The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1929-08-08
Exists
For Greater Holmes
Junior College

The day has arrived in the advancing
educational system of Mississippi, and
of the United States as well, when high
er education is not only preferred but
is actually demanded of those who
would assume places of leadership. A
short time since the services of the col
I lege man and woman were sought after.
Today many of our city and consoldat
ed schools have men and women on their
teaching staffs not only with a Masters
degree, but many with a Doctors de-
gree. As the qualifications of the in
struction forces have advanced the ele-
mentary and high school standards have
been raised. And today a high school
education is within the grasp of almost
every boy and girl of Mississippi. The
result is that, since so many high school
boys and girls each year are turned out
into life's voyage, higher training is de-
manded of those who seek responsible
positions. Few high school boys and
girls are able to secure any worthwhile
position. The sad feature of this situa-
/ ton is: Many boys and girls, being
able to get high school education, are
not able to go further in education; and
hence must either become loafers, ten
ant farmers, or mediocre laborers pre-
pared for no special line of work.
The leaders of our educational system
saw the situation in time, and have for
mulated plans whereby boys and girls
can receive higher and specialized train
ing more easily and less expensive than
high school education could have been
got a decade ago. The plan formu-
lated, and which we refer to, is system
of Junior Colleges in Mississippi
The purposes of these colleges are :
l. To place two-year college training
within reach of worthy boys and girls
who are less fortunate, financially, than
the sons and daughters of our million
aires; 2. In this two years of college
work to offer extensive courses in the
various vocations, thereby enabling the
students who may be turned out each
year to be fitted for some work in life;
3. To solve the congested situation
which exists in our state colleges in the
freshman and sophomore years.
Advised of the situation at the regu-
lar session of 1928, our Legislature Gre
| ated Junior College Commission, with
full power to locate, organize and put
into operation such a number of Junior
Colleges as would be easily accessible to
every county and district of the state.
This commission was Immediately or
ganized and its first work was to divide
the state into l3 zones, in each of which
was located Junior College. 1t so
happened that Holmes county was plac-
ed in zone ~, and because of the fact
that we had a splendid school which
was already doing the first year of col
lege work the commission located the
Junior College of Zone u in Holmes
county on the condition that we would
qualify for two years of standard work
within two years.
The Junior Colleges of five zones have
already qualified for two years of stan
dard work, and are so approved by the
commission and so recognized by Al
colleges and universities of the South
Kinds County has built and equipped
her college at Raymond; Jones county
at Ellisville; Pearl River county, at Pop
larville; Sunflower county, at Moorhead
each of these schools being built and
equipped by their respective counties
alone.
Doubtless there is no greater asset to
be had for any county in Mississippi
than standard 2-year Junior College
1t shows and proves to the outside World
progressive citizenry, cooperative
spirit, a recognition of possibilities a
sacrificing willingness to help boys and
girls prepare for life, UNITED COUN-
TY.
For many years Holmes county has
stood in the fore front of educational
development. Today opportunity is
knocking at her door for fur+har ad-