Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – She’s the 25th Director of Bands for the Jones College band program, which was founded in October 1930, with the “Typhoon” making its first “formal” appearance on February 26, 1931. Making history as the first female and first African American to hold the esteemed position as leader of the band, Tamiko Bridges has been a music educator for 25 years in the private, elementary, middle, high school and collegiate sectors. Most recently, she has been the Director of Bands/Fine Arts & Electives Department Chair at Laurel School District from 2002-2010, and 2018 until now.

“This is an open door and a groundbreaking opportunity for this young lady from the country roads of Wayne County Mississippi,” shared Bridges before an audience of her family and friends from both Laurel and Jones College. “Thank you, Dr. Smith for seeing something in me that God is already a part of and honestly, I am humbled and honored to be a part of such a great team that inspires students.”

While she has spent the majority of her professional time teaching in Laurel, Bridges is also a church musician and the Instrumental Ensemble Director at Springhill Baptist Church in Ellisville and she has served as the Minister of Music at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. Furthermore, she has taught various grade levels in Atlanta and was the Assistant Band Director at Southwest High School in Macon, Georgia. Bridges said she plans to inspire Jones College students to be the best at everything.

“I am truly encouraged to inspire you, and I will tell you my definition of inspire, influencing the next generation of students through positivity, intentionality, respect and excellence. Together we will build an ensemble of multiple genres that will both appeal and instruct,” shared Bridges. “This program at Jones has a rich history and a legacy of being the best band program and we want to continue doing what has already been established.”

Some of her accolades include being the 2023-2024 President of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, nominated for the 2025 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, a 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist, Southeast MS Band Directors Association Band Director of the Year in 2004, Star Teacher at Laurel High School 2021, Laurel High School Golden Apple Award recipient for 2023, 2024, and 2025, and her LHS band has earned Superior Ratings at the Large Group Marching Band Evaluations in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2024.

Bridges, who is a Mississippi State and William Carey University graduate will be joined by the newly announced Director of Brass, Kyle Matthees. He has been serving this last year as an adjunct instructor at Jones College while pursuing his doctorate of musical arts degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. He brings experience as an instructor at Middle Tennessee State University, Belmont University, and Lindsey Wilson University as well as performing professionally and publishing in professional journals.

“While working with the marching band last summer, I was completely impressed,” said Matthees. “So, to move into this new role as a full-time member here, it’s humbling and I’m very excited to be here. We’re hoping to add to our brass section, so we’ll be recruiting more students to get that big brass sound.”

For more information about the band program, email Tamiko Bridges at tamiko.bridges@jcjc.edu or click on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts

ELLISVILLE – Six Jones College students were selected by their peers for the special recognition to be named Gold Key recipients. Two students, Hope Houston of Laurel and Tyler Freeman of Waynesboro received the Merit/Honor Gold Key. Houston earned the All-Mississippi Academic 1^st Team honors, Hall of Fame and was recognized as a Distinguished Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Officer Team member.  Freeman is majoring in Computer Information Systems Technology and is a Hall of Fame semi-finalist.

Leadership Gold Key Awards were given to Hall of Fame recipients, Addison Thames of Petal and Daniel Baldwin of Magee. Thames is majoring in Speech Pathology and has served as Student Government Association President and is a member of PTK, the Concert Choir, JC Voices, Jones OnStage and has performed in the musical theater productions.

Baldwin is majoring in Music Industry/Recording Arts and has released his Christian single, “Instantaneous” last summer and has served as Baptist Student Union President. Along with playing the lead role in “West Side Story,” he played a supporting role in “Grease.” Baldwin has been a member of the Concert Choir, Jones OnStage and PTK in addition to being selected as one of seven Tullos Scholars.

The female Athletic Gold Key Award went to Destini Jordan. The Laurel resident has been a percussionist for the marching and concert bands, and a member of the percussion ensemble. Jordan is majoring in Culinary Arts.

Lawson Harvey of Greenwood received the male Athletic Gold Key Award. The defender was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team Scholar All-American with a 3.93 GPA as an engineering major. Last fall, he was named First Team All-MACCC after scoring one goal and getting three assists for five points. He helped the Bobcat defense post eight shutouts and allowed only 19 goals in 17 matches. During his freshman year, Harvey earned Distinguished Academic All-MACCC and NJCAA All-Academic Second Team honors. He has also been selected to the school’s academic honor roll twice.

Photos by Dannah Knighton

ELLISVILLE – Seven Jones College sophomores were selected as Tullos Scholars: Daniel Baldwin-Magee, Titus Crouch-Ellisville, Ollie Hammonds-Laurel, Dannah Knighton-Madison, Devin Lucus-Ellisville, Owen Massey-Seminary and Kate Wimberly-Sumrall. This is the college’s highest honor for the top JC students, and it includes an endowed scholarship for the recipients. All seven students were nominated by faculty members as they distinguished themselves and impressed selection committee members over the past two years.

Music Industry Recording Arts major, Daniel Baldwin has already made a name for himself in the music industry with the release of his Christian single, “Instantaneous” last summer. The Magee resident has also been busy as a member of the Concert Choir, Jones OnStage, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Theater Club with the lead role in the spring musical, West Side Story, and as President of the Baptist Student Union. He was voted as Mr. Jones College by his peers and has earned the Letter “J” Award, and Hall of Fame and has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Additionally, Baldwin leads worship for multiple ministries and regularly serves in summer missions including in Romania and Moldova. His plans after graduation include continuing his education at the University of Mobile to pursue a degree in commercial voice. His parents are Greg and Julie Baldwin.

“Being awarded the Tullos Scholarship from Jones College is a blessing I don’t take lightly,” said Baldwin. “I’m truly thankful for this opportunity and give all the glory to God for His goodness in my life! I am beyond grateful to my parents and teachers for always pushing me to strive for excellence.”

Nursing major from Ellisville, Titus Crouch was recently inducted into the Nursing Honor Society, Alpha Delta Nu and is a member of the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa. He also served as President of the Associate Degree Nursing graduating class of 2025. While at Jones, Crouch shared his musical talents studying piano under Dr. Theresa Sanchez and performing in the special Christmas with the Arts concert with his brother and Dr. Victoria Johnson.

A few of his honors include being inducted into the Hall of Fame and being nominated for the Gold Key Award for Merit/Honor and Leadership. His future plans include earning his bachelor’s degree and working as a nurse locally, with an end goal of being a nurse practitioner. His parents are Roy and Rachel Crouch.

“I was shocked because I didn’t know at all that I would be getting that honor too,” said Crouch. “All honor and glory to the Lord Jesus because that is His blessing.”

Ollie Hammonds is an accounting major from Laurel who assisted the Bobcats Athletics Sports Information Office while being a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, PTK and FBLA. Some of his honors include being a member of the Hall of Fame, earning the Letter “J” Award and being on the President’s List all four semesters. Hammonds’ future plans include attending the University of Mississippi and becoming a CPA with aspirations of working in sports broadcasting. His parents are Luke and Andrea Hammonds.

Madison’s Dannah Knighton is majoring in elementary education and specializing in general science. The Germantown High School graduate made her mark at Jones College as a yearbook photographer and assisted the Student Affairs Office. She has earned honors as a member of the Hall of Fame, Phi Theta Kappa Vice President and part of the nationally distinguished officer team, Letter “J” Award and she has been on the President’s List. She is a member of the Student Government Association, Charles Pickering Honors Institute and was selected as the Homecoming Student Body Maid. Knighton volunteers her time as a small group leader at First Baptist Church in Ellisville for the children’s ministry. Her future plans include pursuing an elementary education degree at the University of Southern Mississippi before earning her master’s degree in biology or education administration. Her parents are David and Jill Knighton.

Biology major from Ellisville, Devin Lucus, is pursuing the goal of becoming a veterinarian after earning her degree from Mississippi State University. The JC Hall of Fame recipient is also a member of PTK, FBLA and she was the 2023-2024 manager of the Women’s Soccer National Championship Team. The graduate of South Jones High School earned numerous accolades including the Lindy Callahan Scholarship, Leadership Jones County and Trent Lott Leadership Award, as well as maintaining a 3.8 GPA or higher. Kevin and Sonia Lucus are Devin’s parents.

Owen Massey of Seminary is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. The Presbyterian Christian High School Valedictorian has earned accolades at Jones College as a member of the Hall of Fame, Charles Pickering Honors Institute and Engineering Society, PTK and FBLA. After earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and minor in math and industrial engineering, Massey plans to work for a local electric cooperative or utility company. His parents are Joseph and Amy Massey.

Sumrall resident and civil engineering major, Kate Wimberly has earned honors as a member of the Hall of Fame at JC and has served as the President of the Engineering Society. While at Jones College, Wimberly was a member of PTK and the Charles Pickering Honors Institute. Her future goal includes earning her bachelors of science degree in civil engineering at MSU. Guy and Virginia Wimberly are Kate’s parents.

Requirements for the Tullos Scholarship include being a full-time sophomore, submitting a résumé with two-faculty recommendation letters, having outstanding academic achievements, being engaged in college activities, leadership positions and participating in community service. Each student received medallions and $1,000 scholarships in recognition of being named after the scholarship donors, Gene and Nada Tullos.

Gene Tullos came to Jones in 1960 on a basketball scholarship which he said gave him a jumpstart and a great foundation to begin Law School. Endowing scholarships, like the Tullos Scholarship Program was his way of returning the “favor” to the college that provided an excellent foundation for a successful career as an attorney in Smith County.

“As he made the single, largest donation ever at Jones, Gene Tullos said he wanted to recognize outstanding students from various majors who are shining stars, to recognize them and encourage them to feel special,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.  “When Gene established this Scholarship, he explained, because of the encouragement he received at Jones he felt like he could make it and be successful. In fact, Gene was a successful attorney for 50 years, only missing three days of work related to his cancer treatment before he passed away in 2016.”

For more information about Jones College, visit the webpage, https://www.jcjc.edu/

ELLISVILLE- Jones College was thrilled to be able to host WDAM-TV’s annual Top of Class 2025 recognition program with a live, “red-carpet” event. WDAM-TV news/weather personalities Elle Davis, Trey Howard and Riley Bridges, along with Jones College executive vice presidents, Dr. Tessa Flowers and Dr. Finee’ Ruffin were photographed with the area’s valedictorians and salutatorians to commemorate the special event held at Jones College. The group of nearly 100 high school students were celebrated with a day of recognition including breakfast, entertainment and inspiring comments from WDAM-TV News Director, Emily Forrester, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith, and Mississippi Senator District 42, and Jones College alumnae, Robin Robinson.

Each student was recognized and received a special, Top of Class Certificate of Achievement, commemorative T-Shirt and participated in the traditional Hat Toss while the WDAM-TV production crew documented the event to be featured during WDAM-Sunrise at 6:58 a.m., on May 12, through June 13, and on the WDAM-TV webpage.

“We always look forward to hosting Top of the Class with WDAM-TV because we get to see these bright students reach the pinnacle of their high school academic careers. Plus, we get to learn about how they have already impacted their communities and hear about their future plans which include continuing to do some great things,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Check on the WDAM-TV Top of Class website, https://www.wdam.com/topofclass/ for a schedule of when each high school’s Top of Class video will air on WDAM-TV Sunrise News.

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.