Month: May 2022

PHOTO-Pictured seated left to right is Director of Honors in Action Project, Rebecca Speights-Silver Creek; VP of Leadership, Abby Parker of Laurel; VP of Scholarship, Acacia Rodriguez-Clinton; VP of Service, Emma Shows-Soso and Secretary, Macy Malone-Laurel.  Pictured standing left to right is College Project Director, Ivana Bishop-Waynesboro; VP of Fellowship, Will Hendry-Bay Springs; Historian, Brady Collins-Heidelberg; Southern District Representative and VP of Membership, Wyatt Reid-Laurel and President, Mya McLain-Waynesboro.

ELLISVILLE – After going virtual for the first time over the last couple of years, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s conference for two-year colleges held its first in-person conference this spring in Colorado with four Jones College representatives participating. Southern District Regional Officer and VP of Membership-Wyatt Reid of Laurel, College Project Director-Ivana Bishop of Waynesboro, VP of Scholarship-Acacia Rodriguez of Clinton, and VP of Fellowship-Will Hendry of Bay Springs, returned to Mississippi with chapter rewards for their collective efforts.

At the International “Catalyst” conference, Jones College’s Rho Sigma Chapter earned the Top 50 Distinguished College Project award. Also, the group earned the Top 39 Distinguished Chapter honors based on the College Project and Honors in Action rankings/scores combined.

“To put this in perspective, being a Top 39 Distinguished Chapter in PTK’s international membership is phenomenal! There are more than 1200 chapters across all the PTK membership,” explained PTK Advisor and JC Assistant Dean of the College of Science, Eric Shows.

At the Regional Conference, the College Project which established the first PTK Alumni Chapter at JC earned third place honors overall. The Honors-in-Action project, focusing on documenting Laurel’s history from an industrial perspective placed 6^th overall and 1^st place in the theme category. The chapter also earned Top 3 Distinguished Chapter in the Region. Reid was also elected to hold a regional officer position as the Southern Mississippi District Representative.

“It is uplifting to know that despite the limitations of Covid-19 over the last couple of years, we’re still doing well as a chapter,” said Shows. “All of our work is rewarding but these honors validate not only our work but also our success in selecting projects that have resonated with the PTK leadership.”

Honors in Action Director, Rebecca Speights of Silver Creek, explained the group is very proud of the work they did documenting how the timber industry in Laurel shaped the city and how it impacted the world. Jones County was also a railroad hub with city leaders deciding to build the city around the railways played a major part in the success of the timber industry.

“We recorded information provided mostly by the Executive Director of the Laurel Museum of Art Director, George Bassi, explaining how the industrial revolution affected Jones County and its impact globally. He was an invaluable resource to the success of the project video which can be found on the Jones College Phi Theta Kappa Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JCJC.Phi.Theta.Kappa,” said Speights.

The Jones College students admitted their only regret was not having more time to interview the founding families and share more of Laurel’s story.

Individually, Mya McLain of Waynesboro was selected to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team and Shayna Clark of Petal was chosen for the All-Mississippi Academic Second Team. These JC students competed with more than 1,800 nominations from each of the 15-community colleges. As part of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s annual academic and workforce competition, each student submitted an essay, answered discussion questions, and described their leadership roles and activities while in college.

The highest-scoring nominees from each of the 15 two-year colleges earned First Team All-Mississippi honors and $500 scholarships provided by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. All team members received special medallions, certificates, and printed resolutions from the Mississippi Legislature.

ELLISVILLE – Sixteen Jones College faculty and staff members were recently honored for their accomplishments in the workplace over the previous year.  The Employee Appreciation Awards began in 2004 with funds contributed by retired JCJC President, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and the college’s Foundation, Inc. Finalists were selected and interviewed by the Faculty and Staff Recognition Program’s Selection Committee. Prior to the employee recognition program, a picnic lunch and games were provided by the college and the JCJC Foundation Inc.

“Celebrating accomplishments and offering an afternoon of fun and fellowship is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for making Jones great,” said Joel Cain, VP of Advancement and Athletics, and Dean of Students. “We wanted to honor and appreciate all of our employees who have worked especially hard through a challenging year.”

The Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established five years ago to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession stands out amongst their peers. Wayne County Center Director, Daryll McDonald and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith were both selected as recipients of the 2022 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence.  McDonald has been a practical nursing instructor and the Wayne County Center Director for 10 years. Smith has been the assistant director of Jones OnStage and the A.D. of the College of Arts, Music and Performance for three years.

Psychology instructor, Kathryn Davis was selected to receive the Barbara and Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities. The Humanities Division faculty member has been teaching at Jones since 2003 and she exemplifies intellectual integrity in the classroom, and has encouraged independent analytical thinking skills, loves humanitarian pursuits and fosters a positive rapport with students. This award was initiated by JCJC alumni, Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. “Buddy” and Barbara Sauls. Their daughter, Tracy was a 1990 JCJC graduate. Mr. Sauls was a former JCJC Board of Trustees member and Barbara Sauls is currently on the JCJC Foundation’s Advisory Board.  Davis was awarded a $500 cash prize and an acrylic plaque.

Additionally, 12 individuals from three categories of employees, faculty members, office staff and administrative support, and employees working in, maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police were each awarded certificates of achievement. Faculty finalists each received a cash prize of $250 and the overall winner received an additional $750 and an acrylic plaque. Each staff employee finalist was awarded a cash prize of $125 and the overall winner received an extra $500 and an acrylic plaque.

The finalists for the faculty awards were Mary Boleware who has worked at Jones for 22 years as a physics/engineering instructor. Humanities/English instructor, Rochelle Dahmer has been teaching at Jones College for 14 years. Jeremiah Estes has been teaching biology classes for 15 years. Agriculture and Industrial Services/Student Support instructor, Brad Harrison has 16 years of teaching experience at Jones. Information Systems Technology instructor Jennifer Powell has been teaching for 25 years. Powell was chosen for the overall JC Faculty of the Year Award. Not only has she taught students for most of her career at Jones, but she has also trained faculty and staff on new technology. Additionally, Powell is credited with facilitating the implementation of the eLearning program and online classes.

“To be nominated for this award by my peers is an incredible honor, but to receive the faculty of the year award is extremely humbling. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and to be surrounded by amazing faculty, staff, and administrators,” said Powell, who began working in the Computer Lab before teaching in the classroom full time.

Nominated for the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year award included Karen Brown in Accounting, Hanna Burnette in Enrollment Management, Kari Dearman in Admissions and Katelyn Hutchison in Humanities. Brown was selected as the Employee of the Year for the Office Staff and Administrative Support division.

 In the maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police departments division, Environmental Safety/Housekeeper, Renee Russell was nominated along with two employees in the Maintenance Department, Greg Smith and Ken Savell. Taking the top spot as Employee of the Year was Greg Smith.

As an honorary employee of the college, Sodexho cafeteria employee, Nicole Varnado was honored for her work. She received a $500 cash award for her efforts on behalf of the college.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College sophomores, Lauren Baker-Ellisville, Braden Dennis-Laurel, Samuel Marlow-Petal and Rebecca Speights-Silver Creek each received a Mississippi Engineering Society (MES) scholarship to earn their engineering degrees. Three students, Baker, Marlow and Speights are planning to attend Mississippi State University and Dennis has plans to earn his degree at the University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the Mary Boleware and the Jones College Engineering Club students,” said MES Scholarship Chairman, Steven Parker. “The Southeast Chapter of MES supports the Engineering Club at JC. We’re excited to have more engineers and we’ll support these students into their professional careers.”

For the last 22 years, Jones College’s physics instructor, Mary Boleware has worked with the Southeast Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society which has awarded annual scholarships to her students.

“The MES support our students as they transfer to a University Engineering Program,” said Boleware. “These four students have exhibited exemplary academic performance in one of the most challenging times in education. I wish them all the best as they continue their degree plans at the next level.”

Students receiving a scholarship from the MES are required to be members of the Jones College Engineering Society and have a GPA ranging from 3.5 to 4.0.  MES Scholarship Chairman, Steven Parker, explained each student’s GPA, essay and application were reviewed before being selected for the scholarship.

“The four students were awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships to attend an accredited engineering program in the state. The Southeast Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society promotes and defends the rights of licensed professional engineers. Being an engineer is a prestigious discipline; these students will be the problem solvers of the future.”

Lauren Baker, a South Jones High School graduate has plans to specialize in chemical engineering. Her goal focuses on saving the environment after chemical spills.

“I hope to be able to help develop new oil dispersants to aid in clean-up efforts,” said Baker. “This scholarship is a blessing to help me further my education and reach my career goals.”

After interning with a civil engineering firm that focuses on bridge inspections, Speights hopes to continue working in that field with a goal of designing and building bridges.

“There are a lot of hard-working people competing for these scholarships. I’m excited knowing the MES professionals have confidence in me by awarding a scholarship to help earn my degree,” said Speights.

Marlow and Dennis have their sights on electrical engineering. Dennis said he plans to stay local and assist with designing electrical distribution grids in remapping efforts.

“I’m honored to be considered for this MES scholarship,” said Dennis who has a baby boy. “This will help a lot!”

Typically, The Southeast Chapter of the MES invites college and high school students to an annual meeting, exposing them to job opportunities and academic advice during Engineering Week. This year the festivities were canceled because of concerns with COVID-19.  JC’s Engineering Club co-hosts the annual event.

Picture: Jones College engineering students, Lauren Baker-Ellisville, Braden Dennis-Laurel, Samuel Marlow-Petal and Rebecca Speights-Silver Creek each received a scholarship from the Southeast Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society.  Pictured left to right is JC physics instructor and Engineering Club sponsor, Mary Boleware; Steven Parker P.E., Scholarship Chair of the Mississippi Engineering Society-Southeast Area Chapter; JC scholarship recipients, Lauren Baker, Braden Dennis and Rebecca Speights. Not pictured is Samuel Marlow of Petal.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College was thrilled to be able to host WDAM-TV’s annual Top of Class 2022 recognition program with a live event, post COVID-19 which forced the cancellation and modification of the event the past two years. The tradition of honoring the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from 45 high schools in the Pine Belt had never been canceled in the 23-year history of Jones College hosting the event, prior to 2020.

“This group of seniors magnificently adjusted to the changes the COVID-19 pandemic forced upon us all and thrived. Jones College was excited to be able to partner with WDAM-TV to honor the Top of Class 2022 with this special event and recognition program which honors the academic achievements of our high school students in the Pine Belt,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Students heard from Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Rho Sigma Chapter President, Mya McLain of Waynesboro who is a sophomore at Jones College, and the 2020 Wayne Academy Valedictorian. Additionally, the class of 2022 enjoyed wisdom from WDAM-TV General Manager & V.P., Tim Walker and Jones College Provost, Rick Youngblood. Each student was recognized and received a special, Top of Class Certificate of Achievement, commemorative T-Shirt and participated in the traditional, Hat Toss.

Highlights from the event, along with the academic achievements of the Pine Belt’s Top of Class 2022 will be seen daily on WDAM-TV beginning on Monday, May16. The Valedictorian and Salutatorians from two high schools will be featured in a one-minute segment at 5:58 a.m. before WDAM 7 Sunrise Morning News program, through June 17, 2022. Additionally, the Top of the Class videos can be found on the WDAM-TV web page https://www.wdam.com/topofclass/

 

ELLISVILLE – The 2022 Jones College graduates will hear from Ellisville native and Navy “TOPGUN” Major Nick Laviano as the keynote speaker for the 94th Commencement Ceremony held on Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m.  The ceremony will be held on the North Lawn of Jones Hall with plans to move the event to the A.B. Howard/Bobcat Gymnasium if there is inclement weather.

Seating will be first come first serve with about 660 students expected to participate in the ceremony. Graduates will receive either an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, or a Career Certificate. To watch the ceremony live, check the website, http://www.jcjc.edu/   For questions specifically regarding the 2022 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

Major Nick Laviano is a graduate of South Jones High School. In 2003, he attended Jones County Junior College and earned his Associates Degree in 2005. In 2008, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University. Upon completion of his degree, he was accepted into the United States Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign in January 2009. In June of 2011, after pilot training at multiple bases around the country, Laviano was designated as a Naval Aviator. His first operational assignment was in Lemoore, California, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) where he flew the FA-18E Super Hornet.

As his time at VFA-86 ended, he decided to pursue a lifelong dream and applied to the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He was selected to attend the course in May 2016 and received follow-on orders to remain at the school as an instructor. For three years, Major Laviano flew the FA-18C, FA-18E/F, and F-16A and trained students in advanced tactics for aerial combat. At the conclusion of his tour at TOPGUN, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In his role as the squadron’s Training Officer, he prepared pilots for a wide range of military missions. After his tour at VFA-31, he retired from active duty in the Navy and transitioned to the District of Columbia Air National Guard. Major Laviano is now assigned to the 121st Fighter Squadron where he flies the F-16C. He currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Alicia and son Myles.