“Day of Giving” exceeds expectations at Jones College

ELLISVILLE- Bad weather and the numerous holiday activities could have distracted many from contributing to the Jones College Day of Giving. However, this years’ donations exceeded the expectations of the Jones College Alumni Foundation. The Foundations’ fundraising effort, which continued past the National Day of Giving, netted $108,325.66, which coordinators are amazed and very thankful for its generous donors.

“Last year, $71,000 was raised to help the Foundation support the college in its educational endeavors. The number of new scholarships endowed this year is what put us way over the top. These new scholarships not only memorialize or honor someone, but they also create a legacy which lives on through the college and its students,” said Amie McQueen, Jones College Assistant Vice President of Advancement.

Diane Bohannon Smith of Laurel was one of the JCJC alumni who gave in a big way this year. The 1975/76 JCJC football cheerleader chose to honor her brother, Dennis Bohannon on this Day of Giving by endowing a scholarship in his honor. Bohannon taught math at West Jones High School and coached girls soccer for 26 years in addition to compiling the high school football stats every Friday. The former JCJC baseball and football player passed away November 7, 2020, prior to being named a Jones College Honor Alumni in 2018. Both of Bohannon-Smith’s two kids attended Jones College. Diane thought establishing the Dennis Bohannon Athletic Memorial Scholarship would be the best way to honor her brother’s legacy.

“Dennis just loved kids, Jones College, and he was all about community. He was a businessman and opened and managed the KarmelKorn Shoppe/Popcorn Place in the mall with our parents, for 28 years,” said Diane. “Dennis and I came to JCJC a year apart. He loved Jones and he gave to the Alumni Foundation faithfully. For decades he gave a donation of $85.22 monthly which were his football and baseball jersey numbers. He thought it was important to support the college and donate.”

Amie McQueen, Howard and Rebecca Patrick and JoAnna Newcomb

Also giving in a “big way” was Howard Patrick of Ellisville. The 1977 JCJC alumnus endowed a scholarship in memory of his favorite JCJC history teacher, John R. Klem III. Currently teaching history at South Jones High School, Patrick explained Mr. Klem had a major impact on his life. He died in the line of duty as a Forrest County Deputy in 1985 at the age of 44.  Klem taught history in addition to being a craftsman, a pastor, a law enforcement officer, a husband, and a father to three children.

“I wanted to endow this scholarship in Mr. Klem’s memory and in his honor. Maybe his legacy will continue here at Jones College, and it will mean as much to some other folks as Mr. Klem meant to me,” said Patrick. “I always loved history, but Mr. Klem just made it much more interesting. Now, I’ve been teaching history for 22 years and I try to emulate him.”

Every donation, large and small, makes a difference. Jones College students sold bow ties and covered the Bobcat statue on the Pedestrian Plaza hoping to “pay it forward.”

Aubrey Register and Cody Lowe

Foundation scholarship recipient and freshman at Jones College, Aubrey Register of Ellisville shared, “I have a Foundation Scholarship which paid for my tuition. I think everyone should be a part of this Day of Giving event. It’s a great college offering great opportunities for students.”

This was the third year Jones College participated in the national Day of Giving event in an effort to continue the mission of the Jones College Foundation, Inc. While the Day of Giving focuses on donations during one day, the Foundation accepts tax deductible donations all year online at https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/giving-support/ or by calling the Foundation Office at 601-477-4145.

“Day of Giving” at JC equals opportunities

ELLISVILLE-The first official “Day of Giving” at Jones College was in 2019, as an all-day event on campus to encourage faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to help grow and continue the mission of the Jones College Foundation, Inc. Three years later, JCJC Foundation’s coordinators believe a “Day of Giving” is even more important and is an opportunity to teach students about the importance of giving.

“The Bobcat Brigade students will be selling bow ties, in honor of Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith who enjoys wearing bow ties. A one-dollar donation to purchase a bow tie will help dress up the Bronze Bobcat in the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza,” explained Assistant Vice President of the JCJC Foundation, Amie McQueen.  “Students are still in need of scholarships and assistance now more than ever. However, this year, we wanted to offer a fun way for our students to participate in giving.”

Securing the Foundation’s mission to help the college continue to thrive as well as supporting the non-profit as it extends assistance to the college, starts with the faculty and its students. Different departments are “fun-raising” as we join together in a one-day effort to raise funds to help ensure the future of our students and the institution.

“Last year, $71,000 was raised and it made a direct difference in 500 students’ lives with scholarships,” said V.P. of Advancement, Joel Cain. “Donations, large and small, help our students, staff, faculty and the college as a whole and this Day of Giving proved to be the best opportunity for everyone in the community to help its neighbors,” Cain said.

The main purpose of this concerted effort has two goals explained Cain: Build awareness of how the Jones College Foundation serves our students and our communities and second, to show how easy giving can be for our alumni and friends.

“Giving at Jones College directly benefits the students through scholarships, hardship assistance and even classroom and lab modifications. Everything raised is invested back into our students, faculty, staff and community in some way. Whether it’s an education, professional development, or anything vital in helping us carry out our mission, the JCJC Foundation is here to offer assistance.”

Alumni and friends are usually the first sources for assistance and that’s why many university foundations utilize similar giving events to support both large and small needs within their community. However, if you didn’t attend Jones College, many discover Jones touches their life in some way. Whether it’s through the Jones College students working in hospitals helping with your care during their clinicals and as employees after graduation, or the many professionals who become teachers, business owners, pharmacists, musicians, welders, engineers, or inventors, Jones College touches communities throughout the U.S. and the world.

Jones College athletes playing in national and regional competitions are gaining a world perspective from those experiences, while sharing their Jones experiences. The Foundation also supports the Fine Arts and many other departments on campus with various endeavors while enhancing education.

The ‘Day of Giving’ is an opportunity for anyone to help Jones College continue to offer excellence in education and inspire another generation to share the vision Jones College established in 1911. Tax deductible donations can be accepted online at www.jcjc.edu/dayofgiving on Tuesday, November 29, or by phone at 601-477-4145, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., or by stopping by the JC Alumni and Foundation Office in Jones Hall on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville.

To keep track of the progress and when we reach various goals, follow us on social media at Facebook-JCJC Alumni and Foundation, Instagram (jc_foundation_alumni/) @jc_foundation_alumni/,   Facebook-Jones College, Jones College-Twitter. For more information contact the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145.

PRVEPA’s “Round Up for Education” awards 23 scholarships to JC students 

ELLISVILLE – Twenty-three Jones College students are able to continue their college education with tuition assistance from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s “Round Up for Education” scholarship program. A check for $11,500 collected from PRVEPA members who rounded up their bills each month was divided amongst the Jones College students who each received a $500 scholarship.

“This scholarship really helped me with the opportunity to stay on campus,” said Patrick Smith, an engineering major from Oak Grove. “It’s convenient living on campus and I think it’s helped me with my grades by staying connected to others on campus. I’ve enjoyed the campus activities too.”

In all, 187 community college students from PRVEPA’s 12 county district received a financial boost this fall, thanks to the generous spirit and support of the Association’s members. For the last ten years, members who signed up for the Round Up for Education Scholars Program round up their bills to the nearest dollar each month, providing scholarships to 2,025 students. Scholarships are available to members who do the round up, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen in community college each fall.

“The Round Up for Education program is an example of how electric cooperatives, and their members can improve their communities through education,” said PRVEPA CEO/General Manager, Matthew Ware. “Education is vital to improving the future for all of us in south Mississippi.”

Additionally, Will Arinder from the Improve community of Marion County said he’s very appreciative of his scholarship but he’s even more thankful for the technology PRVEPA offers its members.

“PRVEPA’s fiber internet is extremely fast and that’s helped us out a lot! We had the slow satellite internet before, and the fiber internet is a whole different world which helps in school, playing video games and streaming videos. I appreciate the scholarship along with the fiber internet,” said the forestry major.

The more than 52,000 meters served by PRVEPA has provided more than $2 million collected and deposited in an account overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future use. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants, with 187 students each receiving a $500 scholarship.

“Getting this scholarship pays for school, which feels good. I’m very thankful for this opportunity!” said psychology major, Aliyah Watts of Sandy Hook.

Amazingly, donations under $12 a year from members rounding up their electric bills have enhanced the lives of thousands in the region.

“Sometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents, can make the biggest impact in our communities,” said Ware. “While it may not seem like your spare change can do much, when combined with the generosity of your fellow Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member and improve the quality of life in our communities. Working together is the cooperative way and that can make a big difference.”

Scholarship recipients this year include 111 students from PRCC, 41 at MGCCC, and 23 at Jones College with an additional 12 students attending four other state community colleges. Overall, students came from 21 different high schools and homeschool programs. Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, each year go towards next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2023 scholarships will be available beginning in November.

Jones College’s Christmas Choir Concert benefits Ellen Young Gunn Steinway Project

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s Collegiate Chorale will be performing selections from the Christmas classic, Messiah with a full orchestra and several alumni as a benefit for the Ellen Young Gunn Steinway Project. The Friday, December 2, concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium with $10 tickets sold at the door.

“The Ellen Young Gunn Steinway Project will allow us to be an all-Steinway school,” said Bruce Smith, Jones College Assistant Dean of the College of Art, Music, and Performance. “What this means for our students at JC is that all of our instruments will be of the highest quality, and they will get the opportunity to play on the finest instruments.  This will help our students be successful and bolster their confidence in many ways.”

Smith believes the Benefit is also a tribute to the piano teacher, Ellen Young Gunn, whose skills enriched the region as she shared her talents with a generation of budding musicians. Part of the evening concert will include two, Jones College piano instructors, Dr. Victoria Johnson and Dr. Theresa Sanchez performing a four-hand piano arrangement of “O Holy Night.” Additionally, other special guests will be performing for a spectacular night to enjoy the Season of Christmas and Ellen Young Gunn’s contributions to the community, along with the future of the music program at Jones College.

For more information about the JC Fine Arts programs or the Ellen Young Gunn Steinway Project call 601-477-4203. Follow Jones College’s School of the Arts, Music, and Performance on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts and on Twitter.

A “Jones College Christmas” and Tree Lighting event to help Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program

ELLISVILLE – Jones College is inviting the public to celebrate the Christmas Season with the annual Tree Lighting and Salvation Army Toy Drive, on Thursday, December 1. Beginning at 6 p.m., the Christmas Tree Lighting will take place outside on the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza with Christmas carols and performances from small ensemble groups, the Maroon Typhoon Colorguard and Touch of Gold dancers.

“The annual lighting of the Christmas Tree has been a fun and festive time, and we will continue that tradition again in 2022. This event will feature some of your favorite popular Christmas songs performed by the JC Jazz Band, Jones Onstage, JC Voices, and a few other surprise guests that may include a man from the North Pole!” said Bruce Smith, the Assistant Dean of Jones College School of Art, Music, and Performance

Admission to the special musical performance and Tree Lighting event is a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the Salvation Army in an effort to bring a bit of Christmas cheer for kids in the Pine Belt.

“We want to stress the purpose of our Christmas production is to provide toys for children who normally may not have much of a Christmas. We hope our local angels will be able to give a Santa filled sled full of gifts with a little help from our audience,” said Smith.

Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in our area this Christmas.  Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.

For more information, call the Jones College of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/