Category: Press Release

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.

ELLISVILLE – Mississippi Humanities Council Assistant Director, Carol Andersen presented Jones College English instructor, Tim Morris with a check for being selected as the Jones College 2022-2023 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year. He will be honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council in Jackson, on March 24, 2023.

“I am very honored to be selected as Humanities Teacher of the Year for Jones, and I enjoyed sharing my passion for The Epic of Gilgamesh, to the Jones College community and family recently,” said Morris, a JC English and World Literature instructor. “The plot intrigues me because as the term ‘epic’ suggests, it is a huge story filled with exciting adventures, but at its core is a man who learns to appreciate his own humanity.”

After his presentation, Morris was presented with an acrylic award to commemorate the honor by Jones College’s Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Tessa Flowers and Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

ELLISVILLE – Ellisville artist, Russ Farris invited several of his sixth and seventh grade art students from Northwest Meridian Middle School to his “Art Talk” at Jones College to expose them to his art and to also be around other art students. Additionally, he explained, exposing young artists to college artists will hopefully encourage the middle schoolers to include art in their future endeavors.

“I wanted my students to meet the college art teachers and to see there is an entire department just for art. I also wanted to show them how to express themselves through their art, as I have done in mine and to teach them not to be afraid to express themselves and to stay true to who they are,” said Farris.

The Jones College art majors and the budding artists from Meridian were inspired and some were relieved to hear Farris share that all art doesn’t have to be “Fine Art.” Drawing outside the lines or differently from what he thought others wanted or expected him to draw, Farris said allowed him to discover the true artist within himself.

“I want to encourage (JC’s and my students) in their pursuit of art and to show them that there are opportunities to make money at art because it’s possible now, more than ever to not be a ‘starving artist.’ I’ve sold a lot of this comic book style art, even the stuff that’s kind of weird. I’ve been very successful, and I credit that to spending more than five minutes on it and actually putting something of myself into it. You’ve got to have fun with it and enjoy creating. Art must come from within. Don’t do what you think someone wants or expects,” implored Farris.

As a comic book lover and collector since childhood, Farris combines the elements of comic books with other pop culture and rock music elements to create something fun and entertaining. The former, award-winning cartoonist for a local newspaper, and now middle school art instructor has spent decades pursuing his own style of art. Inspired by artists whose work was also more cartoon style, like Sean “Star Wars” Stewart and Daniel Johnston, Farris said helped him discover the style of art that also made him happy. Since his first exhibit at Jones College in 2010, his artwork has evolved. A glimpse of that evolution is on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery until February 17.

“I was a cartoonist, and I was having a lot of fun. I was doing something that meant something to me; not what I thought someone else wanted to see,” explained Farris. “The point is, when you’re making stuff, creating art, you have got to put something of yourself in to it. You have got to make it real and if you do that, other people are likely to enjoy it too.”

After discussing the possibilities in the field of art with the college students, Farris’ young art students toured the Jones College art department. He also treated them to a charcoal drawing lesson in the college classroom and lunch in the college student union.

“My students were excited mostly about going back for seconds in the cafeteria and having the choice of ice cream for dessert,” laughed Farris. “However, I deeply appreciate Melanie Eubanks and Mark Brown for inviting me back to Jones College to share my art and for allowing me to bring my students. Everyone made us feel so welcome, and left us with a fantastic, memorable trip!”

For more information about the JC art show or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Wednesdays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. If you want to know more about the Jones College Art Department, go to the JC Art Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.

ELLISVILLE – To commemorate Mississippi Arbor Day on Friday, February 10, the Ellisville Garden Club and several Jones College horticulture students planted a red maple tree in memory of Sandra Wright who passed away, July 9, 2022. Recording Secretary and Arbor Day Chairman of the Ellisville Garden Club, Sandra Shows and members of the organization paid tribute to the EG Club member,  Ellisville realtor and owner of Magnolia Real Estate, who also taught math and served as division chair at Jones College for 31 years. The tree and plaque are located near the Lake and Walking Trail on the Ellisville campus, across from Jones Hall.

Additionally, Ellisville Mayor Lynn Buckhaults announced during the dedication ceremony that Ellisville is once again recognized as a Tree City USA, due in part to the Ellisville Garden Club’s efforts.

ELLISVILLE – Jasper County sophomore and junior high school students recently toured Jones College’s Jasper County Center in Bay Springs with the intention of discovering their future career paths. While some students are ready to execute their educational plans to land their dream job, most need some inspiration and exposure to possible opportunities. Students had the chance to meet the instructors and current students, as well as get in the driver’s seat of a tractor trailer used to train future commercial truck drivers. Heidelberg’s RaiShunda Smith even learned what it felt like to shift gears with CDL instructor, Lee Balliet guiding her through the process.

“That was really cool! There are a lot of gears on that truck which was kind of fun getting to see how it’s done and being able to really practice in the parking lot,” said Smith.

Students also learned about the expanded Precision Manufacturing and Machining program, the Lineman Academy and the Practical Nursing program, which were all recently added to the Bay Springs campus.

“We want to be able to offer our residents the training and education they are seeking, and the industry is demanding. If there’s a necessity for more practical nursing classes offered at different times or with modified schedules, we’ll find a way to make it happen,” said Jasper County Center Director, Grant Crowder. “We’re excited to be able to expand our programs and provide more possible avenues for our residents to be successful.”

Other programs offered at the Jasper County Center include adult education, computer training, commercial truck driving, basic life support/CPR and EMS training, welding, and basic academic courses like Western Civilization and Psychology. For more information about the Jasper County Center, call Navigator Sonya Ready at 601-477-5473 or 601-764-9393 or email, sonya.ready@jcjc.edu. More information can be found on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/locations/jasper-campus/