Category: News

ELLISVILLE –Twelve Jones College students attended the Phi Beta Lambda National Conference in San Antonio, Texas and returned with national honors.  The Management Analysis & Decision-Making team of Tyler Rouse of Lucedale, Owen Cote of Sumrall and Daniel Easley of Laurel placed fourth in the nation. This same team also placed ninth in the Financial Analysis & Decision-Making competition. Kaleb Ashmore of Sumrall placed seventh in the nation in computer programming.

“It was truly an unexpected opportunity to be able to represent Jones in this way.  It was an incredible way to close out our time at Jones. Many great memories were made!” said Easley.

Other top honors came from the Network Design team of Trent Norris of Ellisville and Grant Valverde of Enterprise who placed seventh in the nation. Mendenhall’s Tara Williamson was a Top 15 finalist in the Hospitality Management competition.

“It was a long road to get to nationals and I’m happy we competed at this level. Just standing on the stage was an honor and to be able to represent Jones made this even more special,” said Rouse.

Jones College PBL Advisor, David Ray was especially proud of his students’ perseverance to continue competing among the nation’s top students.

“I was very proud of our student’s accomplishments,” said Ray.  “We had six top-ten winners which is a continuation our tradition of excellence at the national level. For the last ten years, we’ve seen more students rise to the top. This is a testament to the hard work put forth by the students and their level of instruction here at Jones. These students worked hard to get to San Antonio and to watch their efforts pay off as they received recognition among 2,000 of their peers is very rewarding.”

Also attending the national conference was JC networking instructor, and PBL advisor, Mitch Dubose. He and Ray agree, “This group of students was one of our favorite groups because of the student’s intense drive to succeed. They all did a great job representing Jones College.”

Other students competing on the national level include Alyssa Pearce of Columbia. She competed in Job Interview. Melissa (Camille) Hankins of Laurel competed in Accounting Principles and Entrepreneurship Concepts. Zachary Busby of Laurel competed in Help Desk. Stephen Grantham of Hattiesburg competed in Computer Programming, and Dylan Meeks of Ellisville competed in Sports Management & Marketing and Contemporary Sports Issues. Each of these twelve JC students placed first or second in the state PBL state conference and competition in February to qualify for the national competition in June.

 

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Greene County Center Director and retired administrator for the Greene County School District, Richard “Rock” Fleming will be leaving education behind to enjoy retirement, again. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith appointed Fleming to head up JC’s Greene County Center last fall after Fleming finished serving three terms as Superintendent for the Greene County School District, with a total of 39 years in education.  He enjoyed a two-year break before taking on the job as the Center’s Director, however, the 66-year-old said he will officially retire July 1.

“My wife Terri has a long, ‘honey do’ list for me and we want to enjoy some time traveling, playing golf and enjoying family,” said Fleming. “This has been a great opportunity for me to see the passion Jones has for its students because it is a wonderful thing. I’m also glad to witness the impact the Greene County Supervisor’s Tuition Assistance Grant has made in the lives of so many residents. That partnership is vital to the success of our Center and county because it allows a large number of students to enjoy more opportunities to succeed.”

President Smith credits Fleming’s desire to expand the welding program led to the creation of the Greene County Center and the subsequent Centers in Clarke, Jasper and Wayne Counties.

“I am honored that he would come back and see his vision fulfilled.  He has influenced so many lives because of his leadership and vision.  We appreciate everything he has accomplished at the Greene County Center, in the County and throughout our district,” said Smith.

Greene County District 4, Supervisor and 1973 JC alumnus, Wayne Barrow said it was nice to have his college friend at the Center but he is confident the Center will be in good hands. “(Fleming) is my best friend and he will be missed at the Center because he has been a tremendous asset to the county. He’s had an impact on both of my children, John and Ashley, and thousands more.”Because the Center is close to home for Greene County residents, District 5, Supervisor Harold Cook emphasized the training and education opportunities have impacted several industries in the region. “The accessibility to education and the affordability has allowed many to come here and get good jobs in nursing, welding, pipe-fitting and more.”

Greene County native and JC alumna, Menyone Barrow has been designated as the interim director. She began working at the Center as the former administrative assistant when the Center opened in 2012. Currently, she is the navigator and dual enrollment coordinator.

“I’m excited about my new role and that Dr. Smith considered me for the position because Mr. Fleming will be a hard act to follow,” said Barrow.  “It has been an honor to be able to help students like the young lady who will be our first student to earn her associate’s degree by taking all of her classes at the Greene County Center except for one-night class.”

In fact, more than 400 students have passed the High School Equivalency test since 2005, and 424 students enrolled in credit and non-credit courses at the Greene County Center over the last year. Additionally, the dual enrollment program helped 110 students earn college credit while still in high school during the 2018-19 academic year. The new, interim director also shared she’s glad her toddler will have the Center as an option for higher education.

“I hope Mary-Kathryn will take advantage of having a local college near home. I wish we had the Center when I was in high school because I probably would have finished my degree, sooner.”

Dr. Smith said he is confident Barrow can handle her new responsibilities because she already knows the day-to-day operations at the Center, making the transition, seamless.

“We’re in good hands while we search for a new director,” said Smith.  “Hopefully, we will have someone in place before the expansion is ready to open.”

All applicants should contact the Jones College Human Resources Director in Ellisville or the college’s website, www.jcjc.edu for more information. To learn more about the classes offered at the Greene County Center, call 601-394-4421 or 601-477-4238.

 

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Sports Information Director, Shawn Wansley and Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery returned from the annual College Public Relations Association of Mississippi conference winning several awards.  However, Wansley swept the Sports News and the Sports Features categories winning all three top places in both categories.

“It is extremely rare for one person to earn all three spots in the sports news and sports features categories at a statewide college public relations association competition and conference.  I know this has happened in the news story and feature category once before, but it has not happened in the sports writing categories in recent history,” said Jones College Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery. “To understand the importance of this accomplishment, you have to consider the likelihood of no one from the other 14 community colleges in the state submitted an entry, which is doubtful. The judges simply selected Shawn’s sports stories and features as the best entries amongst those submitted.”

The Sports News story, “Jones men’s soccer wins first-ever MACJC championship” earned first place honors and the story, “Jones softball wins national championship” took second place honors. Third place went to the sports story about the fifth-ranked football team winning the Mississippi Bowl.

Wansley’s Sports Feature story, “JC defensive line coach moves from law enforcement to coaching” earned first place accolades with the feature about Jones hosting the annual FCA Christmas Party earning second place. Third place honors went to the feature story about softball player, Karli Perque signing with Memphis.

Also at the CPRAM conference, McCreery earned two, second place awards for her news and feature stories. The news story about Jones having the only Mechatronics/Robotics lab in the state earned second place in the news writing category. Jones College’s Alumni and Foundation’s Legacy Tree dedication to four legends earned second place honors in the feature story category.

Both Jones College employees were experienced, news and sports reporters before joining the Marketing and Public Relations Department.  Wansley has been the SID since July 2007, and McCreery has worked in a few different roles since August 1997.

ELLISVILLE – The Rho Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Jones College ended the year with several chapter and individual honors. PTK President, Shivum Desai of Hattiesburg was selected for a few prestigious individual honors, including the Golden Key Award.

“One member of every PTK chapter in the Mississippi/Louisiana region is recognized with the award at the Regional Spring Conference. Shivum was nominated by advisors for his numerous contributions to the chapter and college, as well as for his academic accomplishments. Additionally, he was named to the All-Mississippi 1^st Team in the Academic Team competition and he was recognized as one of four, Coca-Cola Gold scholars,” explained Eric Shows, PTK Advisor at Jones College.

Greene County’s Jared Woullard earned All-Mississippi 2^nd Team Transfer Pathway honors and Caleb Brownlee of Moselle earned All-Mississippi Work Pathway 1^st Team honors.

The PTK chapter continued its history of success and was recognized as a 5-Star Chapter at the Regional Spring Conference.  To achieve the distinction of 5-Star status, the members had to organize and implement an Honors-in-Action (HIA) project and a College Project.  The HIA project, “Commit to Compliment” involved efforts at the college and secondary-school level to reduce social anxiety.

“Students on the Jones College campus were encouraged to give unprompted compliments to others as a way to promote positive social interactions. Wrist bands with the motto were distributed as a visual reminder for students,” said Shows.

Students also used, ‘Post-It’ boards to give written compliments and they pledged at campus events to compliment others. The PTK officer team made presentations to local, elementary students about the importance of complimenting others in an effort to developing a positive self-esteem

Jones College PTK members volunteered with local elementary school P.E. teachers for the College Project, “Next Steps in Health: Early Intervention.”  The goal was to promote physical activity and exercise at an early age so kids would continue to be physically active later in life which parallels the college’s efforts promoted by Next Steps in Health grant on campus.

Additionally, chapter members logged more than 3,500 hours of community service during the fall and spring semesters participating in projects such as the campus blood drive, tutoring, hosting a supply drive for the Bobcat Pantry and assisting with community beautification.

 

 ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Mark Brown, who is the Chair for the Visual Art Department and art instructor, earned top honors at two prestigious competitions.  Most recently, the accomplished artist received first-place in the sculpture category at the Cotton District Juried Art Competition and Exhibit with his artwork called, “Figurehead.”  He used found materials, primarily metal, to assemble pieces to create the face of a person.

“Technically, my sculpture draws upon gestural and figurative approaches. Furthermore, I utilize discarded items, taking advantage of their aesthetic attributes to achieve desired effects. Because I choose to assemble such a wide range of materials, the process of art-making has become as important as the finished object itself. It is my intention that the viewer becomes aware of this process through the investigation of the layers,” said Brown.

The award-winning piece, “Figurehead” is approximately 30 inches in height and mounts to the wall, although it is three-dimensional. It is composed entirely of found material and is held together by its own tension; no screws or fasteners are employed.

Brown explained, “I use found objects based on characteristics such as texture and color and how they will contribute to the overall composition of the finished work. Additionally, employment of found objects creates a variety of forms on which to work.  Although some works have armatures for support, I rarely use anything but the objects themselves to hold the work together. Once the works are complete, I often cover them with clear epoxy for stability.”

Each piece submitted in the Cotton District Competition and Exhibit is hand selected by a notable juror. This year, Kate Cherry, the Director of the Meridian Museum of Art judged the notable competition.  Cherry has served as Executive Director for the Meridian Museum of Art for ten years, where she has installed more than one-hundred exhibitions, curated more than fifty rotating exhibitions and she has handled all aspects for the annual Bi-State and People’s Choice Competitions. In addition, she has extensive experience touring the arts festival circuit as well as teaching in local, after-school art programs.

“To be selected by Ms. Cherry as an exhibiting artist for the Juried Art show was an honor in itself,” said Brown. “To earn the first place award by such a reputable artist is humbling.”

Last fall, Brown’s work, “Self-Made Figure”, a life-size being was awarded the first-place award for multimedia in the 7th Annual Cedars Juried Art Exhibit and Competition in Jackson. The “Self-Made Figure” was also created from found materials and was assembled in the exact same manner as the “Figurehead” piece of art. The juror for the fall show was renowned Mississippi watercolor artist, Wyatt Waters.