Jones College Practical Nurse grads “Bridge” the healthcare gap
ELLISVILLE – Twenty-six Jones College students in the Practical Nursing program successfully completed the three-semester program and are now ready to help bridge the healthcare crisis. One way to accomplish that is through the Nursing Bridge Program offered at Jones College and many other colleges and universities statewide, to help fill the demand for nurses.
“All of our practical nursing students can go on from here in their education. In fact, nearly 50% of ours do continue their education,” said Amy Myers, Practical Nurse Program Director. “Here at Jones, there is a Bridge Program for our students and the Associate Degree Nursing program. They can work and take classes, and it takes them a little less time to earn the next degree. There are Bridge programs across the state for the bachelor’s degree in nursing too.”
This is one of the many options 53-year-old Regenia Hamilton is considering as she celebrates finishing the Practical Nursing program. The Columbia mother and grandmother and her sister, Theresa McHenry had planned to be in nursing school together, however, her 51-year-old sister had to take a few more prerequisite classes and will begin the program in January.
“When I finish the practical nursing program, I plan on bridging to the Associate Degree Program,” said McHenry. “I am also very proud of my sister today. She deserves it because she works hard. She’s going to be a great nurse and she has had it in her all these years.”
Ironically, the Jones College nursing faculty also believes Hamilton most emulated the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale. During the Pinning and Graduation Ceremony, Hamilton was selected as the recipient of the Florence Nightingale Award for her compassion, dedication, and kindness with professionalism, integrity, and selfless attitude toward humanity.
“It has changed my life coming to Jones. Every instructor has become family and I’m so excited about today,” said Hamilton. “You have endless opportunities as a nurse. I have yet to decide what I’ll do next, but it’s not a burden to think about. I’m so excited and I just want to choose the right path because at my age, you know, I want to make the best decision for me.”
In her challenge to the Level 1 Nursing students, Hamilton encouraged the group to “start over” whenever they make a mistake. “That is the one thing that I carry with me through life as an older student, but I’m here,” explained Hamilton. “When you come to that bump in the road. Start over. Regroup. Never quit and keep going.”
Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tessa Flowers shared with the graduates, family, and friends at the Pinning Ceremony, that the nursing program has a special place in her heart. Her grandmother is a graduate of the JCJC Practical Nursing program and is confident the newest graduates are ready to serve. She said she is also thankful for their desire to help others.
“I’m thankful for the students here today who will help bridge the gap with our current health care crisis. We need good nurses. We need nurses who are trained to take care of us. These students have the training and education. I’m also thankful for the faculty, qualified caring faculty, who have helped these students through some of the hardest days they have faced yet. They have persevered.”
One graduate, LaKirria Everett of Waynesboro was selected to receive the Rising Star Award for showing continuous dedication and exceptional growth in the classroom and clinical setting. Her positive attitude and perseverance have enriched her professionalism and nursing knowledge, her teachers explained. The Academic Excellence Award was given to Shelby Brazell of Waynesboro who achieved the highest average and superior academic performance. The ceremony concluded with the traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony which is a representation of the enlightenment of your mind. The traditional “Lamp Lighting” was inspired by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale who carried a lamp to find and help wounded soldiers during the Crimean War in 1854.
Practical Nursing Graduates December 2023
Layesha Brianna Bâ, Clarksdale
Brittany Michelle Barnes, Laurel
Madelyn Berry, Prentiss
Catie Booth, Heidelberg
Shelby Brazell, Waynesboro
Jada Jamya Brinson, Prentiss
Kyra Nicole Brown, Indianola
Kaila Ja’Maya Clemons, DeKalb
Emily Grace Edwards, Richton
LaKirria Aaliyah Everett, Waynesboro
Adisyn Mae Gainey, Waynesboro
Regenia Hamilton, Columbia
Mallorie Harris, Stringer
Shaqueria Polk-Harris, State Line
Bailey Holifield, Laurel
Laneshia Chanea Jackson, Laurel
Jermeneshia Jordan, State Line
Kaneshia Monique Kirk, Laurel
Taneshia LaSha Leverette, Waynesboro
Sidney Matthew, Moselle
Haley McSwain, Petal
Karli Rhyne Mills, Greene County
Abigail Grace Rigney, Buckatunna
Emma Shepherd, Ellisville
Kendell Smith, Greene County
Rachel Ryuka Womack, Richton
Jones College celebrates reopening of remodeled auditorium
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium has held thousands of events over nearly 55 years since it opened in 1969. The first group of performers and the public that attended the Christmas with the Arts program on Friday, December 1st, enjoyed a newly remodeled auditorium. However, before the doors were opened to the public, college administrators and fine arts faculty celebrated by cutting a big red ribbon.
“We held the last event in the M.P. Bush Auditorium last December at the Concert Choir’s Christmas concert. A year later, we’ve re-opened it tonight for our Christmas program,” Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith shared with the audience before the program. “This has been an exciting time and now we’re pleased to offer you an even more spectacular theater experience.”
Dean of the Arts, Music, and Performance College, Bruce Smith said the renovations didn’t just change the look of the auditorium. “We no longer have cinder block walls since we added the sheetrock on the walls making it feel a lot warmer, more modern. Painting the ceiling enhances the lighting, like when we use lasers, and the new sound equipment is in stereo.”
The eight-month renovations included removing the old theater seats and flooring and adding new lighting, a new sound and camera operation station, new carpet, seating, and new railings, as well as drywall in the auditorium, hallways and lobby. Patrons will also notice new lighting and lobby furniture and perhaps fewer seats. The seating capacity in the auditorium was reduced by about 100 to accommodate the new sound and camera booth. Dr. Smith told the audience that by managing the project in-house and using Michael Bradshaw, Assistant to the President for Facilities Management to oversee the project, about one million dollars was saved. The $900,000 remodel was funded primarily by state capital improvement funds.
Jones College students receive Pearl River Valley EPA Scholarships
ELLISVILLE – Eighteen Jones College students are amongst the 142 students from throughout Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s 12-county service area receiving a $650 scholarship through the Round Up for Education scholar’s program. This is the eleventh year the scholarship program has been able to offer a financial boost for community college students because members round their bills up to the nearest dollar amount each month. Scholarships are available to members who do the “round up,” as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen this fall. The state’s community college students can thank the generous spirit and support of the Association’s 52,000 members for the added financial boost to their education.
“The Round Up for Education program is an example of how electric cooperatives, and their members can improve their communities through education,” said CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware. “Education is vital to improving the future for all of us in south Mississippi.”
Since the Round Up program began in November 2012, nearly $2.5 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future use. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants. In the program’s 11 years, 2,167 students have now received scholarships.
“Sometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents, can make the biggest impact in our communities,” said Ware. “While it may not seem like your spare change can do much, but when combined with the generosity of your fellow Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member and improve the quality of life in your communities. Working together is the cooperative way and that can make a big difference.”
In addition to 18 Jones College students receiving scholarships, 94 students attending Pearl River Community College, and 20 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students each received the $650 PRVEPA scholarship. Ten other students attending three other state community colleges also received scholarships. Overall, students came from 18 different high schools and home school programs.
Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, go toward next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2024 scholarships will be available beginning in November. Pearl River Valley Electric is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative that distributes electricity to more than 52,000 members in 12 counties in central and south Mississippi. It is headquartered in Columbia and has offices in Hattiesburg, Purvis, and Wiggins.
Jones College student recipients of the PRVEPA Round Up for Education Scholarship
- Georgia Boudreaux, Hattiesburg
- Kamron Brooks, Hattiesburg
- Madelyn Brown, Purvis
- William Carlson, Hattiesburg
- Colby Daughtry, Sumrall
- Christopher Goolsby, Hattiesburg
- Aylesia Hartfield, Wiggins
- Natalie Holmes, Kokomo
- Julio Martinez, Hattiesburg
- Miller Ethan, Hattiesburg
- Mitchell Morgan, Hattiesburg
- Manning Moody IV, Wiggins
- Brooks Newell, Hattiesburg
- Ta’Nia Patrick, Columbia
- Garrett Stephens, Hattiesburg
- Madison Swales, Hattiesburg
- Campbell Wood, Hattiesburg
- Lillian Yawn, Hattiesburg
Jones College’s “Christmas with the Arts” & Salvation Army Toy Drive vital to the community
ELLISVILLE – After 11 years, Jones College’s Christmas with the Arts toy drive continues to serve as a vital part of the annual Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. The community’s donations of new unwrapped toys for admission to the Jones College Christmas program have often provided hundreds of families some happiness during the holidays with these gifts. Toys will be distributed on Monday, December 11, to the nearly 250 families who signed up for the program, with 611 children needing a little Christmas joy. Salvation Army’s Commanding Officer in Laurel, Captain Keisha McMullin explained that an additional 150 kids were added to the list this year, but she’s grateful for the tremendous response from the Jones College family.
“There are several ‘Angels’ still hanging on the tree in the mall in Laurel and if no one adopts them, these gifts will fill those needs, so we don’t have to purchase gifts. We are so thankful for what the college community does to help every year with this program. I wish everyone could see my smile right now looking at all these gifts!” exclaimed Captain McMullin.
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 about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/
For more information, call the Jones College of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and Twitter.
Jones College’s “Day of Giving” surpasses goal
ELLISVILLE- For the last four years, Jones College’s Day of Giving event has surpassed goals but this year’s generous friends and alumni of the two-year college have exceeded expectations four-fold from previous years. In 2019, $28,000 was raised and in 2021, $71,000 was pledged. Last year’s total of $108, 325.66 was unbelievable and this year’s total of $652,616.48 has the JCJC Alumni & Foundation Office almost speechless.
“The Jones College Foundation cannot express in words the gratitude and appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the unwavering support received on this year’s Day of Giving. The contributions from alumni and friends of the college have created a ripple effect, touching the lives of many in immeasurable ways. It is through this generosity and commitment that the Jones College Foundation achieved a remarkable milestone on the National Day of Giving this year,” said Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young.
Many of the donations are from alumni like Lorrie Thompson who along with her husband Chris, endowed the Cade Thompson Memorial Scholarship on Tuesday’s Day of Giving. The 1993 JC alumna, Lorrie Thompson, and her husband wanted to continue the legacy of their 18-year-old son Cade who was set to graduate from West Jones High School in 2022. He was already taking classes at Jones when he was involved in a fatal accident on October 20, 2021.
“He would have been proud that we were doing this, that’s what he would have wanted, but he wouldn’t want any recognition. That was not like him. He didn’t want the spotlight on him, but I could see him standing there with a grin on his face, proud,” said Lorrie.
The West Jones football player’s jersey, #56 has been retired in his honor and the couple have also established scholarships for West Jones High School football players and cheerleaders. They hope this scholarship established on Jones College’s Day of Giving will help a student like Cade who was an average student who loved fishing, football and his family.
“We want to keep building on the scholarship, maybe every year in memory of Cade,” said Chris. “To this day, we still get postcards, letters and stuff from people from Florida, Georgia, places all over. People were praying for us from the Philippines. There are just good people out there who still remember us and want to give back too.”
The Thompson’s were not alone in their desire to “pay it forward” on JC’s Day of Giving. Jones College 2023 alumna and current student, Chanel Evans of Hattiesburg announced the establishment of a scholarship in her brother’s memory. She returned to Jones College in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus from academia and pursuing a career in restaurant management. The current Division Field Training Manager/Franchise Development for the Wendy’s Company earned her associate of arts degree in psychology in 2023, but the 38-year-old non-traditional student decided to return for another year to earn an associate of arts in interdisciplinary studies with plans to graduate in May. Evans is simultaneously working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Diversity and Cultural Awareness from Southern New Hampshire University and has plans to earn another bachelor’s degree from Harvard Extension School or Cornell University. Additionally, she’s earned numerous certifications in human relations and marketing, all because of her brother’s encouragement to finish college.
“Rashad was the kind of person who would literally give you his last and so he did as his parting gift to the world was his essence, he was an organ donor. Because he was so gracious, as one of my greatest supporters, it inspired me. He always wanted me to finish college, so I felt it was incumbent upon me to carry out his legacy by just finishing what I started,” shared Evans. “Also, to be able to pay the blessing forward to someone else (with a scholarship) has to be one of the greatest accomplishments of my time. There were so many times when scholarships were the difference between me progressing through another semester or sitting out.”
Earlier this fall, while also taking classes online, Chanel established the Rashad Evans Memorial Scholarship for nontraditional students at Jones College. She wanted to announce it on the “Day of Giving” as a way to inspire others to support her alma mater.
“Even when I’m not here, his legacy will thrive, and that opportunity will continue to enable others to accomplish their goals. Donors are investing in the leaders of tomorrow, affording them boundless opportunities through their graciousness. Your donation is so much more than monetary. You are investing in our students and the talents of the leaders of tomorrow who will shape the world,” said Evans, who serves as the Phi Theta Kappa honor society’s Honors in Action Director.
Additionally, Jones College students pitched in to support the college by buying bow ties to dress up the bronze bobcat on the C.L. Neill Plaza for the Day of Giving. Phi Theta Kappa President, Kadin Johnston from Waynesboro wanted to give back and pay it forward.
“Jones College has offered me many opportunities for my life because of the Presidential Scholarship I received. Jones has given me a firm foundation, prepared me and it has helped me be a well-developed, well-rounded student. I’m thankful to be at Jones College,” said Johnston.
Joining together as a Jones College community along with the JC family of friends and alumni, helped to secure the non-profit Foundation’s mission of supporting the college as it continues to thrive. The main purpose of this concerted effort is to build awareness of how the Jones College Foundation serves JC students and its communities and to show how easy giving can be for our alumni and friends.
Everything raised by the JCJC Foundation is invested back into the students, faculty, staff, and community in some way. Whether it’s education, professional development, or anything vital in carrying out our mission, the JCJC Foundation offers assistance. The “Day of Giving” is an opportunity for anyone to help Jones College continue to offer excellence in education and inspire another generation to share the vision Jones College established in 1911. Tax-deductible donations can be accepted online at https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/giving-support/ or contact the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 for more information.