My name is Quincy Futrell and I am a recent graduate of Copiah-Lincoln Community College in the respiratory care practitioner program. I’m now employed at a hospital in the region in a job I love. But my success could not have been possible without Co-Lin’s Natchez campus. I grew tremendously both professionally and personally thanks to the terrific faculty and staff and administration. Dean Teresa Harrison herself encouraged me several times. Having the dean of the campus take such an interest in me tells a lot about what a great place Co-Lin Natchez is.

The instructors also were great. My chief instructors, Walt Wilson and Roy Smith are second to none. They challenged each and every one of their students to learn respiratory care at the highest level of professionalism. All the other Co-Lin Natchez instructors were outstanding in their own areas of expertise.

But my reason for writing is not just to praise Co-Lin, but to alert the public that Co-Lin Natchez needs your help. The Career and Technical Education Center is outdated for its purposes. It was opened in 1989, nearly 20 years ago with a handful of programs. Now, there are 11 career and technical programs with no room for more. The health care programs are scattered throughout the building in small classrooms and labs. I know there are many students who want to take health care classes, but there is just no room. One of my labs was even in a cleaned out closet. Since I’ve graduated and been working in the profession, I’ve seen first-hand the great need for health-care professionals in all facets of the field.

Co-Lin officials are hoping that Adams County can help financially in the creation of a new Health Sciences Education Center. I encourage the county officials to please take the request to heart. I’ve been told that a health sciences center would free up space for Co-Lin Natchez to offer courses in building trades, which to me seems to make a lot of sense considering the rebuilding in Mississippi and Louisiana from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the new construction in the Miss-Lou.

What a wonderful opportunity for students and employers. I can’t wait for the day to come so I can attend the ground breaking and ribbon cutting.

Quincy Futrell

a proud Co-Lin graduate

Woodville