East Central Community College celebrated the achievements and legacy of its alumni during Homecoming festivities on Thursday, Sept. 25, on the Decatur campus. The highlight of the day was the Alumni Reception and Recognition Ceremony in Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium, where four outstanding individuals and several reunion groups were honored. The event was free and open to the public.
Four distinguished individuals were recognized for their service, leadership, and lasting impact on the college and its communities. Larry Blackburn was named Alumnus of the Year in recognition of more than four decades of devotion to East Central and the region it serves. From his early role as a carpentry and cabinetmaking instructor to his leadership as director of Workforce Development, Blackburn helped generations of students gain in-demand skills while strengthening industry partnerships. His service-minded approach extended beyond campus through church leadership, mission work, and long-standing support of East Central baseball projects.
Dr. Esther Bailey Smith was honored as the Alumna of the Year, representing a legacy of innovation and community investment. As head of Decatur Telephone Company, Smith advanced the vision of her late parents, Bill and Louise Bailey, guiding the transformation from switchboards to modern fiber internet and expanding access that supported families, schools, and businesses across the area. A devoted supporter of ECCC, Smith consistently provided personal and professional advocacy for college initiatives, reflecting the spirit of partnership and progress that defines the East Central experience.
Two Warrior greats were inducted into the ECCC Athletic Hall of Fame. Jake Yarborough, a record-setting baseball standout in the early 1990s, later returned to lead the Warriors to the program’s first NJCAA Division I Region 23 Championship in 2005. He went on to build a successful high school coaching career marked by 15 playoff appearances, mentoring young athletes while modeling the perseverance and character he displayed in black and gold. Shannon Cooley, a Decatur native and two-time All-State performer in the early ’90s, continued his baseball career at Northeast Louisiana University and in the professional ranks before serving more than two decades in the Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. Cooley’s dedication to team, family, and country exemplified the Warrior way—excellence on the field and service beyond it.
In addition to individual awards, the college recognized several reunion groups whose shared experiences shaped campus life and community pride. Former members of The Collegians rock-and-roll band reunited, recalling a beloved chapter of East Central’s musical tradition. The Class of 1975 celebrated its Golden Anniversary, joining fellow alumni for fellowship and recognition. Members of the Academic Hall of Fame were honored for their scholarly accomplishments, while the 2015 National Finalist Lady Warrior Softball Team was celebrated for an unforgettable postseason run that remains one of the high points in ECCC athletics. The college also welcomed back the 50-Year Club, inviting all alumni who graduated prior to 1975 to gather, reconnect, and help usher the Class of ’75 into the club. Rounding out the festivities, Alumni Band members joined the Wall O’ Sound during halftime of the football game.
