By Staff
MAKING IT OFFICIAL Scott Elliott, left, Meridian Community College president, and J. Charles Lee, Mississippi State University president, sign an agreement to offer a program in which students can earn a bachelor's degree in communications through classes offered at both schools. Photo by Kyle Carter/The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Aug. 8, 2003
Shortly before noon Thursday, community leaders and the heads of Mississippi State University and Meridian Community College gathered at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian.
Their view across the street was of the Grand Opera House and Marks-Rothenberg building both owned by MSU and now under renovation to become the Riley Education and Performing Arts Center.
The occasion was the announcement of a new program that will let students earn a bachelor's degree in communications through classes offered at MCC and MSU-Meridian Campus.
Both MCC President Scott Elliott and MSU President J. Charles Lee signed an agreement for the program.
Lee said MSU intends to seek bids for the renovation project no later than the end of the year. Plans call for the renovation of the Grand Opera House and Marks-Rothenberg building to be complete by fall 2005.
Harold "Nick" Nichols, dean of the MSU-Meridian Campus, said that even though the Riley center is still under construction it already has produced its first academic program.
Nichols said partnerships like the one signed Thursday are important for several reasons.
Elliott told the crowd that the agreement with MSU is a shining example of two agencies working together for the betterment of students and the community.
Elliott called the crowd's attention to a sign posted on the construction fence surrounding the Grand Opera House and Marks-Rothenberg building. The sign has logos for both MCC and MSU-Meridian Campus.