Northwest Mississippi Community College - Rockateer Yearbook (Senatobia, MS)

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History of School seems apparent that Mother Nature built an imposing hill covering fifty acres, on the northern outskirts of Senatobia, Mississippi, for the purpose of providing a picturesque site for Tate County Agricul- tural I ligh School. As here this historic institution stands in bold relief against a clear, unob- structed horizon on a campus sloping gradually eastward, dotted with spreading oaks. On entering from the southernmost corner of the campus a circular drive- way which is bordered with wild sumac. lilac, flowering ageratum, roses, altheas, and bushy evergreens, one reaches first the Girls ' Dormitory, a substantial red brick three story building, accommodating fifty girls. At the rear of this building there is a tennis court, which provides physical and social recreation for the many girls and boys who seek learning within the walls of the school. Next in route, slightly in the background is the historic old Garrott home, an architectural re- minder of our true southern ante-bellum homes. In front of this home stands a drinking fountain, a gift from the Senatobia Civic Club. The next building on the circular drive, the most majestic of all, is the Academic Building. Huge con- crete Doric columns, ornamenting the entrance of this red brick building, give it an air of Grecian culture. Continuing around the driveway we reach the Boys ' Dormitory. Surely such a panorama of scenery and such comfortable facilities should spur these students on to higher, greater, and nobler achievements. The history of the Tate County Agricultural High School is but the growth, development, and unfolding of educational ideals in Tate County, the concrete expression of educational progress. In 1 -)12 Tate County, among the first coun- ties in the state, began the building of this school. The first agricultural school was located by the County School Board at Arkabutla. The Act authorizing the establishment of the agricultural school was held unconstitutional because no pro- vision was made for agricultural schools for the negroes. The School Board then relocated the School and Senatobia won after a hard fought battle with Coldwater. A bond issue of $20,000.00 was voted and work began on the erection of the building. Before its completion, $12,000.00 additional bonds were issued, and later $20,000.00 for the Girls ' Dormitory. The site for the school was purchased by the Town of Senatobia from Mrs. G. W. Hardin for $8,000.00 and donated to the Board of Supervisors; later the Town of Senatobia issued $10,000.00 bonds, mak- ing a total of $18,000.00. Senatobia donated to the school free lights and water for the first five years of its history. The site of the Agricultural School has a historical background closely inter- woven with the history of Senatobia, Indian parlance, ' AVhite Sycamore. The old home, now the home of Professor and Mrs. Berry, was built before the war Page Thirteen

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vm Within these walls are treasures Whose values are untold; Once they ' re found, they ' re never lost, They ' re more desired than gold. Our school to us is more than Four columns, brick and stone; It holds a place within our hearts, A place we cherish — all our own. We ' ll e ' er remember our old school And the roads of knowledge trod; We pray that it may ever stand And keep building men for God. — Robert F-owinkle. ■Page Twelve

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ass Megg g with slave labor by one of the forbears of the Rowel] family. Later this became the Garrott home, where the social splendor of the yesterdays of Senatobia blazed in all its glory. There is an old road that skirts the northern boundary of the Agricultural School property; this is but a bridle path now, but it too has a history. It is a part ol the old Helena Trail, an Indian road as old as Indian lore is old. The Tate County Agricultural High School has had only two principals. The first was the genial Andrew G. Gainey, who came to the school in its infancy, and who was principal for six years. Under his brilliant leadership the school sprang at once into state renown and took its place among the best institutions of learning. Then came Mr. Berry, who has led on and on this educational institution into fur- ther success until now it is a recognized Junior College. As the school developed, the need of larger territory was evident. During the summer of 1928 the adjoining coun- ties were asked to co-operate in the making of Tate County A gricultural High School a Junior College. Quitman county led the movement. A levy was made for the support of the school, five trustees were added to the Board, and the name of the school was changed to Tate-Quitman Agricultural High School and Junior College. Other counties of Northwest Mississippi are expected to join before the opening of another session. Now, a Bi-County Institution, bed-rocked upon a his- toric background and interwoven with the normal development of Northwest Mis- sissippi, this institution is destined to a further prominent place in the tomorrow of our lives. The graduates of this School, although it is less than a score of years old, are helping in the today ' s events of the country to uphold the traditions of the South and bring prosperity and success to its newer ideals. A history of the school would be incomplete did it not pay homage to the mem- ory of the lamented J. A. Wooten, B. A. Tucker, and H. I. Gill, who worked arduously and faithfully for the success of the school in its early days. It would be impossible to mention all those who have worked for the welfare of the institu- tion. Her interest has ever been safeguarded by the loyalty of her friends. For- tune smiled upon her in the selection of county superintendents. There is first, Superintendent Allen, whose very life ' s blood is mixed with the brick and mortar of every building. Next came Superintendent Cathey, whose wisdom and scholarship were potential factors in the progress of the institution. Last came Miss Clayton, under whose leadership the institution is destined to put away its swaddling clothes and burst forth into a period of growth and expansion such as will insure its recog- nition not only as a Junior College but also as an educational leader in Northwest Mississippi. Page Fourteen