History of Meridian Community College

Founded in 1937 as the "13th and 14th grades" at Meridian High School, Meridian Community College is the only one of Mississippi’s 15 public community colleges to originate through the initiative of the local school system. MCC began as the vision of Dr. H.M. Ivy (1884-1977), superintendent of the Meridian Separate School District in the 1930s. The College, then known as Meridian Junior College, operated at Meridian High School until 1965 when the College moved to its present location.

In 1970, the College merged with the historically black T.J. Harris Junior College as a result of a federal court order to the Meridian Municipal Separate School System. More than 400 students joined the MJC campus from Harris that year.

Meridian Junior College made its final break with Meridian Public schools by establishing its own district and Board of Trustees in 1980.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the College changed its name to Meridian Community College to more accurately reflect the diversity of opportunities it provides for a growing community area.

Dr. William F. "Bill" Scaggs became MCC’s first official President in 1968 and served in that capacity until the fall of 1998. Under Dr. Scaggs’ leadership, the College engaged in an impressive capital improvements program, adding several buildings to its physical plant and continuously expanding its occupational and academic programs. He guided the establishment of The MCC Foundation, and became one of the state’s leaders in educational technology. Upon Dr. Scaggs’ retirement, MCC’s baseball facility was named "William F. Scaggs Field" in recognition of not only his considerable contributions to the College but also his abiding love for the nation’s pastime.