Mississippi College

America's healthy economy added to the recipe for success at Mississippi College's Career Day. There were 81 employers sizing up hundreds of students at the university's 2018 event on the Clinton campus February 13. Openings were plentiful and so were internships. MC's electrical engineering program attracted the attention of people at the huge Nissan plant in Canton. But so are majors like business and communications, says Nissan recruiter David Nieminen, a 1999 MC graduate. Nissan employs nearly 10,000 people at its Canton site. "Opportunities are ongoing," at Nissan operations in Mississippi and around the globe, he said. MC electrical engineering majors like Thomas Hamrick of Houston, Texas and Samantha Tidrick of Biloxi stopped by the Nissan table during the four-hour event at Anderson Hall. "This was my first time and it seems to be very diverse" with all types of companies represented, says Tidrick, 20, an MC junior. "I'm hearing about internships. It was nice to see people face to face." It was like old times for a number of employers returning to their alma mater. A year ago, Mississippi College senior Peyton Brown of Brandon was busy hunting for a job at MC's Career Day. On Tuesday, the MC graduate was recruiting students as a credit analyst with Community Bank. Peyton once served as an MC orientation leader. Now he's telling prospective employees about the benefits of working at the bank. MC public relations major Tyer Chambliss of Mobile, Alabama was among the students expressing interest. It wasn't her only stop at Career Day. "I've talked to a few." The MC Career Fair comes amid reports of a bright USA economy. Fueling the optimism were the tax cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump in December. Over 90 percent of middle class Americans will receive a tax cut. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts total employment will increase by 20.5 million jobs from 2010 to 2020 with the most significant growth in healthcare as the population ages. "Everything is trending up," says MC Office of Career Services Director Jim Miller. His office sponsored the program that drew 300 to 400 students between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Miller says companies project to hire more interns and will fill many jobs as graduation nears for the Class of 2018 in May. "We've met many good prospects," said Sandi Beason, public information officer for the Clinton Public School District. "Students are coming well-prepared and well-dressed." Over the next few weeks, the Clinton district will know more about specific openings for next year. MC students are encouraged to watching for openings on the district's website. About 62 percent of the teachers, staff and administrators in the Clinton public schools are Mississippi College graduates. "We have a very strong partnership," Beason said as Clinton's assistant superintendent Anthony Goins looked on. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, the state Auditor's Office, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WJTV-12, Regions bank, the Horne CPA group, St. Dominic Hospital, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and dozens of others brought recruiters to meet MC students. Seeking a master's degree in business administration, Mauricio Quijano, of Brandon left impressed. "This is a very good way to make contacts and meet people," says the 43-year-old native of Colombia in South America. He made the MPB table one of his stops before touching base with other companies at Mississippi College's Career Day.

Arleigh Seymour will represent the Christian university she cherishes as the new Miss Mississippi College Scholarship Pageant winner. A 19-year-old sophomore, Arleigh is an English writing major from Vancleave on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. "MC has been a place for me to grow as a woman of the Lord, and a student. MC has also become a home to me." On February 1, Seymour prevailed over three other contestants for the title on the Clinton campus. She succeeds Jesse Bingham, 21, of Terry. Jesse gave the glory to God for making it happen when a door opened for her to become Miss MC in the Fall 2017.

The Mississippi College Office of Academic Affairs releases the dean's list after the close of fall and spring semesters each academic year. To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their grade point average.

The Mississippi College Office of Academic Affairs releases the president's list after the close of fall and spring semesters each academic year. To be eligible for the President's List, a student must maintain a 4.0 grade point average, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their grade point average.

Jacey Jarnagin was awarded a $1000 academic scholarship from TheDietDynamo.com

Two Mississippi College accounting students are the newest recipients of scholarships to attend a national conference in Washington, D.C.

Morgan Hamilton enjoys archery because it's more of a mental game, a challenging sport that's all about staying focused. The Mississippi College archery team captain, Morgan is committed to making the Choctaws perform at the highest levels in national competition...

The Mississippi College Symphonic Winds launches a two-day concert tour at Clinton High on November 16 before hitting the road to performances in Southaven and Hernando. All four performances will be free and open to the public. First up is Thursday's performance at Clinton High at 8:30 a.m., just a few miles from the university campus. The MC student musicians quickly pack their instruments and drive for three hours to a 2:15 p.m. concert that Thursday afternoon at Southaven High near Memphis. Music professor Craig Young conducts the talented group of more than 50 musicians. The MC Symphonic Winds wrap up the series on Friday November 17. They will perform at Northpointe Christian School in Southaven and at Hernando High at 1:15 p.m. Their concert series include selections such as "Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn," by Norman Dello Joio and "Irish Tune from Country Derry," by Percy Aldridge Grainger. Other selections are "Snakes," by Thomas Duffy and "Kirkpatrick Fanfare," by Andrew Boysen. Mississippi College students, faculty, staff and the metro Jackson community are invited to hear the Symphonic Winds in a free concert at Swor Auditorium on the Clinton campus. It is set for November 20 at 7:30 p.m. that Monday evening. With more than 50 members, the Symphonic Winds includes several musicians from Clinton. They are: trumpet player Jack Bailey and his sister, Grace Bailey, a clarinet player. Both are Clinton High graduates. Other Clintonians are Chandler Noel and Robert Mason. The North Mississippi concerts will be a homecoming of sorts for musician Jordan Burns. She's a resident of Southaven. For more information, contact the Music Department's Dottie Serio at 601-925-3440 or Serio@mc.edu

The Mississippi College London semester program is about to embark in it's 29th year. Taking 20 students once again, this program allows students to experience day-to-day life as well as balancing five college classes and over 30 course-related excursions. Accompanying the students this year are Dr. Steven Price and Dr. Christopher Weeks. For the majority of their stay, the students are housed in a bed and breakfast and are within walking distance of many major sites, including the British Museum. One month of their trip they will experience a home stay with a local family to fully embrace British culture. Students also have the opportunity to travel elsewhere for spring break. Previous trips have included Scotland and Northern England.

Runners should gear up for a fun experience while getting plenty of exercise at the Jingle Jog 5K. Mississippi College physician assistant students are sponsoring the December 9 race in Clinton. The fee to enter is $30, and that includes post-race snacks, a shirt with long white cotton sleeves and the chance to receive door prizes. The race begins at 8 a.m. that Friday at First Baptist Church Clinton and it ends there as well. Kids under age 10 are invited to participate in a fun run starting at 9 a.m. The MC PA Donald Fisher Society serves as the official sponsor of the second annual road race. Funds raised will send MC PA students in the Class of 2019 to the American Academy of Physician Assistants Conference. It takes place May 19-23 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Last year's physician assistants' national convention in Las Vegas attracted 7,000 guests to a blitz of informative meetings with medical leaders in the fast-growing field. It opened doors to lots of networking opportunities for medical professionals and students. There are 115,500 physician assistants located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Packets for the Jingle Jog race can be picked up on Friday December 8 at the Baptist Healthplex on the Clinton campus. Mississippi College leaders welcomed the state's first Physician Assistant program in 2011. The program began with 30 students and today enrolls more than 90 graduate students at its Baptist Healthplex headquarters. The 30-month program gives students the professional tools to work under the supervision of physicians. A race organizer, and physician assistant student LaKendra Wiley, predicts a solid turnout for the upcoming holiday season event. There were 100 runners at the 2016 PA road race. The 31-year-old Mobile, Alabama resident expects more Mississippians will lace up their running shoes and compete in this year's activities. The race is open to the public. For more information, contact LaKendra Wiley at lcwiley@mc.edu or Renee Kendrick at the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at 601-925-7371 or jrkendrick@mc.edu

Mississippi College students Drake Denson and Terry Cox proved they are big-time bass fishermen at a tournament in Alabama. The Blue & Gold anglers reeled in enough fish to capture first-place at the Cabela's Collegiate Bass Series event on November 4. Rivals from the University of South Alabama Bass Club finished in second-place. The South Alabama students offered their congratulations to the MC Choctaws fishermen on their Facebook page this week.

Kassie Cox accomplished one dream as the new Choctaw Indian Princess. Coming at the Choctaw Indian Festival over the summer, the pageant honor marked one more major goal achievement for the energetic Mississippi College sophomore. As princess, Kassie shares her vast knowledge of the history, culture, fashions, and hard work ethic of the tribe on an East Mississippi reservation near Philadelphia.

The Mississippi College debate team recently turned in solid performances at the Red River Classic tournament at Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Results show MC earned three octofinalist trophies, two quarter-finalist trophies and one finalist. William Moore of Alexandria, Virginia, the university's best finisher, ended with an impressive 9-2 record. MC debaters Jo Doucette of Magnolia, Miss. and Moore earned fourth and third-place speaker awards. Several other Mississippi College debaters made the trip to the Bayou State. Others included: Christian Wear, Creed Hendrickson, Warren Tripp, and Muriel Collins. Collins of Union, Miss. and Wear of Abita Springs, Louisiana finished the competition as quarterfinalists.