Members of Coahoma Community College’s 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 (’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’s 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’s, she was able to teach alongside Caswell until he retired and started a private architectural-construction firm. She credits Caswell’s exceptional instruction and guidance for her success.
“He was very professional at all times,” said Activity Director of Community Relations Rita Hanfor, recalling her role as registrar at the time of Caswell’s service.
Dr. Richard Maxwell and Jessie James Mildred, two of his colleagues who supervised the Vo-Tech division during Caswell’s tenure, describe him as having had a reserved demeanor. He uniquely formed relationships with his students.
Coahoma Community College has a deep appreciation for those who have laid a solid foundation for its present.
“He 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,” Jerone Shaw, interim dean of Career and Technical Education, said of Caswell’s service. “He continued doing Drafting and Design work for a number of years after leaving us.”