeed, then I don’t succeed.’”
McCully of Ackerman is an EMCC Ambassador, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the EMCC Judiciary Council and the EMCC Recruiting Committee. After graduation from EMCC, McCully plans to transfer to Mississippi State University and prepare for a career as an English teacher and school administrator.
Like Gammill, McCully wants to equip students with the tools they need to succeed.
“English is very important in every student's life. Writing is one thing that a person will never get away from. High school, college, careers, any path a person decides to take, will be accompanied by writing,” McCully said.
“My inspiration for English education is instilling writing skills in students before they leave high school. I want my students one day to feel comfortable when they enter a college composition class and not feel intimidated by any writing assignment.”
McCully’s instructors and advisers are confident of her success.
“Stephanie comes to every class of mine eager to learn. She is open to others’ ideas and has a sincere interest in allowing those ideas to broaden her own insights and perception,” said EMCC English teacher Elizabeth Stringer. “Rather than trying to force her own insights and perceptions onto the literature she reads, she allows the literature to influence her. She will make a wonderful student and teacher of English.”
EMCC recruiter Michael Black, who works closely with EMCC Ambassadors, said McCully has been a model student.
“Her academic successes are many and she has represented the college in a first-class manner,” Black said. “As an EMCC Ambassadors for two years, she has been a superb leader for the group and a mentor to the freshmen. Her absence will definitely be felt next year as she transfers to MSU. They are getting a gem!”
McCully is the daughter of Michael and Paula Moore, and Mark and Maryetta McCully.
