A rose to Sungman “Simon” Kim, who has been selected as the city of Starkville’s new community development director. Kim brings with him an impressive combination of experience (30 years in the field) and education (a PhD and two masters degrees) to Starkville. At a time when the city is in the midst of a development boom of sorts, that sort of wide-ranging experience is of particular importance. Sometimes managing growth is as challenging as promoting growth. In his role, Kim will work as a facilitator between the city and Mississippi State University and developers to ensure the growth does not overburden infrastructure and is consistent with the vision he will help create in his new role. We wish him every success.
A rose to all the animal lovers in our community for a fun way to support the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society. Today from 1-6 p.m. Zachary’s Restaurant will hold a “St. Patty’s Pawty,” fund-raiser. The event will feature live music, green beer (of course), a pet parade, a raffle and other activities. Entry is $10 at the door and raffle tickets are $5 each and available at 662tix.com. Our shelter is a first-rate facility, but like all shelters the volume of animals under its care can often be a strain on limited resources. This fund-raiser provides much-needed money that will be put to good use. We encourage animal lovers to pitch in and “pawty.”
A rose to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, both of which will be headed for the NCAA Tournament, beginning this week. The MSU Women, the current two-time national runner-up, will be making its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance and its sixth in a row while the men will make their 11th trip to the NCAA Tournament, their first in a decade. It will mark the fourth time in school history that both teams have made the tournament in the same season. We congratulate the players and their fans, who have kept Humphrey Coliseum rocking this season. Best of luck and Hail State!
A rose to East Mississippi Community College sophomore Jordan White, who has been named a 2019 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. She will be recognized in local and statewide ceremonies and during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida. She will receive a $1,250 scholarship through the program sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is among 50 students nationwide awarded one of the scholarships. Selection is based on scores earned in the All-Academic Team competition, academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service. White will graduate from EMCC in May and plans to transfer to Mississippi State University. She hopes to eventually earn a doctorate in medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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