NATCHEZ &045; More than anyone else, James Allen exemplifies the connection between Copiah-Lincoln Community College and International Paper’s Natchez Mill.

Allen, 38, of Meadville, once had thought he would retire from IP’s mill. He was hired by the company in 1988, three years after earning his associate in applied science degree at Co-Lin’s Wesson campus. He began at the bottom rung of the employee ladder as a laborer in the general yard.

Allen made up his mind then to climb that ladder. To help his ascent, he returned to Co-Lin &045; the Natchez campus this time. Every Thursday for four years, IP sent Allen and several colleagues to learn electronics at Co-Lin Natchez. The knowledge he gained made him eligible for promotion to general maintenance technician on the day shift, a good-paying position.

Allen, though, began to rethink his professional life, as did hundreds of other IP employees, when company executives announced the mill was on the market.

&uot;I left with the first cutbacks (in 2001),&uot; Allen said. &uot;Actually, I was ready for a change. I felt uneasy because I was leaving a lot of friends and people I worked with, but I was ready to go. It was a relief to go, but I hated to leave a good job like that.&uot;

Allen said that he always had in the back of his mind the thought that he should prepare himself for another career. His choice was relatively easy, he said.

&uot;I always liked teaching my kids (sons Brian and Connor) and other kids, explaining different things. I remember one time I told my son (Brian) that only the female mosquito is the only one that bites. He went to school and told his teacher, and his teacher was surprised he knew that.&uot;

So, in 2001, Allen embarked on a path to become a secondary school teacher.

&uot;I knew I liked teaching even when I was in high school. I took three years of drafting, and in my third year I helped the teacher.&uot;

Once again, he returned to Co-Lin Natchez. He enrolled full time in January 2001; he already had taken some night classes at Co-Lin during his employment at IP, so he was familiar with the workload, the faculty and the school.

&uot;My wife, Annie, was behind me 100 percent. It had to take both of us to make the decision (to attend full time). She said I needed to return to school.&uot;

Allen took his college career seriously. &uot;I wasn’t intimidated; I was focused. It was my job to attend school and to do the best I could.&uot;

However, Allen surprised even himself, earning near-perfect grades, joining clubs and organizations, and taking on leadership responsibility on the campus.

&uot;When I attended Co-Lin this time around, I wasn’t there as just a student; I was observing the teachers and how they taught. I learned so much from them about teaching and how they handled the course work and the students. The teachers were top notch.&uot;

Allen also became top notch. In February, he was selected student of the month, and in April he joined two other students who were inducted into the Co-Lin Natchez Hall of Fame, the highest honor the school can bestow on a student.

His induction came as a surprise.

&uot;That was a high point of my life. It bowled me over,&uot; Allen said.

&uot;I never even gave it a thought while I was going to school. It was quite an honor.&uot;

In May, Allen stood before his graduation class giving the farewell address. He earned his associate in arts degree with high honors.

&uot;I know that we all have learned many things from our instructors hereŠ&uot; Allen said in his speech. &uot;We will carry many things with us to the various universities that we will attend in the near future. But, the most important tool we will carry for the rest of our lives is the caring sense of family that we can get only at Co-Lin Natchez.&uot;

Next month, Allen will attend Alcorn State University, which gave him a full scholarship.

&uot;My whole life has changed since IP; for me it was for the better. The good Lord gave me the insight to pursue a teaching career.&uot;