Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE –Jones College sophomore, Layne Loftin of Seminary was awarded a $1,000 tuition scholarship from the Southeast Area Chapter of the Mississippi Professional Engineering Society as part of National Engineering Week.  He was elected by the MPES’s scholarship committee. Several students applied for the scholarship from a nine-county area, according to Jason Coleman, MPES President. This year’s scholarship recipient was chosen based on several parameters including, character, integrity, an essay, and application.

Since 1995, the Southeast Chapter of MPES has distributed more than $37,000 in financial assistance to students pursuing their engineering degrees at a Mississippi IHL Accredited Colleges of Engineering.

“I feel blessed to get this scholarship because it will help a lot,” said Loftin.  “My parents have always supported me, but I have tried to help keep costs down by applying for scholarships and working. The MPES Scholarship will definitely help me when I transfer to Mississippi State.”

Loftin is a resident assistant in the Jones College dorms and active in the international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa and the Engineering Club. Additionally, he helps his dad at his business, Quarries End II in Hattiesburg.

“My dad and I have built furniture for my mom to sell or help her refurbish old furniture, as well as work at his business making granite countertops, showers and sinks,” said Loftin.

Students receiving a scholarship from the MPES are required to be members of the college’s Engineering Club and have a GPA ranging from 3.5 to 4.0.  JC engineering club sponsor and physics instructor, Mary Boleware said the partnership with the MPES plays an important role in better preparing our engineering majors.

“We appreciate area professionals mentoring our students and providing opportunities to continue their education through these scholarships,” said Boleware.

Loftin aspires to earn a degree in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University.  The annual meeting with MPES included about 50 college and high school students from the Pine Belt exposing them to job opportunities and academic advice. JC’s engineering club co-hosted the event which includes presentations from the three Mississippi University’s colleges of engineering.

ELLISVILLE –A Magnolia, Mississippi native and current Alabama State University art professor’s work will be on display through March 19, at Jones College’s Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery in Ellisville.  ASU’s visual arts associate professor, Charmagne Andrews will be on campus, Tuesday, March 19, at 1 p.m. for an “Art Talk” and reception in the art gallery. This free event is open to the public.

As a former French language instructor in New Orleans, Louisiana, Andrews earned a bachelor’s of art degree in sociology/social work and a B.A. in fine arts from Xavier University. She also earned her master’s degree in social work from Tulane University and worked in the two different fields for almost 30 years before launching a new career in art. Andrews earned her master’s in fine arts with an emphasis in sculpture at Michigan State University in 1993 after discovering a love for art. During her graduate study in sculpture, Andrews’ world view changed while working in the African Media Center in Michigan State’s African Studies Center.

“My first exposure to African and African-American art was awe-inspiring.  These works resonated within me emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Through researching my interests in masquerades, metalworking, textiles, religious beliefs, and mythology, I found inspiration for my artworks,” said Andrews.

The opportunity to travel in the United States and internationally changed her world perspective. Studying in Cuba, France, Nicaragua, and Zimbabwe allowed Andrews the priceless possibility to experience the similarities, differences and richness of these various cultures.

“My approach to art combines research interests with art making. My works have been primarily inspired and influenced through my study of the dynamic, expressive cultures of Africa and her diaspora,” Andrews shared.

Her large fabric quilt-like works, along with artwork featuring collagraphs, pastels and handmade paper are on display at Jones College.

For more information about the JC art show contact the gallery at 601-477-4148 or visit the gallery which is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.  The gallery is closed for lunch daily from 11:30 until noon.  If you want to know more about the Jones College Fine Arts Department check out the JC Fine Arts Facebook page at JCJCFineArts.

 

 

JACKSON- In an effort to get the Mississippi Legislature’s attention, Community College presidents, faculty, and students reminded everyone at a Capitol building press conference, community/junior colleges provide a vast array of educational and economic opportunities for everyone. Additionally, the two-year college system also provides a healthy return on every dollar spent on the nation’s oldest community college system. MACJC Legislative Co-chair and Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith encouraged legislators to “face the facts.”

“For every dollar invested in the community college system, the return on the investment is four-dollars and eighty-six cents.  That’s a worthwhile investment if you’re just talking about an investment but what about the people?” asked Smith.

Long lists of facts were shared with the crowd, like Mississippi ranks 4^th in the nation in the percentage of students who transfer from community colleges to four-year universities, beating the national average by eight-percent. In 2017, Community/Junior college students earned 20,432 degrees, certificates and awards which is a 42-percent increase over 2011. In regards to economic development, community colleges served 551 companies with workforce training.

“Folks, we have to pay the bill,” said MACJC President and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president, Dr. Mary Graham. “It’s time Mississippi legislators get some help for our community/junior colleges. People continue to pat community colleges on the back, saying ‘You’re doing a great job’ but continuous pats on the back without financial support begin to feel like kicks in the teeth.”

Northwest Community College’s Adam Conner has experienced similar disappointment when he had to quit college the first time he took classes at Northwest because of difficulties in chemistry. When he tried to return a year later, he learned he was not eligible for the Pell Grant. Conner didn’t feel financially apt as an 18-year-old to take out a loan so he waited until he turned 24 to be eligible for aid as an independent student.

“A quality education provides an array of benefits but there are many barriers to success. Rising tuition, time, and financial aid restrictions keep countless Mississippians from accessing higher education,” explained the Student Government Association president at Northwest. “Every Mississippian is entitled to opportunities for educational and professional growth.”

Without more support for community colleges, Dr. Jim Haffey is concerned more people will be dependent on the state. The MACJC Legislative Co-chair and Holmes Community College president shared his mother’s story. She earned her nursing degree at Hinds Community College after 20-years of raising kids and being a housewife. He calculated a 1,600 percent return on the states’ investment into her education from the state taxes she paid over the 26-years she worked at a rural county hospital. Haffey is challenging legislators to provide support to anyone who wants an education can be served.

“There are hundreds of Mississippians who do not get a chance to enroll at an allied health program every year because we have limitations on our space. We stand poised to help hundreds but we cannot open or expand new programs without a strong commitment from the state. Two years ago, the community colleges were cut 11-percent while the state made other areas a priority. I’m asking the Legislature to restore those cuts immediately and invest in a proven economic development entity, the Mississippi Community Colleges.”

Dr. Andrea Mayfield, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board added community colleges are the best value for the taxpayers and individuals seeking an education.

“The community college system does it all while offering affordable college tuition and with every experience, you can find at a university. But, you can also (earn a degree) and begin work without a large debt. The community college’s purpose is to put people to work and it’s the best value to Mississippi’s economy.”

Longtime community college supporter and Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann urged community college leaders to continue to share their “good value” message because two-year colleges make a difference.  While visiting schools across the state, Hosemann said he has met first-generation college graduates and problem solvers thanks to community colleges.

“The first autistic child was diagnosed in 1947 in Mississippi. It’s a growing problem but what are we going to do? How are we going to educate teachers who haven’t been faced with the challenges of teaching an autistic child? We went to the community colleges and they devised a program and it’s taught at Holmes.”

While the successes of community colleges are abundant, administrators are faced with the challenge of funding a system that continually lacks support from legislators. For every dollar spent on education, only seven-cents go to community colleges with 18-cents going to the Institutes for Higher Learning, and 75-cents fund kindergarten through 12^th grade. Community college leaders are asking for legislators to spend a dime of every dollar to educate the 100,000 students and the additional 70,024 individuals seeking skilled training.

“We are not just another group of people who want more money,” said Meridian Community College Associate Degree Nursing instructor, Dr. Holly Crane, R.N., CNE. “We, the community colleges are the catalyst that grows this economy and we are simply asking our legislators, our leaders, to invest in us like we invest in our students.”

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s music instructor, Dr. Lindsey Keay has been selected as the JC 2018-19 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year.  She will be honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council and the college on Tuesday, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. The public is invited to see Dr. Keay’s free flute performance and presentation, “In the Zone: Flow of Music,” which will explore our intrinsic motivation to function at our finest. Dr. Keay’s fascination with determining what prompts us to succeed with the ultimate desire to find ways to motivate students became the key to earning her doctoral degree.

“My doctoral theses explored the abstract, intangible feeling that drives us to engage in an activity, which often leads to sacrifice, for the sheer joy of doing that activity. It is the balance of what someone is able to do and what they can achieve by practice. It’s also a balance between challenge and skill. I wanted to know what drives musicians to do what they do, which often seems boring to others. However, for musicians ‘in flow,’ achieving that optimal state of joy and satisfaction is what sometimes pushes them to continue,” said Dr. Keay.

“Being in the zone” can apply to all aspects of life, including athletics, video gaming and the medical field. Dr. Keay’s goal as a music instructor is to discover how she can help her students find their motivating factor to put them “in the “zone.”

“Dr. Keay is an invaluable asset to Jones College. Her devotion to academic quality and student achievement is matched by her willingness to always go above and beyond to motivate students to be their best.  She is guided by a sense of purpose that is evident in all she does. She is an inspiration to all of us,” said Jones College Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jason Dedwylder.

The Mississippi Humanities Council will recognize Dr. Keay as JC’s Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year during this special presentation in Ellisville, and again in Jackson at a banquet where she will receive a cash award and a plaque.

“I am honored and humbled because there are a lot of fantastic faculty members doing a lot of awesome things at Jones.  I’m grateful to be nominated and I am looking forward to sharing some of my research on the psychological theory of ‘flow’ and how it pertains to music,” said Dr. Keay.

Director of Bands at Jones, Dr. Ben Burge said Dr. Keay is very deserving of the recognition from the Mississippi Humanities Council. The former Canadian and Houston, Texas native, Dr. Keay is a blessing to all the band members she is associated with.

“Lindsey is the consummate professional. She is a vital part of every success we have in the band department at Jones.  She provides a wonderful example to our students and she goes above and beyond in her teaching every single day.  She has extraordinary talent and is a remarkable flutist.  Jones College is lucky to have someone of her musical expertise and devotion on staff. I am proud to be her colleague and friend,” said Dr. Burge.

2015 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year, fine arts department chair and art instructor, Mark Brown, also acknowledges, Dr. Keay is vital to the success of the fine arts division.

“It is evident Dr. Keay cares about her students and takes pride in their achievements while demanding no recognition for herself.  She is a supportive colleague and plays the flute as beautifully as anyone I’ve heard,” said Brown.

Dr. Keay’s responsibilities besides being the assistant band director and flute instructor at Jones include, working with the Maroon Typhoon, 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 give 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. The accomplished flutist attributes her introduction to the flute to her mother.

“Shortly after we moved from Calgary, Canada to Houston, my mom encouraged me to join the band as I entered sixth grade. She played the flute so I wanted to play the flute too,” said Dr. Keay.

What began as an introduction to music on the flute has turned into a career in music that has lasted decades. The current Hattiesburg resident 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 –The Foundation for the Mid South’s $46,000 grant has helped Jones College’s commercial truck driving program go into “overdrive.”  One of the goals of the Foundation for the Mid South grant is to help fill the demand for more truck drivers.

“According to the Foundation for the Mid South, more than 11,000 truck driver jobs are available in Mississippi. Their intent is to bridge the gap between our programs and the areas of need in the state,” said Jones College’s Grant Coordinator, Dr. Mike Cole.

The majority of the grant has been used to help the Jones commercial truck driving program in various ways said Jones commercial truck driving instructor, Billy Miller.

“This grant has provided much needed maintenance for our aging fleet of trucks, four trailers and a dump truck. Tires alone cost several thousand dollars and we’ve purchased other equipment for the five commercial trucks used to train the regions’ future truckers.”

Jones will also be offering commercial truck driving in all four of the college’s county centers located in Bay Springs, Leakesville, Stonewall and Waynesboro, as well as the main campus in Ellisville. Additionally, some of the grant money will be used to support students and other skills-pathway options for students at Jones.