Copiah-Lincoln Community College will offer two new courses on the Wesson campus related to military leadership this fall.

Jane Hulon, vice president of instructional services, told the Co-Lin Board of Trustees at it’s meeting Thursday of a partnership the college has made with the Mississippi National Guard.

The program is called Magnolia Gold.

In 2014, the Mississippi National Guard sought to develop a partnership with community colleges across the state by establishing a leadership development program in the form of academic electives for students interested in pursuing a military commission.

The program will provide an opportunity for students who serve in the Guard to gain leadership experience, Hulon said. But it will also allow students who are not enlisted in a military branch to gain exposure to a military-type environment.

“The Magnolia Gold program is designed to immerse students in a military environment and enroll in classes that focus on leadership development,” she said.

The program is open to all students, with no military obligation.

“Although this program provides an opportunity for those that are in the Guard, there is absolutely no military obligation for students taking these courses to join the Guard,” Hulon said. “So, any student can take the courses as an elective.”

It’s taken two years to get the program running.

“This fall, we have an instructor in place,” Hulon said. “We will share that instructor with Southwest (Mississippi Community College). The instructor is provided at the cost of the Mississippi National Guard. We have provided some classroom space and some office space.”

Mississippi National Guard and Co-Lin will offer two courses on the fall schedule — foundations of officership and individual leadership studies.

“We’re happy to provide this opportunity for students to take classes and those students who may be interested in exploring their options related to leadership in military service,” Hulon said.

Johnson Controls report

Trustee Rickey Clopton reported the school’s energy savings through Johnson Controls for year eight of a 15-year plan — April 2015 through March 2016 — were greater than expected.

The school projected it would save $341,510 with Johnson Controls through year eight, Clopton said. Its actual savings were $410,568, he said.

The projected total goal from year one through year eight was $2,516,818, Clopton said. The actual total saving through year eight were $2,817,791.

The school’s total savings on electricity and natural gas was $283,223.

In other board business: 

• The board approved a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi effective June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2018.

• The board approved a grant in the amount of $16,370.87 from Mississippi iNBRE for the project title Enhancement of General Chemistry Curriculum. According to Co-Lin president Ronnie Nettles, a faculty member on the Natchez campus applied for the grant, so the money will be spent there.

• The board approved the school’s policies and procedures manual and the employee and faculty handbooks.

• The board recognized four board members for their years of service — Johnny Pyles for 10 years, Steven Ammann for 15 years, Rickey Clopton for 15 years and Mary Cleveland for 20 years.