Shortly after being named dean of Co-Lin Natchez in 1997, I met with Carolyn Vance Smith to discuss the future of the Natchez Literary Celebration, later named Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC).

Smith was retiring  from Co-Lin Natchez as public relations director and English instructor, but she had agreed to continue to coordinate the successful and growing NLC event for a “few more years.”

Eighteen years later, I recognize how fortunate we have been to have Smith co-chair the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration for a total of 26 years.

Creating this prestigious conference in Natchez could not have happened without her guidance and enthusiasm.

Her vision and leadership have been the source of 26 years of outstanding literary and cultural programming for the celebration.

Smith founded the Natchez Literary Celebration after attending a similar conference in Austin, Texas, in 1989. With the support of the administration and staff at Co-Lin Natchez, the first NLC celebration was held in 1990.

Smith partnered with numerous organizations and individuals throughout the next 26 years, embracing a different theme each year.

Each theme added a new dynamic and texture to help make the NLCC a popular and award-winning event.

Smith was meticulous in planning for each conference, and she worked hard to bring recognized scholars, writers, and performers to Natchez each year.

Through the years, Smith developed a network of volunteers, friends, and others who supported the NLCC with their time and financial gifts.

She also sought outside grants and established partnerships with Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Natchez National Historical Park, City of Natchez, Adams County Board of Supervisors, and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

Smith also led the effort to write and then secure matching funds for a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant that continues to provide critical financial support for the NLCC.

I know Smith would be the first to tell you that she could not have been successful in her leadership role with the NLCC without support and involvement of a lot of people, including her extended family.

Throughout the years her husband, Marion Smith, their children, Emily Henderson and Will Smith Jr., and her parents, Harriet and William Vance, supported her efforts. Additionally, her many personal friends were always “on call” when needed.

Smith will be stepping down as co-coordinator of the NLCC after this year’s event. On behalf of Copiah-Lincoln Community College and friends of the NLCC, I want to extend a special invitation for you to join us for a reception in Smith’s honor at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Natchez Foundation, located at 108 S. Commerce St.

We will continue to plan for the 2016 NLCC in her absence, but it will be nearly impossible to replace Carolyn Vance Smith’s energy and enthusiasm for the NLCC.

She is no doubt another one of our extraordinary Mississippians, and we are grateful for her years of service to the NLCC.

 

Ronnie Nettles is president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College.