ELLISVILLE – Eight members of the Jones College Livestock Show Team recently returned from the Tulsa, Oklahoma State Fair celebrating a successful trip. Advisor and Agriculture Science instructor, Leanne Kilgore and the Team with Tripp McGee-Taylorsville; Callee Knotts-Soso; Kade Lott-Hattiesburg; Amelia Thrower-Arab, AL; Annabelle Wesley-Troy AL; Tyler Lindsey-Moselle; Riley Lewis-Wiggins and Will Smith-Magee, took four bulls that are being raised on the Jones Farm to Tulsa for the first event of the year. The team came home with top showings: Champion Spring Calf-1JCA Hamley 2510; Reserve Champion Spring Calf-1JCA Polo 2512; Champion Summer Yearling Bull-1JCA Cromwell 405M and Reserve Champion Summer Yearling Bull-1JCA CABO 402M.
“We are off to a great start with our first show of the season in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” said Kilgore. “The students are doing great working with the animals every day. They have also been preparing two bulls for the Red Angus Bull sale in Raymond, that will be held on October 25th.”
The Jones College Livestock Show Team’s next competition will be at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky in November.
The Jones College Livestock Show Team, pictured left to right, Tripp McGee – Taylorsville, Callee Knotts – Soso, Kade Lott – Hattiesburg, Amelia Thrower -Arab, AL, Annabelle Wesley – Troy AL, Tyler Lindsey – Moselle, Riley Lewis – Wiggins and Will Smith – Magee are shown with their winning ribbons at the Tulsa, Oklahoma State Fair.
ELLISVILLE – On display from September 22 through October 16, in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Jones College, will be the artwork of 1988 Jones College graduate and Laurel painter, Mandy Buchanan. The show titled, “Mandy Buchanan: A Life Painted in Sunshine” will feature the bright and beautifully painted pieces of artwork and pottery on loan from community members, to celebrate the radiant artist’s life. She passed away in November 2022, at the age of 54, after enduring a battle with cancer. A closing reception will be held on Thursday, October 16, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Art Gallery on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville and is open to the public.
“Some of her friends, including Julie Brown, asked if we could show her work in the gallery. I thought this was a wonderful idea. Mandy was a prolific painter, and some members of the community have agreed to let us borrow their paintings. It’s really a treat to see a gallery full of Mandy’s paintings,” said JC Art instructor, Melanie Eubanks.
Buchanan graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with her Bachelor’s Degree in 1991 and then she earned a Master’s Degree in Art Education from the University of Southern Mississippi the following year.
Her paintings, much like her personality, bring sunshine and joy to any room where they are displayed. Buchanan’s infectious laugh and one of a kind smile are engraved in the memories of those who will forever miss her and will never forget the way she touched their lives through her talents, her gifts, and most of all her friendship. This art show is one way of remembering her and her talent.
The former educator at Laurel High School and Jones College, Buchanan, mentored many students and helped to instill and foster a love of the arts. She spent countless hours painting backdrops and stage props during her years as a teacher and also for Laurel Little Theater. Throughout the city of Laurel, murals, utility boxes, and newspaper stands boast Mandy’s artistic talents and remain treasures in the community and are reminders of her kindness, selflessness, and passion for spreading joy to others.
As a life member of Junior Auxiliary, Buchanan was recognized in 2011 with the Golden Crown Award and again in 2018 with the Humanitarian Award, representing her deep devotion to the children of Laurel and Jones County. Mandy served the Lauren Rogers Museum of Arts for many years and was a loyal contributor of her time and talents for numerous fundraisers. During her time at the museum, she served as Director of Education and founded the outreach education program.
Serving the Laurel Arts League as an active member from 1996-2006 and thereafter as a life member for many years, she demonstrated her selflessness through her dedication to Day in the Park, Heritage Arts Festival, and Very Special Arts. As a life member, Buchanan remained deeply involved in the arts league and was always willing to donate her time and talents to meet any need presented.
Mandy was a member of Crosspoint Community Church of Laurel, served on the board of Laurel Main Street, and was an avid participant in community events such as En Plein Air and Loblolly Festival. She was also a member of Mississippi Art Colony, National Association of Art Educators, and Delta Kappa Gamma.
For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call, 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.
ELLISVILLE – There’s a lot of activity on the Jones College campus as more students are heading to the Ellisville campus in record numbers. It’s been 15 years since the two-year college enrolled more than 5,000 students, but this fall the official number of students reported to the Mississippi Community College Board was 5,057. Additionally, students are taking more semester credit hours (SCH) with 63,341posted this fall.
“Since Fall 2023, Jones College has experienced nearly 12 percent in enrollment growth. We led the state in headcount growth among community colleges last fall and spring, and we are proud to see that momentum continue with even more growth this fall,” said Vice President of Enrollment, Dr. Amanda McLeod.
Classrooms like Kayla Hankins Psychology class at Jones College are filling up this fall semester as enrollment reaches record levels.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on enrollment nationwide. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith is proud of the hard work and success the enrollment management professionals have made over the years and wanted to celebrate the progress with a surprise party for Enrollment Management employees.
Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith is all smiles after reaching a record enrollment benchmark of more than 5,000 students in 15 years, with 5,057 students on campus this fall.
“I am super proud of the professionals that we have and those that work here every day. It’s not just a job; it’s a calling for our enrollment management team and that’s why we’re here. This growth also reflects the confidence students and families place in Jones College as the place to build brighter futures,” said Smith. “More students on our campus means more opportunity not only for Jones College to expand programs and invest in resources that enhance student success, but also for our entire community. Increased enrollment strengthens the workforce pipeline, fuels economic activity, and creates more opportunities for local families to access higher education and upward mobility.”
In fact, Jones College is specifically reporting a 3.5 percent increase in enrollment in its Career and Technical programs. Topping the list for most growth with 55.6 percent is the Pharmacy Technician program. Director Tracey Parker attributes the growth to offering a hybrid program which allows students to earn their Associate in Applied Science degree online in three semesters. Also transitioning to online this year is the Childcare Technology Program which saw a 14 percent increase in enrollment. The Automotive and EMT programs have grown nearly 30 percent this fall, and the Farm Ranch Management program has almost doubled in enrollment in its first year.
“Those who earn an Associate of Applied Science degree are far more likely to remain in the region and Jones College does an exceptional job preparing graduates to succeed in the job market,” explained Smith. “But too often, those graduates take their skills out of state. The solution is to equip students with skill sets and majors that lead to high-paying, sustainable careers right here at home.”
Rising enrollment amongst college students translates to the realization of the life-changing impact that education has right here at home. For more information about the upcoming enrollment in the eight-week session in October or Jones College’s programs click on the link: https://www.jcjc.edu/
ELLISVILLE – Three Jones College freshmen each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Rotary Club in Ellisville. Club members raised funds through a football weekly raffle and donations to help Landon Joy of Ellisville, Ethan Godwin of Laurel and Shelby Robertson of Moselle. Each of the scholarship recipients are related to current club members and have met the academic requirements to receive the scholarship. Joy is majoring in Business Accounting, while Shelby Robertson wants to become a cosmetologist and Godwin is enrolled in the electrical technology program at the Greene County Center in Leakesville. Each student said the scholarship will help them with college expenses. The Rotary Club has been helping students pay for higher education through its scholarship program for more than 50 years.
Ellisville Rotary Club Scholarship Chair, Ted Senften (left) explains about the club’s scholarship to Jones College freshmen, Ethan Godwin (middle) of Laurel and Landon Joy (right end) of Ellisville who each received $1,000 scholarships during the club’s weekly Monday meeting. Not pictured is scholarship recipient, Shelby Robertson of Moselle.
Written by Jones College Journalism Advisor, Kelly Atwood and David Tisdale, USM Communications
ELLISVILLE – Working together, the Jones College journalism program and The University of Southern Mississippi’s Roy Howard Community Journalism Center are undergirding fact-based, informative local news production to benefit local communities.
A proposal by Jones College journalism instructor Kelly Atwood was recently selected as one of only eight proposals from across the country for the Community College Civic Information Challenge cohort, led by Journalism + Design (https://journalismdesign.com/community-college-civic-info-challenge-south/). The organization allots $5,000 in seed funding for joint projects among state community colleges, local newspapers, and organizations. These initiatives, with additional support from other philanthropic entities, train community members for journalism roles through workforce development opportunities.
Jones College Journalism instructor Kelly Atwood reviews assignments with her students.
To date, Journalism + Design has partnered with 12 community colleges in five states, helped design journalism programs, trained more than 200 individuals, and distributed more than $300,000 in support of these projects.
Atwood’s proposal to Journalism + Design’s Community College Civic Info Challenge seeks to establish a coalition of Mississippi community colleges to offer eight-week, non-credit certificates in digital community journalism skills. The course would target community members with an interest in public affairs, focusing on journalism skills, with certificate holders continuing to engage in community storytelling. The proposal features multiple long-term goals Atwood hopes to implement, including expanding the program to additional state community colleges, forming partnerships with universities, and assisting in populating Mississippi news deserts with trained journalists.
“There are many communities with stories that should be shared, but there’s no one to cover them,” Atwood said. “Mississippi faces a critical need for community journalism due to the rapid expansion of news deserts across the state. Small hometown newspapers, particularly in rural areas, frequently lack the necessary workforce for in-depth investigative reporting. Existing media are stretched thin over coverage areas, providing limited coverage of local issues.”
Jones College is already contributing to the current national conversation on community journalism through its partnership in teaching a course developed by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at Southern Miss. The Howard Center is supported by a $3 million grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation.
As part of the 2025 cohort, Atwood, a Jones College and Southern Miss graduate, has been invited to participate in a two-day, all-expenses-paid summit to be presented by Journalism + Design this fall in North Carolina. There, she will collaborate with other cohort members to develop their projects and explore long-term sustainability and statewide implementation with the help of media leaders, community engagement experts, educators and journalists.
Accompanying Atwood to the summit is Dr. Edgar Simpson, director of the Southern Miss School of Media and Communication and architect of the $3 million grant acquisition for the Howard Center.
“Working with Dr. Simpson has inspired me to recognize and promote the role of community colleges in revitalizing journalism in our state,” Atwood said. “Two May 2025 Jones graduates, Sami Jordan (Ocean Springs) and Jacarious Roberts (Hattiesburg), worked with the Center this summer, and Sami helped with a news package that ran in national news outlets, including CNN.
“Our partnership has the potential to provide future community journalism certificate holders from the Journalism + Design grant with the opportunity to work at the Center. Dr. Simpson and I are both committed to strengthening journalism in our state and providing our communities with the resources to do so.”
Dr. Simpson said working with Atwood and the journalism education program at Jones is wholly in accord with the goals of the Howard Center.
“This collaboration with Jones is a great example of how we can leverage our resources to advance and disseminate fact-based, informative journalism for the good of our citizenry,” Simpson said. “I’m so impressed with Kelly’s enthusiasm for and hard work on this initiative, and we’re honored to support her and the students who will participate in this program.”
About the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center is dedicated to enhancing the media landscape in southeast Mississippi by prioritizing impactful, issue-oriented and people-centered reporting. Funded by a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the center combats disinformation and misinformation, fosters the development and growth of student journalists, and helps grow newsrooms across our 10-county service region. Learn more about the center by visiting its website.
