Category: News

ELLISVILLE – Jones College students have returned to campus for the traditional campus life experience, including face-to-face classes. The fall semester began August 10, with all University-Parallel (academic) courses being taught completely online through Friday, September 4, to help lessen the spread of COVID-19. While some career and technical students and some students taking medical courses cautiously met on campus for the last month, most students waited until after the Labor Day holiday to return to campus. Students entering campus are still required to check-in at one of the 21 Health Stations before going anywhere on campus, including dorm rooms. Most students like Greene County’s Joshua Cook said they don’t mind the extra level of protection.

“I have loved being back on campus! I’m so thankful Jones is taking every precaution to give us a safe and enjoyable school year!” said the sophomore business major from Leakesville.

Like Cook, sophomores, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville, and McKay Lee Bray of Leakesville are happy to be back living on campus and taking face-to-face classes. They said their science labs and classes are better “in person” but they appreciated the extra efforts their instructors made ensuring they were successful in their virtual learning.

“I am really glad to be back in class, seeing my teachers,” said Bray. “Jones’ science instructors did a great job of handling and overcoming the additional challenges of providing lab experiences, safely. I also appreciate they were open to our suggestions and that is what I love about Jones! They really want you to succeed!”

The biology majors, Bray and Crowder said they also really enjoy taking early morning strolls on campus before their classes.

“This is a return to ‘normal’ for us, waking up on campus in our dorm room, enjoying a walk around the lake before classes. I’m really excited to be back!” said Crowder.

Classes requiring face-to-face instruction and hands-on training, are meeting in smaller groups and students are spaced six feet apart in classrooms. Check out the Jones College website at www.jcjc.edu for more information.

ELLISVILLE – The University of West Alabama is giving Jones College students extra incentives to become UWA Tigers upon completion of their associate degree at Jones. UWA’s new partnership with JC guarantees admission for Jones students who have a 2.0 GPA and 45 transferable credit hours or an associate degree from Jones College. Other perks include scholarships and one-on-one advisement for Jones students.

“We are offering very personalized advising before Jones students move to the University of West Alabama. They will know what courses to take, when and with whom. We want to make their transfer seamless, by taking a lot of pressure off students when they’re moving to a new location. In fact, we are incentivizing the transition by beefing up our academic scholarship for this kind of a partnership,” said UWA President, Dr. Ken Tucker.

Jones College students with a 3.0 GPA are now eligible for a renewable, $3,000 to 4,000 scholarship for up to four semesters. Additionally, these students qualify for a unique $2,000 Housing Scholarship for the first year. Tucker hopes the Housing Scholarship will encourage students to live on campus.

“We’re urging students to continue their education with financial support. Research shows the more education you get the more successful you will be and the more money you will make. It all leads to increased success throughout life,” said Tucker.

After the presidents signed the new Memorandum of Understanding, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith gifted Dr. Tucker with a unique Scotsman Heirloom hammer made by Jones alumnus, Ben Napier, who stars with his wife and Jones alumna, Erin in the HGTV Hometown TV series. Smith said the hammer is symbolic of building relationships, which he looks forward to building a great relationship with the University of West Alabama.

“Offering pathways beyond Jones is very important for our students,” said Smith. “What UWA is willing to invest in our students, and what they’re doing is, opening their doors. It is a perfect, natural fit because they focus on a student-centered approach to education just like Jones. Our students will feel like they’re a part of something special at UWA and they’re being taken care of like they are at Jones.”

Career and Technical graduates of Jones College also have opportunities to segue into four-year technical degrees, like industrial maintenance and engineering technology. President Tucker said these programs are hands-on, application-oriented as opposed to just pure theory. He also noted UWA’s Nursing program will be expanding to include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree beginning in January.

“Jones students who qualify for these scholarships will be exempt from out of state tuition, for another financial incentive for them to afford college. Jones has such an excellent reputation and we want to encourage more Jones College students to come to UWA,” said Tucker.

For more information about the incentives for Jones College students contact Brenda K. Jones, the University of West Alabama Transfer Admissions Counselor-On Campus by calling her office at 205-652-5431 or cell phone at 205-651-2322 or by email at BJones@uwa.edu.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College students who want to meet in person for classes will be able to do so come Tuesday, September 8. The hybrid format allows students to meet in small groups that rotate based on an instructor assigned meeting pattern. Students enrolled in fall 2020 classes should check their Canvas course shell for face-to-face small group meeting assignments. All Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs will continue in small group meeting patterns after the Labor Day holiday.

“It will be great to have students back on campus. However, we want to remind everyone, our efforts to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus will continue. Face coverings are required on campus along with physical distancing protocols and daily health checks,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

All Jones College students and employees are required to download “Power Apps” to complete their daily health checks. In addition to stopping at one of the 21-Health Stations across campus daily, including everyone meeting at the Jones College County Centers, temperature checks will be required for anyone accessing the campus in Fall 2020.

“It is encouraging to see our students are not giving up on their educational goals and are committed to completing their degrees. Our enrollment has remained level, with 4,893 students enrolled. That is down by only four-one-hundredths of a percentage point from last fall. Students are also taking about the same number of credit hours to stay on track for completing their degrees with 65,136 credit hours being taken by our students,” said Executive Vice President, Finee’ Ruffin.

When the fall semester began on August 10, all University-Parallel (academic) courses at Jones College were taught completely online because of the high rates of the Covid-19 virus in the Pine Belt reported by the state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs. Smith said because the rate of infection has gone down because of everyone’s diligent efforts, more students will now be able to come to campus for face-to-face classes.

Jones College is also offering 8-week classes beginning October 19, in addition to 4-week classes beginning November 16. Apply online at www.jcjc.edu/apply.

For a list of campus health screening stations or how to download the required app, visit https://www.jcjc.edu/fallreturn/.

ELLISVILLE – Soon after Laurel Police Chief, Tyrone Stewart’s passing in January of 2019, his family began the process to endow a scholarship at Jones College in his memory. Even though Stewart never attended Jones, his family had many connections to the college. His wife, sister, nephew, nieces, and cousins attended Jones College. Tyrone’s daughter, Jasmine was dually enrolled at Jones College and Northeast Jones High School. His brother Kim is currently a member of the Campus Police at Jones College after serving on the Laurel Police force with Stewart. The family said they attended their niece, Sha’Kira’s graduation at Jones College and were impressed.

“We were amazed to see the tremendous growth and the number of graduates from the Laurel/Jones County area,” said Stewart’s sister, Brenda Weathersby. “We feel Jones College has and will continue to prepare students to be leaders, leaders who will do their part to make positive contributions in the world, and perhaps like Tyrone, make Laurel their home and contribute to the city’s growth and goals; to pay it forward.”

After attending Alabama State University in 1994, Stewart returned to his hometown and worked for the Laurel Police Department for 22 years. Rising through the ranks, Stewart quickly went from patrolman to detective in three years. As Laurel Mayor in 1999, Susan Vincent promoted Stewart to Sergeant, then Lieutenant in 2002, and Captain in 2005. A year later, newly elected Mayor Melvin Mack promoted Stewart to Deputy Chief before promoting him to Interim Chief of the Laurel Police Department in 2011. The Laurel native and Northeast Jones graduate was officially appointed by Laurel Mayor, Johnny Magee in 2012, to Police Chief of the City Beautiful, which he faithfully served in that position for eight years.

“His dream was to see his children (Jasmine and Justin) and local children graduate from college, thrive, give back and become leaders. The Chief Tyrone Stewart Memorial Scholarship is being created in his honor to pay tribute to his memory and to keep his legacy alive,” said his wife Catrina Stewart.

Laurel and Jones County public school students majoring in law-related fields such as criminal justice, law enforcement, forensic science, or law, will be eligible for the scholarship. Recipients will also be required to have a 2.5 GPA, participate in extra-curricular activities or sports, volunteer in the community, be of good character and possess leadership abilities. Initially, the family’s goal is to provide two, Jones College freshman each a $500 scholarship and one sophomore a $1,000 scholarship to use for tuition, books, supplies, room and/or board.

“Tyrone Stewart’s family understands the importance and the impact education has on an individual. As they work to establish, The Chief Tyrone Stewart Memorial Scholarship through the Jones County Junior College Foundation, Inc., this scholarship has the potential to benefit a lot of people in addition to the future scholarship recipients,” said Executive Director of JCJC Foundation Inc., Joel Cain. “In this case, the scholarship recipient could impact everyone living in the community where the recipients work to enforce the law. This is exactly what Chief Stewart spent a lifetime doing professionally. We are proud to assist the Stewart family in their efforts to inspire others to serve their communities in a similar role as Chief Stewart.”

While rising through the ranks of the Laurel Police Department, Stewart was recognized by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for his work in various roles of the department.  He was praised by Federal Judge William Barbour for his role involving a double homicide/kidnapping and in 2006, Stewart’s work helped solve the 1985, murder case of seven-year-old, Cookie Dean. All the Laurel Mayors Stewart served under had nothing but praise for his work in the community, as well as his leadership.

“He knew how to deal with people, how to diffuse things. He was fair to everybody. He was a good man,” former Mayor Melvin Mack told the Laurel Leader Call when asked to comment on Stewart’s passing.

In that same January 28, 2019, story by the Laurel Leader Call’s Sean Murphy, Mayor Magee also shared about Stewart.

“He always talked about growing up in the projects, then going on to get his college degree and going into a career in law enforcement….It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you wind up. He showed that example every day,” said Magee.

Stewart would often say, “To protect and serve. At the end of the day that is what it’s all about.” Reportedly, when he was not in his office, he was out in the community checking on his staff, citizens, businesses and schools. Stewart would often stop by the schools unannounced to visit with students. Being of service to others was his life calling and his purpose.

“He was a new patrolman when I became mayor…(and) he was already a leader finishing the Jackson Police Academy with the top award. Tyrone was my son and I was his second mom,” said former Laurel Mayor, Susan Vincent at Stewart’s passing. “I rode with him on the night shift many times. He was a proactive officer which wasn’t always popular…. He was tough, diplomatic, funny and loving and was well respected in the community…. Job well done, Tyrone.”

Family members said Stewart believed everyone should do their part to leave a positive mark on the city and community. Hometown star and Jones alumnae, Erin Napier noted in her blog in January 2019, some of Stewart’s contributions. She lauded Stewart for holding toy drives for kids in need at Christmas and giving his personal cell phone number to everyone in town so, “they would always feel taken care of.”

Stewart is also credited with beginning the LPD “Fill-A-Truck” campaign to collect food and monetary donations for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry and he was nominated by the Justice Department as Chairman of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

“We hope the scholarship inspires a spirit of giving back and helping others in any way you can,” said Weathersby. “We also hope the scholarship relieves some of the financial concerns that a family or student might have and we hope students looking for a ‘service or public servant’ career will choose a career in the study of law or criminal justice.”

Stewart’s family has made strides to fully endow the Chief Tyrone Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund to begin offering scholarships this fall at Jones but need help. Family members are inviting the public to send their tax-deductible contributions towards the endowment of the Chief Tyrone Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund, to Jones County Junior College Foundation, Inc. at 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, Mississippi, 39437, or contributions can be made online at https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/giving-support/. Please designate donations to the Chief Tyrone Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund. Should you have any questions, please contact Lee Graham in the JC Foundation Office at 601-477-4145.

ELLISVILLE – As health and education officials contemplate how to hold classes and have a fall sports season safely, the Jones College Bobcat Math League has also weighed the options. After careful consideration and consultation with JC administrators, BML Commissioner and Jones College math instructor, Dr. Jessica Bunch has announced the popular high school math competition will be postponed. Considering current events surrounding COVID-19 and in an effort to protect the health and safety of our high school students and JC college referees, the Bobcat Math League will be suspending this year’s competition.

“We are sad to embark on a fall without a season of Bobcat Math League competition. We will miss seeing the rivalry and support our high schools, coaches and players have for one another. We look forward to continuing the Bobcat Math League competition when it will be safe for everyone involved — hopefully, in the fall of 2021,” said Commissioner Bunch.

Typically, about 20 high school teams travel to high schools throughout the Pine Belt with the goal of reaching the Bobcat Math League Finals in November. At this time, the Bobcat Math League competition is planning to return to competition during the fall of 2021. The sports league style competition launched during the fall of 2012 from the original, one-day Math Bowl competition in 2008. Jones College is hopeful the math competition will be able to resume when conditions are safe.

For more information, contact Dr. Jessica Bunch at jessica.bunch@jcjc.edu or 601-477-5422.