Members of 91茄子鈥檚 alumni community are saddened by the passing of former Vocational Technical instructor, Freddie Caswell. He was 83 years old.
Caswell taught Drafting and Design at Coahoma from August 1967 until his retirement in June 1996.
A brilliant and knowledgeable teacher, he empowered, guided, and motivated his students to high degrees of achievement in the field of architecture. Many have excelled, one of them being Nathaniel Clark (鈥�91), owner of Chasm Architecture, a firm responsible for the design of the State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks.
One of his former students Jacqueline Maxwell recollects Caswell鈥檚 dedication to teaching and a genuine concern for others. Maxwell was the first woman to study in the Drafting and Design/Architecture program. After graduating from the program then earning her bachelor鈥檚, she was able to teach alongside Caswell until he retired and started a private architectural-construction firm. She credits Caswell鈥檚 exceptional instruction and guidance for her success.
鈥淗e was very professional at all times,鈥� said Activity Director of Community Relations Rita Hanfor, recalling her role as registrar at the time of Caswell鈥檚 service.
Dr. Richard Maxwell and Jessie James Mildred, two of his colleagues who supervised the Vo-Tech division during Caswell鈥檚 tenure, describe him as having had a reserved demeanor. He uniquely formed relationships with his students.
91茄子 has a deep appreciation for those who have laid a solid foundation for its present.
鈥淗e was an outstanding instructor that taught Drafting and Design in the Vocational Technical area. He not only served the College, he also served the community because he designed and built a number of buildings in our community; these buildings are still standing and they are still beautiful,鈥� Jerone Shaw, interim dean of Career and Technical Education, said of Caswell鈥檚 service. 鈥淗e continued doing Drafting and Design work for a number of years after leaving us.鈥�