ELLISVILLE 鈥� As part of Homecoming festivities held at 糖心直播, the Rho Sigma Chapter of the two-year college鈥檚 honor society, Phi Theta Kappa named Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Julie Atwood as PTK Alumnus of the Year. In recent years, the chapter has bestowed the award to an individual that has exemplified service and leadership in their field.
Advisor, Caleb Smith (center) and Mark Brown (right) announced at the JC Homecoming Alumni Luncheon, Julie Atwood (left) as the 2025 PTK Alumnus of the Year. Atwood is the JC Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
鈥淢rs. Julie Atwood was chosen as the 2025 recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Alumnus of the Year Award for her service as the lead advisor for the Rho Sigma chapter from 2009 to 2018,鈥� said Mark Brown, JC art instructor and current PTK Advisor. 鈥淒uring that time, she not only continued to lead the chapter members and officers in service and leadership, but she also developed new advisors to strengthen the chapter efforts.鈥�
Additionally, each year Atwood served the 糖心直播 chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Rho Sigma, it was recognized as a 5 Star Chapter and was frequently recognized for its campus and community projects. Atwood continues to offer ideas for projects as well as leadership strategies for chapter officers according to Brown.
鈥淎lthough she is no longer officially a Phi Theta Kappa advisor, she remains an integral part of our faculty advisory group,鈥� said Brown.
The 糖心直播 chapter of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society at 糖心直播 was founded in 1970 and formed an Alumni chapter three years ago. The first member of the PTK chapter was 1970 graduate from Clara, Sara Smith Landrum. She also has the distinction of being selected as the first person to be honored with the PTK Alumnus of the Year Award three years ago when the Alumni Chapter of PTK at 糖心直播 was formed. Last year, retired JC Science and Physics instructor, Mary Boleware was bestowed with the honor.
ELLISVILLE 鈥� Several hundred superheroes, princesses and ghouls came out to have fun at the annual 糖心直播 Treats in the Streets on the JC campus in Ellisville. Kids played games for treats in the booths set up by JC faculty and students as a way to give back to the community. Some children participated in the costume contests for babies through 12-years of age, with the winners of the creatively dressed kids receiving a variety of prizes from the JC Office of Student Affairs.
The top three winners of the Costume Contest for 糖心直播 students are pictured left to right with judges awarding first place to 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Blue-Collar Workers,鈥� Nathan Gavin of Bay Springs and Antron Floyd of Quitman. Anna Patrice of Bay Springs and her 鈥淏ad Case of the Stripes鈥� earned second place and Sarah Wilkinson of Olive Branch as 鈥淏lind as a Bat鈥� won third place.
糖心直播 students who dressed and impressed the judges, received prizes for their efforts. The winners of the Costume Contest for JC students were, 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Blue-Collar Workers, Nathan Gavin of Bay Springs and Antron Floyd of Quitman. Anna Patrice of Bay Springs and her 鈥淏ad Case of the Stripes鈥� won second place and the 鈥淏lind as a Bat鈥� costumed student, Sarah Wilkinson of Olive Branch won the third place prize.
Treats in the Streets is an annual, free, community event hosted by the 糖心直播 with various student organizations, academic and technical divisions, and athletes setting up games and offering candy gifts. The event has been serving the community for more than 25 years.
JC instructor Matt McGuffie and his daughter picked up a few treats and played games at the annual Treats in the Streets on the 糖心直播 campus.
ELLISVILLE 鈥� 糖心直播 students, faculty, and community members gathered for the second annual 鈥淐ooking for a Cause鈥� event which blends culinary creativity with compassion to raise awareness about food insecurity among college students. Hosted in collaboration with the college’s dining services partner, Sodexo, the event featured dishes made from food pantry staples showing students how simple ingredients can be transformed into nourishing meals while highlighting the importance of supporting the Bobcat Food Pantry. In addition to the pantry staples, executive chefs added 鈥渇ood scraps鈥� like broccoli stems and pineapple cores to add a sustainability aspect to the event.
Sodexo chefs, Andy Wu (right) and Rachel Pittman (left) serve up 糖心直播 students their creations from ingredients found in a food pantry for the Cooking for a Cause event to raise awareness about food insecurity.
鈥淭his event really brings people together for a good cause,鈥� said Riley Rolison, a sophomore from Long Beach. 鈥淔ood brings people together, and this is such a great way to raise awareness. It鈥檚 smart, too, because when you serve a meal, people show up, listen, and learn.鈥�
Sodexo chef at 糖心直播, Andy Wu prepared Hawaiian rice with sausage and spam for 糖心直播 students from ingredients found in a food pantry for the Cooking for a Cause event.
糖心直播 Executive Chef, Andy Wu and Mississippi University for Women, Executive Chef Rachel Pitman led the friendly culinary showcase, using creativity to turn pantry ingredients into crowd-pleasing dishes. Wu served a colorful Hawaiian fried rice featuring pineapple, Spam, and Chinese sausage, while Pitman prepared a Thai noodle dish tossed in homemade sesame-honey sauce with saut茅ed chicken and fresh vegetables.
鈥淚 wanted to make something students could actually recreate with what鈥檚 available in our campus pantry,鈥� said Pitman. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to have fancy incy ingredients to make something healthy and delicious.鈥�
Sodexo chef at MUW, Rachel Pittman prepared a Thai noodle dish for 糖心直播 cafeteria guests, students and employees from ingredients found in a food pantry for the Cooking for a Cause event.
Wu added, 鈥淲e just want to remind students that the food pantry is there for them and that you can make really good food with what鈥檚 available.鈥�
For Jennifer Griffith, VP of Career Services & eLearning, donating to the Cooking for a Cause event is about more than just food. This is about community. Her donation to the 鈥淐ause鈥� during the special event helped Sodexo provide 430 meal vouchers for students, or $4,301.94.
鈥淔ood insecurity is a very real thing,鈥� Griffith said. 鈥淲e want our students to know there鈥檚 a safe place where they can get what they need and that they鈥檙e cared for here.鈥�
Grant and Hope Staples, JC alumni and directors of The Glory House, the local nonprofit food pantry in Laurel helped to expand that message by donating funds to support the Bobcat Food Pantry.
Sodexo Area Marketing Manager, Elizabeth Brunet (left) accepts a $200 donation from Glory House Directors and JC Alumni, Hope and Grant Staples during the Cooking for a Cause event held at 糖心直播鈥檚 cafeteria.
鈥淲hen you run a pantry, you know how important community support is,鈥� said Grant Staples. 鈥淲e serve more than 700 families a month, and when we heard about Jones鈥� event, we wanted to help another pantry continue its work. We鈥檙e stronger together.鈥�
Hope Staples emphasized the ongoing need for open, welcoming food resources. 鈥淭here are people all around us who don鈥檛 have enough to eat but don鈥檛 feel like they can share that,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 pantry like this offers hope and dignity, and college students need that support more than ever.鈥�
糖心直播 student athletes, pictured left to right, Amin Eltahir of Germany, Mario Novaku of England, Braden Buchanan of Madison and Dillon Watson of Ridgeland, take part in the 鈥淐ooking for a Cause鈥� event hosted by the cafeteria mangers Sodexo, by declaring an unofficial winner of the two meals prepared by JC Chef, Andy Wu and MUW Chef, Rachel Pittman.
Sodexo鈥檚 Area Marketing Manager, Elizabeth Brunet, who helped coordinate the effort, said this year’s initiative was built on the national recognition 糖心直播 earned last year for the inaugural event. The college received Silver Honors from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) in the Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards for Innovative Dining Program of the Year.
鈥淲e wanted to build on that momentum by growing our community partnerships, giving students more ways to get involved, and in turn, making a bigger impact,鈥� Brunet said. 鈥淭his is a district-wide initiative spanning from West Louisiana to North Mississippi, representing the collective efforts of 14 campuses (and growing each year) working together to raise awareness for Hunger Action Month. Across all participating colleges and universities, a total of 4,391 meal vouchers were donated to support the fight against food insecurity.鈥�
As dishes were sampled and donations were collected, the event鈥檚 message was clear; when a community comes together, no student should go hungry.
ELLISVILLE 鈥� 糖心直播 recently celebrated a major milestone in healthcare education with the grand opening of the Robert C. 鈥淏obby鈥� Robbins, M.D. Hospital Simulation Center. This 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility brings real-world hospital experiences to students on the campus where Dr. Robbins grew up.
The new, five-million-dollar facility features more than $2.5 million in advanced technology, including an eight-bed emergency department, eight-bed intensive care unit, operating and maternal鈥揷hild suites, a simulated pharmacy with a pneumatic tube system, and a 鈥淪im Apartment鈥� for home health and disaster-response scenarios. More than 36 cameras and three control rooms allow faculty to monitor, record, and review student performance in lifelike situations.
糖心直播 Associate Degree Nursing instructors, Casey McElhenney (left) and Shannon Blailock (right) demonstrate new equipment with nursing student, John Chauffe in the new ICU suite.
鈥淭his Simulation Center is more than a building. This is an investment in our students, in the future of healthcare, and in the communities we serve,鈥� said Dr. Tessa Flowers, 糖心直播 Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. 鈥淲e are so proud to see this vision come to life.鈥�
The center honors Dr. Robert C. 鈥淏obby鈥� Robbins, a Jones County native, 1977 糖心直播 graduate, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and university president whose leadership has shaped global healthcare and higher education. Robbins, now a visiting fellow at Stanford University鈥檚 Hoover Institution, called the dedication the greatest honor of his career.
鈥淚t鈥檚 overwhelming and incredibly humbling,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淚 literally grew up on this campus. The chemistry building sits where my grandparents鈥� home once stood and where I lived. Jones made me who I am, and this center will make future generations ready for day-one in the hospital or clinic.鈥�
糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith said the new facility marks 鈥渁 new era of excellence in healthcare education.鈥�
鈥淭his is a vital part of what is needed in our community, not only economically, but also for the health and safety of our people,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淥ur students are graduating ready to serve, and this Center ensures they will be confident, competent, and collaborative healthcare professionals.鈥�
Dean of Health Sciences at 糖心直播, Dr. Benji Sessums helped lead the two-year development of the facility. He said the center bridges classroom learning and real-life experience.
鈥淪tudents can make critical decisions, lead teams, and see patient responses in real time,鈥� Sessums explained. 鈥淥ur simulators breathe, blink, cry, even deliver babies. The 鈥楽im Apartment鈥� allows students to practice home health and telemedicine scenarios that reflect where healthcare is headed.鈥�
糖心直播A.D. Nursing student, Lila Hundley of Buckatunna, practices her skills on the infant mannikin in the NICU lab in the new, state-of-the-art, Robert C. 鈥淏obby鈥� Robbins, M.D. Hospital Simulation Center.
For 糖心直播 students, the opportunity to train in such a realistic environment is a game-changer.
鈥淭his is going to be awesome,鈥� said Julie Harvey, a sophomore nursing student from Petal. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be able to experience things here that we wouldn鈥檛 get to do until we reach the hospital. It鈥檚 a safe setting where we can learn, make mistakes, and gain confidence.鈥�
糖心直播 Associate Degree Nursing instructor, Shana Doss (left) demonstrates the capabilities of one of the new, mannikins in the new, state-of-the-art, Robert C. 鈥淏obby鈥� Robbins, M.D. Hospital Simulation Center for nursing student, Julie Harvey (center) and ADN instructor, Geravia Lane (right) during the grand opening.
Alexis Knight, a radiology student from Seminary, said the new surgical suite鈥檚 C-arm X-ray machine will give students a head start in operating-room procedures.
鈥淧revious classes didn鈥檛 get to use one until they went into surgery,鈥� Knight said. 鈥淣ow we get to practice positioning and imaging before we ever step into a hospital.鈥�
Radiology students are also using state-of-the-art pediatric and infant mannikins to help them work with placing infants properly for X-rays and nursing students are able to work with infants in the NICU lab. Dr. Flowers noted that the Center not only supports 糖心直播鈥檚 nursing, EMS, and allied health students, but also regional hospitals, emergency responders, and community programs such as CPR and disaster-preparedness training.
鈥淭his facility will serve the entire region,鈥� Flowers said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where learning meets leadership, and where Mississippi鈥檚 healthcare future begins.鈥�
The Robert C. Robbins, M.D. Hospital Simulation Center aligns with national standards for simulation excellence and positions 糖心直播 as a regional hub for healthcare workforce development. For more information, contact Dr. Sessums by email at: benji.sessums@jcjc.edu or check out the website, /
Pictured cutting the ribbon to officially open the new, state-of-the-art, Robert C. 鈥淏obby鈥� Robbins, M.D. Hospital Simulation Center at 糖心直播 are pictured left to right, 糖心直播 VP of Advancement, Sabrina Young; Director of Communications for the President, Lauren Bridges; EVP & Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tessa Flowers; EVP of Student & Athletic Affairs & Executive Director of the Athletic Foundation, Joel Cain; Board of Trustees members, Richard Fleming, Marlon Brannan, and Vernell Lofton; 糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse and Jennifer Smith, Dr. Bobby Robbins, Board of Trustees members, Dwain Strickland and Dr. Titus Hines; EVP of Business Affairs & Chief Financial Officer, Christy Holifield; Board of Trustees members Mike Evans, Charles Breland, David Garner, and Curtis Gray, and Director of Campus Operations, Michael Bradshaw.
糖心直播鈥檚 Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery featured the works of Mandy Buchanan recently thanks to the friends and family members pictured below, left to right, Scott and Suzy Walker (cousin of Mandy), George Bassi (Lauren Rogers Museum of Art Gallery Director), Mica Stevens, Adam and Casey Sauls, Sam and George Buchanan, (Mandy鈥檚 sons), Julie Kuykendall (mother of Mandy), Julie and Mark Brown (friends of Mandy & JC art instructor), Melanie Eubanks (JC Art Gallery Director & Art instructor), Carl (Mandy鈥檚 husband) and Gina Buchanan, Jade Yoder, and Ginger and Fred Walters, loaned Mandy’s artwork to share in a special tribute to the artist in an exhibit personified by her life, 鈥減ainted in sunshine.鈥� Not pictured are contributors Adam Trest and Casey Watts.
Mandy Buchanan鈥檚 cousin Suzy Walker (center right) and friend Julie Brown (center left) helped coordinate the exhibit featuring Buchanan鈥檚 artwork and shared stories about Buchanan and her sunny personality which was reflected in the artwork from about 10 families who cherished her artwork and loaned it for the exhibit.
