ELLISVILLE – Of the nine honored alumni during Jones College’s Alumni Association and Foundation’s Alumni Recognition Program held during Homecoming celebrations on October 28, 2023, four alumni were named “Rising Stars.” Included in the distinguished group of alumni achieving great success, included Lewis S. Bateman of Laurel and current Starkville resident, Mason Irby of Meridian and current Madison resident, Alise Mathews of Laurel, and Jermarcus Ross of Laurel.
“These alumni represent various professional fields, and each one embodies the values of excellence that Jones stands for. Today, we are recognizing their outstanding contributions to their communities and celebrating the impact the college has had on their lives. These ‘Rising Stars’ are JC alumni who have demonstrated success early in their careers and have accomplished professional and personal success throughout the community,” Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith explained to the several hundred alumni at Homecoming events honoring a total of nine JC alumni.
When Lewis S. Bateman arrived on the Ellisville campus in 2012, after taking Dual Credit courses, the Laurel High School Salutatorian decided to stay and take advantage of the full “Jones College experience.” The smaller classes, personal attention from faculty and challenging curriculum also gave him a unique opportunity for a leadership experience not offered to many students. As a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Jones Ambassadors, and Bobcat Brigade, to name a few, Bateman was the perfect choice to take on a regional leadership role.
“Technically, by the time I graduated high school, I was already classified as a sophomore here, and I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. We hosted the Regional Conference in 2013 at JC, and that’s when Gwen Magee asked me if I wanted to stay another year to serve as the Regional President of PTK. And again, I had the time of my life! Dr. Smith told me at graduation, ‘You’ve done a lot for the college and I’m proud of you.’ I responded, ‘If I stay another year, will you give me a four-year degree?’ We laughed, but I had a lot of trust in everybody here at JC, and that really meant something to me and why I came to Jones. I honestly don’t think that I would be where I am in the position that I’m in today, if not for my tenure at Jones,” said Bateman.
Currently, Bateman is the Director of Rehab and Physical Therapy at Oakwood Retirement Community in Brooksville and is a staff Physical Therapist at Noxubee County General Hospital in Macon. Originally, marketing was his career of choice, however, he explained that a personal experience with a physical therapist caused him to explore the healthcare field.
“So, after that first year, I did swap over to more of a pre-medical sciences track. I knew about the lab sciences offered at Jones, and how good they are. I took my biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and physics which did help tremendously, once I got to Mississippi State and earned my bachelor of kinesiology degree.” Bateman acknowledged, “I think if I had gone on to a 4-year immediately out of high school, I definitely would not have done as well in a lot of those prerequisite classes. I think there is a level of maturity that Jones instills in people, and it did in me.”
Baseball led Mason Irby to Jones College from Meridian, but he shared it was the JC people who helped him decide to commit to Jones in 2014. The Southeast Lauderdale High School graduate passed up other offers to play for Coach Christian Ostrander and the Bobcat team that would win the Region 23 Championship and the Division 2 National Championship in 2016. For his efforts, Irby was named All-American in both of his years at Jones, and he received the Golden Glove award his sophomore year, as well as Top Defensive Player in the country and the Marucci Elite Hitter award for being a top hitter in the U.S.
“There was something different about the campus, something different about the people. I remember telling my dad, after the visit that it just seemed like everything was brighter and happier and the people were happier, and I fell in love with the place. And not necessarily just the baseball program, which was great, but more or less just the campus in general,” said Irby.
He continued playing baseball and his education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Irby helped bring two conference season championships and one conference tournament championship. Also, USM earned two berths in the NCAA Postseason Tournament. After graduating from USM in 2018, Irby accepted a job offer from Edward Jones Investments as a financial advisor in Ridgeland.
“I had countless experiences with professors that just seemed like they would bend over backward to help you in any way and not even just in the business department. I had to take classes like the prerequisites that were outside of my business classes which I really enjoyed. But you know, I remember taking a biology class and I had no interest in biology, and Mr. Shows knew that I wasn’t interested in biology, but he was super eager to help in any way that he could. Everybody was just so helpful,” Irby said.
He and his wife, Caroline became parents of their first child, Carsen Olivia Irby in May.
The next two Rising Stars are from Laurel, Alise Mathews, and Jermarcus Ross. Mathews quickly got through college by taking classes while at West Jones High School. Packing lots of classes during both summers, she graduated after one year at Jones in 2014.
“I wouldn’t advise that for most people because I feel like I missed out on all the fun times nine years ago. I was part of the Student Government Association and Bobcat Brigade, and I was super involved on campus, but I didn’t live on campus; that is my one regret because I feel like everyone who lived on campus became a tight-knit group. It was a wonderful experience though and I felt like this was my home away from home, even though I’m from here in Jones County,” Mathews shared.
The lady who was once going to be an orthodontist said now, she helps give cavities with her sweets and candies at the first business she opened six years ago, Shugs Cookie and Candy Bar. Recently, she opened her second business, Shugs Boutique employing lots of JC students from the community.
“Thank you for giving me the foundation of changing a major and being able to pursue a dream. You know, I had wonderful leadership in the Bobcat Brigade with Kayla Bradley (Farris); she was a huge mentor to me. I could walk into her office and Sonya Dykes who was over SGA, and she had that yellow couch…. But their leadership and just letting me know that like, hey, you can do this. I would just say thank you to the people who really were mentors in that chapter in my life and I still have great relationships with both of them. My memories from SGA, I was the first chairperson for the Mardi Gras Ball and that just set the example for me,” shared the young entrepreneur.
Mathews earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mississippi State University in 2016. She is an active member of the Laurel Junior Auxiliary and Laurel Main Street.
In 2014, as Alise graduated from Jones, Northeast Jones High School graduate, Jermarcus Ross was headed to JC. He kept the campus enthusiasm at a record high as the Bobcat Mascot and member of the Jones College Cheer Team that placed 4th at the National Level Competition at ESPN Sports in Buena Vista, Florida. Presently, Ross is the Tumble Director and Ambassador for the ACE Competition and Recreational Cheer Company for high school and collegiate level athletes. In his “spare time,” he often returns to Jones to assist with recruiting events.
“Every time I come to Jones College the feeling is so nostalgic. It’s almost like I’ve never lived, because once you attend Jones College you kind of realize that it always has a partin your heart.For me to come back and see the impact around the community, Jones gave me a foundation when I didn’t really understand what I wanted to do. It’s wonderful to look back and think, I never thought I would have been at Jones and to look and say I was at Jones, and now I’m here for this honor, let that sink in for a second. To come back and affect these students? Just like my advisors, teachers and cheer coach affected me. I’m just returning the favor and the love that I once got from here and I’m forever thankful for it here at Jones College,” Ross shared.
Since graduating from Jones in 2016, Ross has served as the MAIS Cross Country Head Coach and Physical Education Teacher at Laurel Christian High School, and he is the youngest Board Member to serve on the “Laurel Leap” event as part of the Laurel Main Street organization. He is the CEO and co-founder of Ross & Co. Investments established in 2021, along with Ross & Co. Athletics which he began in 2019. This company hosts a three-day sports camp for the community’s youth, providing an opportunity to mentor local students and student-athletes. Originally, Ross had plans to move to Texas and even become a professional athlete, but his perspective changed after touring the JC campus.
“My experience at Jones College completely changed the path of my life. I feel like I’ve been going in the right direction ever since I chose to come to Jones,” explained Ross. “Being in the marketing program with Miss Ginger Keeton, she helped me open up my eyes and realize, there’s so much more to life than just sports. Even with me being able to coach and give back to the community. Marketing is not just a name. Marketing is you. I am Jones College. Like I am and I feel like she instilled those little traits in me to help me.”
Ross has also worked with Ben and Erin Napier on several projects for HGTV’s Home Town and even found his house on the show.
Other Jones College alumni honored included “Achievement and Excellence Award” recipients, Dr. Leander Bridges II of Laurel, Ashely Dean of Clara, and current Lebanon, Tennessee resident, and Richton native and current Petal Resident, Austin Smith, and Dr. Dewey Garner of Raleigh, and current Oxford resident, received the “Legacy Award,” and Laurel’s Jim Rasberry received the “Outstanding Alumni of the Year” Award. All the honored alumni received a medallion during half-time of the football game.
