Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Jones College held its annual “Retirement Tea” for at least four of the employees who are retiring this year, Mary Boleware, Stephanie Johnson, Stacy Ruth and Dr. Patti Smith. When combined, these four instructors provided almost 108 years of service to JC with some having additional years of service working at other professional/educational institutions.

During her 25 years at Jones College, Mary Boleware has served as a Science instructor, Engineering Club Advisor, and JC Alumni Officer, in addition to serving on numerous committees. Stephanie Johnson has taught Psychology classes for the last 28 years while Stacy Ruth has been teaching Sociology classes for the last 32 years. Dr. Patti Smith has been teaching English courses and she has led the Quality Enhancement Plan over the past 23 years.

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 spring brunch and awards ceremony. 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 Melinda English from Environmental Services and Art instructor, Melanie Eubanks with 30-years of employment at Jones College.

Four employees have accumulated 25 years of experience working at the college, including Greg Bulter-Workforce College, Amy Hinton-Paralegal instructor, Dustin Holifield-Business Instructor and Amie McQueen, who has served in Student Affairs, Alumni Affairs and Athletics.

There were four employees honored for completing 20 service years of service in 2024 including Julie Atwood-Dean of School of Humanities and Social Science, Jessica Martin-Financial Aid, Dr. Benji Sessums-Emergency Technology Paramedic Program Director and Healthcare Simulation Center Director and Dr. Susan Smith who has served as the Fine Arts Division Chair, director of various vocal ensembles and a music instructor.

Only two employees, Michelle Gaddy-Business Office and Dean of the School of Science and Technology, Eric Shows completed 15 years of service at Jones College.

Eleven employees began serving the college 10 years ago. They are the former Human Resources Director and current Housing Director, Dr. Luke Hammonds; Associate Band Director and music instructor, Dr. Lindsey Keay; Enrollment Counselor, Deidre Maddox; V.P. of Enrollment Management, Amanda McLeod; Cyber Security Manager, Clint McMullan; Maintenance, Doug Messemore; Pharmacy Technology instructor, Tracey Parker; Enrollment Counselor, Tamara Parrish; Radiology instructor, Mandy Pearson; Paramedic instructor, Eric Williams and Welding instructor, Ethan Wimberly.           

More than five years ago, 20 people joined the Jones College family. The honorees include Enrollment Counselor, Stephanie Bey; Greene County Center Director, Alan Cook; Wayne County Center Administrative Assistant, Curley Davis; Enrollment Counselor, Rhonda Emmons; Associate Band Director, Josh Frans; Fitness Center Director, LaVon Jones; Childcare instructor, Brooke Knight; Marketing Project Manager, Allyson Knotts; Assistant A.D. for Sports Information, Kevin Maloney; Music Industry instructor, Matt McGuffie; Business Office, Laurel Musgrove; Enrollment Counselor, Ashtyn Nixon; Head Football Coach, Lytrel Pollard; Jasper County Center Administrative Assistant, Keri Read; Clarke County Center Director, Reggie Richardson; Bookstore Manager, Lisa Sims; Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith; Welding instructor Matthew White; Associate Degree Nursing instructor, Kristina Wilkerson  and Clarke County Center Student Navigator, Jessica Wood.

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; a medium sized acrylic trophy is given to those with 25 and 30 years and employees with 35 or more years, receive a large plaque. 

ELLISVILLE – Six Jones College Associate Degree Nursing students were inducted into the Nursing Honor Society, Alpha Delta Nu, Gamma Mu Chapter at Jones College. These students, Titus Crouch of Ellisville, Katie Edwards of Rose Hill, Josephine Evans of Waynesboro, John-Thomas Skyler Reeves of Laurel, Shannon Smith of Carson and Jonnah Walters of Ovett, were honored by the JC A.D. Nursing faculty, family and friends during a special induction ceremony recognizing their achievements.

Requirements for induction into the Nursing Honor Society include having a “B” average in all nursing courses with no repeats, complete a capstone project prior to graduation and demonstrate conduct on campus and in clinical areas which reflect integrity and professionalism.

Membership in Alpha Delta Nu provides recognition for academic excellence, potential for scholarships to continue education, and is a quality addition to students’ professional portfolio. Danielle Matthews and Allyson Turner are advisors for this chapter. The graduation/pinning ceremony for all of the A.D. Nursing program’s spring 2025 graduates will be Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

ELLISVILLE – Three Jones College flute majors had the opportunity to get a “Masterclass” from Dr. Brianne Little, after she performed as the featured guest performer in the JC Spring Recital Series. The Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette thrilled the audience with her performance of “Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise,” “Feathers and Wax” and “Flute Sonata ‘Undine’ I. Allegro,” before offering performance changing tips to Jones College music students.

Sophomore, Sophie Wansley from Ellisville performed for Little and then received suggestions like changing her embouchure, or mouth shape and jaw placement to get a richer tone. Little also offered ways to enhance her breathing during the personal and short lessons to improve flute performance.

Dr. Brianne Little is a First Prize winner of the 2018 Vienna, 2019 Paris, and 2019 London Grand Prize Virtuoso competitions and the 2018 Golden Classic Music Awards International Competition. She has performed in Italy, France, and England in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Amphithéâtre – Cité de la Musique, in Paris, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, and the Haydnsall in Eisenstadt, Austria. In July 2019, she performed as Guest Principal Flutist with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Santa Cruz de La Sierra in Bolivia.

ELLISVILLE – Almost all of the 660 students that applied and completed in the summer/fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters that are eligible to graduate are planning to participate in the 97th annual Commencement Ceremony at Jones College. Graduates and guests will hear from Retired Colonel Craig Ziemba as the keynote speaker for graduation held on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be held outside on the North Lawn of Jones Hall.  

This ceremony will also mark the third class of the new Middle College Program at Laurel High School with 12 students earning both their high school diploma and an associate degree from Jones College. These students, Emeri Cooley, Robert Jackson, Deborah Johns, Taeveon Mackey, Landon McMillan, Isabelle Terry, Madison White, Donald Williams, Jamel Knight, Da’d Pigford, Brenda Santiago and Deandre Winn, finished their high school requirements simultaneously while attending college courses to complete a two-year degree.

Friends and family are welcome to support graduates by attending the commencement ceremony with seating on a first-come-first-serve basis. Graduates will receive either an associate in arts degree, associate in applied science degree, associate of science, associate of science and technology, a technical certificate, or a career certificate. To watch the ceremony live, check the website:http://www.jcjc.edu/   For questions specifically regarding the 2025 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

Keynote speaker, Retired Colonel Craig Ziemba, is a native of Pensacola, Florida, and a distinguished pilot, accomplished author, and passionate advocate for humanitarian causes. After earning his degree from LeTourneau University, Colonel Ziemba launched a storied aviation career in the U.S. Navy, flying the A-6E Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, and T-45 Goshawk during combat deployments aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Eisenhower.

Prior to 9/11 and while transitioning to the Air National Guard, Colonel Ziemba flew an array of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, piloting the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-27J Spartan, RC-26 Condor, and MC-12 Liberty. A specialist in High Value Targeting, he authored the tactics manual that guided thousands of successful enemy kills and captures. His leadership extended to commanding at multiple levels and directing large-scale war games modeled on real-world global crises to strengthen U.S. and allied force readiness.

In his “encore” career, Colonel Ziemba flies Gulfstream jets, devotes time to writing and works in the ministry. He actively supports pro-life and anti-human trafficking initiatives and serves as a liaison to the Hispaniola Baptist Orphanage in the Dominican Republic. His books, 37 Near Death Experiences, Life’s Emergency Procedures, and 27 Combat Lessons for Life, reflect a life shaped by courage, faith, and service.

Col. Ziemba has been recognized for his career of valor and excellence with numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.