EMCC Instructor Gets Link Education Honor

East Mississippi Community College microbiology instructor Eric Ford, pictured with students in his lab at the Golden Triangle campus, was honored as the Golden Triangle Development LINK’s 2015 Post-Secondary Educator of the Year. He was recognized along with fellow educators and student award winners at the LINK’s Education Excellence Luncheon Wednesday at Lion Hills in Columbus.

COLUMBUS – East Mississippi Community College doesn’t have academic classes on Fridays. And yet somehow every day is Casual Friday in science instructor Eric Ford’s class.

Ford, generally outfitted in his trademark ponytail, untucked (frequently Hawaiian) shirt and cargo pants, doesn’t look like the most buttoned-down instructor at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. Yet, he was the one recognized Wednesday at Lion Hills in Columbus as the Golden Triangle Development LINK’s 2015 Post-Secondary Educator of the Year.

“It’s a tremendous honor because it’s given to you by your peers and supervisors. I’d like to thank (assistant dean of instruction) Gina Thompson and (vice president for instruction) Dr. Tommy Ware for the confidence they have in me to take care of these students,” said Ford from his newly renovated microbiology lab at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus.

East Mississippi Community College microbiology instructor Eric Ford, fourth from left, was honored as the Golden Triangle Development LINK’s 2015 Post-Secondary Educator of the Year. He was recognized along with fellow educators and student award winners at the LINK’s Education Excellence Luncheon Wednesday at Lion Hills in Columbus. Pictured with Ford are, from left, Linda Gates, EMCC district director of job placement and work-based learning, Dr. Thomas Ware, EMCC vice president for instruction, Marilyn Ford, Eric’s wife and EMCC English instructor, Dr. Rick Young, EMCC president, and Dr. Paul Miller, EMCC executive vice president.

Ware vouched for Ford’s efficacy, praising him for “going beyond teaching biology and microbiology to give students intensive advising to get them to their life goals.”

Ware also called Ford a “consummate professional,” despite his sartorial choices.

“Eric is very dedicated and represents EMCC well. He gets to know his students and works hard to properly prepare them for whatever career they choose,” he said.

For his part, Ford said students like his casual demeanor.

“It gives them something tangible to relate to, so they hang in there with me. If I lecture in a suit and tie, I’m going to lose them. So if I have to be weird or funny, then we’ll spend 30 minutes a day talking about pus,” said Ford.

A graduate of New Hope High School, Ford credits teachers like Coach Ricky Jones with sparking his interest in science, and his instructors at the University of West Alabama for fanning the flame.

Ford teaches microbiology, anatomy & physiology and one section of honors biology in the fall at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. He has taught at EMCC since 2001.