Copiah-Lincoln Community College - History

History

Copiah-Lincoln Agricultural High School, through the joint efforts of Copiah and Lincoln Counties, was established in the fall of 1915 in Wesson, Mississippi, at the edge of Copiah County. Copiah-Lincoln Junior College was organized during the summer of 1928 . Since its establishment in 1928, Copiah-Lincoln has continued to grow in size and prestige and now occupies a prominent position in the state’s educational system with an enrollment of over 3,200 and a physical plant valued at more than $35 million. The college has added five counties have joined in the support of Copiah-Lincoln: Simpson County in 2934; Franklin County in 1948; Lawrence County in 1965; Jefferson County in 1967; and Adams County in 1971.

In the fall of 1972, upon the request of local and state officials, Copiah-Lincoln opened a branch at Natchez, Mississippi, to better meet the educational needs of the citizens of that area. In the fall of 1997 the Simpson County Center opened in downtown Magee. Academic Evening Classes, Employment Training and an LPN class were offered in that facility until the fall of 2005, when a new 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2) facility was opened at Legion Lake, between Magee and Mendenhall. The new facility, named in honor of the late Sidney Parker, opened in the fall of 2005 with a comprehensive academic program, along with three Career-Technical programs. Copiah-Lincoln Junior College became Copiah-Lincoln Community College on July 1, 1988, as approved by the state and the Board of Trustees. The name change reflects Co-Lin’s continuing service to the community, its young people, adults, and senior citizens.