Category: News

ELLISVILLE – Twenty-eight Associate Degree Nursing graduates left Jones College learning more than just nursing because of COVID-19. At the pinning ceremony, Class President, Brigit Kelly reminded the auditorium filled with friends and family, that this group of nurses embarked on the nursing school journey during a very disheartening time in world history.

“The day we received our notice we were accepted into the program was the day each of us walked into a somewhat frightening unknown. We began this journey in August of 2020 during the peak of Covid in our nation and only five months after the first positive case was reported in Mississippi. Yet, we all decided to sign up for whatever the next two years might bring us,” said Kelly.

Immediately, this group of students learned Covid Protocols and learned while in quarantine through a computer and wearing a mask. Learning to adapt alongside their instructors, Kelly shared the Class of 2022 had some fun memories too.

“We made the best of our situation even though our situation was not the best. In Nursing 3 and 4 we finally got a glimpse of what regular nursing would look like,” said Kelly. “We began to associate a name with a face and created lifelong friendships too.”

It was during the final semester of nursing school these graduates said they learned the biggest lesson of all. While navigating through the news of vaccine mandates, these nurses learned an important life lesson.

“We navigated intense emotions, debates, and general paperwork with this event. The biggest lesson we learned however was there is immense power in compassionate and considerate coexistence. Together, no matter what our beliefs or stance on any topic, we learned how to acknowledge humanity in one another,” said Kelly. However, she continued, “In Nursing 5 we all grew to admire our profession and began to master the power of harnessing harmful emotions and replaced them with civility and compassion instead.”

Additionally, during their five semesters, the nursing students overcame numerous obstacles while simultaneously being full time parents, full and part time employees, caretakers and they also dealt with various degrees of grief.

“While we mourn our old reality, many of us continue to mourn the loss of people we loved,” shared Kelly. “Regardless, we leave here today not only as soon-to-be registered nurses, but as changed human beings. May we continue to use our voice for kindness, our ears for compassionate listening, our hands for healing, our minds for truth and hearts to love.”

Director of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, Mike Cummings agreed that this class was challenged to the extreme. However, in the face of our number one health crisis, he praised this class for coming to work regardless.

“They didn’t have to continue. They could have chosen to take a different career path because of all they experienced but they didn’t,” said Cummings. “They continued to show up and do the work and accomplished what they set out to accomplish. They were committed and remained flexible as the world changed before them. We commend you. Job well done!”

Noting that the nursing curriculum is one of the more difficult programs to pass, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith said this class has endured extreme challenges. Even so, he shared there’s nothing more important than educating outstanding nurses.

“Everything has to change in nursing school. The way you think, the way you sleep, the way you study, the tears, the joys, the ups and downs, and in the middle of a pandemic with all of those challenges, you’ve succeeded,” said Smith. “Remember our motto is, ‘Inspiring Greatness’ and we expect you to do so. It’s a long road ahead but it’s very rewarding. We expect you to make this world a better place because we know you are eminently prepared to take this next step.”

Perhaps the overall difference for these 28 graduates’ ability to reach today’s Pinning and Graduation Ceremony, Smith said is the supportive network of family and friends. Just like the nursing school tradition of the Lighting of the Lamp demonstrates the passing on of knowledge from nursing faculty to graduates, Smith said he is also impressed with the Jones College nursing faculty’s ability to adapt to the changes, while still managing to keep what’s most important, first and foremost.

For more information about the Associate Degree Nursing program at Jones College check out the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/adn/

ELLISVILLE – Three Jones College Radiologic Technology graduates received honors and scholarships at their completion ceremony recently. Ciera Lightsey of Leakesville earned the 2022 Clinical Student of the Year, and the Academic Student of the Year honors went to Michelle Green of Hattiesburg.

Earning the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists Scholarship was Katelyn McKenzie. The Foxworth resident earned a $400 scholarship to continue her education. The Mississippi Radiological Society Scholarship was awarded to Lexie McDaniel of New Augusta.

The 11 Jones College Radiologic Technology graduates recognized South Central Regional Medical Center’s K.C. Singley R.T. (R) as the Technologist of the Year at the ceremony. Carrie Holiefield R.T.(R) with Covington County Hospital was honored as the Clinical Instructor of the Year.

Group Photo with instructors:  Jones College Radiologic Technology graduates are pictured with their instructors prior to graduation. Pictured in the front row, left to right, Samantha Brown, Hannah Burnham, Michelle Green, Lexie McDaniel and Mary Strickland. Pictured in the back row, left to right is instructor, Brittany Barron, students Bre Waite, Cameron McLaurin, Rachel Bryant, Ciera Lightsey, Desiree Brunty, Katelyn McKenzie and instructor, Mandy Pearson.

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 Mya McLain of Waynesboro and Wyatt Reid of Laurel. Leadership Gold Key recipients were Conner Smith of Ellisville and Anna Kate Wood of Leakesville. Soccer player Garrett Wise of Madison and softball player Lauren Lindsey of Mobile 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. Students eligible for the Academic Gold Key are, Rebekah Baugh-Oak Grove, Darcy Beech of Ellisville, Ivana Bishop of Waynesboro, Olivia Boleware of Prentiss, Morgan Breland of Ellisville, Alexis Cato of Hattiesburg, Gabriel Cooley of Hattiesburg, Abbey Dodd of Petal, Hasting Hitt of Mt. Olive, Mya McLain of Waynesboro, Sydney Pevey of Jayess, Anna Gayle of Rutledge of Crystal Springs, Madison Schneider of Laurel, Rebecca Speights of Silver Creek, Andrea Vlasceanu of Madrid Spain and Anna Kate Wood of Leakesville.

 

ELLISVILLE – Sixty-one Jones College faculty and staff members were recently honored for their years of service to the college during a special Employee Recognition event. Administrators and the JC Foundation treated the Jones College faculty and staff to a picnic lunch outdoors before the end of the spring semester. JC administrators honored employees for their service at five-year increments, beginning with those who have served at least five years.

Juanita Morgan, Andrew Sharp and Daphne Yeager were honored for having the most service years in 2021, with 25 years each. Morgan has worked in the Business, Financial Aid and Human Resources Offices. Andrew Sharp has been serving as the Library Director and Yeager has worked as an administrative assistant for the Business, Instructional Affairs, and the President’s Offices.

Also honored were six employees for serving the college for 20 years: Kari Dearman-Admissions, Danielle Matthews-A.D.N. instructor, Jeffrey Morris-Grounds, Melanie James-Enrollment, Amanda Robertson-English instructor, and Carmen Sumrall-Workforce College.

Ten JC employees were recognized for their 15 years of service: Kelly Atwood-Journalism instructor, Dolores Deasley-Soccer coach, Jason Dedwylder-Academic Dean, Jennifer Griffith-Workforce College Dean, Brad Harrison-Industrial Services Student Services, Sarah Ishee-History instructor, Ginger Keeton-Assistant Dean of the College of Business and Technology, Kenneth Savell-Maintenance, Megan Stringer-Science instructor and Murray Windham-English instructor.

Celebrating 10 years of employment at JC were13 people: Kacie Birdsong-Registrar, Kimberly Bradshaw-Math instructor, Billy Clark-Welding instructor, Brendan Connolly-Soccer coach, Joe Everett-Campus operations, Casey Herrington-A.D.N. instructor, Jennifer Hughes-Out of School Youth Coordinator, Claire Ishee-Recruiting Director, Tina Livingston-Facilities/student affairs, Jason Mills-Agriculture/campus operations, Nan Pritchard-A.D.N. instructor, Rod Tolbert-Career and Technical Dean and Greg Wascoe-Voice/fine arts instructor.

Twenty-nine JC employees were recognized for their five years of service including Randall Beets-Commercial truck driving instructor, Brooks Buffington-Tennis coach, Angela Burge-Practical nursing instructor, Ben Burge-Director of Bands, Armendia Cochran-Paramedic instructor, Carla Collins-Athletics, Grant Crowder-Jasper County Center Director, Kari Dedwylder-Financial Aid Director, Joseph Emfinger-Chemistry instructor, Tessa Flowers-VP of Student Affairs, Grant Garner-Football coach, Gene Head-Campus police, David Helton-Pipefitting, Ashley Holifield-Student Affairs, Sarah Jones-Counselor, Anna Lane-A. D. Nursing instructor, Kenneth Lindsey-Maintenance, Paige McCardle-Workforce College, Courtney McInnis-Wayne County Learning Center, Holly Robertson-Career Services, Robert Ruffin-Environmental Services Director, Randi Simpson-Adult Education, Hope Taylor-Enrollment Management, Jennifer Thornton-Adult Education, Stewart Walters-Practical nursing instructor, Julie Ward-Environmental services, Tracy Warden-Welding Workforce College, Brandi Wilford-Practical nursing instructor and Theresa Woodward-Environmental services.

Each honored employee was given a special item designed for each level of achievement: 5 years-small plaque; 10 years-large plaque; 15 years-clock; 20 years-small acrylic trophy; 25 years-medium acrylic trophy and 30 years-large acrylic trophy.

PHOTO-Pictured seated left to right is Director of Honors in Action Project, Rebecca Speights-Silver Creek; VP of Leadership, Abby Parker of Laurel; VP of Scholarship, Acacia Rodriguez-Clinton; VP of Service, Emma Shows-Soso and Secretary, Macy Malone-Laurel.  Pictured standing left to right is College Project Director, Ivana Bishop-Waynesboro; VP of Fellowship, Will Hendry-Bay Springs; Historian, Brady Collins-Heidelberg; Southern District Representative and VP of Membership, Wyatt Reid-Laurel and President, Mya McLain-Waynesboro.

ELLISVILLE – After going virtual for the first time over the last couple of years, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s conference for two-year colleges held its first in-person conference this spring in Colorado with four Jones College representatives participating. Southern District Regional Officer and VP of Membership-Wyatt Reid of Laurel, College Project Director-Ivana Bishop of Waynesboro, VP of Scholarship-Acacia Rodriguez of Clinton, and VP of Fellowship-Will Hendry of Bay Springs, returned to Mississippi with chapter rewards for their collective efforts.

At the International “Catalyst” conference, Jones College’s Rho Sigma Chapter earned the Top 50 Distinguished College Project award. Also, the group earned the Top 39 Distinguished Chapter honors based on the College Project and Honors in Action rankings/scores combined.

“To put this in perspective, being a Top 39 Distinguished Chapter in PTK’s international membership is phenomenal! There are more than 1200 chapters across all the PTK membership,” explained PTK Advisor and JC Assistant Dean of the College of Science, Eric Shows.

At the Regional Conference, the College Project which established the first PTK Alumni Chapter at JC earned third place honors overall. The Honors-in-Action project, focusing on documenting Laurel’s history from an industrial perspective placed 6^th overall and 1^st place in the theme category. The chapter also earned Top 3 Distinguished Chapter in the Region. Reid was also elected to hold a regional officer position as the Southern Mississippi District Representative.

“It is uplifting to know that despite the limitations of Covid-19 over the last couple of years, we’re still doing well as a chapter,” said Shows. “All of our work is rewarding but these honors validate not only our work but also our success in selecting projects that have resonated with the PTK leadership.”

Honors in Action Director, Rebecca Speights of Silver Creek, explained the group is very proud of the work they did documenting how the timber industry in Laurel shaped the city and how it impacted the world. Jones County was also a railroad hub with city leaders deciding to build the city around the railways played a major part in the success of the timber industry.

“We recorded information provided mostly by the Executive Director of the Laurel Museum of Art Director, George Bassi, explaining how the industrial revolution affected Jones County and its impact globally. He was an invaluable resource to the success of the project video which can be found on the Jones College Phi Theta Kappa Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JCJC.Phi.Theta.Kappa,” said Speights.

The Jones College students admitted their only regret was not having more time to interview the founding families and share more of Laurel’s story.

Individually, Mya McLain of Waynesboro was selected to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team and Shayna Clark of Petal was chosen for the All-Mississippi Academic Second Team. These JC students competed with more than 1,800 nominations from each of the 15-community colleges. As part of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s annual academic and workforce competition, each student submitted an essay, answered discussion questions, and described their leadership roles and activities while in college.

The highest-scoring nominees from each of the 15 two-year colleges earned First Team All-Mississippi honors and $500 scholarships provided by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. All team members received special medallions, certificates, and printed resolutions from the Mississippi Legislature.