Category: News

ELLISVILLE –Jones College sophomores, Alyssa Adrion of Taylorsville, Raygen Keyes of Taylorsville, Halcyon Morgan of Laurel and Tanner Woolbright of Oak Grove each received Mississippi Engineering Society scholarships to earn their engineering degrees. All four students are planning to attend Mississippi State University to earn their bachelor’s degrees in various engineering fields. For the last 21 years, Jones College’s physics instructor, Mary Boleware has worked with the Southeast Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society which has awarded annual scholarships to her students.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the MES because they support our students as they transfer to a University Engineering Program,” said Boleware. “These four students have exhibited exemplary academic performance in one of the most challenging times in education. I wish them all the best as they continue their degree plans at the next level.

Students receiving a scholarship from the MES are required to be members of the Jones College Engineering Society and have a GPA ranging from 3.5 to 4.0.  MES Scholarship Chairman, Steven Parker, explained each student’s GPA, essay and application were reviewed before being selected for the scholarship.

“The four students were awarded a total of $5,000 in scholarships to attend an accredited engineering program in the state,” said Parker. “The Southeast Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society promotes and defends the rights of licensed professional engineers. Being an engineer is a prestigious discipline; these students will be the problem solvers of the future.”

Morgan, who is majoring in aerospace/astronautical engineering is a non-traditional student with a technical degree in precision manufacturing and machining. Scholarships which help earn an engineering degree are vital for Morgan in reaching his lofty goals. Growing a company that builds products for space and starting a STEM based extracurricular program for kids are just some of Morgan’s future plans.

“The less mental energy and time I have to spend worrying about how my education is being paid for, the more time I can spend on making use of it. This is a great cycle to be in because the more time I spend doing better in school, the better my opportunity for more scholarships. Standing out academically, will hopefully carry me further into my career,” said Morgan.

Also intrigued by “space” is Woolbright who is working on a degree in astronautical engineering.

“The ultimate goal is to work for a company with relations to space. Space fascinates me and I would really like to be involved in researching and discovering new things,” said Woolbright. “This scholarship helps reduce the financial stress and allows me to focus on my studies.”

Keyes’ dream job is to design launch sites for NASA. Receiving the MES scholarship keeps her focused on achieving her goal.

“I appreciate the support and confidence from my peers and I’m proud that I’ll be able to represent them through my ambitious career path,” said Keyes.

Taking a different path in the field of engineering, Adrion is pursuing a biomedical engineering degree. Her sights are set on developing medical equipment.

“My goal is to be a part of a team that designs and creates the newest and most innovative devices to be used in the medical field. A dream come true would be to create prosthetics,” said Adrion.  “It is an honor to be selected for this scholarship and representing Jones College and future engineers.”

Typically, The Southeast Chapter of the MES invites college and high school students to an annual meeting, exposing them to job opportunities and academic advice during Engineering Week. This year the festivities were canceled because of concerns with COVID-19.  JC’s Engineering Society co-hosts the annual event.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College was thrilled to be able to host WDAM-TV’s annual Top of Class 2021 recognition program with a live event, after canceling the 2020 celebration because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tradition of honoring the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from 45 high schools in the Pine Belt had never been canceled in the 22-year history of Jones College hosting the event, prior to last year. This year, the Top of Class 2021 event was held in two sessions for health and safety purposes.

“This group of seniors has dealt with so much because of the pandemic. Jones College was excited to be able to partner with WDAM-TV to honor the Top of Class 2021 with this special event and recognition program with everyone able to safely gather together,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Students heard from Miss Hospitality Mississippi, McKay Lee Bray who is a sophomore at Jones College, WDAM-TV General Manager & V.P., Tim Walker and Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith. Each student was recognized and received a special, Top of Class Certificate of Achievement, commemorative T-Shirt and participated in a modified version of the traditional, Hat Toss.

Highlights from the event, along with the academic achievements of the Pine Belt’s Top of Class 2021 will be seen daily on WDAM-TV beginning on Monday, May 17. The Valedictorian and Salutatorians from two high schools will be featured in a one-minute segment at 5:58 a.m. before WDAM 7 Sunrise Morning News program, through June 18, 2021. Additionally, the Top of the Class videos can be found on the WDAM-TV web page https://www.wdam.com/topofclass/

ELLISVILLE – Jones College has invited graduates from last year to join this year’s graduating class of 2021 to partake in commencement exercises on Saturday, May 22, at 8 p.m. on the north lawn of Jones Hall. About 715 students are expected to participate in the ceremony and will receive either, an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate or a Career Certificate.

This year’s Commencement Address will be from retired Major General, Byron Bagby who is the managing partner of BMB Solutions, LLC, which is an independent consulting firm. The agency provides services in executive leadership development and coaching, and strategy development.

Bagby served in the U.S. Army as Commandant of Joint Forces Staff College; Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Military Cooperation in Cairo, Egypt, managing security cooperation programs valued at $1.3 billion annually; and as the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Army, in Europe, directing all the activities of more than 1,000 people in 30 locations, in nine countries. His duties included being at the Pentagon on the Joint Staff and Department of the Army Staff.

Bagby is a certified True Growth Leadership facilitator and a certified Authentic Leadership Development Coach through the Chambers Bay Institute and has coached more than 400 leaders to live a life of significance. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Ryan Consulting Group (as Chair); on the Board of Directors of Management Support Technology, Inc.; and the Boards of Trustees of William Woods College and Columbia Southern University. From 2012-17, he served on the Board of Trustees of Westminster College (MO).

General Bagby has earned many decorations and honors, including two Army Distinguished Service Medals; the Ranger Tab; the Master Parachutist Badge; the Westminster College Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award; and has been inducted into the Fulton Public Schools Hall of Fame. He is a life member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

He earned his B.A. in Economics from Westminster College and his M.Ed. in Adult Education from UNC-Chapel Hill. Bagby and his wife, Monique Hale Bagby have two adult children and live in Alexandria, VA.

To comply with health and safety guidelines, each Jones College graduate will be allocated four tickets for their guests to attend the graduation ceremony in person. The graduation ceremony will also be live-streamed on the Jones College web page, http://www.jcjc.edu/   Additionally, parking will be limited with assigned spaces reserved for each graduate. For more information about graduation at Jones College check the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/graduation/index.php#CommencementSection and for questions specifically regarding the 2021 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

Graduates & Degree Information

Spring 2021 – 676 Students Applied for Graduation

Fall 2020 – 345 Degrees Awarded

Summer 2020 – 252 Degrees Awarded

Spring 2020 – 910 Degrees Awarded amongst the 751 students who applied for graduation.

Fall 2019 – 362 Degrees Awarded

Summer 2019 – 179 Degrees Awarded

ELLISVILLE – Three ladies beat out the competition to lead Jones College’s Maroon Typhoon Marching Band next fall. Freshman, Emma Burge of Oak Grove, will be joined by incoming freshmen, Cambry Holifield of Laurel and incoming sophomore, Genna Ramey of Leroy, Alabama, to lead the nearly 200-member organization.

Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge explained the three were selected after a competitive audition that included demonstrations, a lengthy interview and a presentation of their field conducting and showmanship.

“These three young ladies displayed the confidence, strength and leadership skills that we are looking for in a drum major. I am eager for them to begin their duties and I look forward to them helping the Maroon Typhoon come out of the year of Covid-19. I believe these drum majors will play a huge part in creating a very special fall on campus,” said Burge.

Leading the group, is Dr. Burge’s daughter, Emma who spent last year as the newest drum major at Jones College. However, she also has experience in the leadership role as the drum major at Oak Grove High School for two years before coming to Jones College.

“I am so excited to be drum major of the Maroon Typhoon for my second year. I am eager to play a part in bringing ‘normal’ back and for all of campus to spring back to life!” said Burge, who is a Music Industry major.

While trying to decide on a major, Holifield is certain of her abilities as a leader of the band. She has been a drum major at Northeast Jones High School for the last three years.

“I am so grateful for this honor and I can’t wait to get started!” said Holifield.

Leroy High School’s Ramey said she is looking forward to coming to Jones College to continue being a part of the music program while majoring in Health Information.

“I’m really thrilled about being a drum major for the Maroon Typhoon this coming fall! Our normal schedule was cut in half last fall, so I’m really excited about our fine arts and athletics having the chance to show off their talents and hard work this fall,” said Ramey.

For more information about the Jones College Band Program contact, Dr. Ben Burge at 601-477-4095 or by email, ben.burge@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore from Ellisville, Caidyn Crowder was crowned Most Beautiful at the annual Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant, held April 20, in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The biology major was crowned by JC sophomore and 2020 Most Beautiful, Dariyel Johnson of Leakesville. JonesOnstage provided entertainment, and Allyson Knotts emceed the event.

The pageant’s regularly scheduled fall event was postponed due to COVID-19. As vaccinations continue and COVID-19 cases drop, the college began adding spring events, including the pageant. Thirteen ladies participated in this year’s event sponsored by the college yearbook staff.

“Our number of pageant contestants may have been fewer this year due to the pandemic, but it was no less beautiful,” said Kelly Atwood, Lair yearbook advisor. “I have so many people to thank for such a wonderful night: Dr. Tessa Flowers for planning and directing the event, Bruce Smith and Dr. Jennifer Bruton for their work with Jones OnStage, Wendy Wilkerson for the greenery, Patrick Trest for technical support, and all the behind-the-scenes employees who helped make the night perfect.”

A Top Six were chosen this year, which included Crowder, Keely Skellion of Ellisville, Rylee Brabham of Waynesboro, First alternate-Lydia Ruth Odom of Bay Springs, Second alternate-Brinley Bullock of Laurel and Third alternate Karsyn Ulmer of Laurel.

Three additional ladies were also awarded special recognition, including Most Photogenic, Kyra Lampley; Miss Congeniality, Josarah Slover; and Best Essay, Brinley Bullock.