Month: February 2020

 ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s theater production of “Mamma Mia!” will have you singing the ABBA tunes of the ‘70s and ‘80s while enjoying the Greek Islands during three performances on the Ellisville campus. The musical opens with Sophie, played by Olivia Pippin of Laurel, sending out wedding invitations. Sophie’s mother Donna, played by Lauren Hankins of Laurel, was the lead in a pop group, “The Dynamos” in her younger years. She raised Sophie at the Inn she manages on a secluded Greek Island. JC theater instructor and musical producer and director, Dr. Jennifer Bruton said as the wedding guests arrive, the chaos begins, and the family mystery unravels.

“‘Mamma Mia!’ is widely known for its popular music, originally written and performed by ABBA. Many of the songs are familiar and have entertained audiences of all ages. It’s hard to resist the urge to get up out of your seat when you hear ‘Take a Chance on Me,’ or ‘Dancing Queen!’” said Dr. Bruton. “The musical is one of the Top 10 longest-running shows on Broadway and the West End, it has toured around the world, and it was made into an extremely popular movie. The show features a large cast, great singing and energetic choreography.”

The 22-member cast of Jones College students will have three performances open to the public on Friday & Saturday, March 27 & 28, at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. in the M. P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium on the JC campus in Ellisville. Tickets are $5 for children 17 and under and $10 for adults with free admission for JC students and faculty with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door. The movie version was rated PG13, however parents should use their discretion for children younger than middle school. For more information, please contact Jennifer Bruton at 601-477-2675 or email her at, jennifer.bruton@jcjc.edu.

Playing her “dream” role as Sophie, is a newcomer to the JC theater, Olivia Pippin. However, the JC sophomore has been involved in numerous Northeast Jones High School productions, including Grace in “Annie Jr.” and Gertie in “Larceny and Old Lace.”

“One of the most challenging things about playing Sophie is unlocking a vulnerable facet of myself that I typically don’t interact with. Sophie is an incredibly complex character who combines the utmost femininity and emotional capacity with lighthearted vivacity, courage and bravery. It is a welcome challenge that brings out the best in me.”

Sophie’s mother Donna, played by Lauren Hankins, is also no stranger to the stage. She played Velma von Tussle in JC’s musical production of Hairspray last spring and has performed in more than 50 productions around Jones County. The Northeast Jones High School graduate played Fiona in “Shrek: The Musical” and Pinky Tuscadero in “Happy Days.” Hankins said her character is also a dream role she wanted to portray and is thrilled to be acting alongside her best friend and daughter in the play.

“Donna literally can embody a teenager in an older woman’s body. It’s hilarious to see her go from serious to super easy going with her girlfriends.  She can be so overly dramatic and it’s so much fun to portray,” said Hankins. “Donna’s songs are definitely the hardest part about playing her. So much emotion, so much power and so many lyrics!”

One of the three men in Donna’s life that is creating some of the drama is Harry Bright, played by sophomore, Lane Smith of Columbia. In JC’s “Hairspray” last spring, Smith enjoyed the role of playing the father to the star of the show. This spring, he plays one of the three men who could be Sophie’s father.

“Harry is very different than most of the other roles I’ve played in the past. He is very much like me because he is very quirky, dependable and a really nice guy,” said Smith. “The most challenging thing about playing Harry is his British accent. I have a huge Southern accent and it has been difficult for me to keep the voice for the entire performance. Each night, I get better.”

For a look at rehearsal pictures, find the Facebook page, Jones College Musical Theatre.

Cast of Mamma Mia!

Erin Biglane, Ellisville-Ensemble

Coriana Carmichael, Laurel- Ensemble

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven-Ensemble

Alexander Dailey, Buckatunna-Bill

Ty Evans, Laurel-Eddie

Cameron Glenn, Ellisville-Ensemble

Peyton Griffin, Ellisville-Pepper

Lauren Hankins, Laurel-Donna

Khalil Herron, Laurel-Sky

Peyton King, Petal-Rosie

Kyra Lampley, Petal-Tanya

Faith Lewis, Silver Creek-Dancer

Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel-Ensemble

Jalin Phillips, Waynesboro-Ali

Olivia Pippin, Laurel-Sophie

Katelyn Powell, Petal-Ensemble

Josarah Slover, Laurel-Lisa

Lane Smith, Sumrall-Harry

Janna Swanner, Taylorsville-Ensemble

James Smith, Hattiesburg-Sam

Krimel Chandler, Liberty-Ensemble

William Crook, Madison-Stage Manager

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s psychology instructor, Stephanie Green has been selected as the Jones College 2019-2020 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year.  She will be honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council and the college on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium.  The public is invited to see Green’s presentation, “Happiness Without Prozac,” which will discuss the keys to happiness.

“Everyone wants the keys to happiness. We read self-help books, attend counseling and take medications trying to find the secret to a happy life.  This presentation will examine the factors involved in happiness and discuss the similarities of the happiest people in the world,” said Green.

The Laurel resident has been teaching Psychology and Human Growth & Development classes at Jones for 22 years. Previously, she worked in Nashville, Tennessee as a mental health therapist for four years working with teenagers in a psychiatric setting. However, Green said she loves teaching more than anything else. Her Social Science Division Chair, Dr. Ronald Bishop said her students benefit greatly from her wisdom and love for her profession.

“Stephanie Green is a phenomenal and beloved teacher. She truly has students at heart, and that shows in how students respond to her.  She is a friend to all, especially dogs.  She is conscientious and devoted to making the world a better place through education. She is a natural choice for Humanities Teacher of the Year, and the award is much deserved,” said Bishop.

The Mississippi Humanities Council will recognize Green as JC’s Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year during this special presentation in Ellisville, and again in Jackson at a banquet where she will receive a cash award and a plaque.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to receive this award. I remember being a Jones student and learning so much in my psychology classes. It is humbling to now be recognized as a teacher at the school I loved as an 18-year-old. I still feel that same pride and can’t believe I get to do this as a job. I love this school and the people I work with. They are not just colleagues but truly some of my best friends,” said Green.

Other honors Green has received include being recognized in 2019 as one of five JC faculty members nominated for the Faculty of the Year Award. In 2015, she was honored as the Social Science Teacher of the Year and in 2011, she was selected as a Jones College “Lamplighter.”

The 1989 Jones graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Rehabilitation Services and her Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from USM where she graduated with Honors. She is also a National Board-Certified Counselor.  Additionally, Green did extra graduate coursework in psychology at William Carey University in 2001 and at Delta State University in 2012.

She serves the Laurel community as a board member for the Laurel Animal Rescue League and is the Fundraising/Event Coordinator for the Dixie Golf Association. At Jones, Green is a Philosophy Club Co-Sponsor, an advisor for the freshman life skills course, Psychology of Personal Adjustment and she is a member of the Academic Probation Committee. She has served as the Sophomore Breakfast Committee and as a Class Homecoming Float Sponsor.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s newspaper staff won the General Excellence award, as well as a total of 31 awards at the annual Student Better Newspaper Contest, held with the O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit at the Hilton Jackson Feb. 7. This is the 12^th consecutive year the Radionian student newspaper has earned the top award in the state.

First-place awards were given to Jordan Butler and Baylee Walter for best editorials; Bailey Morris for best feature story; Rayia Bilello for best sports photo; Karmen Davidson for best news photo; Heidi Boot for best news story; Jordan Butler for best general interest column and for best cartoon; Dylan Jones for best sports news; and best graphic, best front page and best investigative package. Hannah Chaffee had a clean sweep with first, second and third place in sports features.

Second-place awards were given to Bailey Morris for best feature photo and best general news photo; Tori Ellis, best general news story; Dylan Jones, best sports news story and best sports column; Michael Blanks, best general interest column; Rayia Bilello, best sports photo; best advertisement; best layout and design, best cartoon and best investigative news package.

Third place awards were given to Tori Ellis, best general news story; Olivia Ward, best sports news story; Karmen Davidson, best general news photo; Bailey Morris, best website; best advertisement category and best graphic category.

Last March, the college’s newspaper, the Radionian, won first place in the two-year newspaper category at the annual national College Media Association David Adams Apple Awards. The newspaper will compete again this March.

The newspaper is taking applications for next fall. Students interested in joining should contact advisor Kelly Atwood at Kelly.atwood@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Office of Student Affairs will be hosting its annual Black History Leadership Program on Thursday, February 27, at 10:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. in the Home & Health Auditorium on the Ellisville campus. The public is invited to attend this free event to hear a performance by members of the JC Concert Choir directed by Dr. Joel Dunlap and the keynote speaker, Dr. Angel Brutus, who serves as the Director of Counseling and Sport Psychology and is a member of Mississippi State University’s Sports Medicine and Performance team.  She will speak on the event theme, “Transform for a Purpose.”

“I believe Dr. Brutus has the experience and expertise to help our campus community ‘Transform for a Purpose’ as we all strive to become the best version of ourselves,” said event coordinator & Jones College’s Assistant to the President for Leadership Training, Dr. Samuel Jones. “I believe Black History is all about learning from the past, envisioning a better future and implementing those triggering insights in the present as we live our lives as students and employees at Jones College.  In order to make the world a better place, it’s important to start with ourselves.”

Dr. Brutus provides clinical and performance enhancement services to address MSU’s sports culture. Her training includes Licensed Professional Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counseling and Sport-Performance Psychology. She serves as co-chair for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s (AASP) Nominations Leadership and Development Committee, Former Co-coordinator for the Association’s Race & Ethnicity in Sports Special Interest Group (SIG) – member of additional SIGs (Women in Sport, Eating Disorders in Sport, Adaptive Sport & Physical Activity) and she is an active member of other committees within the Association (Ethics and Community Outreach). Dr. Brutus recently secured designation as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) as recognized by AASP. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association as well as the American Psychological Association, where she currently serves as junior program chair for Division 47 and secretary for Section 2 – Performance Psychology.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her three daughters, husband and mother, engage as a community volunteer with philanthropic organizations targeting at-risk youth and mentoring students interested in pursuing careers in the helping profession.

ELLISVILLE – The University of South Alabama’s “Pathway USA” partnership with Jones College has established more ways for Jones students to earn a bachelor’s degree. South Alabama President, Dr. Tony Waldrop said the partnership benefits everyone involved but most importantly, we’re expanding access to four-year degree options for the residents of South Mississippi and South Alabama.

“Pathway USA will enable more Jones College students to receive a degree from the University of South Alabama and provide these students with an earlier involvement in USA activities,” said Dr. Waldrop. “South Alabama has educated generations of Mississippians who are making positive impacts on their communities. We’re very excited to build on that success by bringing Jones College into our Pathway USA family.”

To ensure the direct admissions process is a smooth transition for Jones students, a University of South Alabama advisor will be assigned immediately upon signing up for the Pathway USA program. Additionally, USA officials announced a financial incentive to help ensure Jones students earn a bachelor’s degree at South Alabama.

“Students who sign up for the Pathway program will receive a South Alabama Pathway ID that will allow them to access resources at the University of South Alabama like athletic events and library privileges…. For those students with a 2.75 GPA at Jones, you’ll qualify for an academic scholarship at the University of South Alabama and they will guarantee in-state tuition,” said Dr. David Johnson, USA Provost and Sr V.P. for Academic Affairs.

The Pathway USA agreement also gives applicants to the USA who are not admitted, the option of enrolling at Jones College. If a Jones College student transfers without an associate degree, they will be eligible for the Reverse Transfer program allowing Jones students to receive an associate degree in the future. Additionally, Jones College graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are eligible for additional perks as a result of the University of South Alabama’s College of Nursing’s first collaborative agreement with a community college, under the new Pathway USA partnership.

“When you get into your 4th and 5th semester of the (A.D.N.) program, you are eligible to take one course online at South Alabama while you’re completing your coursework in that 4th semester. In the 5th semester, you are eligible to take two courses (online). You will then have completed 12 credit hours of the baccalaureate degree prior to completing your associate degree. When you complete your associate degree, including the 59 credit hours of prerequisite coursework and you have completed and passed the NCLEX and are board-certified, you can complete the bachelors of nursing program at USA in one semester,” said Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Alabama, Dr. Heather Hall.

For second semester JC Associate Degree Nursing student, William Russell from Columbia, the early acceptance program for Jones graduates in the A.D.N. program, is very appealing. With aspirations of becoming a nurse practitioner, Russell will have to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing. He said being able to complete most of his bachelor’s degree in nursing online while at Jones is the most rewarding benefit because USA’s new agreement will enable him to realize his dream much sooner.

“This partnership not only decreases my time in school, but it also offers a more affordable route. This opportunity is much cheaper than any other institution in Mississippi. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope to participate in it in the future!” said Russell.

Jones College Director of Nursing, Erin Knight is encouraged these opportunities offered at the USA will encourage more nursing graduates to earn bachelor’s degrees and more.  Dr. Jesse Smith, Jones College President encouraged Jones College’s nursing students to take action towards their destiny.

“The opportunity given to you today, in addition to the opportunities Jones offers you are really going to make a profound difference not only in your lives, but it will also make our communities better. We’re going to be able to provide better health care. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity, students,” said Dr. Smith.

For more information about the Pathway USA program, Jones College students can contact Rachel Jefcoat in the Enrollment Management office by calling 601-477-5446 or email, rachel.jefcoat@jcjc.edu. Also, persons wanting additional information on Pathway USA or the College of Nursing Early Admission Program are urged to contact USA’s Office of Admissions at 251-460-7834 or email, Recruitment@SouthAlabama.edu.

About the University of South Alabama: The University of South Alabama is a global teaching and research university that provides more than 14,000 students with an exceptional education in business, the liberal arts, education, engineering, computing, the sciences and healthcare. USA’s commitment to student success includes small class sizes and hands-on research opportunities in more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs offered through nine academic colleges and schools. South also provides advanced and innovative healthcare through USA Health. For more information, visit the University of South Alabama website, www.SouthAlabama.edu.