ELLISVILLE – Plans are underway to make Homecoming at Jones College a special event. The weekend of activities will incorporate the Homecoming theme, “Inspiring Bobcats through the Ages” beginning with the student Homecoming pep rally on Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lake. The “glow pep rally” is sponsored by the Student Government Association and will provide glow-necklaces and glow-sticks for everyone in attendance. This event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.
On Friday, October 19, the Homecoming festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a Legacy Tree Dedication Ceremony on the Jones Hall Plaza. Four Jones College alumni will be added to the “Legacy Circle of Honor,” which consists of a circle of live oak trees created in 2016 to honor the significant contributions of alumni. This year, the Honorable Judge Charles Pickering of Hebron will be honored and in memory, the lives of Harry Bush of Laurel, Julius “Judy” King of Heidelberg and Laurel, and Vic West of Wayne County and Laurel will be recognized for their dedication and service to Jones and their communities. A reception will follow this ceremony in the Tullos Suite of Jones Hall.
At 5:30 p.m., a State Historical Marker will be revealed on campus honoring the 1955 football team that played in the Jr. Rose Bowl. Following this event, the JCJC 1955 Class Reunion Dinner begins at 6 p.m. at the President’s Home.
The 50-year Reunion Dinner honoring the JCJC Class of 1968 will gather in the C.L. Neill Student Center at 6 p.m. Additionally, the 1983 and 1998 Football Team Reunion Dinner will meet in the C.L. Neill Student Center at 6 p.m.
Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 20, is slated with numerous activities for a day of fun for all ages. Events will begin at 9 a.m. with a brunch for alumni and friends at the Terrell Tisdale Library. Members of the Ellisville High School Reunion for the 1960-1965 classes are invited to register during the brunch.
At 10 a.m. the JCJC Homecoming Parade will wind through the streets of Ellisville and the campus. The parade will feature floats made by the student body incorporating the theme, as well as the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, JCJC cheerleaders, Touch of Gold, and of course, the 2018 Homecoming Queen and her court. Parade Marshals are the 2018 NJCAA Division 2 National Championship Softball Team, led by their coaches, Chris Robinson and Bob Herrington.
At 10:45 a.m. the public is also invited to join the Jones family for a pep rally following the parade in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center. At 11:30 a.m. the JCJC Alumni Luncheon will be held in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium. During this luncheon, three JCJC alumni, Dennis Bohannon of Laurel, Paul Culliver of Raleigh and Clyde Dease, Jr., originally from Taylorsville and currently living in Picayune, will be honored. Reservations for the luncheon can be made through the Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 or by emailing, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.
Before the game, the Ellisville High School Reunion Classes of 1960 through 1965 will meet “Tailgating under the Tents” at the Sim Cooley Football Field, near the Tennis Complex beginning at 11:30. The cost is $10 per person with a reservation deadline of October 10, by calling 601-477-4049.
The Homecoming pre-game festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the marching band’s pre-game show on the Sim Cooley Football Field at Bobcat Stadium. The game against Co-Lin Community College will begin at 2 p.m.
At halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented with the crowning of the 2018 Homecoming Queen, Haley Smith. Also during halftime, the JCJC and the Ellisville High School honored classes, and the 2018 Honor Alumni will be recognized. The festivities will end with a performance by the Maroon Typhoon and Touch of Gold. For more information call the Foundation and Alumni Office at 477-4049 or email jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.