A big week lies ahead for Copiah-Lincoln Community College asofficials hold opening ceremonies for the school’s 75th anniversaryMonday afternoon and dedication activities for two new dormitoriesThursday.

Opening ceremonies to kick off a year-long 75th anniversarycelebration begin Monday at 2 p.m. at the Billy B. ThamesConference Center. Co-Lin President Dr. Howell Garner saidadministrators, faculty, staff, alumni and students are excitedabout the upcoming celebrations.

“It’s not only exciting but also an honor to be a part of such awell-respected institution which has stood for academic excellenceand quality instruction for 75 years,” Garner said.

Guest speakers for Monday’s event include U.S. Sen. ThadCochran; Gov. Ronnie Musgrove; Texas businessman L. Frank Pitts, amember of the Co-Lin class of 1931; and former long-time Co-LinPresident Dr. Billy B. Thames.

Also Monday will be the unveiling of a collectible 75thanniversary commemorative collage. Copies of the collage will beavailable for purchase later in the year.

World-renowned pianist Randall Atcheson will offer a briefperformance during opening ceremonies. He will have a full concertMonday at 7:30 p.m. in the Rea Auditorium.

Later in the week, school officials and community dignitarieswill mark the completion of two new men’s honors dormitories. Thededication is planned for Thursday at 2 p.m.

The dorms, Lincoln Hall and Lawrence Hall, are on the northernpart of the campus and will house a total of 64 students.

The dorms were constructed at a cost of $1.24 million, which was$64,000 less than projected. The project was funded with capitalimprovement money from Co-Lin’s supporting counties and does notinclude any state funds.

Students moved into the dorms in December. Students mustmaintain a 3.0 grade point average or score a 20 or above on theACT.