New Scholarships Instructors endow Technology scholarship

The Rhonda Posey and Don Smith Technology Scholarship was recently endowed with the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Foundation by longtime instructors Rhonda Posey and Don Smith, both of Brookhaven. This scholarship was established to benefit a student majoring in Cybersecurity and Computer Networking Technology who has at least a 3.0 GPA on the Wesson campus.

Posey (‘85) and Smith (’80) both graduated from Co-Lin, taught for many years until retirement, and then once again returned as part time cybersecurity and computer networking instructors.

After Co-Lin, Posey continued her education at Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in business and office education and a master’s degree in technology education. She also is a Cisco Certified Network Associate and Instructor. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons and a granddaughter.

Smith continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He also holds several certifications, including Internet and Computing Core Certification, Cisco Certified Network Associate, Certified Internet Webmaster and is a Certified Novell Administrator. He is a member of Ramah Baptist Church in McCall Creek.

Posey and Smith decided to establish the scholarship to pay forward everything that Co-Lin has given to them. From an education and rewarding careers to life-long friendships, they have been shaped by their time spent on campus.

“I am at my best, while at

Co-Lin,” Smith said. “It is truly the place to be!”

Posey agreed, adding that as a Wesson native, many of her childhood memories include countless hours on Co-Lin’s campus at ballgames, camps, and many other events.

“To me, Co-Lin is home,” she said. “The people (past and present) are like family to me. My co-workers became my best friends, so Co-Lin is the best part of me.”

Posey and Smith benefitted from scholarships during their time as students, but it was as teachers that they began to

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has been active in various other civic organizations. He retired from Lincoln County Schools with 30 years of service and currently owns and operates Sasser Farms, a 700-acre tree farm in the Bogue Chitto area.

Annette Sasser was a 1962 graduate of Bogue Chitto High School. She was a graduate of Co-Lin and the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She retired from Lincoln County Schools with

23 years of service. She served as pianist and a Sunday school teacher at Calvary Baptist Church for 41 years. Tommy and Annette were married for 49 years. She passed away on Sept. 16, 2016.

Tommy and Annette are