Starkville Academy names new building after Allene Springer
Members of the Springer family joined Starkville Academy faculty and board members on Tuesday, February 7 for the formal beginning of the construction for the school’s new building to be named the Allene M. Springer Center for Recreation and Performing Arts. (Photo by Cal Brown, SDN)
Shortly after Starkville Academy immediately began work for its new building, the school just received a naming gift.
Members of the Springer family joined Starkville Academy faculty and board members on Tuesday, February 7 for the formal beginning of the construction for the school's new building to be named the Allene M. Springer Center for Recreation and Performing Arts.
This past fall, Starkville Academy had announced plans to build a new Recreation and Performing Arts Center due to the school's student enrollment increasing by 27 percent over the past six years, which was seen as an opportunity for the school to enhance its campus and programming.
After a couple months of fundraising, Starkville Academy was finally able to break ground for the new facility after successfully raising the $1 million needed to start construction. But Edward “Ed” Springer donated a naming gift to the recent fundraising campaign in memory of his late wife and to honor her many years of dedication to the school.
Allene Springer began working at Starkville Academy as a first-grade teacher in 1970, fulfilling that role at SA for approximately nine years. During
her time as a first-grade teacher, she was promoted to elementary lead teacher and acted as a liaison between the elementary school and the headmaster. In 1978, she became the first elementary principal at SA, and during her years at SA, she became known as “Mother Superior” to her beloved teachers.
“We are beyond excited to begin construction on our new multipurpose building, and the fact that it will be named for a lady and a family who have been such an integral part of Starkville Academy from the very beginning till now only makes it that much more special,” said Jeremy Nicholas, Starkville Academy Head of School. “We cannot thank Mr. Ed and the entire Springer Family enough for their amazing generosity, and we look forward to the wonderful opportunities that await our students.”
One interesting fact that Nicholas pointed out to those in attendance on Tuesday is that from the time that Starkville Academy opened its doors until today, there has always been a Springer attending or working at the school.
One important program
board, the co-op has had to navigate its way through the many challenges and changes the electric industry has encountered. He has always represented the membership well, while striving to balance the business needs of the cooperative,” she added.
4-County's Board of Directors presented Seitz with a framed resolution of appreciation.
Dodds, a longtime businessman and poultry farmer in Oktibbeha County, lives in Starkville with his wife, Haley.
Dodds is a graduate of Mississippi State University, with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture Dairy Production.
He is active in his community, serving as board member for these area organizations: Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau, Oktibbeha County Co-op; Sessums
Water Association; and the 4-County Foundation.
“We're excited to have Russell join the 4-County Board of Directors. He is a successful business owner and an excellent servant within his community, and he will bring the same commitment to the Association,” Clark said.