Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s School of Art, Music and Performance and the Salvation Army invite the public to join its celebration of, “Christmas with the Arts-Because of Bethlehem” on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are available for $10 & $15 through the reservation website, https://www.jcjc.edu/tickets/ 

“Reserve your seats now because we do expect the show to be sold out,” said Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith. “If you bring a new, unwrapped toy on the night of the performance, if there are any seats left you can get a discounted ticket. However, we hope people will bring a toy to support the Salvation Army regardless.”

This year’s program will follow 5th grader, Greenly Flowers of Ellisville as she experiences various Christmas events like mall shopping, seeing Santa, midnight mass and other surprises along her journey. As she discovers the true meaning of Christmas, the audience will enjoy performances from the Concert Choir, JC Jazz Band, the Percussion Ensemble, the new Ladies Quartet, JC Voices, the Touch of Gold dancers, and a special piano performance.

“For the first time ever, we’ll hear, JC’s piano professors, Dr. Theresa Sanchez and Dr. Victoria Johnson along with two of their students perform an eight-hand piece on two different Steinway B pianos. Additionally, we’ll hear some wonderful music from our new Steinway Spirio-R piano which will be an impressive moment,” shared Smith.

Even though a new toy is not required for admission to the Christmas performance at Jones College, the Salvation Army toy drive is an excellent opportunity for our students and community to give back at a time when it’s really critical. Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games, and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in the area this Christmas. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.

For more information, call the Jones College School of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College’s Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and X formerly Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/

ELLISVILLE – As the nation and Mississippi faces a crisis in the declining number of Emergency Medical Services personnel, Jones College is now making the Emergency Medical Training program more accessible to more people. By offering the EMT program online and “on-the-road,” a more diverse range of individuals, including working professionals, traditional students and even high school seniors will have access to the training. Jones College’s Emergency Technology, Paramedic Program Director and Healthcare Simulation Center Director, Benji Sessums, Ph.D., NR-P., believes the new course format options will help fill the shortage of EMS personnel.

“Because of the impacts of the Covid Pandemic and significant changes in the healthcare landscape, the state is struggling to ensure that emergency services can adequately meet the public’s demand. Jones College has consistently offered a successful EMT program through traditional on-campus classes. However, we recognize that many individuals in our district may not be able to attend these classes or can’t afford the time away from work or family needed to complete their certification. By providing an online EMT course with alternative lab locations available every two weeks, we aim to give people in our district the opportunity to advance in their careers,” explained Sessums.

This spring, Jones will begin offering two options for the EMT program beginning on January 13, 2025, and concluding on May 8, and 9, 2025. The first option is the traditional class, similar to what has been provided in the past, with classes meeting on the main campus in Ellisville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. In addition to extensive lecture and lab training, students will get 12 hours of clinical experience in local Emergency Rooms and 60 hours of field rotations on the ambulance.

The new option available this spring will allow students to get all classroom lectures through the online Canvas system, utilizing interactive activities, discussion boards, video lectures, and other online engagements with faculty. Online students will be required to attend a 5-hour lab every two weeks and will focus on proctored testing and skill training.

“The best aspect of this new format is the fact the labs will be held at various locations throughout the Jones College District, which may include Bay Springs, Covington County, Greene County, the main campus in Ellisville and additional sites based on student demographics. Students can attend any of the lab sites to fulfill their bi-weekly lab requirements,” Sessums said.

In total, students will have seven lab sessions culminating in a comprehensive lab check-off during the first week of May at the main campus. These students will be required to complete the same 12-hour ER shift, and 60 hours of field rotations on the ambulance. Upon successful completion of the seven-hour academic college course, students will be able to test for the National Registry EMT Certification.

Federal Aid, and scholarships through the Jones College Foundation Office, and through the Local WIN Job Center may be available to cover the $1,400 tuition, books, uniform shirt, and lab resources. To learn more about the new, EMT program options at Jones College, email, emtparamedic@jcjc.edu or click on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/emt/

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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policy: The (ADA/ Section 504) Wendy Evans, ADA Coordinator, Terrell Tisdale Library, phone 601-477-2673; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and Title IX Coordinator, Brittany Weatherford-Barron, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; email brittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.

ELLISVILLE – Hundreds of Jones County Junior College alumni and friends gathered recently for Jones College’s Homecoming Alumni Luncheon which honored several alumni for various accomplishments. During that event, the Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa’s International Honor Society, Rho Sigma Chapter presented the PTK Alumnus of the Year Award to 1990 JCJC graduate, Mary Boleware. She is only the second person to receive the honor from the newly formed Alumni Chapter of PTK at Jones College.

“To be chosen as the Jones College PTK Honor Alumnus for 2024 was quite the surprise!” said Boleware. “I am humbled to have been chosen from among so many deserving candidates.” 

She was presented the award by fellow faculty members, Caleb Smith and Mark Brown who also serve as PTK Advisors. They explained that Boleware has not only been an active member of PTK as a student, but she has also been involved with hundreds of JC student’s journeys throughout the 24 years she has been teaching Engineering Mechanics-Statistics and Physics to engineering majors.

“It was unanimous that the honoree for 2024 would be beloved Physics Instructor, and former Rho Sigma Member, Ms. Mary Boleware,” shared Brown. “Ms. Boleware has meant so much to countless aspiring engineering students, as she not only nurtures them, but challenges them as well. Anyone that has been under her instruction can have confidence that they are greatly prepared to meet the continued challenge of engineering.”

As a student at Jones in 1988-1990, Boleware was an active member of PTK.  She continued to serve in the honor society in leadership positions after transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi.

“I remained active with the PTK Alumni Chapter at USM and served as chapter president in 1991-1992.  It was an honor to attend three PTK National Conventions (San Francisco 1990, Chicago 1991, Washington DC 1992). Wonderful connections and lifelong memories were made,” Boleware shared.

While working on her master’s degree in physics at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Boleware was an adjunct physics instructor at William Carey College from 1993 until 1999. Additionally, in 1995 she began teaching at Forrest County Agricultural High School as the Physics, Math and Technology instructor until 2000, when she joined the faculty at Jones College.

As a faculty member at JC, Boleware served the School of Science and Engineering as the Academic Advisor and Recruiting representative and has served as the Student Engineering Society Faculty Advisor. Furthermore, she has served on the Insurance, Homecoming Alumni Brunch, and the Student Hall of Fame Selection committees. Currently, Boleware serves as a member of the Alumni & Foundation Board, and she is the Alumni Association Vice President.

Her many honors include being the JCJC Foundation Faculty of the Year recipient for 2006 and 2022, the 2013 HEADWAE (Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence) faculty recipient and receiving the Shelby Price Award for Excellence in Teaching of Science Award.

As an active member of Venture Church in Hattiesburg, Boleware has served on the Lead Pastor Search Team, Nomination Committee, Guest Services, and is a Preschool volunteer and House Church Host. Mary is married to Garland Boleware, and they have two sons, Hunter and Tanner and his wife, Ashlyn.  

ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore, Owen Massey was one of only 14 community college and university students statewide who recently received a Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association (MAMA) scholarship this year. He will receive $1,500 as a two-year college recipient after meeting eligibility requirements like having a 3.0 GPA or higher, providing a résumé, letters of recommendations and a written essay on his interest in the automotive manufacturing industry. Additionally, 2023 JC graduate Eli Chancellor, of Petal earned a $2,500 MAMA University Scholarship.

“I am beyond proud of Eli Chancellor and Owen Massey for being chosen as recipients of the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association (MAMA) scholarships,” said Mary Boleware who taught both students physics and is the advisor for engineering students at Jones College.  “Eli is a recent transfer to Mississippi State University, and he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Owen is currently a sophomore Electrical Engineering Student at Jones who was awarded one of the Community College Scholarships. Both are incredible young men, and I can’t wait to see the great things they will do as engineers in our area. It has been amazing to be part of their academic journey.” 

Seminary resident Owen Massey was the 2022 Presbyterian Christian High School valedictorian. Besides majoring in electrical engineering, he is minoring in English and math at JC. While at PCHS, he earned numerous awards in English, math, Spanish, science and geography and was a member of the Junior & Senior Beta Club. Additionally, Massey was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, and he served as a Steven Palazzo Youth Council Member, Mississippi State Agriculture Council Delegate and MAIS State Chess Champion. Currently, Massey is a member of the Jones College Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute. Massey can also be found volunteering at the Salvation Army, Edwards Street Food Pantry and Thrift Store, Sanford Baptist Church Food Pantry and as an ambassador at Hattiesburg Health and Rehab Nursing Home.  

Chancellor has worked at Cooperative Energy and at Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center. At Jones College, he served as president of the JC Student Engineering Society, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Chancellor was inducted into the JC Student Hall of Fame. As a member of the Boy Scouts, Chancellor earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

“Eli made quite the lasting impression on me after just a few meetings,” shared Boleware. “For 24 years, I have taught calculus-based physics. With Calculus 1 as a prerequisite, by default I have some of the brightest students that enroll in classes on our campus. Eli is among the top five percent of my students in all these years. Among his peers, his critical thinking, technical writing and verbal expression of engineering related concepts are advanced. I have no doubt that he will be a great asset to an engineering team as a member and as a leader.”

MAMA scholarships support community college and university students interested in pursuing a career in the automotive manufacturing industry. This year’s scholarships were awarded to technical and engineering-related majors as well as non-traditional majors, that can be applied within the automotive industry. MAMA has supported the growth of strong a workforce essential to the health of all industries in the state since its inception in 2006.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College will hold its annual Most Beautiful Pageant on Friday, November 8, at 7 p.m. in the M.B. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Forty contestants will vie for the titles of Most Beautiful, Top 10, Top 5, Best Essay, and Most Photogenic. There will also be a People’s Choice award for the contestant with the most votes from the audience. Each vote costs $1. General admission is $10 with JC students’ tickets costing $5. Tickets can be purchased with reserved seating at www.jcjc.edu/tickets For more information, contact Emily Flessner at 601-477-4030.