Mississippi Christian University

The Mississippi College women's basketball team started the new year with a 73-51 win in Gulf South Conference play against the University of West Georgia. MC improved to 8-5 on the season and 5-3 in conference action. The Wolves fall to 6-7 and 3-5 in the league. The victory snapped a five-game slide to UWG in the series and gave MC its first win since Jan. 9, 2017. Ally Alford posted a team-high 23 points as she hit 5-of-9 from behind the arc and 8-for-15 from the floor. The Batesville, Miss., native also tied for tops on the team with seven rebounds, which matched a season-high. It's the fifth time this season Alford has led the team in scoring - the most by any Choctaw - and her fourth with 20-plus. The 23 points is her second highest total this season behind her high of 27 points set on Dec. 18 against Union. Alana Canady joined Alford in double figures scoring along with seven boards as she chimed in 14. Amelia Bell added 12 points while Taylor Ben also grabbed seven boards. The Choctaws shot 50 percent from the floor, including a 52.9 clip from the 3-point line. The Navy and Gold pulled down 38 rebounds. "So happy for the win and it was really important that we started the semester well," said head coach Greg Long. "I had some concerns with such a long lay off and you could tell it affected us, but I was pleased with how the team responded. They play hard and that made things happen for us tonight and it really showed." Zaria Bankston paced the Red and Blue with 11 points while Jaylin Austin had seven rebounds. The Wolves shot 31.6 percent from the field, but struggled from behind the arc at 20 percent. They managed 33 boards in the contest. MC led the for all, but 1:33 of the contest as the two teams exchanged leads through the first four minutes of action. Kyiah Julian knocked down a 3-pointer at the 6:08 mark to give the Navy and Gold a 12-10 lead and it never looked back. The Choctaws reached a double-digit advantage at the 1:50 mark of the opening quarter. MC saw its lead expand to 34-21 at the half. The Choctaws grabbed its first 20-point lead at the 3:43 mark of the third as Canady scored in the paint off an assist from Dezirae King. The home team grabbed its largest lead of the game, 62-33, on a fast break layup from Julian off a UWG turnover.

Mississippi College's Ally Alford is the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week Presented by TicketSmarter, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, Jan. 11. It is the third award this season for Alford. The Batesville, Miss., native posted a team-high 23 points as she hit 5-of-9 from behind the arc and 8-for-15 from the floor in a 73-51 win over the University of West Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 8. She also tied for tops on the team with seven rebounds, which matched a season-high. It is the fifth time this season Alford has led the team in scoring - the most by any Choctaw - and her fourth game with 20-plus points. The 23 points is her second highest total this season behind her high of 27 points set on Dec. 18 against Union. Alford is the first Choctaw to garner this accolade in the GSC and she joins a list of three former MC players who have accomplished three, conference weekly awards in program history (Lacey Palomarez-Kennedy - 7, LaToya Hopson - 4, Jalessa Taylor - 4). The trio accomplished the feat during the program's time in Division III as members of the American Southwest Conference. She is one of three players in the conference to claim freshman of the week laurels during the 2021-22 season. She joins the University of West Florida's Zoe Piller (4) and Lee University's Anna Muhonen (1). Saturday's win marked the largest margin of victory in the series with West Georgia.

Mississippi College's Christian Balcer is the Gulf South Conference Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Week Presented by TicketSmarter, as announced by conference office on Wednesday, Jan. 19. The Hurley, Miss., native reset a meet record in the 5,000 meters as he claimed the event crown. Balcer posted a time of 14:55.16 to break Emory University's Jack Whetstone's 2019 time of 15:01.67. He has won each of his collegiate races this season as he claimed the 3,000 meters at the Birmingham Southern Indoor Icebreaker in December. Balcer becomes the second Choctaw to garner the conference's freshman of the week accolade this season as he joins Wesley Gibbs, who earned the honor on Dec. 8, 2021. Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 22 as it travels to Birmingham, Ala., for the Samford University Open at the Birmingham Crossplex.

The Mississippi College men's indoor track and field team returned to action on Sunday, Jan. 16 as it won the Emory University Crossplex Showdown at the Birmingham Crossplex. The Choctaws, which garnered 152 points, had seven event titles as it defeated a field that included four Division II programs, including fellow Gulf South Conference members the University of Montevallo and Shorter University. Christian Balcer reset a meet record in the 5,000 meters as he claimed the event crown. Balcer posted a time of 14:55.16 to break Emory's Jack Whetstone's 2019 time of 15:01.67. Gabe Poulin and Hunter Kurz posted marks that surpassed the previous meet time. Poulin finished second with a time of 15:40.74 while Kurz was third with a 15:01.38. Al Ferrill recorded a pair of event wins - the most by any Choctaw on the day. Ferrill posted a distance of 16.28 meters in the weight throw and added a throw of 14.93 in the shot put. Christopher Garcia-Cloud finished fifth in the weight throw with a distance of 12.61 meters and was sixth in the shot with a 12.23. Ben Woolhouse joined Ferrill with a win in the field events as he posted a leap of 4.40 meters took take the top spot in the pole vault. Shemar Patten took the 60 hurdles as he posted a time of 8.24. Patten also finished seventh in the 60-meter dash (6.91) and eighth in the 200 meters (22.62). Fabio Palmieri took second in the 200 meters with a time of 21.91 while Will Grames was sixth with a 22.47. Gabe Hodson posted the best time in the 800 meters with a 1:56.08. Hodson was joined by Jake Russell among the top three finishers in the race. Russell took second with a time of 1:56.24. Preston Speed finished in the top five as he clocked a 2:01.62 in fourth. Elijah Araya was ninth with a time of 2:03.97. Cole Benoit won the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:28.71. Like the 800 meters, the Choctaws placed three runners in the top five as Brock Kelly took silver with a time of 8:33.97 and Braedon Methvin in fourth with an 8:40.44. Chris Webber finished seventh with a time of 8:48.29. The 4x400 relay team of Grames, Russell, Wesley Gibbs and Hodson took the top spot. The quartet clocked a time of 3:19.72. Gibbs added a second-place finish in the 400 meters to his ledger as he posted a time of 50.00. Mississippi College is back in action on Sunday, Jan. 23 as it returns to the Birmingham Crossplex for the KMS Invitational.

The Mississippi College women's indoor track and field team returned to action as it took the top team spot at the Emory University Crossplex Showdown on Sunday, Jan. 16. The Choctaws notched five individual event titles. MC defeated a field that included four Division II programs, including fellow Gulf South Conference members, the University of Montevallo and Shorter University. The Navy and Gold garnered victories in a pair of distance events to start the day. Jazmin Hernandez brought home the 5,000-meters title with a time of 18:02.27. Kathy Hammond won the mile as she clocked a time of 5:16.89. She added a second-place finish to her ledger as she joined Ereyonna Gore, Leslie Baxter and Emily Berry in the distance medley relay with a time of 12:37.71. Baxter and Norma Gutierrez added running event crowns to the Choctaws' list. Baxter added an event crown in the 800 meters as she clocked a 2:21.30 while Gutierrez took the top spot in the 3,000 meters with a time of 11:06.69. Tytavia Hardy posted the only event win in the field as she won the triple jump with a leap of 11.56 meters. Hardy also finished second in the 60 hurdles with a time of 9:01. Kiara Vance tallied a two third-place finishes as she posted a distance of 11.47 meters in the shot put and a throw 14.16 meters in the weight throw. Sakari Faulkner finished fifth in the weight throw with a toss of 12.85 meters while Victoria Myles recorded a throw of 12.446 meters. Vance wasn't the only Choctaw with a bronze-medal finish. Ryleigh Borbash posted a leap of 1.47 meters in the high jump. Shelby Dean finished third in the 3,000 meters with a time of 11:11.47 and Madeline Campbell clocked a time of 18:48.10 in the 5,000 meters. Ezra McCaw added a third-place finish in the sprints with a time of 25.76 in the 200 meters. Mississippi College is back in action on Sunday, Jan. 23 as it returns to the Birmingham Crossplex for the KMS Invitational.

Mississippi College honored the graduates of both summer and fall semesters in three campus ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 17. Dr. Blake Thompson, MC president, welcomed the graduates and gave opening remarks, while Dr. Tommy Leavelle, retired professor in the Department of Mathematics at MC and the 2020-21 Distinguished Professor of the Year, gave the Commencement Address. Thompson reiterated MC's theme, "Rise Up," for the 2021-22 Academic Year, inviting the MC Family to make this a year built on the "good work" God calls us all to do. The encouragement taken from Nehemiah 2:18 illustrates that, although situations can change at a moment's notice, God will strengthen our hands.

The sustaining value of local church support for Mississippi College students cannot be overstated. For James Bradley McGlothin, recipient of the 2021 Alta Woods Baptist Church Scholarship, that truth has helped ensure a ministerial future unencumbered by debt. The junior Christian Studies and History scholar knows how important church support can be. During his last semester of high school, the French Camp native started preaching and conducting Bible studies in his home congregation at Bethsaida Baptist Church before opting to pursue a degree from MC. "I came from a small, private Christian school, and I had a lot of friends who were going to MC," McGlothin said. "When I came here for a visit, I got the same feeling - It was a strong Christian school with similar values to my own. "I wanted to get some foundational classes of Biblical Greek and some core Christian Studies classes before going on to seminary, so I chose to come to MC." He is definitely making the most of his opportunity at the Christian college. Dr. Burn Page, professor and chair of Christian Studies, said McGlothin's performance in the Greek 101 class he teaches is consistent with his stellar 4.0 overall GPA. "Bradley was prepared for the class from Day One," Page said. "He had all the required textbooks, and he took copious notes. There was no question that he was fully engaged in the class." Dr. Ivan Parke, professor of Christian Studies, said McGlothin has excelled in all of the subjects Parke has taught him. "He never missed class, sat on the front row, and occasionally stayed after class to ask good questions," Parke said. "Last spring, Bradley apprised me that he was changing his major to double major in history and Christian Studies. I was quite excited. "Students like Bradley would be cherished by any academic department." Those academic credentials solidified McGlothin's selection by the Alta Woods Baptist Church for its $1,000 scholarship, presented annually to an outstanding Christian Studies student at MC. A part of the Jackson community for more than 70 years, the church at 168 Colonial Drive seeks to reach people for Christ in a variety of ways. Its diverse missions include work with the Children's of Mississippi ministry, the women's prison ministry, and Operation Christmas Child, among others. Since June 2016, the church has partnered with New Jerusalem Baptist Church to share its 1,200-seat sanctuary and other facilities. Page serves as the church's pastor and worked as its interim pastor for five years before that. At MC, he also serves as director of the Institute for Christian Leadership based in historic Provine Chapel. In November, McGlothin had the opportunity to thank members of the Alta Woods Baptist Church personally by giving a sermon for the congregation. "It was a great experience," he said. "They were very kind to me, and I got to preach Colossians 1:15-17, about the supremacy of Christ." Page said he was proud of his pupil's performance in the classroom and in front of the pews. "It was very meaningful, especially because Bradley did such a great job preaching that morning," Page said. "A church likes to take 'holy pride' in being a part of a young man's ministry who 'correctly handles the word of truth' (2 Tim. 2:15)." While he hasn't yet decided which seminary to attend, McGlothin is certain of his academic goals: to obtain a Master's of Divinity and, ultimately, a Ph.D. He said the Alta Woods Baptist Church Scholarship will help him enter the next phase of his journey to the ministry. "My plan is to become a pastor, and I would love to also teach in a seminary," he said. "The Lord will ultimately see about that, but right now, that's the plan. "The scholarship came at a perfect time for me. It has helped to fill the gap, so Lord willing, I'll be debt-free when I graduate from MC. That's a huge benefit going into the ministry. It is helping to free me up so I can see where the Lord takes me. I'll be able to invest in seminary without having to worry about finances. It's very special." Parke said he has every confidence McGlothin will succeed in his ministerial efforts. "Hall of Fame pitcher Dizzy Dean asserted, 'It ain't bragging if you can do it.' Bradley is smart enough to brag, but he models humility. He is respectful and considerate. Consequently, I'm confident that he will succeed as a graduate student as well as a minister. He is pleasant and positive. His work ethic is commendable. "God honors the righteous and exalts the humble. Bradley already defers to God, crediting God's amazing grace." McGlothin, who has been attending Grace Community Church in Jackson during his time at MC, said the scholarship is indicative of the support local congregations provide students. "There are so many things going on on MC's campus. It's important for students to balance their school, social time, and church life in a way that is healthy and pleasing to God," he said. "The Lord has put a lot of great local churches around MC that students can be involved in. It's really crucial for anybody coming to MC to get plugged into a local, healthy church."

The Mississippi College Choctaws completed the comeback win against UAH Saturday evening inside A.E. Wood Coliseum, winning by a final score of 73-70. It was the first conference win of head coach Randy Bolden's tenure at Mississippi College as the Choctaws improved to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in GSC play. In the first half of play, UAH jumped out to a 15-4 lead just five minutes into the start of the game, taking control of the half as they would go into the break leading by 11-points, 43-32. Behind the shooting of Miles Miller, the Choctaws second half was a different story. Trailing 60-49 with 10 minutes left in regulation, Mississippi College utilized a 17-10 run to pull with four-points with 2:45 left on the clock. Under a minute to play, trailing 70-68, Miller knocked down the go ahead three-point shot to give MC a 71-70 advantage, giving the Choctaws their first lead of the game with 45-seconds remaining. The Choctaws knocked down a pair of free throws down the stretch as the defense closed out the contest to preserve the comeback victory, 73-70. MC had two players with 20+ points scored in the contest, with Miles Miller leading the way with 26 points scored on a career night shooting. Miller was clutch down the stretch, finishing 8-of-13 from three-point territory. Tradavis Thompson had an outstanding game with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He also added three steals on the night and was 3-of-8 from three-point land. Mississippi College led for a total of 45-seconds in the game, but was enough to secure the win. The Choctaws defense held the Chargers scoreless over the final 2:45 in the game as the offense utilized a 7-0 run over that stretch to take the lead and capture the win. Mississippi College returns to action on Tuesday night at A.E. Wood Coliseum where they will take on Talladega beginning at 7 p.m. in Clinton, Miss.

The Mississippi College women's basketball team posted four players in double figures as it garnered its first Gulf South Conference victory of the season downing the University of Alabama in Huntsville, 83-44, on Saturday, Dec. 4. Taylor Ben led the Choctaws (5-3, 1-1 GSC) with 17 points. Ally Alford added 16 points followed by Kyiah Julian with 11 points and 10 coming from Amelia Bell, who also paced the squad on the glass with nine rebounds. It's the second time this season Ben has led the team in scoring. Bell notched her fifth game as the leader on the glass, it's the most by any Choctaw this season. MC shot 45.9 percent from the field, including going 7-for-16 from behind the arc, and posted a clip of 69.0 from the charity stripe. The Navy and Gold grabbed 38 rebounds. Mississippi College gained its sixth win in the series and its second in the last three meetings. "It was one heck of a team performance tonight," said head coach Greg Long. "They were focused and exciting to watch. Now we just have to keep improving. You can tell we are maturing as a team to play like that tonight after a difficult setback on Thursday. We thank our fans for coming out and supporting tonight." Majah Bullock led UAH with 10 points while Sloan Mann pulled down six boards. The Chargers shot 31.8 percent from the floor, but struggled from behind the 3-point arc shooting 14.3 percent. The Blue and White connected on 75 percent from the free-throw line and managed 25 boards. The Choctaws, which led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, totaled 25 points in the second stanza to take a 40-19 lead at the break. The second-quarter, point total marked the second-highest in a quarter this season. MC posted 28 points in the opening quarter against Southeastern Baptist on Nov. 30. MC duplicated the scoring output from the second in the third quarter and held the Chargers to single-digits for the second, consecutive period (eight in the second, nine in the third). The Choctaws grabbed their largest lead of the game with 5:10 left to play as they generated a 40-point advantage on a put-back from Ben.

Three members of the Mississippi College women's soccer team were selected to the D2CCA All-South Region teams on Tuesday (Nov. 23). Junior Midfielder Avery Hederman and Junior Defender Emma Young are 1st team All-Region selections while Senior Forward Beatrice Currie is a 2nd team selection. This is the first All-Region selection for all 3 players. Emma Young (Lafayette, La.) adds to what has been a banner year for the Junior defender. She was recently named GSC Defensive Player of the Year and was also.a 1st team All-GSC selection. This season Young started all 18 matches for the Lady Choctaws as she led a MC backline that conceded just 14 goals on the year and pitched 8 clean sheet shutouts. She also added 2 assists on the season while leading MC in minutes played. She played the entire match on 15 occasions this season (with the 3 in which she didn't all coming in MC blowout wins). Avery Hederman (Jackson, Miss) also picks up a 1st team All-South Region honor to pair with her 1st team All-GSC selection this season. Hederman scored 6 goals on the year and added 4 assists. She was 2nd on the team in goals scored and tied for 2nd on the team in assists. Her 16 points was also good for 3rd on the team. She started every match on the season for MC and was 3rd on the team in minutes played. Hederman also played the full match in 12 matches this season. Beatrice Currie (Nova Scotia, Canada) earned a 2nd team All-Region honor. Currie was also a 1st team All-GSC selection this season. Currie led the Lady Choctaws in goals scored with 9 (tied for 4th most in the GSC). She also added 3 assists on the year (tied for 5th on the team). Her 21 points also led the team (also tied for 4th most in the conference). Currie played in every match this season and also added the game-winning goal in 2 contests. She also had 3 multi-goal performances on the season. The D2CCA (Division II Conference Commissioners Association) All-South Region teams pick the best players from the South Region which consists of the Gulf South Conference along with the Sunshine State Conference. The teams were voted on by the region's Sports Information Directors. The first team honorees from the All-Region team will now advance to the national All-American ballot with those teams set to be announced on December 7th.

The Mississippi College men's soccer team had two players earn D2CCA All-South Region honors on Tuesday (Nov. 23). Senior Defender Aurele Chemin was a 1st team All-Region selection while Junior Forward Filippo Bellu was a 2nd team All-Region selection. This marks the first career All-Region selection for each player. Aurele Chemin (Paris, France) picks up another honor to add to his stellar season. Chemin was recently named GSC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was a 1st team All-GSC selection this year. This season Chemin started 16 matches for MC and was 2nd on the team in minutes played as he helped lead an MC defensive unit that was statistically the best in the Gulf South Conference (a league low 13 goals allowed on the season and also a league low 6 goals allowed in conference play). Chemin also added 2 goals and 2 assists on the year while also scoring a game-winning goal. Chemin played the full match in 13 matches this season. Filippo Bellu (Venice, Italy) adds a 2nd team All-Region selection to go with his 2nd team All-GSC selection this season. Bellu led the Choctaws in goals scored with 10 (5th in the conference) and he also added 2 assists on the year. His 22 points on the season also led the team (tied for 5th most in the conference). Bellu also scored the game-winning goal in 3 matches this year (tied for 4th in the GSC). Bellu played in all 17 matches for MC this season and was 5th on the team in minutes played. Bellu also registered 2 multi-goal matches on the season. The D2CCA (Division II Conference Commissioners Association) All-South Region teams pick the best players from the South Region which consists of the Gulf South Conference along with the Sunshine State Conference. The teams were voted on by the region's Sports Information Directors.

The Mississippi College men's and women's track & field teams opened up the 2021-2022 indoor track & field season on Friday at the Birmingham Southern Panther Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex. The Choctaws picked up four event titles including a meet record from Wesley Gibbs. Several Choctaws also set school records. Wesley Gibbs, a Freshman from The Colony, Texas, set the meet record in the men's 800m with a time of 1:52.37 in his first ever meet as a Choctaw. He picked up the event title, while also setting the school record. Jake Russell picked up a 5th place finish with a time of 1:55.58. Preston Speed also finished 8th with a time of 1:58.66. Christian Balcer added MC's other individual event title in the men's 3000m with a time of 8:34.18. In the 3K, he was followed closely behind by Hunter Kurz who finished 2nd with a time of 8:36.84. Gabe Poulin (5th) and Adam Gomez (7th) both also finished in the top 7 in the event. The Choctaws continued their recent success in the men's 4x400 relay as the group of Will Grames, Connor Stewart, Gabe Hodson, and Wesley Gibbs picked up the event title with a time of 3:21.10. MC also picked up the title in the men's distance medley relay with a time of 10:11.81. Hunter Kurz, Cole Benoit, Brock Kelly, and Christian Balcer were the 4 runners for the Choctaws. Tytavia Hardy also had a successful day as she picked up two top 10 finishes, plus broke her own school record in the 60m hurdles. Hardy set the school record in the prelims of the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.83. She then finished 10th in the event with a time of 9.11. She also finished 7th in the long jump with a distance of 5.29 meters. Ezra McCaw added a pair of school records. She handily set a school record in the 200m dash with a time of 25.02. She added to that a school record in the 60m dash with a time of 7.82 in the prelims. She would then finish 12th in the event with a time of 7.84 in the finals. Kiara Vance set a school record as well in the women's weight throw with a distance of 14.42m as she finished 7th. She was followed by Sakari Faulkner who finished 15th (12.24m) and Victoria Myles who finished 17th (12.08m). Fabio Palmeiri also picked up a pair of top 5 finishes in the men's 60m and 200m dashes. He finished 2nd in the 200m with a time of 22.00. He paired that with a 3rd place finish in the 60m with a time of 6.87. Robert Grames also finished 8th in the 200m with a time of 22.53. Emma Langley finished in 2nd place in the women's 800m with a time of 2:20.04. She was followed closely with Caroline Dooling who finished 11th with a time of 2:31.18. Al Ferrill picked up a 2nd place finish in the shot put with a throw of 14.77m. Christopher Garcia-Cloud finished 12th with a distance of 11.15m. Both men also picked up top 10 finishes in the weight throw. Ferrill finished 3rd with a throw of 14.90m. Garcia-Cloud finished 9th with a throw of 12.82m. Gabe Hodson also picked up a top 5 finish in the men's 400m as he finished 4th with a time of 49.97. Connor Stewart finished 14th with a time of 51.72. Four Choctaws finished in the top 10 of the 1 mile run, led by Cole Benoit who finished 3rd with a time of 4:20.68. Brock Kelly finished 5th with a time of 4:21.58, Braedon Methvin finished 9th with a time of 4:23.87, and Chris Webber finished 10th with a time of 4:25.01. On the women's side, three Choctaws finished in the top 10 in the mile. Leslie Baxter (5:28.46), Ava Dickerson (5:32.39), and Shelby Dean (5:39.27) all finished back to back to back 5th-7th respectively. In the 3K on the women's side, Jazmin Hernandez led the way in 3rd place with a time of 10:19.75. Madeline Campbell then finished 5th with a time of 10:36.05. She was followed closely by Kathy Hammond (who finished 6th with a time of 10:38.96) and Josie Whipp (who finished 7th with a time of 10:41.79). Zach McManus picked up a 3rd place finish in the men's long jump with a distance of 6.67m. He also paired that with another top 10 finish (7th) in the men's Triple Jump with a distance of 12.42m. Adrianna Burage finished 6th in the women's high jump with a jump of 1.55m. Ryleigh Borbash finished 16th with a height of 1.45m. Marina Rizk finished 14th in the pole vault with a height of 3.10m. The women's 4x400 relay team of Ereyonna Gore, Emma Langley, Jazmin Hernandez, and Leslie Baxter finished 11th with a time of 4:09.02 The Choctaws will now wait a while before returning to action in January at the Emory CrossPlex Invitational on Saturday January 15th.

It was lights, cameras, and all sorts of holiday action when one of the most highly anticipated traditions at Mississippi College once again heralded the arrival of another cherished Christmas season. On Tuesday, Nov. 30, MC faculty, staff, students, and members of the community gathered near the heart of MC's campus to witness the Lighting of the Quad, the precise moment at 7 p.m. when the famed green space was richly illuminated by a host of brilliant Christmas lights. According to Anna Jane Vancor, co-chair of the Lighting of the Quad Committee, after a more subdued celebration last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event sponsored by the Campus Programming Board at MC included all of the usual Lighting of the Quad activities designed to help everyone jump headfirst into the Christmas season. "It's definitely my favorite event on campus," said Vancor, a junior marketing major from Flowood. "Our committee tries to put on the biggest and best Christmas event every year. There are lights, activities, food, picture opportunities - so many things to do. "All of the students have just gotten back from Thanksgiving Break, and we go straight into Christmas. The lights will stay up until finals. It's one of the biggest and last events put on this semester, all in celebration of the Christmas season." Jonathan Nutt, MC director of student engagement, said the students aren't the only ones who enjoy the festive display each year. "The students love Lighting of the Quad and it has truly become a tradition for everyone on campus, not just the students," Nutt said. "It's one of those events that really reminds you why MC is such a wonderful place - with everyone coming together to celebrate the season." Among the activities that occured at Lighting of the Quad this season: An abundance of holiday-themed backdrops were strategically located throughout the Quad to offer ample photographic opportunities - especially for those looking for the perfect setting to take a family Christmas card photo. A decorating station provided all the materials needed for ornament lovers of all ages to create their own custom-made Christmas tree decorations. All the while, talented MC student and faculty musicians and singers filled the air with popular and original selections of timeless Christmas music. Throughout the night, MC's social clubs and tribes participated in a pair of lively competitions: a Christmas tree decorating contest and a gingerbread skyscraper challenge that also was open to outside organizations. To reflect the true meaning of the Christmas season, Lighting of the Quad attendees were invited to participate in a service project with students and faculty in MC's Foundations of Servant Leadership class. In partnership with Shower Power, a nonprofit organization that ministers to the homeless population in Jackson, MC students collected donations of toothbrushes, blankets, socks, and other necessities during MC's Homecoming Week. Class members packaged the donations and wrote messages of hope - personalized letters of encouragement with Bible verses - to be distributed to members of that marginalized community. Vancor said she and her fellow committee members consider it an honor to help bring the Lighting of the Quad event back to its fully illuminated glory at MC. "In essence, two whole classes haven't really been able to see what Lighting of the Quad really is," she said. "To be able to have a part in planning it and executing it is super exciting and fun. "It's an event everyone loves."

Mississippi College's Lydia Paulette was named to the 2021 Gulf South Conference All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the conference championship on Sunday, Nov. 22. She represented the Choctaws on the all-tournament team. The freshman is first Mississippi College player on the all-tournament team since Liz Mullen in 1994. Paulette helped lead the offensive charge for Mississippi College as she paced the team with 36 kills over the course of three matches and posted the second-highest attack percentage on the club with a .307 clip. She amassed a career-high 18 kills to lead the Choctaws to their first-round win over Auburn University at Montgomery. It marked the first win the GSC Tournament since returning to Division II. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., product stepped on the defensive end as she recorded five blocks, which was fourth on the team, and notched seven digs. The Choctaws advanced to the GSC Semifinals for the first time in program history after wins over AUM and Shorter University. Mississippi College finished the season 10-16 and 6-9 in conference play.

Department of Communication students and faculty at Mississippi College performed "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry" during the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The Mississippi College volleyball team wrapped up the eighth and final seed in the 2021 Gulf South Conference Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 13. MC went five sets for the second time this weekend and were outlasted as the University of Montevallo walked away with the five-set victory on Saturday, Nov. 13. MC moved to 8-15 on the season and 6-9 in Gulf South Conference action. UM improved to 18-13 and 9-7 in the league. MC, which went to five sets on Friday evening at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, grabbed a GSC Tournament berth for the second consecutive season. The Navy and Gold made the 2019 GSC Tournament as the eighth-seed. The last back-to-back trips to the GSC Tournament were during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. Lydia Paulette paced a quartet of Choctaws with double figure kills. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native totaled a career-high 15 kills in the match. Kendall Platt added 13 kills followed by Sloane FitzHenry with 11. Stevie Nesbit chimed in 10 kills. Lexie Laurendine dished out 53 assists and added 11 digs. Missy Beber compiled 16 digs to lead the team on the day while Lexi Richards posted four total blocks on the defensive end. Nesbit and FitzHenry had three blocks apiece. After a see-saw opening set that saw the Falcons grab a 26-24 victory, the Choctaws knotted the match at a set each with a 25-20 win in the second set. UM opened the second with a 4-1 run, but the Navy and Gold rallied and tied the set at 11-all and then scored the next four points to take a 16-11 advantage. MC marched out to a 20-14 advantage before walking away with a five-point win to tie the contest. The Purple and Gold grabbed a 2-1 lead after winning the third set, 25-22. MC again tied the contest in the fourth to force the match the deciding set as the Choctaws won 25-21. Like the second set, UM grabbed an early lead, but again the Navy and Gold rallied and tied the contest at 16-all. MC pushed its lead out to 20-17. The Falcons pulled within a point on two different occasions, the last coming at 22-21. The Choctaws posted the final three points as Richards recorded a pair of kills with the final point coming off a tip from FitzHenry. Montevallo posted an early lead and grabbed a 6-2 cushion in the fifth set. MC went on a 4-1 run to pull within 7-6 behind kills from FitzHenry, Platt and Richards, but couldn't overcome the deficit as UM claimed a 15-9, match-clinching victory. Mississippi College opens GSC Tournament play on Friday, Nov. 19 as it takes on fifth-seeded Auburn University at Montgomery.

The Mississippi College women's soccer team has been selected to the NCAA Division II women's soccer tournament as the #4 seed in the South Region. The 56 teams that made the tournament were announced during the NCAA Division II women's soccer selection show on Monday evening (Nov. 15). Here is the full bracket:https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/soccer-women/d2/2021 The Lady Choctaws will open up the NCAA Regionals against #5 seed Florida Tech. The dates for the 1st round are Thursday and Friday (Nov. 18th and Nov. 19th). The winner of the MC vs. Florida Tech match will face #1 seed Lee in the 2nd round. The dates for the 2nd round are Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 20th and Nov. 21st). More info is forthcoming on the exact time and dates of the matches. 6 teams qualify for the NCAA tournament out of the South Region. #2 seed Embry-Riddle, #3 seed West Florida, and #6 seed Valdosta State make up the other side of the bracket in the South Region. MC went 12-4-1 overall (10-3 GSC) in the regular season. The Lady Choctaws also went 11-3-1 against team's in the south region on the year. This is the 4th straight NCAA Regionals appearance for the MC women's soccer program.

The Mississippi College men's soccer team had 4 players honored in the Gulf South Conference Yearly Awards that were announced on Saturday (Nov. 4). Aurele Chemin was named GSC Co-Defender of the year and was a 1st team All-GSC selection. Filippo Bellu, Joshua Davies, and Noah Wagner were 2nd team All-GSC selections after a vote from GSC head coaches. Aurele Chemin (a Senior from Paris, France) helped lead a MC defensive unit that led the GSC in every major defensive category. The Choctaws conceded just 6 goals in conference play (0.55 goals per game) which both led the conference. MC also only allowed 13 goals overall on the season (tied for best in the conference). Chemin also contributed 2 goals and 2 assists on the season. Chemin has started 15 matches on the year and is 2nd on the team in minutes played. He played the full 90 minutes in 12 matches. Filippo Bellu (a Graduate Student from Noale, Venice, Italy) led the Choctaws in scoring in his debut season in Clinton as he scored 10 goals (4th most in the conference). He also added 2 assists on the year. His 22 points also leads the team and is top 5 in the conference this season. Bellu has played in every match this season and is 5th on the team in minutes played. Joshua Davies (a Sophomore from Southampton, England) was another key piece in the Choctaws stout defensive unit. He played alongside Chemin at Centerback as MC allowed just the 6 goals through 11 conference matches. Davies also scored 3 goals on the season. He started every match this season and was 3rd on the team in minutes played. He was also named GSC Defender of the Week on Oct. 25. This is the 2nd time Davies has been an All-GSC selection (also 2nd team selection in 2019). Noah Wagner (a Junior from Corpus Christi, Texas) also made a big splash in his first season at MC. He scored 7 goals on the year (2nd on the team and tied for 9th in the conference). He also added 2 assists on the year. His 16 points on the season is 2nd on the team and 9th best in the GSC. Wagner was also named GSC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 28th.

The Mississippi College volleyball team picked up its second win of the weekend as it beat Lee (Tenn.) University in four sets on Saturday, Oct. 30 inside A.E. Wood Coliseum. MC improved to 7-12 on the season and 5-6 in the Gulf South Conference. Lexi Richards led the way offensively for the Choctaws as she posted 16 kills in the four-setter. Lydia Paulette joined Richards in double figures as she tallied 12 kills on the day. Lexie Lauredine guided the offensive effort with 30 dimes in the match as Ingrid Savola chimed in 10 assists. Defensively, Missy Beber paced a quartet of double-digit dig gathers with 14. Laurendine and Kendall Platt added 12 apiece while Erin Davis added 10. Richards, the Bentonville, Ark., native led the charge on the frontline with four total blocks. Leading 2-1 in the match, Mississippi College claimed its third straight win in the series with a 25-20 victory in the fourth. The Choctaws opened with seven consecutive points and reached as much as a 12-4 advantage. The Lady Flames chipped away at the margin and pulled within 14-12 behind back-to-back kills from Emma Flowers. MC responded and pushed the lead back to 20-17 before once again seeing a charge from LU. The Navy and Gold closed the door with three consecutive kills as Paulette and Sloane FitzHenry helped slam the door.

The Mississippi College Choctaws football season came to a close Saturday afternoon defeating West Alabama by a final score of 28-24. In the first quarter, Marcus Williams it things started off early for MC, with a 24-yard rushing touchdown to put MC up 7-0 with 8-minutes left in the first quarter. Williams later punched in another 15-yard score to even the score up at 14-14 in the second quarter. Quarterback DeAnte Smith-Moore put MC on top with a 1-yard rushing touchdown as MC led 21-14 with minutes until halftime. West Alabama added a field goal right before the break, as MC and West Alabama went to the locker room with the Choctaws leading 21-17. West Alabama took the lead with four minutes remaining in the game 24-21 yet MC matches down the field with a 51-yard touchdown reception from DeAnte Smith-Moore to Jacob Stephen's with two minutes to retake the lead 28-24. The Mississippi College defense held strong, as MC went on to win by a final score of 28-24 to end to season for the Choctaws in the winning Column. MC had two 100-yard rushers, with Smith-Moore leading the way with 117 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. Williams had 111 yards on 11 carries and a total of two touchdown runs. Stephen's led MC with 51 yards receiving including the go ahead touchdown that sealed the game for the Choctaws. Defensively, Jonathan Jones and Jaylan Woods each tallied 10 tackles a piece to lead the Choctaws defense. With the win, MC improved to 4-6 overall to cap of the 2021 season.

The Mississippi College women's basketball team opened its 2021-22 home slate with a 76-58 win over Tougaloo College on Tuesday, Nov. 16 inside A.E. Wood Coliseum. MC improved to 2-1 on the season while the Bulldogs fell to 3-5 on the campaign. The win gave the Navy and Gold its 10th straight in the series and the eighth consecutive on its home floor against the in-state foes. "Great way to start off the year at home," said head coach Greg Long. "I told the team before the game not to worry about anything expect who is up at the end. Just go out there and play hard and that's what they did." Kyiah Julian paced a trio of Choctaws in double figures as she posted 16 points. KB Bradley added a season-high 15 points while Amelia Bell poured in 12 points, as she matched a season-high, and led the squad on the glass with seven rebounds, two off her season-high. MC shot 43.3 percent from the floor in the game, including a 41.7 clip from behind the arc, and converted on 27-of-35 from the charity stripe for 77.1 percent. Morgan Hunter led TC with 17 points while Geonna Marshall gathered a team-best six rebounds. The Bulldogs hit 36.2 percent from field, 42.9 percent from the 3-point line and knocked down just 62.5 percent from the free throw line. The Choctaws also outrebounded the Red and Blue 42-26. "We had some great individual performances tonight, but only because we played together and for each other and that is what we keep stressing," Long said. "Thanks to the fans who come out and support us, we loved the energy that you brought." For the second time this season, the Choctaws never trailed on the scoreboard. MC, which led by as many as 16 in the quarter, outscored Tougaloo 21-11 after the first 10 minutes of play as it led pillar to post in the contest. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to single digits early in the second and again with 3:18 left before half, but quickly fell behind as MC closed out the half on an 11-0 run. The homestand Choctaws maintained its double-digit lead through the remainder of the game. It reached its largest margin of the contest at the 3:39 mark of the final quarter as Taylor Ben converted on a fast break layup to place MC up 72-51, en route to the 18-point victory. Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 20 as it hosts Southeastern Baptist College. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.

The Mississippi College men's soccer team knocked off Spring Hill 3-1 on Friday afternoon (Oct. 29). MC improved to 9-4-1 overall (6-2-1 GSC) with the win which marked their 6th straight victory. Spring Hill fell to 9-6 overall (4-5 GSC). Things started out quickly for MC as Filippo Bellu scored in just the 2nd minute. Guilherme Santos fired off a shot which was saved, but the rebound fell to Bellu who slotted it home to give MC the early lead. The goal marks Bellu's 9th of the season which leads the team. Antoine Recizac then doubled MC's lead in the 17th minute as he scored to put MC up 2-0. Bellu and Pedro Cortes picked up assists on the play. They mark Cortes' 3rd of the season and Bellu's 1st. That 2-0 lead for MC would hold until halftime. Spring Hill picked up the pressure to start the 2nd half and got a goal in the 54th minute to cut MC's lead to 2-1. Joao Amaral scored the goal for the Badgers. Spring Hill kept the pressure up, but MC was able to withstand the pressure which included several big saves from Choctaw goalkeeper Alejandro Chavarria. Joshua Davies put the dagger home in the 85th minute to make it 3-1 as he scored on assists from Gonzalo Carrasco and Antoine Recizac on a ball that came off a corner that was played to Davies who put it home for his 3rd goal of the season (all in the last 2 matches). The assists are Recizac's 4th of the season (which is now tied for the team lead) and Carrasco's 3rd of the season. The Choctaws would hold on to win by that 3-1 margin to pick up their 6th straight win. Overall, MC outshot Spring Hill 20-7 and held a 10-4 edge in shots on goal. Recizac led MC with 5 shots and also led the team in shots on goal with 4. Cortes also added 4 shots. Chavarria had 3 saves in goal.

Ansley Rigby, a Union native and student at Mississippi College, was recently selected to participate in the undergraduate portion of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program (MRDSP). Rigby is the daughter of Brett Rigby and Annette Rigby.

Ke'Londa Magee returns for her second year as President of Social Justice Club, and Isis Carpenter has been elected president of Social Justice Club in Fall 2021.

The Mississippi College women's cross country team defended its Watson Collegiate Open title with a convincing win on Saturday, Oct. 9. Jazmin Hernandez won the individual title en route to helping MC score 32 points. The Choctaws placed three runners in the top three led by Hernandez's time of 22:18.7. The mark is a 6K-best for the Georgetown, Texas, native. Josie Whipp placed third as she clocked a 6K-best time of 22:30.5 Madeline Campbell finished just out of the top three as she recorded a time of 22:48.0 in fourth. Norma Gutierrez finished 12th in the 6K race as she totaled season-best time of 23:35.5 while Emily Berry was 14th with a 6K-best time of 23:43.5. Bre Bell garnered a time of 23:58.4 in 16th place. It stands as a 6K-best time for Bell. Lauren Wallace rounded out the top seven scorers for the Choctaws as she posted a time of 24:49.1 in 25th - a season-best time in a 6K race for the freshman. Fellow Gulf South Conference member, Union (Tenn.) University took second among the teams with 85 points while Division II Southern Arkansas University was third with 104 points. Andrea De La Rosa from Bethel University placed second in the individual portion with a time of 22:24.6. Mississippi College returns to action o Saturday, Oct. 23 as it hosts the Gulf South Conference Championship at Choctaw Trails. The women's 5K is set for a time of 9 a.m.

The Mississippi College women's soccer team knocked off the West Georgia Wolves 1-0 on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 10) in Clinton. The Lady Choctaws improved to 8-3 (6-2 GSC) on the season while West Georgia fell to 5-4 (3-3 GSC). The win marked head coach Darryl Longabaugh's 300th win, and also marked the 300th win in program history. It was a fairly quiet first half with neither team overly testing the other team's goalkeeper. Things picked up quickly in the 2nd half though as Avery Hederman put MC in front in the 50th minute. Hederman took a corner for MC and played the ball short to Beatrice Currie. Currie played the ball back to Hederman who dribbled into the box and then scored to put MC up 1-0. The goal marked Hederman's 3rd of the season and 2nd in as many games. The Lady Choctaws dominated the opening stretch of the 2nd half even outside of Hederman's goal. MC registered 9 shots in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half including a shot from Makayla Hernandez that was barely tipped wide of the goal from West Georgia's keeper. That 1-0 scoreline would hold as MC picked up their 2nd straight victory and picked up the 300th win in Longabaugh's tenure at MC and in program history (both which date back to 1997) Overall, MC outshot West Georgia 17-4 and had a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Emily McNair led the way for MC with 3 shots, while Currie had the most shots on goal with 2. Camila Cevallos made 4 saves in goal for MC as she picked up the clean sheet shutout victory. The Lady Choctaws won't be in action again until Friday, October 22nd when they travel to take on Christian Brothers. MC will then play at Union on that Sunday (Oct. 24). MC has an off weekend next weekend.

The Honors College at Mississippi College welcomes 15 new students fall of 2021. The Honors College offers a vibrant learning community dedicated to meaningful reflection, faithful citizenship, and servant leadership. Students learn to translate knowledge into wisdom as they think deeply about enduring themes and important questions. They are encouraged to imitate Christ, cultivate virtue, and pursue human flourishing. Students are challenged to see the love of neighbors as foundational to their calling and leadership in careers, communities, and churches. The Honors College currently awards incoming freshmen an Honors College Scholarship. This scholarship was initially funded by a generous gift of Mr. J.L. Holloway. It provides students with full tuition, room, and board scholarships and allows students to partake in all Honors College sponsored opportunities including the summer international experience.

The Mississippi College men's soccer team knocked off Louisiana State University at Alexandria 3-1 on Monday afternoon (Oct. 11). MC improved to 6-4-1 (3-2-1 GSC) with the win. The game counted as an exhibition for LSU-A. MC controlled the early part of the match with several dangerous opportunities, including some from Pedro Cortes, but they couldn't breakthrough early on. MC goalkeeper Alejandro Chavarria also made a save early to keep the Generals off the board. Olaf Conforti got the scoring started for MC as he scored in the 33rd minute on a header off an assist from Soane Deminguet Folituu. The goal marked Conforti's first of the season and the first of his MC career. Deminguet Folituu doubled the Choctaws' lead just minutes later as he scored in the 35th minute after a nice buildup with assists from Gonzalo Carrasco and Filippo Bellu. The goal also marked Folituu's first of the season and the first of his career. That 2-0 MC lead would hold until the half. The Choctaws were again control in the early stages of the 2nd half, although they were unable to extend their lead. LSU-A got a goal back in the 77th minute as Joash Williams converted a penalty kick. MC was able to get the dagger goal though in the 84th minute as Tom Carles put home an assist from Guilherme Santos to make it a 3-1 game. The goal was also Carles' first of the season. MC would win by that 3-1 scoreline. Overall, MC had a commanding advantage in shots 25-2 and also had an 11-2 edge in shots on goal. Folituu led MC with 6 shots while Carles paced the team with 4 shots on goal. Chavarria also made a save in goal as he picked up the win. The Choctaws will next be in action on Friday, October 22nd when they travel to take on Christian Brothers. They will also play Union on the road that Sunday (Oct. 24). MC has an off weekend this upcoming weekend.

The Student Government Association (SGA) represents all undergraduate students of Mississippi College. The SGA serves as a liaison between the students and the administrators, faculty, and staff of Mississippi College by advocating the proposals for advancement made by the Student Leadership Council, in accordance with Leadership Council procedure. The SGA also promotes student welfare by providing opportunities for extracurricular student interaction and by exercising the authority to make judgments regarding student violations of campus rules. The Executive Council is the governing body of the Student Government Association. It includes the President, Vice President, Business Manager, Chief Justice, and Chief of Staff. This year, the SGA has already tackled several projects including providing hurricane relief to south Louisiana, a brand-new grant program to student organizations on campus, and hosting an event to promote awareness of sexual assault.

Research projects conducted by a recent Mississippi College alumna and a senior history major at MC have been accepted for publication in an esteemed national humanities symposium's publication. Morgan Thomas '21, an English and history double major, and Matthew Drew, a senior history major, will see their research published in the Macksey Journal, the official publication of the Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium. The Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences will host the symposium virtually April 8-10, 2022. Adapted from an undergraduate thesis, Thomas' paper, "I Will Not Be Silenced: Voice and Autonomy in Madeline Miller's Circe," focuses on the concept of voice as a means of autonomy in the novel. It follows the character of Circe as she learns to use her voice. It examines five categories - Silence, Whisper, Conversation, Assertion, and Shout - to trace Circe's vocal levels as they correspond to her developing autonomy. The paper analyzes journey, examining how it occurs and why it matters for Circe's character. Drew's work, "Contested Spaces: Runaway Slaves and Location in the Bahama Islands," explores how runaway slave advertisements throughout the Atlantic World during the Age of Revolutions not only recorded the authors' ideas about race, but disseminated and reified perceptions in specific Atlantic locales. The paper examines descriptions and perceptions of geography in the ads published by the Bahama Gazette from 1784 to 1795 and how those perceptions were constantly contested by occupants of the Bahama Islands. The Macksey Journal is a peer-reviewed journal of proceedings that presents an opportunity for symposium participants to develop their presentations into articles for publication. The symposium's implementation team and peer reviewers work with presenters to develop their presentations into journal-length articles for the journal. Dr. Jonathan Randle, professor of English and philosophy and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at MC, said having research published in the Macksey Journal is a significant accomplishment for undergraduate students. "Morgan and Matt are exemplary students from the School of Humanities," Randle said. "Both of them came to the University with a well-developed capacity for academic inquiry, and it's rewarding to see them both recognized in this way. "Both Morgan and Matt took advantage of the challenging opportunities presented to them at MC. Each of them entered as first-year students into the University's Freshman Honors Program, which was intentionally designed as an interdisciplinary academic experience in the humanities. Their upper-level coursework is reflective of that early experience, as both have since pursued combined programs in history and English." The Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium provides hundreds of students across all fields of the humanities the opportunity to share their work in the professional presentation style most common to their respective fields. Attendees also participate in professionalization and recruitment events during the three-day symposium, including panels on graduate admissions, careers in publishing, and networking. Randle said the students' successful placement of their research in the Macksey Journal is reflective of the high-quality education Mississippi College provides. "To see bright and capable students responding to the cross-disciplinary curricula that we offer in the School of Humanities, and to see them earn wider recognition for their research, affirms what we already know: with students like Morgan and Matt, MC can compete with other universities on the national stage," he said. "I'm thrilled for them both, and I'm excited for what their successful presentation and publication suggest about their own academic futures, as well as the future of undergraduate research in the humanities here at our University."