Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – As part of Convocation and Bobcat Bash festivities during the first week of classes, the Jones College freshman class was challenged by Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith to “go for the gold!” like the U.S.A. Olympic Team. Earning a record 126 total number of medals in the world at the recent Olympic Games in Paris, Team U.S.A. dominated with 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals.  

“What an opportunity we have in America,” said Smith. “I’m challenging you to go for the gold. The U.S. is the greatest country in the world, and you may be the greatest generation we’ve ever had. My challenge to you is to make it happen. Be the greatest generation this country has ever had!”

With those words of inspiration, students, faculty and staff enjoyed an evening of music as The Mustache Band performed on Centennial Plaza, outside the C.L. Neill Student Center.

“I’m so excited to be here!” said freshman Gracyn White of Gulfport. “This really brings all the freshmen, and really everyone together to enjoy the night and have fun!”

The Mustache Band members also enjoyed passing out their signature mustache to the crowd as they performed 90s country music.

ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Livestock Show Team is excited to be fully moved into the new Show Barn on campus which was completed last spring. Students groom and train the Red Angus heifers in the 144-foot x 60-foot facility which features a large wash rack with hot and cold water, eight large animal stalls and six small animal stalls, with large animal turnouts, an outdoor kitchen, front porch, feed room, two bathrooms, and an office.

“We are super excited about being able to use the new show barn on campus. The students have enjoyed working in it already this year,” said Leanne Kilgore, the Livestock & Agriculture Science instructor and Show Team advisor. “In a few weeks, we will start halter breaking our first set of calves that have been raised on the JC Farm for the show team. The new facility allows the team to care for and house eight head of cattle with ease.”

This year’s Livestock Show Team consists of nine experienced and knowledgeable individuals from across the state who have been showing livestock since their youth. Working together over the next few months as a team allows the group to hone their leadership skills and prepare for competition.

“Students are responsible for the daily care and feeding of the animals. They spend many hours each week working with these animals preparing them for the show ring,” said Kilgore. “This spring, we’ll attend four shows including the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky and end the competition season in Houston at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

The team did exceptionally well in Houston last spring, winning Reserve Division, Champion Division, and Reserve Grand Champion Red Angus Female Grand Reserve Red Angus. At Cattlemen’s Congress the team exhibited three heads of cattle with two, placing 2nd, and one, placed 4th. All of the JC Livestock Show Team will also attend the Mississippi Youth Expo in Jackson and the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Freshman, Kade Lott of Hattiesburg may be majoring in petroleum engineering but his experience on the farm should help the team continue to be successful.

“I started showing pigs when I was five years old. I grew up in the industry and over the past few years, I’ve done really well,” said Lott. “I’ve also shown cattle, mostly shorthorn heifers and show steers. I love traveling and I want to get the college’s name out even more.”

Sophomore Sadie Morris of Batesville said she is ready to return to the ring as a team and continue to bring home more honors. Being a member of the JC Livestock Show Team also allows the animal science major more opportunities for her career.

“I have met more people in addition to expanding my education in the livestock and the agriculture world. The Livestock Show Team is helping me to decide what I want to do in the future,” said Morris.

Also returning to the ring with more experiences and a special distinction is Grant Goree of Lorena. The poultry science sophomore proudly represented Mississippi at the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet contest in Omaha, Nebraska last spring.

In addition to being on the JC Livestock Show Team, Bailey Blakeney of Magee is also an officer for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. The Agribusiness major’s goal is to work at Mississippi Farm Bureau after graduating from Mississippi State University.

“This opportunity on the Team has given me the chance to get out of my comfort zone and make connections that will last a lifetime,” said Blakeney.

Sophomore Chase Boone of Raleigh hopes to continue to find success in the ring. In addition to being on the Livestock Show Team, the Agribusiness and Poultry Science major is an active member of the Student Government Association. After earning his degree, Boone plans to own and manage his own farm.

New members of the JC Livestock Show Team bring a variety of experiences to the show barn. Oak Grove High School graduate and a member of PTK, Kylie Graves explained, “Being on the state’s only Livestock Show Team is a special honor. I hope to learn more about marketing within the livestock show industry.” Her future plans include majoring in Agriculture Communications and Marketing.

Quitman’s Paige Hagwood was a member of the Beta Club, HOSA and National Technical Honor Society in high school. At Jones College, she hopes to use her experience showing cattle to help her as a sports medicine major.

Hannah Jones of Flora is thrilled to be able to continue working in the show ring and with cattle as a freshman at Jones. The Agriculture Business and Poultry Science major plans to work as a photographer in the future.

Former Simpson Academy football player and Senior Class Favorite, Will Smith is an Agriculture Business major from Magee. The JC freshman’s plans include going to Mississippi State University to further his education.

For more information about the Livestock Show Team click on the link: https://www.jcjc.edu/livestock_showteam/ and to learn more about the agriculture related programs at Jones College click on the websites, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/agricultural/, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/poultryscience/

ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Typhoon Marching Band is led by four students who are academic achievers and familiar with being in the spotlight. Returning sophomores, Hannah Latham of Sandersville and Braden Yarber of Ellisville both led their high school bands and were tops in their class. Latham was also the Show Choir Captain and a cheerleader. Her peers selected her as Miss Northeast Jones, and she was honored by being selected for the Hall of Fame. The education major shared being a Jones College Drum Major has been a special privilege.

“Being a drum major at JC has been one of the greatest and most rewarding things I have experienced. I have met so many amazing people and I have made so many friendships that will last a lifetime. This band, the people who make it happen, will always have a special place in my life,” said Latham.

Braden Yarber has also enjoyed success in the classroom and landed in the Top Ten of the Class of 2023 at South Jones High School. The former Beta Club member and Tennis Team Captain juggled the demands of being the Drum Major for the nationally ranked Braves Band. At Jones College, Yarber will pursue a degree in the medical sciences field at USM after graduating from JC in May. Over the summer, he had the opportunity to enjoy another aspect of the “band world” as a member of the colorguard for the prestigious Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp. Based out of Denver, Colorado, the nationally touring marching arts ensemble competes in Drum Corps International World Class. The group of performers from across the country create a live musical marching performance incorporating brass and percussion instruments with highly choreographed dance and movement.

Freshman, Elisa Cook of Meridian has been in the spotlight in various ways. In the realm of band, Cook was the Clarkdale High School Drum Major for two years and was honored to earn the MHSAA Superior Drum Major title. Additionally, she has been a member of the Marching and Concert Bands at Clarkdale High School, as well as a member of the basketball team and President of the FBLA. Her peers voted her as the Junior Homecoming Maid in 2022. Currently, Cook is the reigning Miss Black Queen City Talented Teen, and she has her sights on being the next Miss Black Mississippi USA Talented Teen.

“I am competing for this opportunity to promote my platform, ‘Confidence is in You: Leadership Development for the Youth.’ My platform is to encourage children and teenagers to become great leaders which includes learning to communicate, speak in public, be encouraging, and to be an overall role model for others. I was a shy young girl and since then, I’ve been in many leadership roles like being a drum major for the Jones College Typhoon! This opportunity has helped me meet new people, build my leadership skills, public speaking skills, communication skills and create beautiful memories,” shared Cook.  

Northeast Jones High School graduate and member of the marching, jazz and concert bands, Chaz Welborn has distinguished himself in a unique way. The Ellisville resident is a Mississippi Scholars Award recipient and he graduated from Northeast Jones High School with a Distinguished Academic Endorsement, and the Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” Award. Welborn volunteers his lawn scaping talents with his neighbors and friends and aspires to earn a degree in computer science. These drum majors’ first public appearance leading the Typhoon Marching Band will be on Thursday, August 29, when Jones College hosts Mississippi Delta in football at 7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College students flooded campus on the first day of fall semester classes. In fact, Executive Vice President, Dr. Finèe Ruffin is excited to report enrollment is up.

“Credit hour enrollment is up by 3.79 percent to 60,197 credit hours and the headcount or actual number of students on campus is up by 5.84 percent for a total of 4, 534 students,” said Ruffin.

Students entering Jones Hall were greeted with a bottle of free water and an invitation to the Baptist Student Union’s Welcome Weekend event. Many freshmen had mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety before attending their first classes.

“I’m a little excited but really I just want to get through this first day,” said Natalie Jones of Mendenhall.

Freshman from Raleigh, Anna Lauryn Grayson said she was a little surprised her first class was dismissed a little early and was looking forward to working on her Special Education major.

Sophomore Will Carlson of Hattiesburg said being in band helped him adjust to being back on campus and freshman Luke Westmoreland of Grenada said he’s ready to begin competing as a member of the tennis team.

Even some faculty members, like Social Science instructor, Stacy Ruth shared with her students that today was her last, first day of school as she plans to retire upon completion of her 32nd year of teaching.

While traditional classes began today (Monday, August 19), online and dual enrollment classes begin on Monday, August 26. For more information about how to apply go to the website, www.jcjc.edu

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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 – The business hours of operation at Jones College have changed as of Monday, August 19, 2024. Office hours are now Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Friday, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“We are thrilled to announce extended operating hours at Jones College, which will provide our students with greater flexibility and accessibility to campus resources. By offering an additional 30 minutes each day to serve students and meet our class schedule demands, we are demonstrating our commitment to optimizing student support services. These changes reflect our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and enhancing their overall college experience,” said Executive Vice President, Dr. Finèe Ruffin.  

For more information visit the Jones College website at https://www.jcjc.edu/

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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 (ADA/ Section 504) ADA Coordinator, Terrell Tisdale Library, phone 601-477-2673, and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.