糖心直播

60 new members inducted in 糖心直播鈥檚 Rho Sigma Chapter-Phi Theta Kappa

Alexia Jones, Kadin Johnston, Kendall Johnson & Brice Johnson

ELLISVILLE 鈥 Sixty new members of the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at 糖心直播 were officially inducted into the two-year International Honor Society. Advisors of the honor society opened the spring induction ceremony to include any current member on campus wishing to participate in an in-person ceremony, including those that were inducted virtually in a previous semester. More than 100 members became official members this semester, however only 60 wanted to participate in the open induction ceremony, explained PTK Advisor and Dean of the College of Science and Technology, Eric Shows. More than 300 invitations were sent, and more than 100 students joined and paid dues to date.

鈥淲e are always excited to celebrate the academic achievements of our students that allow them to gain membership in PTK. The group of inductees includes students that joined this semester along with others that accepted membership in previous semesters when we were only able to offer a virtual induction ceremony because of COVID-19 restrictions. We are especially glad that all of them got to be recognized in-person, with their family and friends in attendance. All told, we will likely have over 150 new members added to our chapter this semester, which is a great testament to the hard work of our students and faculty members at Jones,鈥 said Shows.

At the Induction Ceremony, JC鈥檚 newest PTK members heard from Dean of the Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University, Dr. Tommy Anderson who encouraged students to continue participating in the Honors College program at the university or college where they continue their education. Membership into PTK is reserved for freshmen with 15 hours of transferable credits completed at 糖心直播 and are currently enrolled full-time with a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

糖心直播 students listed below as joining in Spring 2023 are new invitees for the current semester. Those listing Fall 2022 joined in the fall. Students listing other dates joined during COVID-19 semesters when virtual induction ceremonies were held. 

糖心直播 PTK Spring Induction – March 9, 2023 – Attendees             

Name                                      Hometown     Major                                     Joined

Natalie Grace Abraham 聽聽聽聽聽 Mendenhall 聽聽聽 Pharmacy聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Emily Kaye Ali聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ellisville聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Health sciences聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Griffin Lee Bailey聽聽聽聽 Decatur聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Pre-Physical Therapy 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Andrea Marie Booth聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Undecided聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Sophia Ann Bowden聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ellisville聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Accounting聽聽聽聽 聽聽 Spring 2023

Brookelyn Brewer聽聽聽 Richton聽聽聽聽聽 Ultrasound Technician聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Davis Brown 聽聽聽 Ellisville 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Engineering聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Destiny Brown聽聽聽Taylorsville聽聽聽聽 Business Administration 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2022

Rayya聽 Nha Lan Cao聽聽聽聽 Petal 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Law聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Bethany Grace Chaney Hickory 聽Ag. Ed. Leadership/Comm 聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Jaylynn Sierra Conner聽聽聽聽 Waynesboro聽聽聽 Journalism聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Holly Nicole Craft聽聽聽聽聽 Raleigh聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Kinesiology 聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2022

Titus Andrew Crouch 聽聽聽聽 Ellisville聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nursing聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Bryanna Leigh Davidson聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lucedale 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Art聽聽聽聽 Fall 2022

Lillian Nicole Dixon聽 Smithdale聽聽聽聽聽聽 Agriculture Business聽 聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Katie Ann Edwards聽聽聽聽聽聽 Rose Hill 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nursing 聽 Spring 2023

Chanel Latreece Evans聽聽聽聽聽 Magee 聽聽聽聽 Psychology聽聽聽聽 Fall 2022

Karlye Kaye Flanagin 聽聽聽 Brandon 聽聽 Dental Hygiene聽聽 聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Virginia Ann Fortenberry聽 New Hebron 聽聽Medical Sciences Spring 2022

Meg Gatlin 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Summit聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 History 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Natalie Reshay Graves 聽聽聽聽聽 Laurel 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Art 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Jay Earl Green 聽聽聽 聽 Terry 聽聽聽聽聽 Journalism 聽 聽 Spring 2023

Autumn Henderson 聽 Petal 聽聽聽聽 Mechanical Engineering 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Fall 2021

Allen Herrington聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽 Heidelberg聽聽聽聽聽 Business聽聽 聽聽 Spring 2023

Gabrielle Elizabeth Hoffman Florence聽聽聽聽Radiology 聽聽 Spring 2022

Kate Holm聽 聽聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽 Architecture聽聽聽 聽 Spring 2023

Casie Jane Husack 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Moselle聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Psychology 聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Jha鈥檒ana Shanta Jackson 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Petal 聽聽 聽 Early Childhood Education 聽聽 Spring 2023

Anna Rebbecca James 聽聽 Raleigh聽聽聽 Biological Sciences聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Brice Jordan Johnson聽聽聽 Raleigh聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Art 聽 Spring 2023

Kendall Johnson聽聽 聽聽 Laurel 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Biology聽聽 聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Kadin Perry Johnston 聽Waynesboro 聽聽聽Physical Therapy 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Alexia Jones聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽 Culinary Arts聽 聽 Spring 2023

LaKieundria Kangar 聽 聽聽 Crystal Springs Pharmacy 聽 Spring 2023

Julia King聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lucedale聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hospitality/Tourism Mngt. 聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Kelsey Chyann Lawrence 聽聽聽聽聽 Ellisville聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nursing聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Pablo Lopez 聽聽聽 Waynesboro聽聽聽 Finance 聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Zy鈥橞rayla Mackey 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Bay Springs聽聽聽 Radiology 聽聽Spring 2023

Makayla Mason聽聽聽聽聽聽 Laurel 聽聽 Criminal Justice 聽聽Spring 2022

Kaitlyn Elaine Massie聽聽聽聽 Ellisville聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 General studies 聽聽聽聽聽聽Spring 2023

Jade Kaylen McBride聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽 Veterinarian Medicine 聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Aubree Brooke McMullan聽聽聽聽 Raleigh 聽聽聽 聽 Nursing聽聽聽聽聽聽Spring 2023

Hilton Banks McNair 聽聽 聽 Madison聽聽聽聽 Accounting聽 Spring 2023

Renecia Catassia Mosley聽 聽 Waynesboro聽聽聽 Paralegal Technology Spring 2023

J’len Noel 聽聽聽 Pachuta聽聽聽 Electro-Mechanical Tech.聽聽聽聽聽 Fall 2022

Rebecca Danielle Parker聽聽聽 Laurel聽聽聽 Business Administration聽聽 Spring 2023

Morgan Helena Prestage聽聽 Raleigh 聽 Nursing 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Sommer Janae Ramsey 聽聽聽聽 Laurel 聽 Nursing 聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Christopher Floyd Ritz聽聽 Sumrall 聽聽聽 聽 Electrical Engineering 聽聽聽聽聽 Fall 2021

Jaycee Jordan Scott聽聽聽 Lucedale聽聽聽聽 Psychology聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Kena Monique Smith聽聽 Laurel 聽 Music Education Spring 2023

James Matthew Smith 聽聽 Laurel 聽聽聽 Coaching/Physical Ed.聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Skylar Lynlee Terrell 聽聽 Liberty聽 聽 Radiography 聽聽 Spring 2023

Abbie Thrash 聽聽聽聽聽 Laurel聽聽 Elementary Education 聽聽聽聽 Fall 2022

Amaria Trotter聽聽聽聽聽聽 Laurel 聽聽聽聽聽聽 Psychology聽聽 Spring 2023

Keylan Dajuan Walker聽聽聽聽 Mount Olive 聽 Art聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Ashleigh Westbrook聽聽 Brandon聽 Psychology聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Sheridan White 聽聽聽聽聽 Laurel聽聽聽聽 Journalism聽聽聽聽聽聽 Spring 2023

Laken Tori Wilson聽聽 Sandersville聽聽聽 Health Related Professions聽聽聽 Fall 2022

Jeffery Jaylen Wimbley, Jr.聽聽聽 Chatom, AL聽聽聽 Engineering聽聽Spring 2023

糖心直播’s music department hosts, “The Topaz Trio”

Dr. Lorraine Duso-Kitts, Gail Levinsky & Jackie Edwards-Henry

ELLISVILLE 鈥 The 糖心直播 music department is hosting a concert featuring, 鈥淭he Topaz Trio鈥 on Wednesday, March 29, at 12:30 p.m. in the Foote Chapel on the Ellisville campus. The Topaz Trio, consists of Dr. Lorraine Duso Kitts on oboe, with Dr. Gail B. Levinsky playing saxophone, and pianist, Dr. Jackie Edwards Henry. Founded in 2019, the trio explores the tonal sounds created by the unique combination of the oboe and saxophone families. To date, The Topaz Trio has performed at international and national conferences, including the International Double Reed Society (IDRS), North Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI), and International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWS). As avid supporters of new music, the ensemble has commissions of new works by Michele Schelle, Stephanie Berg, Paul Dickinson, Karen Griebling, Adam Har-Zvi and Douglas McConnell. The three will also be hosting a Masterclass for students following the free concert.

Edwards and Levinsky are former Mississippi State University professors of music. Dr. Duso-Kitts is currently a professor of double reeds at the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Duso-Kitts also plays oboe with the Arkansas and Conway Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, she has performed with the Orquesta Philharmonica de Santa Cruz in Bolivia, Orquesta Sinfonica de Estado de Mexico and Orquesta Sinfonia de Jalapa in Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Music from Indiana University, her Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music and her DMA from the University of Michigan.  

Dr. Levinsky currently serves on the faculty as Professor of Music at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Her performance credits, commissions and premieres include presentations both nationally and internationally. Dr. Levinsky earned her Master, Artist Certificate and Doctorate degrees from Northwestern University. She has published varied saxophone chapters about teaching saxophone and recently completed a solo CD featuring music of women composers.

Dr. Jackie Edwards Henry is a collaborative pianist, harpsichordist, church musician, group piano specialist and teacher of adults. She has performed nationally and internationally, with her duo partner, Dr. Levinsky since 1994 and with the Topaz Trio since 2019. She was the Professor of Piano and Coordinator of Group Piano at MSU from 1991-2022.

For more information call the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or the website online at /programs/finearts/ or  

糖心直播鈥檚 music department hosts Spring Recital Series

ELLISVILLE 鈥 This year, the varied music from the Spring Recital Series will fill the air for four weeks in March and April on the 糖心直播 campus. The musical 鈥渇east鈥 featuring musicians from the region and music from around the world, composed centuries ago will be heard on Fridays in the Foote Chapel. The annual Spring Recital Series begins on Friday, March 24, at 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m., and will continue each Friday through April 21, except for Good Friday/Easter weekend. All concerts are free and open to the public. 聽For more information call the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or online at

Kontra Duo

On Friday, March 24, at 12:30 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, the Series opens with the Kontra Duo, featuring Daniel Espinoza on saxophone and Kristina Finch on harp for 鈥淭hese Limbs Tell Stories.鈥 聽The program features a diverse range of styles and influences, including avant-garde, minimalist, and postmodern contemporary classical music for harp and saxophone, featuring works by living composers from around the world! This dynamic duo has been captivating audiences with their energetic and colorful performances for years. Their unique combination of instruments creates a sound that is both vibrant and innovative.

The Friday, March 31, at 12:30 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, features, 鈥淪easons of Love鈥 with soprano, Claire Vangelisti and pianist, Richard Seiler. This program includes songs/arias about all types of love in musical styles from Baroque to Contemporary.聽

With a voice that has been described as 鈥減ure, lovely, vibrant, truthful, and lustrous,鈥 Vangelisti has found success on both national and international stages.  Vangelisti鈥檚 body of work ranges from performing major soprano roles in the oratorio repertoire, both in the U.S. and in Europe, to leading operatic roles.

Richard Seiler of Brevard, North Carolina, is Professor/Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. A Fazioli artist, Seiler has taught masterclasses and performed as solo/collaborative pianist in Canada, China, Europe, Japan, and throughout the United States, has soloed with orchestras, and has recorded for Centaur Records and MSR Classics.  Seiler is a co-recipient of the NELAC鈥檚 2006 Artist-of-the-Year Award.

A unique program, 鈥淢yths & Legends鈥 will feature Richard Perry on tuba, accompanied by Ellen Elder on piano on Friday, April 14, at 12:30 p.m. in Foote Chapel.  This program features 21st century works by composers David Gillingham and John Stevens, based on mythical and literary characters.

Richard H. Perry is Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he directs the tuba-euphonium ensemble. He has been active as a clinician, performer, and adjudicator throughout the United States, and has appeared as a soloist and featured performer at numerous regional, national, and international conferences.

Dr. Ellen Price Elder is Associate Professor of Piano at USM, where she teaches applied piano to graduate and undergraduate piano majors, serves as coordinator of the class piano program, and teaches piano pedagogy. She is an active collaborator with USM faculty, and has performed throughout the United States and South America as soloist, collaborator, and masterclass clinician. 

The final musical feast will be served up by a Series regular, The Impromptu Piano Trio with, 鈥淭he Joy of Tradition鈥 on Friday, April 21, at 12:30 p.m., in the Foote Chapel. The Trio, Borislava Iltcheva on violin, Alexander Russakovsky on cello with Dr. Theresa Sanchez on piano, will perform works from two of the 鈥渢hree B鈥檚鈥 of classical music composers, Beethoven and Brahms.

Borislava Iltcheva started playing the violin at age of five, earning her Bachelor鈥檚 degree from the Bulgarian National Academy and Master鈥檚 and Doctoral degrees in violin performance from Louisiana State University. Borislava holds prizes from several national and international competitions and has been featured as a soloist with many symphony orchestras.  She has performed recitals throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Ms. Iltcheva is the Concertmaster of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and currently teaches at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Alexander Russakovsky has appeared in numerous solo and chamber music performances in Russia, Israel, Europe and the United States. In the fall of 200,1 Dr. Russakovsky joined the music faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Recently, Dr. Russakovsky has given master classes and recitals in Taiwan, Israel, and Latin America.

Pianist Theresa Sanchez pursues a varied performing career as a soloist and collaborative musician.  She has performed as soloist with numerous symphony orchestras, and recorded two concerto discs.  She has been a faculty member at 糖心直播 since 1995, and is a past president of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association. She currently serves as Music Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Concert Association and FestivalSouth, and is listed on the Mississippi Arts Commission鈥檚 Touring Artist Roster.

糖心直播鈥檚 Music & Theater Departments present, 鈥淪TARCROSSED: A Musical Revue鈥 

ELLISVILLE 鈥 The show will go on at 糖心直播! Despite renovations to the M.P. Bush Auditorium, Dean of the College of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith, created the unique, compilation of Broadway show hits as director and producer of the show he titled, 鈥淪TARCROSSED: A Musical Revue.鈥 

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to cancel our spring musical so we decided to do a musical revue,鈥 explained Smith. 鈥淲e have a lot of students with different talents, so we chose a series of songs about star crossed lovers from different Broadway musicals and created our own musical revue. It has a lot of my personal favorites, which are also fan favorites.鈥

Brett Barnes, RicShawn Fair, Abby Nix and KeShon Hicks

Because of limited seating on the auditorium backstage, there will only be two performances, Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for 糖心直播 employees and students with current 糖心直播 ID. However, Smith stressed, all tickets must be reserved prior to the show.

鈥淭here will only be about 250-300 seats available each night. Therefore, reservations must be made by emailing, paula.harrison@jcjc.edu between Monday, March 20, and Friday, March 24. In the email, please share your name and number of tickets needed, and which performance you plan to attend,鈥 said Smith.

Susannah Walters, Bri Lee & Virginia Fortenberry

The musical revue features a mix of solos, duets, and group numbers with some performances including the theatrical scene prior to the featured song. Smith said there are female duets about being in love with the same man, therapeutic moments where couples are fighting, to a scene from Tina Turner鈥檚 musical.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a more star crossed love than Ike and Tina Turner!鈥 Smith noted. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to bring a variety of performances including something never done before at Jones, having the choir featured singing a seven-and-a-half-minute medley of songs from the Westside Story for the finale of the show.鈥

KeShon Hicks, Aliyah Watts & Eli Carter

JC Freshman, KeShon Hicks of Laurel, has enjoyed performing in several shows on the Northeast Jones High School stage. At Jones, he is featured with freshmen Aliyah Watts of Columbia and Eli Carter from Collins, in the song about a love triangle, 鈥淢ake Me Happy鈥 from The Wild Party. Also, Hicks and RicShawn Fair of Ellisville perform with Abby Nix of Ellisville in her featured solo, 鈥淎lways True to You in My Fashion鈥 from Kiss Me Kate, before they join the choir for the finale.

Matt Taylor

鈥淚 love to perform for anybody and in any situation. Having everybody, including the choir, come together is just amazing! I love it and I鈥檓 excited about how Mr. Smith put this show together,鈥 said Hicks.

Sophomore, Matt Taylor of Richland was in JC鈥檚 spring musical last year and sings in all three JC choirs. He shared, being in a musical revue is a new experience for him that he has been enjoying.

鈥淚 have a duet with my girlfriend, Mackenzie Lacy called 鈥楾herapy鈥 from the Broadway show, Tick Tick Boom, which is about an argument between a couple over little stuff. It鈥檚 funny because it鈥檚 happened in real life before!鈥 Taylor laughed. 鈥淭his revue is going to be really good!鈥

Veteran of the JC stage, Mackenzie Goleman of Moselle also enjoys being in this smaller production for academic reasons. She sings the solo, 鈥淯.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D鈥 from the Broadway show, Starlight Express.

Mackenzie Goleman

鈥淚 like doing this show because it has allowed me to focus more on my studies. Last spring, we spent two to three hours every day on the show compared to the six hours or so a week this spring,鈥 said Goleman.

鈥淚 think this show is really fun, but it also lets the students explore numerous different musicals and do character studies on so many different characters,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 all said and done, they鈥檝e had more growth than they realize. It鈥檚 truly the best of both worlds.鈥

JC freshman from Ellisville, Susannah Walters and professional choreographer, Brett Barnes choreographed the performances for the cast of about 25 performers. Dr. Victoria Johnson, piano faculty at JC and Michelle Howells will share the keyboard parts throughout the show, with JC guitar faculty, Dr. Michael Boyd also performing. Sound and lighting was designed by Jacob Arnold.

Some of the stories about the star-crossed lovers may take the audience on a journey that is rated 鈥淧G,鈥 with various stories including laughter to turmoil and love and death. Check the 糖心直播 Arts, Music, and Performance website and social media pages for details prior to the performance. For more information about the 糖心直播 Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.

Cast of STARCROSSED: A Musical Revue

Karoline Ayers, Laurel

Cayden Bellanger, Franklinton Louisiana

Wesley Carmichael, Ellisville

Eli Carter, Collins

Antarian Chapman, Hebron

Natalie Dewitt, Laurel

Ricshawn Fair, Ellisville

Virginia Fortenberry, New Hebron

Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle

Gracee Green, Laurel

KeShon Hicks, Laurel

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Bri Lee, Ellisville

Abby Nix, Ellisville

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson

Annaleigh Ragsdale, Mize

Nicholas Singleterry, Oak Grove

Isaiah Spradley, Soso

Matthew Taylor, Richland

Abby Thrash, Laurel

Seth Walker, Calhoun

Daygen Warren, Laurel

Aliyah Watts, Columbia

糖心直播 faculty and staff accomplishments honored 

ELLISVILLE – Fifteen 糖心直播 faculty and staff members were recently honored for their accomplishments in the workplace over the previous academic year. The Employee Appreciation Awards began in 2004 with funds contributed by retired JCJC President, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and the college鈥檚 Foundation, Inc. Finalists were selected and interviewed by the Faculty and Staff Recognition Program鈥檚 Selection Committee. Prior to the employee recognition program, an outdoor lunch was provided by the college and the JCJC Foundation Inc.

鈥淗onoring and appreciating all of our employees is the least we can do considering how we all work together for the good of the college, our students and our community. Offering an afternoon of fun and fellowship is our way of saying 鈥榯hank you鈥 for making Jones great,鈥 said Amie McQueen, Interim VP of Advancement.

The Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established six years ago to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession stands out amongst their peers. John Howard Robertson, VP of Information Technology was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence.  糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith praised Howard鈥檚 ability to overcome an incredible number of obstacles and being the most level-headed leader over the five years he has served at 糖心直播.

鈥淚t was very encouraging for me to receive this honor,鈥 said Howard. 鈥淎s an administrator, I believe my goal is to work alongside others to make things run more smoothly. Jones is a great place to work, and I’m thankful my teammates feel I’ve been of some help to them.鈥

Speech instructor, John Burks was selected to receive the Barbara and Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities. The Humanities Division faculty member has been teaching at Jones since 2007. The scholarship and awards committee acknowledged how Burks exemplifies intellectual integrity in the classroom, and has encouraged independent analytical thinking skills, loves humanitarian pursuits and fosters a positive rapport with students. This award was initiated by JCJC alumni, Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. 鈥淏uddy鈥 and Barbara Sauls. Their daughter, Tracy was a 1990 JCJC graduate. Mr. Sauls was a former JCJC Board of Trustees member and Barbara Sauls is currently on the JCJC Foundation鈥檚 Advisory Board. Burks was awarded a $500 cash prize and an acrylic plaque.

鈥淚 have been teaching at 糖心直播 for 15 years. Jones is a family tradition with my grandmother, mom, uncle, and aunt all attending Jones,鈥 said Burks. 鈥淭eaching and working with students is very rewarding. In addition, my colleagues make each day delightful.鈥 

Thomas Johnson, Tommy Freeman, Tim Morris, Dr. Shelby Hanna & Dr. Ben Burge

In the individual employee appreciation honors, 12 individuals from three categories of employees, faculty members, office staff and administrative support, and employees working in, maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police were each awarded certificates of achievement. Faculty finalists each received a cash prize of $250 and the overall winner received an additional $750 and an acrylic plaque. Each staff employee finalist was awarded a cash prize of $125, and the overall winner received an extra $500 and an acrylic plaque.

One of the finalists for the faculty awards was Dr. Ben Burge, who has worked at Jones for six years as the Director of Bands. For the past 22 years, he has been a band director for bands in Madison and Pearl River Counties, including Belhaven University. Dr. Shelby Hanna has been employed at Jones for 13 years as the Career Technical Student Services Coordinator and teaches Smart Start Pathway for the CTE programs. Welding instructor, Tommy Freeman has been teaching at 糖心直播 for nine years at the Greene County Center. Thomas Johnson has been teaching the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Program for five years. Tim Morris was selected as the Teacher of the Year honor. He has taught English and World Literature at 糖心直播 for the past 10 years. He was also recently selected as the Mississippi Humanities Council, 糖心直播 Teacher of the Year.

鈥淏eing recognized for my work in the classroom means the world to me. As an educator, I enjoy working to encourage my students to pursue their dreams, and while seeing their success is very rewarding, I am humbled and overwhelmed to be honored by the College as well. This recognition has allowed me to reflect on my journey to this point in my career, and I look forward to many more years of serving in the field of education,鈥 said Morris.

Taryn Tyree, Stephanie Bey, Candace Geddie, Crystal Nail & Lisa Sims

Nominated for the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year award included Stephanie Bey-Enrollment Management, Crystal Nail-Grant Funding, Lisa Sims and Taryn Tyree-Enrollment Management. Candace Geddie, who works in Enrollment Management, was selected as the Employee of the Year for the Office Staff and Administrative Support division.

In the maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police departments division, Environmental Safety/Housekeeper, Rebecca Covalt was nominated along with Campus Policeman and I.T. specialist, Tony Hales. Taking the top spot as Employee of the Year was Jeffrey Morris who works on the campus grounds.  

As an honorary employee of the college, Sodexho cafeteria employee, Cherylon Crosby was honored for her work. She received a $500 cash award for her efforts on behalf of the college.