Jones College employees honored for years of service
ELLISVILLE – Forty-four Jones College faculty and staff members were recently honored for their years of service to the college during a special Employee Appreciation program. Administrators and the JC Foundation treated the Jones College faculty and staff to a picnic lunch outdoors recently. JC administrators honored employees for their service at five-year increments, beginning with those who have served at least five years.
Topping the number of service years was Teresa Welch with 30-years working as the administrative assistant for the Humanities and Athletics departments, and currently the Office of the President.
“I have been blessed to be a part of the Jones College family for the last 30 years,” said Welch. “I have made lifelong friendships and memories that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.”
Honored for completing 25 service years in 2022, were six employees. Tucker Beech works in the maintenance department and ensures delivery of every package. Stephanie Johnson enjoys teaching students social science courses. As the Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery also assists with the alumni, athletic, recruiting, and marketing endeavors and events on campus. Jennifer Powell has served in administration as the Dean of eLearning. She is currently teaching Information Systems Technology courses and serves as an FBLA advisor with business instructor, David Ray, who is also celebrating 25 years of employment at Jones College. Wendy Wilkerson’s work is visible in her floral and landscaping designs on campus and at events, in addition to teaching horticulture.
Seven employees began serving the college 20 years ago. Michael Bradshaw is the Assistant to the President for Facilities Management. April Phillips (not pictured) is the Senior Programmer in the I.T. department and Chris Robinson is the Athletic Director and head softball coach. Faculty members include Tammie Chandler-Associate Degree Nursing (not pictured); Stephanie Jones-Pharmacy Technology; Kerri Pippin-Math and Dr. Patti Smith-English.
More than 15 years ago, 16 people joined the Jones College family. Dr. Finee Ruffin began her journey as a marketing instructor before becoming the Marketing Department Director, Vice President of Marketing and currently, Executive Vice President, Chief Enrollment Management, Information Technology, and Marketing Officer. Gabe Bozeman joined the marketing department as the marketing technical assistant, with the additional duties of graphic designer. He is currently the Bobcat Print Shop Manager. Shawn Wansley was hired as the first Sports Information Director joining the marketing department in 2007.
Barry Bradshaw started his career at Jones as an automotive instructor before becoming the Division Chair and currently the Dean of Agriculture/Industrial Services. The Advanced Technology Center became home to the husband-and-wife team of Webb and Wendy Evans 15 years ago. Webb was promoted from Workforce/Facilities Coordinator to Assistant Dean of Workforce College and now Dean of the Advanced Technology Center. Wendy began as an adjunct math instructor before becoming a full time Adult Education instructor. Additionally, she was promoted to the Director of MIBEST and Workforce Coordinator. She now works as the Director of Integrated Programs as she continues to teach math. Also celebrating at the ATC is Administrative Assistant, Denise Wood.
Jo Anna Newcomb began her career as the Administrative Assistant of the Instructional Affairs Office. In 2012, she accepted the position as the Alumni Coordinator for the Jones College Foundation Office and is currently serving as the Alumni/Scholarship Coordinator. Faculty members include John Burks-Humanities; Jeremiah Estes-Biology, Margaret James-Math and Deborah Rowell-Child Care Lab instructor. Additionally, Stacy Forbes supports the college in the bookstore mailroom. Paula Harrison keeps the Fine Arts Department in “tune” with her skills ensuring every event runs harmoniously. The grounds and athletic fields are vibrant because of Brian Johnson’s skills and Marva Ransom keeps several buildings on campus clean and safe.
Celebrating 10 years of employment at JC are five people: Menyone Barrow-Greene County Navigator; Shan Cargile-AC/Refrigeration instructor; Katelyn Hutchison-Humanities Administrative Assistant; Josh Ishee-Commercial Maintenance instructor and Daryll McDonald-Wayne County Center Director (not pictured).
Nine JC employees were recognized for their five years of service including Jason Bonner-Maintenance (not pictured); Tori Brook-Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach; Amelia Cowart-A.D. Nursing instructor (not pictured); Angela Dyess-Jasper County Health Care Assistant instructor; Candace Geddie-Enrollment Management; Thomas Johnson-AC/Refrigeration instructor; Melinda Miller-Butler-Biology instructor; Tasha Reynolds-Biology instructor and Amy Townsend-A.D. Nursing (not pictured).
Each honored employee was given a special item designed for each level of achievement: 5 years-small plaque; 10 years-large plaque; 15 years-clock; 20 years-small acrylic trophy; 25 years-medium acrylic trophy and 30 years-large acrylic trophy.
Jones College offering free CEU’s for educators
ELLISVILLE – Jones College is offering free courses for educators to earn required, Continuing Education Units. Any Mississippi K-12 grade employee needing CEU’s to renew their K-12 Educator’s License, or earn additional endorsements, are eligible for one, free Jones College course. The eight-week courses are offered March 13, through May 5, 2023, at Jones College include the following:
BAD 2523 Personal Financial Management 4.5 CEU’s
BIO 2924 Microbiology 7.5 CEU’s
BOT 1623 Medical Terminology II 4.5 CEU’s
FCS 1113 Social and Professional Development 4.5 CEU’s
HPR 1213 Personal and Community Health 4.5 CEU’s
HPR 1313 Introduction to Kinesiology/Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 4.5 CEU’s
HPR 1593 Health Concepts of Physical Activity, Wellness and Nutrition 4.5 CEU’s
MUS 1113 Music Appreciation 4.5 CEU’s
PSY 1513 General Psychology 4.5 CEU’s
SWK 1113 Social Work: A Helping Profession 4.5 CEU’s
To be eligible for the no-cost CEU’s, all participants must complete a Jones College admission application at
www.jcjc.edu/apply Transcripts will be required and must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to the start of the class. Click on the website Free CEU Courses (jcjc.edu) for more information.
Eight Jones College FBLA students head to national competition
ELLISVILLE- Eight of the thirteen Jones College students that competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State competition in Columbus, Mississippi over the weekend, came home as winners. The eight JC students placed first, second, or third in their competitive events, to qualify for national competition in June, in Atlanta, Georgia. During the three-day conference, each student competed in two business-related events. The events ranged from Fundamentals of Accounting and Macroeconomics to Programming Concepts and Public Speaking.
“Eight of the students will be going to the four-day national conference and competition in Atlanta,” said Jones College’s FBLA Advisor, David Ray. “After taking a two-year club hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are excited to be back competing on the state and national level again!”
Carter Bales of Stringer landed in first place in the Client Service category. Taylorsville’s Destiny Brown earned first place in Foundations of Accounting and first place in Business Presentation. Elizabeth Blair of Waynesboro, along with Blane Graham of Stringer, and James “Austin” Stringer of Taylorsville, placed first in the Website Design team event. Graham also took home first place in Programming Concepts. Laurel’s Alondra Abad received second place in Organizational Behavior & Leadership and second place in Sales Presentation. Hattiesburg’s Robert “Mikey” Bryant placed second in Impromptu Speaking. Earning third place were Ni’riyah Bell of Laurel-Sales Presentation; Picayune native, Deshodrick Jefferson-Human Resource Management; Ethan Hammons of Raleigh-Computer Concepts; Logan Ingram of Morton-Help Desk and Jackson Jenkins of Stringer-Job Interview.
Photo Cutline: Jones College’s FBLA club members are headed to the national competition after winning nine categories in the state competition. Pictured in the front row, left to right are Robert Bryant of Hattiesburg, Alondra Abad of Laurel, Ni’riyah Bell of Laurel and Blane Graham of Stringer. Pictured in the second row, left to right is Carter Bales of Stringer, Ethan Hammons of Raleigh, Faith Collins of Heidelberg, Logan Ingram of Morton, James Stringer of Taylorsville, Elizabeth Blair of Waynesboro, Destiny Brown of Taylorsville, Deshodrick Jefferson of Picayune, and Jackson Jenkins of Stringer.
JC hosts MCTM Jr. H.S. Math Competition
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Math department along with the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics recently sponsored the district level MCTM Math Contest for Jr. High School students. Twenty-eight students from seven Pine Belt area schools spent the morning working out various math problems to earn a spot at the state competition. This is the first time regional competition was held since March 2020, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
South Jones seventh grader, Kassidy Stewart took first place with Leakesville’s Piper James earning second-place honors. Eighth-grader, Collin Windham from Northeast Jones won first place and Jeb Barnes from South Jones achieved second place. These students will continue competing on the state level on April 1, 2023 at the Mississippi School for Math and Science.
Picture Cutline winners left to right: Jones College recently sponsored the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics district Jr. High School Math contest. Winners pictured left to right are 7th grader, Kassidy Stewart-South Jones earning 1st place. Second place honors were awarded to 7th grader, Piper James of Leakesville. First place honors amongst 8th grade competitors was Collin Windham of Northeast Jones and 8th grader, Jeb Banes of South Jones earned 2nd place.
Replenish Blood Drive for Rick Bedwell, Jones College retired business instructor
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s community-wide spring blood drive will be held on Monday through Wednesday, February 27 to March 1, with two important goals. There is an increased demand for donors for various reasons, to not only replenish the local blood supply, but Jones will also be hosting a Replenishment Blood Drive honoring Rick Bedwell, a retired Jones College business instructor with leukemia.
“This blood drive is vital. Overall, nationwide we are currently experiencing an ‘emergency situation’ or blood shortage and need all types of blood,” said Michelle Anderson-Jones, Vitalant Donor Recruitment-Account Manager. “Donating locally is especially important to keep our supply levels up and before there is an emergency need.”
On Monday, February 27, the Blood Mobile will be parked at the Industrial Services Center from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. For the following two days, all blood donations will be received in the Student Union, behind the A.B. Howard/Bobcat Gym on Tuesday, February 28, and on Wednesday, March 1, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
The overall goal for the three-days is 86 units of blood stated Benji Sessums, Jones College Blood Drive Coordinator and EMT instructor. To encourage donations, T-shirts will be given to all donors and Door Prizes will be available all three days for donors during random drawings.
Vitalant strongly encourages blood donors to make and keep appointments to give blood but walk ins are welcome. Scheduling appointments can be made through the website, www.donors.vitalant.org with JC1 being the Blood Drive Code.
