Month: April 2025

ELLISVILLE – Six Jones College Associate Degree Nursing students were inducted into the Nursing Honor Society, Alpha Delta Nu, Gamma Mu Chapter at Jones College. These students, Titus Crouch of Ellisville, Katie Edwards of Rose Hill, Josephine Evans of Waynesboro, John-Thomas Skyler Reeves of Laurel, Shannon Smith of Carson and Jonnah Walters of Ovett, were honored by the JC A.D. Nursing faculty, family and friends during a special induction ceremony recognizing their achievements.

Requirements for induction into the Nursing Honor Society include having a “B” average in all nursing courses with no repeats, complete a capstone project prior to graduation and demonstrate conduct on campus and in clinical areas which reflect integrity and professionalism.

Membership in Alpha Delta Nu provides recognition for academic excellence, potential for scholarships to continue education, and is a quality addition to students’ professional portfolio. Danielle Matthews and Allyson Turner are advisors for this chapter. The graduation/pinning ceremony for all of the A.D. Nursing program’s spring 2025 graduates will be Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

ELLISVILLE – Three Jones College flute majors had the opportunity to get a “Masterclass” from Dr. Brianne Little, after she performed as the featured guest performer in the JC Spring Recital Series. The Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette thrilled the audience with her performance of “Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise,” “Feathers and Wax” and “Flute Sonata ‘Undine’ I. Allegro,” before offering performance changing tips to Jones College music students.

Sophomore, Sophie Wansley from Ellisville performed for Little and then received suggestions like changing her embouchure, or mouth shape and jaw placement to get a richer tone. Little also offered ways to enhance her breathing during the personal and short lessons to improve flute performance.

Dr. Brianne Little is a First Prize winner of the 2018 Vienna, 2019 Paris, and 2019 London Grand Prize Virtuoso competitions and the 2018 Golden Classic Music Awards International Competition. She has performed in Italy, France, and England in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Amphithéâtre – Cité de la Musique, in Paris, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, and the Haydnsall in Eisenstadt, Austria. In July 2019, she performed as Guest Principal Flutist with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Santa Cruz de La Sierra in Bolivia.

ELLISVILLE – Almost all of the 660 students that applied and completed in the summer/fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters that are eligible to graduate are planning to participate in the 97th annual Commencement Ceremony at Jones College. Graduates and guests will hear from Retired Colonel Craig Ziemba as the keynote speaker for graduation held on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be held outside on the North Lawn of Jones Hall.  

This ceremony will also mark the third class of the new Middle College Program at Laurel High School with 12 students earning both their high school diploma and an associate degree from Jones College. These students, Emeri Cooley, Robert Jackson, Deborah Johns, Taeveon Mackey, Landon McMillan, Isabelle Terry, Madison White, Donald Williams, Jamel Knight, Da’d Pigford, Brenda Santiago and Deandre Winn, finished their high school requirements simultaneously while attending college courses to complete a two-year degree.

Friends and family are welcome to support graduates by attending the commencement ceremony with seating on a first-come-first-serve basis. Graduates will receive either an associate in arts degree, associate in applied science degree, associate of science, associate of science and technology, a technical certificate, or a career certificate. To watch the ceremony live, check the website:http://www.jcjc.edu/   For questions specifically regarding the 2025 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

Keynote speaker, Retired Colonel Craig Ziemba, is a native of Pensacola, Florida, and a distinguished pilot, accomplished author, and passionate advocate for humanitarian causes. After earning his degree from LeTourneau University, Colonel Ziemba launched a storied aviation career in the U.S. Navy, flying the A-6E Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, and T-45 Goshawk during combat deployments aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Eisenhower.

Prior to 9/11 and while transitioning to the Air National Guard, Colonel Ziemba flew an array of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, piloting the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-27J Spartan, RC-26 Condor, and MC-12 Liberty. A specialist in High Value Targeting, he authored the tactics manual that guided thousands of successful enemy kills and captures. His leadership extended to commanding at multiple levels and directing large-scale war games modeled on real-world global crises to strengthen U.S. and allied force readiness.

In his “encore” career, Colonel Ziemba flies Gulfstream jets, devotes time to writing and works in the ministry. He actively supports pro-life and anti-human trafficking initiatives and serves as a liaison to the Hispaniola Baptist Orphanage in the Dominican Republic. His books, 37 Near Death Experiences, Life’s Emergency Procedures, and 27 Combat Lessons for Life, reflect a life shaped by courage, faith, and service.

Col. Ziemba has been recognized for his career of valor and excellence with numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

ELLISVILLE – As Jones College students finish the spring semester, administrators are encouraging students to sign up for classes while the tuition is “Half Off” of most Summer Classes. The summer special tuition discount allows students to take classes at half the tuition cost, which is available to anyone who enrolls in summer classes at Jones College. Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tessa Flowers explained that offering half-price tuition for the summer term is part of the college’s commitment to serving the community and supporting student success.

“Whether students are looking to get ahead, get back on track, or return to college after time away, this opportunity is designed to remove financial barriers and make it easier to take that next step. We believe investing in our students is an investment in the future of our communities,” said Flowers. “We hope to empower more students to come to Jones to gain the skills and training they need to build a strong foundation for their future.”

While some programs have a different charge per credit hour, all courses, except the health science programs listed on this link, chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.jcjc.edu/summer2025/docs/Fee%20Sheet-Tution_Only-Summer%202025%20(1).pdf will be discounted from the full tuition price.

Jones College’s Summer 2025 schedule includes a variety of online and face-to-face options. Online classes begin June 2, for both 4-week and 8-week formats, with a second 4-week online session starting June 30. Face-to-face classes begin June 2, for the first 4-week session and July 7, for the second 4-week session. The Commercial Truck Driving Program offers two starting dates: Session 1 will begin June 2, and Session 2 will begin July 7. 

In addition to offering summer classes at the main campus in Ellisville, academic and Career & Technical Education options will be offered this summer at the Jasper, Clarke, Wayne, and Greene County Centers. To view the summer course listing visit https://class-search.jcjc.edu/ for any of the summer term options. For Summer Session information, admissions application, summer classes and to find your enrollment services counselor, click on the link: https://www.jcjc.edu/summer2025/

Jones College is also offering free CEU’s for Mississippi K-12 teachers needing additional endorsements or to renew a current K-12 Educator’s License. The free Jones College four-week courses are offered during the June summer session which begins June 2, through June 27.

To be eligible for the no-cost pricing, all participants must complete a Jones College Admissions Application. For a complete listing of the courses available and enrollment information, go to the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/ceu/

For more information to enroll in summer or fall courses, and free CEU’s, contact Enrollment Management at (601) 477-4257, email, enrollmentservices@jcjc.edu, or online at: https://www.jcjc.edu/enrollmentservices/

ELLISVILLE –The Jones College Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Imgyu Kang proudly presents its Spring Concert, “The Story,” at two upcoming performances. The First Baptist Church of Laurel will host the JC choir on Sunday, April 27, at 6 p.m. and Glade Baptist Church will feature the choir at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

Admission is free, and all community members and students are welcome to join the Jones Choir Family in this meaningful musical experience. Dr. Kang said, “’The Story’ promises to be an evening of inspiration and connection through powerful choral music.”

Additionally, JC Voices will present their Spring concert titled, “Spring Serenade” on Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, in Leakesville.

“Spring Serenade” will take the audience on a musical journey through the themes of love, faith, renewal, and unity from the intricate harmonies of the Renaissance madrigals to the soulful melodies of gospel, folk, and contemporary works. This concert celebrates the essence of spring: hope, joy, and new beginnings. The concert will feature stirring solos, vibrant ensemble pieces, and uplifting quartets, all performed in six different languages, spanning from the Renaissance to Contemporary styles, including a special appearance by ballet dancers. Admission is free and the public is invited to this evening of song and celebration.

JC Choir Members 2024-2025

Emily Amason, Mize

Trinity Amason, Mize

Matthew Arnold, Laurel

Kati Jane Barnard, Magee

Audria Belding, Laurel

Shawn Blaylock, Mobile, AL

Bralynn Bolan, Laurel

Braxton Byrd, Ovett

Hannah Byrd, State line

Gabrielle Capasso, Laurel     

Noah Carroll, Laurel

Sarah Dearmon, Waynesboro

Evelyn Dixon, Heidelberg

Holly Ensign, Laurel

Dallas Flowers, Laurel

Hope Houston, Laurel

Malachi Jordan, Laurel          

Peyton Shoemaker, Morton

Kally Elise Smith, Laurel

Zoe Vanderslice, Laurel

Aubriaunna Wells, Mendenhall

Charles Williams, Laurel

Daniel Baldwin, Laurel

Beckha Barnett, Magee

Bailey Brooks, Ellisville

Antarian Chapman, Hebron

Zion Cooper, Waynesboro

Grace Dickerson, Leakesville

Abigail Dorgan, Hattiesburg

Natalie Evans, Ellisville

Charity French, Pearl

Savannah Gatlin, Laurel

Tristen Goss, Pulaski

Molly Griffin, Ellisville

Sydney Klaire Ivy, Raleigh

Anna Grace Jolly, Laurel

Jayla Larry, Waynesboro

Kiandra Lopez, Laurel

Trent Mattern, Picayune

Micah McSwain, Laurel

Teyonna Millsap, Laurel

Dasia Newell, Laurel

Kylie Noland, Laurel

Ta’Nia Patrick Hattiesburg

Edna Perez-A., Morton

Ella Phillips, Hattiesburg

Jacey Posey, Ellisville

Jayla Powe, Waynesboro

Rustin Rounsaville, Ellisville

Alexandria Ruth, Laurel

Kailand Snow, Laurel

Isaiah Spradley, Laurel

Addie Thames, Petal

Heather Walters, Ellisville

Chloe White, Laurel

Matthew Wynn, Laurel

Ella Young, Laurel

Korey Rainey, Petal

Rosemary Hicks, Laurel

Emalee Herrin, Laurel