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ELLISVILLE – Plans are underway to make Homecoming at Jones College a spectacular event this year with special reunions for the former Mr. & Miss JCJC, the 2002 Baseball Conference Champions, the 50^th reunion for the JCJC Class of 1972, and members of the classes of 1960-1965 from Ellisville High School. The weekend of activities will incorporate the Homecoming theme, “Better Together, Homecoming 2022” beginning with a performance from the JC Jazz Band prior to the Jones Got Talent Show on Tuesday, October 4, at 7 p.m. at the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza. On Wednesday, October 5, at 7 p.m. Jones OnStage will perform on the Student Center Plaza and on Thursday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m., the Homecoming Glow Pep Rally will also be held on the Student Center Plaza. 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.

Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 8, the day will be filled with numerous activities and fun for all ages. Events will begin at 9 a.m. with a brunch for alumni and friends on the front lawn of the Terrell Tisdale Library. Members of the Ellisville High School 1960-1965 classes, the JCJC 1972 class, the JCJC 2002 Baseball Conference Championship Team, and the former Mr. & Miss JCJC are invited to register for their gatherings during the brunch.

At 10 a.m. the Homecoming Parade will wind through the streets of Ellisville and the campus beginning at the Terrell Tisdale Library. The parade features floats made by the student body incorporating the theme, as well as the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, JC cheerleaders, Touch of Gold, and of course, the 2022 Homecoming Queen and her court.

At 11:15 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 11:45 a.m. the JCJC Alumni Luncheon will be held in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium.  During this luncheon, the JC Alumni of the Year will be recognized. Additionally, the JC Homecoming Court and the 2022 Mr. and Miss JC students, along with the former Mr. & Miss JCJC’s and the members of the 50^th Year Reunion for the Class of 1972. Reservations for the luncheon can be made through the Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 or by emailing, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu or the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/honor-alumni-luncheon/

Before the “Cat Fight” Homecoming Football game, “Tailgating under the Tents” will begin at 12 p.m. The Ellisville High School Reunion for the 1960-65 Classes and the JCJC 2002 Baseball Conference Championship Team Reunion participants are invited to meet at the Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Football Field, near the Tennis Complex.

The Homecoming pre-game festivities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the marching band’s pre-game show in the Bobcat Football Stadium/Sim Cooley Field. The game against Pearl River Community College will begin at 3 p.m. (NOTE the later start time.)

At halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented with the crowning of the 2022 Homecoming Queen, Amberlyn Holifield. Also, during halftime, the 2022 Alumni of the Year 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.                                                                                                          

ELLISVILLE – Jones College is hosting a community-wide blood drive, Monday through Wednesday, September 19-21, in the D.O. Thoms Physical Education Building. Jones College students with classes in the Industrial Services Building were able to give blood on Monday with Vitalant’s Blood Mobile conveniently located in the parking lot. On Tuesday and Wednesday, donations will be collected in the P.E. Building from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“Our overall goal for the week is 82 units of blood,” said Benji Sessums, Jones College Blood Drive Coordinator and EMT instructor. “Currently, Vitalant says we are in one of the worst blood shortages we’ve had in the area. With the holiday season fast approaching we’re hoping more people will donate and exceed our goal.”

One way to encourage everyone on the JC campus to give, a competition between faculty, staff and students has been initiated. However, Sessums said the community is welcome to donate along with the JC community and “pick” sides in the friendly competition. Door prizes will be available all three days for donors during random drawings.

“Vitalant suggested that we promote Wednesday as a faculty/staff versus student giving day. Anyone can give on all the days, but since Wednesday was not officially a class day for most students and faculty, we wanted to encourage folks to use the day out of class to come and give. We also thought this would be a good day for the community to be encouraged to give,” said Sessums.

Vitalant strongly encourages blood donors to make and keep appointments to give blood but walk-ins are welcome. Scheduling appointments can be made through the website, www.donors.vitalant.org with JC1 Being the Blood Drive Code.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College was one of eleven educational institutions and the only Mississippi school to receive a $25,000 grant from the American Welding Society’s Foundation. The grant was awarded with the intention of these institutions making improvements, investing in capital items such as welding or metalworking equipment or purchase/upgrade computers or computer-based training systems.

Welding is critical to the American  manufacturing, construction, and energy infrastructure. A skilled welder is a vital component in rebuilding the American workforce. Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the American Welding Society Foundation said, “We applaud the dedication Jones County Junior College has demonstrated in expanding their welding education programs and facilities, their commitment to the welding industry, and cultivating the next generation of welding technicians and professionals through education is inspiring.”

As a professional welder and the Jones College’s Dean of Career and Technical Education, Rod Tolbert said the additional welding equipment will provide additional opportunities for students to get hands-on-training, minimizing down time waiting in the shop.

“This grant will allow the welding program to be more efficient in the flow of work through the shop, as well as giving students the opportunity to utilize the latest equipment available,” said Tolbert. “The workforce gap for trained welders is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. Jones College is here to close that gap by increasing student recruitment, graduates and supplying the welding industry with skilled welders.”

Purchasing three, multi-process welder machines, wire feeders for the machines and two plasma cutters is expected to help mitigate the welding workforce demand by offering more students the opportunity to become skilled welders. This state-of-the-art equipment, along with the updated welding machines and the additional plasma cutters are critical to the manufacturing industry are vital components to rebuilding the American workforce according to Tolbert.

“Typically, Jones College’s welding programs have about 40-50 students complete the program with most being employed upon graduation. The additional equipment purchased with the AWS Foundation Grant will enable JC to enroll up to 120 students in all three pathways,” said Tolbert.

Jones College offers day and night classes and three, degree options for welding students including a two-semester career certificate, a three-semester technical welding certificate, and a four-semester associate in applied science degree. Additionally, there are Welding Certificate options and specialized industry training through Workforce College. For more information about Jones College’s welding programs click on these two websites https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/welding/ or https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/programs/welding/

Photo: USM Interim President, Dr. Joe Paul, (pictured center left) recently met with administrators at Jones College to build upon the institutions’ relationship and future endeavors. Pictured left to right is Jones College’s Chief of Staff, Jon Fennell; Executive Vice President of Business Affairs & Chief Financial Officer, Christy Holifield; Executive Vice President, Chief of Enrollment Management, Information Technology and Marketing Officer, Dr. Finee’ Ruffin; USM President, Dr. Joe Paul; Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith; Provost, Rick Youngblood; Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tessa Flowers and Vice President of Advancement & Athletics, Dean of Students, Joel Cain.

ELLISVILLE – The University of Southern Mississippi’s Interim President, Dr. Joe Paul met with several Jones College administrators recently to discuss new ways to build upon the two institution’s relationship with students. Some ideas the two presidents discussed included how to make it easier for students to transition to USM and other transfer services, along with 2+2 agreements. This is the first time many of the Jones College administrators have met the new interim USM president and are eager to build more partnerships between JC and USM in the future.

ELLISVILLE – Despite the rain this week, Jones College students were all smiles and happy to be back on campus. Many of the students prepared for the drenching rain and said they are ready for the student activities and athletic events to begin. The first event, Meet the Bobcats was scheduled to be held Wednesday, August 24, but organizers moved the event to Thursday, September 1, at 5 p.m. before the first home football game of the season. The Bobcats face the Itawamba Indians at 7 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field, rain or shine!