Quite a few Tiger alumni have found the education system a befitting niche. 1969 Coahoma Junior College graduate Lonnie Edwards Sr., EdD., stands as a remarkable example. Edwards recently brought along filmmakers for a heartfelt visit to the CCC campus to gather more footage of the places that have been instrumental to his success.
Before making a stop at Tiger Nation, he went back to the nostalgic scenes of his hometown Shaw, Mississippi, "the small town with the big welcome," as he fondly describes it. He also took in updated sights of the University of Montevallo, where he and his longtime friend, Hansell Gunn, who was also visiting and had attended CJC, then transferred to the Alabama college with him. The two are credited by administrators of the university for integrating the institution as its first Black athletes as members of its basketball team. During their freshman year, the team performed exceptionally well. Gunn became the first Black member of its baseball team.
Before Edwards shared remarks, Donald Green, president of Coahoma Community College's Sports Hall of Fame, thanked him for his contributions to the world of sports and education.
Edwards, who began his career as a teacher for Georgia's DeKalb County Schools, later served as superintendent of the school system.
"Hansell Gunn and I entered Coahoma, and we had a wonderful time. We often talk about our relationship here and what transpired after here. We both ended up going to the University of Montevallo in Alabama, becoming the first two student-athletes to be there. Now, if you're asking us, 'Was it easy?' It was quite challenging, but we were blessed to be ready for the challenge. And not only did we enroll there, we both executed our craft. Not only did we integrate the school, we integrated the community, the city," Edwards recollected.
Friends of the College who provided accompaniment turned their attention to the Vivian M. Presley Administration Building's conference room's screen to view past television segments highlighting Edwards' heroic deeds during his career. One of the videos featured a woman with a physical disability, whom Edwards would walk home to protect her from getting teased given her missing fingers. She shared her story on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show in 1996.
Edwards earned his associate degree in physical education and psychology from Coahoma Junior College and his bachelor's from the University of Montevallo. Edwards has been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at both institutions. Though graduating with honors from both institutions, he remembers enduring harsh treatment from his counterparts at the predominantly white university.
"The other thing that I'd like to mention, when we looked beyond race, we were able to find the human qualities of life that sustains us contrary to other things," he added.
Edwards, who resides in Georgia, served 34 years in the DeKalb County school system. He is the author of "A Teacher's Touch: Reaching Beyond Boundaries," a critically acclaimed read, and is the father of three adult children. The educational consultant is also co-founder of the Edwards-Miller Foundation for Physical Disabilities, Inc., which awards physically and mentally disabled youth scholarships for college. He has a Doctor of Education degree in school administration and management from Clark Atlanta University and taught graduate courses as an adjunct instructor in the CAU School of Education for several years.
Access television segments recognizing Dr. Edwards via the following links: https://youtu.be/PefCiwZjF34 ; https://youtu.be/AYhV9gGao_0