Home » Paul Harris and Lon Mann honored by ginners

Paul Harris and Lon Mann honored by ginners

Mar 18, 2005 8:02 AM, By Hembree Brandon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two long-time members of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association have been honored with memorial scholarships for students at the Cotton Ginning Management and Technology Course at Mississippi State University.

Presentations were made at the SCGA’s annual banquet held at Memphis in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

George Paul Harris, Farmers Union Gin, Senath, Mo., and Lon Mann, McClendon Man & Felton Gin, Marion, Ark., were the honorees. Accepting were Mr. Harris’ wife, Becky, and Mr. Mann’s son, Bill. Mr. Harris died in November 2003 and Mr. Mann in December 2003.

“These men served the ginning industry well and made many contributions to their communities, to agriculture, and to the numerous organizations to which they belonged,” said Chris Clegg, SGCA president, who announced the scholarship awards. “We are honored to recognize their service and their influence on all they touched.”

Recipients of the scholarships will receive $3,200 stipends for one year of study.

In addition to yearly scholarships in honor of deceased members, SCGA has, since 1996, sponsored 13 students in the Mississippi State University curriculum, noted Tim Price, association executive vice president.

Each student receives $3,200 per year for the four-year program.

Additionally, he said, since 1994, the association has contributed $10,000 annually for support of the Cotton Ginning Management and Technology program, for a total of $100,000.

“We’re going into our 16th year of support for the MSU program, through scholarships and direct contributions” Price said.

“Over the past 36 years, the association has granted $115,200 in memorial scholarships. Adding direct support of the MSU program, SCGA contributions will total $220,000 by the end of this year.

“Our members feel this is an excellent way to honor deceased ginners and to invest in the future of our industry by training new gin managers and operators.”

The Southern Cotton Ginners Association is made up of member associations in Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

e-mail: hbrandon@primediabusiness.com