Jones College student earns MS Radiological Society Scholarship

ELLISVILLE- Jones College radiologic technology graduate from Heidelberg, Malik Rashad Porter received a $400 scholarship from the Mississippi Radiological Society. Porter’s scholarship was based on the MRS’ requirements for recipients which include having a high academic achievement, being of sound moral character and having a financial need.

“Malik was an outstanding student while in the program and I know he will be an asset to the imaging profession. I appreciate the Mississippi Radiological Society for providing this opportunity for Radiologic Technology students in the state of Mississippi,” said Jones College’s Radiography Program Director, Mandy Pearson, M. S. R. T. (R).

Porter was also honored to be voted as the “Clinical Student of the Year” by the staff at the colleges’ six, clinical affiliates. The part-time radiologic technologist is currently employed at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel and at Magee General Hospital.  Porter plans to continue his education to complete a Bachelors of Radiological Sciences through the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Photo by Megan Clark

Jones College enrolls students for “Kids’ College” summer camp

ELLISVILLE – First through six graders will have the opportunity to check out college this summer as a part of Jones College’s Kids’ College summer camp.  Campers will gather Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The $95 non-refundable tuition includes all supplies and snacks.

Kids’ College courses include Food Science, Zoology: Animals Up Close and Personal, Art, Survey of Science and Physical Education.

Limited space is still available for some grades. For more information, email program director, Missie Meeks at missie.meeks@jcjc.edu or check out the webpage at www.jcjc.edu/camps.

 

21 Jones College Associate Degree Nursing students are ready for the next step 

ELLISVILLE – Whether it’s continuing their education or working in a medical facility, 21 Jones College students earned their Associates Degree in Nursing and are ready for the next step in their lives. The graduating class captured a piece of history with a group photo of everyone before they departed from the two-year college.

Pictured in random order are: Courtney Bass, Columbia; Jessica Byrd, Hattiesburg; Madelyn Cooley, Laurel; Kaitlyn Cox, Ellisville; Karrigan Eidt, Natchez; Megan Fewell, Mendenhall; Emily Frometa, Richton; Carlie Guthrie; Hattiesburg; Andrew  Hargrove, Ovett, MS; Lauryn Hicks, Laurel; Katelyn Ekes (Hinton) Laurel; John Holland, McLain, MS; Jessica Ingram, Mt. Olive; RaNeisia Jordan, Hattiesburg; Kristi Kavanaugh, Hattiesburg;  Brandi Logan, Hattiesburg; Marli Malone, Richton; Kimberly Graves (Miley), Purvis; Bethany Poole, Ovett; Leigh Stubbs, Collins and Dalton  Walley, Petal.

 

Jones College’s Keynote Speaker, State Auditor, Shad White to graduates: “own” your destiny  

ELLISVILLE – At the 92nd Annual Spring Commencement Ceremonies at Jones College, Mississippi’s 42nd State Auditor, Shad White challenged graduates to “own” their destinies, work hard and set a course towards achieving their goals. The University of Mississippi graduate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science and is a Truman Scholar and a Rhodes Scholar. Additionally, White earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Harvard Law School and has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He shared with the nearly 700 Jones College graduates and guests at the two ceremonies, that with all of his education, White was confident he would be successful in his pursuit of making positive, public policy working on the East Coast.

However, he realized his success was dependent upon something else. While explaining the difference between independence and ownership, White shared, “No one will sacrifice for you or work harder to find success than yourself.” While being independent has its benefits, White explained, “If you have taken ownership of your own life, you won’t want to sleep through the alarm clock because you know that would stand in the way of your goal.”

While watching his dad work hard all day as an oilfield pumper in Sandersville, as well as being the current Mayor and former alderman of Sandersville, White learned through his dad, it was also his responsibility to give back to his community. However, the Northeast Jones High School graduate said he discovered not all service was created equal.

“I watched my friends embark on careers with a similar goal of (myself), making a difference in public service. Many of them, within a short amount of time started to realize that their ability to make change depended not just on their willingness to work hard, but also on whether their boss had enough political power to make change happen,” said White.

The Auditors’ “lightbulb” moment forced him to change his thinking. Instead of working in Washington D.C. he returned to Mississippi to take ownership of his life. His admiration of former Congressman, Alan Nunnelee inspired him to volunteer for his campaign. After sweeping floors, White was given bigger responsibilities that eventually caught the interest of current Governor, Phil Bryant, and earned his appointment as State Auditor in 2018.

“We both had a passion for policy that helps working people….  He had served as state auditor and we both had a passion for law enforcement and stopping corruption,” White said. “I realized that I needed to set a goal and make sacrifices to achieve that goal (even if I would be) making a little less money than I would otherwise, working much longer hours, sleeping less, (and) tending some random landlord’s tomato garden, that I got lucky and met Governor Bryant. There’s truth in that old adage that, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Non-traditional Jones College graduate, Carolyn Holifield identifies with that old adage. The 71-year-old and Bell South service representative retired after 35 years but still felt called to “do something.”  She plans on returning to Jones in the fall because she wants more than her associate in arts degree in general studies.

“I appreciate education so much. It is important for everything.  An education changes the way people look at you, even though it doesn’t change your self-worth. I realized I want to do more. I may come back for a degree in paralegal, culinary arts or real estate,” said Holifield

One Greene County graduate and the Student Government Association president, Jared Woullard is also known for taking ownership of his future. He pursued greatness throughout his two years at Jones College as Freshman Class President before earning the confidence of his peers to be SGA president. Woullard also served as a Bobcat Brigade student ambassador and he was a member of the Presidential Student Advisory Task Force, the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Jones Concert Choir, a Tullos Scholar, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team, and he was elected Mr. JCJC.  As a result of his hard work, college administrators allowed the engineering major to begin a new tradition. At future commencement ceremonies, the SGA President will have the honor of carrying the College Mace as part of the procession of administrators and special guests.

“I was so excited!! This was such an honor and I’m humbled to be the first one to start this new tradition,” an overwhelmed Woullard exclaimed. “I just can’t believe this happened!”

While taking ownership of your life is a recipe for finding a fulfilling career according to White, he cautioned graduates to also focus on relationships.

“My relationship with God, my relationship with my wife, and my eight-week-old baby give me a sense of power and purpose that I need, too.  So do the things that will make your career a success, but also know that your life outside of work requires just as much dedication as your life inside it.”

White concluded by announcing his desire that the new, Jones College graduates who received either, an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate or a Career Certificate will stay in Mississippi as they pursue their callings in life.

Jones College students earn honors at the Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association competition & workshop

ELLISVILLE-Three Jones College students earned honors at the Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association’s annual competition and workshop hosted at Holmes Community College. The competition included seven categories: Poetry, Fiction, Drama, Creative Nonfiction, Literary Essay, Best Professionally-Printed Journal and Best In-House Journal. Community college students participating in the competition could earn scholarships and honors, like Rickey Cole of Ovett, Kara Lowe of Mize and River Cade Howell of Soso. Accounting major, Howell was selected as the first place winner in the Literary Essay category for his essay, “A Mother’s Manipulation.”

Jones College English instructor Tim Morris explained, “River’s work was so impressive to the English Chairman at Belhaven University that he offered River a $2,000 scholarship. He noted Howell’s exceptional use of grammar and punctuation.”

Also submitting a literary piece that judges noticed was Jones College’s Ricky Cole with his creative nonfiction entry, “Come on Jack, Let’s Go,” which took third place honors. In the Poetry division, Kara Lowe’s entry, “On What I Dream About,” earned an honorable mention award.

Judges of the competition included Dr. Don Hubele, English professor and chair of the Belhaven University English Department; Paula Lambert, literary and visionary artist and author; Phyllis W. Seawright, assistant professor of communication/theater at Mississippi College; Michael Farris Smith, award-winning author, and Marshall Ramsey, author, syndicated-cartoonist, radio/television host and editor-at-large for Mississippi Today.

For more information about this year’s MCCCWA contest and awards, contact MCCCWA President Dr. Andrew Kelly at akelly@holmescc.edu.