Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE –Mississippi Humanities Council representative, Dr. Ronnie Nettles presented Jones College music instructor, Dr. Lindsey Keay as the JC 2018-19 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year during a special presentation at the college.  The former Canadian and current Hattiesburg resident shared some of her discoveries from her doctoral dissertation, “In the Zone: Flow of Music.” Keay explored our intrinsic motivation to function at our finest and how we may find ourselves, “in the zone.”  Dr. Nettles explained the Humanities Council believes it is important to recognize the excellence of humanities teachers across the state while also encouraging their work as scholars.

“The purpose of this lecture and the other presentations taking place in thirty other colleges across the state is to bring the insights of humanities scholars to the larger public. This idea of enabling and encouraging humanities scholars to bring their work to the larger community has always been central to the mission of the Mississippi Humanities Council, where we believe that ‘the humanities are for everyone,’” said Nettles.

Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith and Nettles presented Dr. Keay with a plaque and a check after her flute performance and presentation. Keay was also honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council in April in Jackson for her achievements. Some of her achievements and responsibilities besides being the assistant band director and flute instructor at Jones include working with the Maroon Typhoon, JC Jazz, Concert Band, JC Pep Band, JC Flute Choir, JC Percussion Ensemble, teaching music appreciation, giving lessons at South Jones High School and she is a member of the USM Steel Drum Band.  She also is a member of five symphonies in the region in Baton Rouge, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Meridian, Mobile, and Tupelo’s, North Mississippi Symphony. Additionally, she was invited to teach at a South American masterclass and gave a symphony performance of a rarely played piece of music on her piccolo for the first time in Cartagena, Colombia, South America as part of the music festival and clinic at the Unibac. Dr. Keay is completing her fifth year at Jones College with previous teaching experience at Bedichek Middle School in Austin, Texas, as a graduate assistant at USM, and as an instructor of music education at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Jasper County Center in Bay Springs is offering summer and fall classes.  Beginning May 27, the hybrid Public Speaking 1 class with John Burks will be offered from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.  Students meet Monday nights, May 27, June 17, 24 and July 8, and 29, with the majority of the coursework handled online.

The hybrid Intro to Sociology class with Stacy Ruth will begin on Tuesday, May 28, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.  Students meet Tuesday nights, May 28, June 11, July 9, 23, and 30, with the majority of the coursework handled online.

College Algebra with Corey Jones will be held on Wednesday evenings, May 29 through July 31, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Beginning in the fall, Western Civilization 1 will be taught by Steve Womack on Monday evenings.  The hybrid course will meet on Monday, August 26, September 2, October 7, November 4 and December 9, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the majority of the coursework handled online.

The hybrid English Composition 1 course will be taught by Murray Windham on Tuesday evenings.  The class will meet August 27, September 17, October 15, November 12, and December 10, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the majority of the coursework handled online.

General Psychology with Dr. Kisha Jones will meet on Wednesday evenings.  The hybrid class will meet August 28, September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the majority of the coursework handled online.

Welding will be offered Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, August 26 through December 13, from 7 a.m. until noon. Students will learn stick welding, cutting processes and welding safety.

To register for classes and for information on the Board of Supervisor’s Scholarship, call Lela Bryan at 601-477-5473 or 601-764- 9393 or email lela.brayan@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE-It’s been a banner year for Jones College’s Shivum Desai of Hattiesburg who has been recognized for several academic honors.  The Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Rho Sigma chapter president at Jones has been selected as one of four, Gold Scholars on the Coca-Cola 2019 Academic Team.  This national scholarship program recognizes 150 community/junior college students annually with scholarships totaling nearly $200,000.  Desai was selected based on his score in the All-USA Academic Team competition among more than 2,000 applicants. Students are scored on several factors including academic rigor, demonstration of leadership and service, campus and community engagement, student assessments and overall scholastic application.

“Earning these awards and being recognized is a dream come true. Because I am new to this country, I always thought it would be difficult to be like previous students who have achieved great honors. However, humbling myself and exposing myself to different environments has allowed me to become successful,” said Desai. “My parents, Sanjay and Karuna Desai, are my main motivation and are the reason why I work hard to reach my goals. They have always supported me on all of my endeavors and have given me everything I need.”

Desai was formally recognized at the PTK Annual Convention with a Gold Medallion and a check for $1,500 for fall tuition. Additionally, Desai was selected to PTK’s All-Mississippi Academic First Team which also awarded him with a medallion and $500.  Earlier in the academic year, the former native of England and Oak Grove High School graduate was named as Jones College’s HEADWAE student representative and Tullos Scholar. The future invasive cardiologist will continue his education at the University of Mississippi as a prestigious, Lyceum Scholar.

ELLISVILLE- Three Jones College students were nominated for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team with two students earning first-team honors. Shivum Desai of Hattiesburg and Caleb Brownlee of Moselle were named to the All-Mississippi Academic First Team. Jared Woullard of Leakesville was named to the All-Mississippi Academic Second Team and has earned the Presidential Scholarship to major in engineering at Mississippi State University.

“This entire process has been an incredible learning experience for me personally. I’m humbled by those who nominated me at Jones and I’m also very grateful to PTK for providing incredible opportunities for students statewide,” said Woullard.

These 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. Nominees were evaluated on effective writing skills, the academic rigor of their majors and their leadership impact at their colleges.

“This award is not about what you know or who you know. This award is about how others know you and your work on campus,” said president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner at the recognition luncheon.

Being a member of the All- Mississippi Academic Team also takes hard work, Mississippi Community College Board’s Executive Director, Dr. Andrea Mayfield acknowledged. She encouraged the student leaders to help pave a successful future in their home state.

“Community College’s produce leaders. There are opportunities for self and others, as well as opportunities to shape Mississippi’s future. Mississippi is counting on your leadership and your success to make a difference here in Mississippi. There’s nothing more exciting than working with people who are making a difference.”

First Team honoree, Shivum Desai said he is grateful for the leadership opportunities through PTK. He has served as the president of Jones College’s Rho Sigma chapter of PTK and has volunteered for fundraising campaigns and campus activities. He also maintained a 4.0 GPA while juggling his many responsibilities in his biological sciences major to become a cardiologist. Along with his academic duties, Desai works as the assistant manager at Baskin-Robbins in Hattiesburg and he volunteers in area hospitals. His hard work has been honored with accolades like being named to the Coca-Cola Gold Academic Team, HEADWAE student representative at Jones, in addition to being named a Tullos Scholar and a Hall of Fame and Letter “J” Academic Achievement Award recipient. Additionally, Desai will be attending the University of Mississippi as a Lyceum Scholar. The former native of England said he owes much of his success to PTK.

“Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has been the most influential organization I have ever joined. PTK, in my heart, is much more than the four hallmarks. Instead, the honor society is my third parent! The organization allowed me to open myself up and truly challenge my abilities, both inside and outside the classroom. Personally, the organization has allowed me to get out there and interact with all sorts of people and it has made me become more adaptable to different environments.  Professionally, the organization has allowed me to become well rounded socially and academically. Without PTK, my achievements would not be possible,” said Desai.

Caleb Brownlee earned All- Mississippi First Team honors for Workforce Pathway students. The electrical technology major volunteers with Rain Down Ministries and has served in the mission fields of South America and Romania, as well as in several Midwest and southern states. While helping on his family farm in Wayne County, Brownlee also maintains a job assisting an electrician. Academically at Jones, he earned the Letter “J” Academic Achievement Award.

“It was an honor being selected to represent Jones College’s career and technical programs through PTK’s Workforce & Transfer Pathway Scholars program. I’m currently working with an electrical contractor and will continue working with him until bigger and better opportunities are offered,” said Brownlee.

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.