Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – At the 92^nd Annual Spring Commencement Ceremonies at Jones College, Mississippi’s 42^nd State Auditor, Shad White challenged graduates to “own” their destinies, work hard and set a course towards achieving their goals. The University of Mississippi graduate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science and is a Truman Scholar and a Rhodes Scholar. Additionally, White earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Harvard Law School and has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He shared with the nearly 700 Jones College graduates and guests at the two ceremonies, that with all of his education, White was confident he would be successful in his pursuit of making positive, public policy working on the East Coast.

However, he realized his success was dependent upon something else. While explaining the difference between independence and ownership, White shared, “No one will sacrifice for you or work harder to find success than yourself.” While being independent has its benefits, White explained, “If you have taken ownership of your own life, you won’t want to sleep through the alarm clock because you know that would stand in the way of your goal.”

While watching his dad work hard all day as an oilfield pumper in Sandersville, as well as being the current Mayor and former alderman of Sandersville, White learned through his dad, it was also his responsibility to give back to his community. However, the Northeast Jones High School graduate said he discovered not all service was created equal.

“I watched my friends embark on careers with a similar goal of (myself), making a difference in public service. Many of them, within a short amount of time started to realize that their ability to make change depended not just on their willingness to work hard, but also on whether their boss had enough political power to make change happen,” said White.

The Auditors’ “lightbulb” moment forced him to change his thinking. Instead of working in Washington D.C. he returned to Mississippi to take ownership of his life. His admiration of former Congressman, Alan Nunnelee inspired him to volunteer for his campaign. After sweeping floors, White was given bigger responsibilities that eventually caught the interest of current Governor, Phil Bryant, and earned his appointment as State Auditor in 2018.

“We both had a passion for policy that helps working people….  He had served as state auditor and we both had a passion for law enforcement and stopping corruption,” White said. “I realized that I needed to set a goal and make sacrifices to achieve that goal (even if I would be) making a little less money than I would otherwise, working much longer hours, sleeping less, (and) tending some random landlord’s tomato garden, that I got lucky and met Governor Bryant. There’s truth in that old adage that, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Non-traditional Jones College graduate, Carolyn Holifield identifies with that old adage. The 71-year-old and Bell South service representative retired after 35 years but still felt called to “do something.”  She plans on returning to Jones in the fall because she wants more than her associate in arts degree in general studies.

“I appreciate education so much. It is important for everything.  An education changes the way people look at you, even though it doesn’t change your self-worth. I realized I want to do more. I may come back for a degree in paralegal, culinary arts or real estate,” said Holifield

One Greene County graduate and the Student Government Association president, Jared Woullard is also known for taking ownership of his future. He pursued greatness throughout his two years at Jones College as Freshman Class President before earning the confidence of his peers to be SGA president. Woullard also served as a Bobcat Brigade student ambassador and he was a member of the Presidential Student Advisory Task Force, the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Jones Concert Choir, a Tullos Scholar, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team, and he was elected Mr. JCJC.  As a result of his hard work, college administrators allowed the engineering major to begin a new tradition. At future commencement ceremonies, the SGA President will have the honor of carrying the College Mace as part of the procession of administrators and special guests.

“I was so excited!! This was such an honor and I’m humbled to be the first one to start this new tradition,” an overwhelmed Woullard exclaimed. “I just can’t believe this happened!”

While taking ownership of your life is a recipe for finding a fulfilling career according to White, he cautioned graduates to also focus on relationships.

“My relationship with God, my relationship with my wife, and my eight-week-old baby give me a sense of power and purpose that I need, too.  So do the things that will make your career a success, but also know that your life outside of work requires just as much dedication as your life inside it.”

White concluded by announcing his desire that the new, Jones College graduates who received either, an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate or a Career Certificate will stay in Mississippi as they pursue their callings in life.

ELLISVILLE-Three Jones College students earned honors at the Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association’s annual competition and workshop hosted at Holmes Community College. The competition included seven categories: Poetry, Fiction, Drama, Creative Nonfiction, Literary Essay, Best Professionally-Printed Journal and Best In-House Journal. Community college students participating in the competition could earn scholarships and honors, like Rickey Cole of Ovett, Kara Lowe of Mize and River Cade Howell of Soso. Accounting major, Howell was selected as the first place winner in the Literary Essay category for his essay, “A Mother’s Manipulation.”

Jones College English instructor Tim Morris explained, “River’s work was so impressive to the English Chairman at Belhaven University that he offered River a $2,000 scholarship. He noted Howell’s exceptional use of grammar and punctuation.”

Also submitting a literary piece that judges noticed was Jones College’s Ricky Cole with his creative nonfiction entry, “Come on Jack, Let’s Go,” which took third place honors. In the Poetry division, Kara Lowe’s entry, “On What I Dream About,” earned an honorable mention award.

Judges of the competition included Dr. Don Hubele, English professor and chair of the Belhaven University English Department; Paula Lambert, literary and visionary artist and author; Phyllis W. Seawright, assistant professor of communication/theater at Mississippi College; Michael Farris Smith, award-winning author, and Marshall Ramsey, author, syndicated-cartoonist, radio/television host and editor-at-large for Mississippi Today.

For more information about this year’s MCCCWA contest and awards, contact MCCCWA President Dr. Andrew Kelly at akelly@holmescc.edu.

 

ELLISVILLE- Fourteen of the fifteen Jones College students that competed in the Phi Beta Lambda business honor society’s State competition in Columbus, Mississippi, came home, winners. They either placed first or second in their competitive events, qualifying them for the national competition in June, in San Antonio, Texas.

During the three-day conference, each student competed in two, business-related events. The events ranged from accounting principles and entrepreneurship concepts, to computer programming and network design.

“Thirteen of the students will be going to the four-day national conference and competition in San Antonio,” said Jones College’s PBL Advisor, David Ray.  “We’re looking forward to a strong showing at nationals this summer. This group has a lot of potential to place nationally.”

Tara Williamson of Mendenhall earned first place honors in both the Computer Applications and the Hospitality Management competitions. Colby Dorsey of Woodville earned first place honors in Computer Concepts. Ellisville’s Dylan Meeks earned first place in Sports Management & Marketing, and second place in the Contemporary Sports Issues category.  The team of Colby Dorsey, Trent Norris of Seminary and Grant Valverde of Enterprise earned second place in the Network Design team competition.  The team consisting of Owen Cote of Sumrall, Daniel Easley of Laurel, and Tyler Rouse of Lucedale took home first place in the Management Analysis & Decision Making team category and second place in the Financial Analysis & Decision Making team competition. Sumrall’s Kaleb Ashmore earned first place honors in the Programming Concepts competition and second place in the Computer Applications category.

 Columbia’s Alyssa Pearce took home second place in the Job Interview category and third place in the Marketing Analysis & Decision Making competition. Zachory Busby of Soso landed in second place in the Help Desk competition and third place in the Information Management category. Hattiesburg’s Stephen Grantham received second place for his efforts in the Programming Concepts competition. Finishing in third place were Trent Norris in the Help Desk competition and Melissa Hankins of Laurel in the Accounting competition. However, Hankins took top honors in the Entrepreneurship Concepts competition. Ellisville’s Emily Youngblood earned second place in the Macroeconomics competition and Byron Pittman of Ellisville earned fourth place in the Information Management category.

ELLISVILLE- Valedictorians and Salutatorians from 45 schools participated in this year’s celebration of the “Top of Class.” Jones College and WDAM-TV host the annual Top of Class recognition program.

WDAM-TV news personalities Nick Lilja and Quametra Wilborn awarded the area’s valedictorians and salutatorians with a certificate of achievement. The group of 100 high school students was honored with a day of entertainment, speakers and breakfast.

The WDAM-TV production crew videotaped the event to be featured during WDAM-Sunrise at 5:58 a.m., beginning May 6, through June 14, and on the WDAM-TV web page. WDAM-TV and Jones College are sponsors of this event to honor the academic achievements of the Pine Belt’s top students.

ELLISVILLE– During graduation practice, six Jones College sophomores were awarded Leadership, Athletic and Merit Gold Key Awards. These students were voted on by their peers for this special recognition.

The Merit Gold Key recipients are Emily Youngblood of Ellisville and Jared Woullard of Greene County. Woullard was also chosen by his peers to receive the Leadership Gold Key honor. Anna Catherine Hampton of Petal was also selected for the Leadership Gold Key award.

Softball player, Gracie McCleskey of Caledonia, and basketball player from Rayville, Louisiana, Ray Williams Jr., both earned the Athletic Gold Key Award.

Jones College sophomores eligible to receive the Academic Gold Key honor because of their 4.0 GPA prior to final exams will be recognized over the summer for their academic achievements.