Category: Press Release

**In recognition of World Forestry Day, March 21, we’re spotlighting a successful family of foresters consisting of three generations of Jones students/graduates.

ELLISVILLE – The Ricky Blackwell family tree is full of foresters and Jones College graduates. In 1993, when Ricky Blackwell Jr. came to Jones to major in forestry, a family tradition began that now spans over three generations. Technically, his father, Ricky Blackwell Sr. planted the “forestry bug” in his son and grandsons while hauling pulpwood. He also had previous experience working for the Mississippi Forestry Commission as a crew leader and then a surveyor on a seismograph crew before coming home to haul pulpwood. However, at 45 years of age, Ricky Sr. was forced to make a career change.

“A tree fell on my leg and I had to have surgery,” said Ricky Sr. “That’s what made me decide to come back to school to learn how to buy timber instead of cut and haul timber.”

Jones College forestry instructor at the time, Jim Walley signed up Ricky Sr. for the forestry program as his son Ricky Jr. was about to graduate in May 1995. Walley taught both of the Blackwells and is proud to welcome Ricky Jr.’s oldest son Brady, who is currently taking forestry classes under one of Walley’s forestry graduates, Jeff Keeton.

“I’m proud that three generations of the Blackwell family have confidence in Jones and have come through our forestry program over the years,” said Walley, current V.P. of External Affairs and former forestry instructor. “The Blackwell Timber Company started about 23 years ago and when they expanded their business they looked to our graduates and hired them. I’m glad we were able to offer a solid foundation for their family and their business.”

Having taught the elder Blackwells, and now Brady, Keeton said he believes the family’s success is due partly because of their work ethic.

“Ricky Sr. had a family and was working while going to college. If you want an education, you’ll get it.  He worked nights, weekends, and whatever he had to do and made ‘As’ and he graduated at the top of his class. He never complained and he was 45 years old,” said Keeton. “Education is 50 % and work ethic is the other 50% of the equation for success. That’s the secret to the Blackwells’ success; they have both.”

Blackwell Timber Company was established in Jones County, just down the road from Jones College, after the father and son team both graduated with their forestry degrees from JCJC. Initially, the two worked out of Ricky Sr.’s home before moving the operation to the former Ellisville Woodyard near the JCJC campus in 1997.

“When a lot of people said I couldn’t do it, I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of being successful and running a timber business without a four-year degree,” said Ricky Blackwell Jr. “I learned the ropes and met a lot of people in my first job at Georgia-Pacific in Columbia, which helped me feel more confident.”

Forestry related jobs were plentiful, but for Ricky Blackwell Sr., moving away was not an option. Starting a timber business with his son seemed like the best solution.

“We’re established here in Jones County but starting a business isn’t easy. We didn’t have a financial backer and we went out on our own,” said Ricky Sr. “My son left a successful job with a great salary and benefits so we could go into business on our own.”

Eventually, Blackwell Timber Company grew with hard work, self-discipline and wise money management.  Ricky Jr. added, his desire to work with his dad and his determination to succeed may have also helped to keep each other from making mistakes.

“I’m appreciative of everything Jones College has done for my family. I feel like the ties we’ve made and the people we’ve met here have made a difference in our success rate. Jim Walley and Jeff Keeton have always been there if I needed them, and I trust them with my son, Brady,” said Ricky Jr.

Brady Blackwell knows his future is in forestry. Growing up and hearing his dad and granddad talk about forestry and watching the crews work in the woods is a way of life he’s anxious to begin.

“Years ago, my younger brother and I would go out and play on the four-wheelers and act like we were logging, pulling trees around,” said Brady. “Since I was little, I also knew I would come to Jones for forestry. We would pass by the campus every day and I knew one day I’d be here. It’s a family tradition now.”

The Blackwell’s love for the outdoors and forestry has grown to include helping other Jones students understand the work-world they love. The family of foresters is often seen in the JC classroom and on the job site sharing their wisdom with other Jones College students. Staying connected with the college and the friendships they made because of Jones, is important to the Blackwells.

“A lot of the people I graduated with, I still do business with,” said Ricky Jr.  “They may work in another facet of forestry or the same, but we’re still connected and that’s important.”

For Walley and Keeton, working with three generations of the same family has been a unique experience.

“The Blackwells have a great reputation in our industry, and it’s been a pleasure to be involved in their education and watching them as they’ve grown their business over the years,” said Keeton.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College is complying with the restrictions on event sizes recommended by the White House due to the global, Covid-19 Corona Virus pandemic and has postponed spring commencement ceremonies.  The college is planning to mail diplomas to graduates and is also considering opportunities for in-person ceremony options later this summer for the May graduates who want to participate.

“Jones College’s administrative leaders recognize how cancellations and changes associated with the virus have created uncertainty and disappointment,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith. “However, the success of managing any crisis is to recognize the significance that our individual actions are the building blocks of our collective action as a community.  We here at Jones College are dependent on each other to keep our community strong. As we look ahead, we encourage our graduating students to not let this current moment in time dampen the excitement of their bright futures waiting for them since embarking on their journeys at Jones College.”

Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, and until further notice, the college will hold all classes and related coursework online. The timeframe for this approach is open-ended; however, the administration will monitor this, “Learn from Home” approach continuously with the hope of returning to normal operations before the end of the spring semester. Specifics questions or concerns from students about the Learn from Home model can be sent to the email, LearnfromHome@jcjc.edu

“The campus is essentially closed to the public through March 27. Only essential personnel and approved guests are allowed at this time,” said Smith.

For students interested in enrolling for the Fall open enrollment that was scheduled to begin Wednesday, March 25, enrollment has been delayed until Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

All testing centers are closed until April 16.

All events hosted by Jones College or in a Jones College’s facility has been suspended indefinitely.

All Spring athletics have been canceled by the NJCAA.

Please look for announcements from event coordinators and contact them directly if you have questions. Campus notifications can be found at https://www.jcjc.edu/collegeupdate/.

ELLISVILLE –In response to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19 and to maximize social distancing to slow the transmission, all classes at Jones College and the Jones College County Centers (Advanced Technology Center, Clarke, Greene, Jasper, and Wayne) are canceled for March 23- 27, 2020, the week that students were scheduled to return from Spring Break. Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, and until further notice, the college will hold all classes and related coursework online.

The timeframe for this approach is open-ended; however, the administration will monitor this, “Learn from Home” approach continuously with the hope of returning to normal operations before the end of the spring semester. Students taking academic programs will receive direction from the instructors regarding specific details for the transition to online learning.

Students taking Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs will continue in a modified format. CTE students will be contacted by the program’s lead instructor on class specifics moving forward. Students preparing to “Learn from Home,” should check their college issued email daily for instructor directions, available support resources and the college’s operational updates. Jones Collee students should also review their access to technology resources, specifically internet and computer access. A follow-up email will be sent later this week with technical support for the student community.

Faculty, staff and other employees are expected to work during this period but practice social distancing. All instructional employees are to continue moving all the course content to an online, “Learn-from-Home” format during the week of March 23-27, 2020.

Essential college personnel will continue to work on campus according to college safety protocols. Employees will be notified by their direct supervisor by Friday, Monday 20, 2020, for instructions concerning the week of March 23-27, 2020.

Effective immediately, all college-sponsored events will be canceled or postponed until further notice. Please look for announcements from event coordinators and contact them if you have questions. We encourage administrative gatherings and large meetings to be conducted by tele/web conference and keep “in-person” meetings to an absolute minimum. We will explore options to enable certain events to be held “virtually.”  Campus notifications can be found at https://www.jcjc.edu/collegeupdate/.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College students were dismissed for Spring Break on Thursday afternoon, one day early.  Administrators and the Emergency Management Team are monitoring developments concerning the spread of the COVID-19 (Novel Corona Virus 2019). The institution is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Institutions of Higher Education.

The college administration, faculty and staff are preparing for the best course of action for the upcoming weeks, including teaching courses online. However, the college administration will determine the best method of class instruction to prevent the spread of the virus.

 Information and updates will be disseminated on the college website at https://www.jcjc.edu/ and through campus email, the campus emergency notification system and media outlets.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s JC Voices will present their annual spring concert, A Silence Haunts Me, on March 31, at First-Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurel. The public is invited to the free, 7 p.m. concert which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth.

“Beethoven was not best known for his vocal or choral works; nonetheless, this year’s concert will feature a variety of vocal selections by, or about Beethoven.  The audience will hear some familiar tunes, as well as some lesser-known gems such as three of the 25 Irish Songs (WoO 152), for solo, duet, and piano trio.  It is always exciting to find repertoire that is not often performed, but by a very well-known composer and although most people think they know the works of Beethoven, they most likely do not know the folksongs,” said JC Voices Director, Dr. Susan A. Smith.

Interestingly, Beethoven composed more folksong settings than he did any other genre, completing 179 folk arrangements from 1809 to 1820, added Smith.  Jones College students performing the Folksongs include Erin Biglane of Ellisville, Laurel residents, Alyssa Garick and Hayden Dillistone, Janna Swanner of Taylorsville and Bonner Welch of Moselle.

In addition to honoring Beethoven’s genius through his own music, the concert will also feature works by J. S. Bach, György Orbán, Stephen Paulus, Kim André Arnesen and others, as the singers explore the power of the human spirit through silence, loss, forgiveness, and hope.  The pinnacle of the concert will feature the passionate and dramatic work by Jake Runestad, A Silence Haunts Me, which is a complex and intense choral work describing Beethoven’s famous text, The Heiligenstadt Testament.

“This famous letter, addressed to his brothers, detailed the suffering and despair felt by Beethoven as his impending deafness became increasingly more profound.  Jake Runestad and poet Todd Boss recreated, through music, the famous text outlining Beethoven’s loss of hearing and the emotions that accompanied that loss—despair, hopelessness, retribution, devastation, frustration, and finally, acceptance,” said Smith.

The Chamber Singers are conducted by Dr. Susan A. Smith and accompanied and assisted by collaborative pianist, Dr. Theresa Sanchez.  This year’s program will also feature guest string players and clarinetists Michelle Graham, Jones College Clarinet Instructor and the Northeast Jones High School assistant band director, Lindsey Langley. Reagan Dukes of Laurel and Lydia Dees of Ellisville will perform as soprano soloists and singers from the select vocal group, The Bridge, will join JC Voices as they present choral gems and new works from the Baroque period to the Twenty-First Century.  Composer Joseph Martin’s piece, The Awakening, concludes the concert with reflections of sadness, hope, celebration and remembrance.

Martin tragically lost his middle school choral teacher and his musical inspiration to a very violent death after a choral concert.  This piece is written in honor of her and is composed in three sections, as described by Martin—the first a dream, or rather nightmare, where there is silence and despair, the second, a new day of hope and the end of silence, and the finale, a hymn of praise to the “Giver of Song.”  Beethoven found the strength to live and compose, even after his almost complete deafness.  He composed the Missa Solemnis, the Ninth Symphony, the last five string quartets, and the last five piano sonatas during this time. His legacy is profound and the final sentiment of The Awakening, Let Music Live, embodies no more exceptional genius than Ludwig van Beethoven.  Happy Birthday Beethoven (1770-1827)!

For more information about how to support JC Voices or to be notified of our upcoming concerts and events, contact Dr. Susan A. Smith at susan.smith@jcjc.edu or contact the Fine Arts Division at 601-477-4203.

JC Voices & *The Bridge

Keara Altman, Quitman

Kalyn Bales, Stringer

Erin Biglane, Ellisville

*Ka’Lisha Carter, Waynesboro

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Brittney Darbonne, Laurel

Faith DeCastro, Guam

*Lydia Dees, Ellisville

*Hayden Dillistone, Laurel

*Reagan Dukes, Laurel

*Ty Evans, Laurel

Alyssa Garick, Laurel

Kade Lee, Stringer

*Stuyuncey Nobels, Laurel

Zyion Pittman, Soso

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Janna Swanner, Taylorsville

*Michael Thompson, Laurel

*Bonner Welch, Moselle

 Photos by Jeannie Meyer Photography