Jonathan “J. Michael” Clough of Gulfport designed the winning logo for the QEP logo contest. The contest, which was announced in January 2019, was open to all MGCCC students. The top three entries won cash awards.

“It was very exciting to win the contest,” Clough said. “I’ve done websites and geeked around with lots of technology. I notice design and have definite ideas about it, but have never designed a logo. This was a first.”

Clough, who is a nursing student at the Bryant Center, said he immediately thought of the proverb “Hear No Evil; See No Evil; Speak No Evil.”

“That’s what my design is based on, with each of the three circles representing an eye, an ear and a mouth,” he said. “I also believe in logo/brand continuity, so I looked up the pantone colors that the college uses and also incorporated the college’s wave in the design.”

His attention to detail paid off, winning him $300 and creative acknowledgement.

“With no graphic design background, I really didn’t think I had a huge chance of winning,” he said. “I am very proud that mine was chosen, and I think it turned out pretty good. It’s really something seeing my logo being used on the website and in print materials.”

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Two years ago, a group of Jackson County Campus Phi Theta Kappa members began working on an Honors in Action project for their PTK regional conference. The group adopted the topic of soft skills because it was something they felt college students urgently needed.

“Soft skills are not something we normally focus on in college, but most students need some training in these areas – things like communication, email etiquette, proper work attire, etc.,” said Dr. Emma Miller, a mathematics instructor at the Jackson County Campus.

The group won eighth place at regionals out of 50 Honors in Action projects submitted and received the 5-Star Competitive Edge award.

When Miller heard about the call for proposals for the QEP topic in August 2017, she thought they should collaborate on a proposal to support the PTK soft skills project. “It just seemed to fit perfectly with their current project and was something we knew that college students would benefit from being taught,” Miller said.

Students who agreed to work on the proposal were Grant Magnusson, Tea Burdine, Sabrina Guichard and Joshua Hopson.

Getting the proposal ready was a lot of work for the group.  “We did literature reviews and other types of research on these skills,” Miller said. “We defined which skills fell in the area of soft skills, and of those skills, which were needed most. We used data from Institutional Research, such as results of graduate exit surveys and employer surveys. There was also a lot of editing, editing, editing. Students who volunteered to work on the QEP proposal worked on weekends, evenings and just about every spare moment putting it together.”

Miller said they eventually completed the topic proposal and submitted their work. Over the course of several months, they learned they had made it to the top six proposals, then the top three.   The team did not hear anything for a while and was getting anxious.  “When we found out, everybody was very excited and proud of all the hard work we had put into it,” she said. “They were even more proud of the positive impact they were making on the college.”

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Seven MGCCC students are serving on the QEP Implementation Committee, a record for the institution. Students have been involved in the QEP process since the beginning and have been an important resource as the topic was selected, developed and implemented.

The students are Morgan Rich, Public Relations and Marketing, Jackson County Campus; Bryce Alexander, Precision Manufacturing and Machining, Jackson County Campus; Lindsey Mergenschroer, Cosmetology, George County Center; Kyle Nelson, Welding Technology, George County Center; Gracyn Worsham, Instrumentation and Controls Technology, Jackson County Campus; Jacob Ryan, Welding Technology, Perkinston Campus; and Hugh Brennan, Commercial Residential Construction Technology, Perkinston Campus. Students are serving on the Marketing and Resource subcommittees.

Students volunteered to serve on the QEP Implementation Committee and were selected based on a variety of factors, including campus location and degree program. Several of these students are in career programs, which are the programs directly affected by the QEP this year. During the implementation process, these students will provide vital feedback that will help steer the implementation process.

We are very proud of our students for volunteering their time and effort to helping make our QEP a success!

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Morgan Rich is an accomplished student in many ways. What is drawing her the most attention these days is her appearance on the QEP video being aired in all classrooms at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Along with fellow Jackson County Campus student and Phi Theta Kappa chapter president Edgar Rodrigues, Rich is the star of the video that has been shown to all MGCCC students and employees to explain the QEP process, topic and importance.

Serving on the Marketing subcommittee for the QEP Implementation Committee, Rich probably knows more about the QEP than any student at the college.

“I am thrilled to get an inside look at the accreditation process for a college,” she said. “And I love MGCCC, of course, so I’m happy to be a part of this new success.”

A former student of Dr. Brad Bailey, QEP director, Rich has impressed him with her enthusiasm for the subject. “Morgan has been Miss QEP,” Bailey said. “She is on the PTK officer team that submitted the topic. She serves on the QEP Implementation Committee. She is on the video that we are using to market to the students, and even helped write the script. She spearheaded the communication to SGA presidents on the other campuses to get the activity ‘Get Caught with Your QEP Card’ reinforcement activity rolling. No student that I know of has done more for the QEP.”
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Rich said she is looking forward to playing and active role in marketing the QEP and evaluating its success. “I truly believe in this topic, and I think it is something that will help our students be more successful in their careers and in general. It’s so easy to be lackadaisical as students, not always seeing the importance of showing up to class, listening to others and speaking clearly. These are absolutely skills that every person needs, and I’m so happy MGCCC is providing training in these essential skills.”

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s registered nursing program has been ranked as the best community college program in Mississippi by RegisteredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization. MGCCC’s program received a 99.35 out of a possible 100 on the ranking scale.

MGCCC has more than 500 nursing students in the associate degree nursing, practical nursing and LPN-to-RN transitional programs at the college’s Bryant Center in Biloxi. Gulf Coast nursing students have a 93 percent passage rate on the NCLEX over the past three years, and the programs boast a 97 percent job placement rate.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition from RegisteredNursing.org,” said Dr. Joan Hendrix, associate vice president of the Health Sciences Division. “Our nursing programs maintain rigorous standards, and we provide our students the resources they need to be successful. Our Simulation Center is nationally certified, our facilities are top-notch, and we work very closely with local hospitals and medical groups to ensure our students are getting the best preparation for their nursing careers.”

Twenty-three nursing programs in the state were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond. First-time NCLEX-RN pass-rates were weighted by year, and job placement percentages for the past three years were considered. You can learn more about the methodology used at https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/ .

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Dr. Javier G. Gómez, Japanese and Spanish instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus, was the keynote speaker honoring Hispanic Heritage Month at Pascagoula High School on October 3.

Gómez spoke on the importance of bilingualism and biculturalism to Pascagoula High faculty, staff and students; employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding; members of the Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA); and community members.

“Biculturalism and by extension bilingualism are vitally important to a strong, dynamic community,” Gómez said. “They promote creativity, an appreciation of divergent views and values, and provide a richness and perspective to our own lives that enhances our enjoyment of the world.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15 in recognition of the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States’ history, heritage and culture.

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Pass Christian artist John Walrod, known in the art community as just “Walrod,” explores the steampunk genre in the medium of 3-D assemblage sculptures in his Steampunk Curiosities exhibit on display at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jefferson Davis Campus Fine Art Gallery. The exhibit runs November 4 – December 5, with a closing reception on November 21 from noon to 1 p.m. Steampunk attire is welcome.

“Steampunk is an eclectic world of cogs and rivets. It is airships, goggles and steam. It is romance. It is traveling on clouds and diving beneath rugged waves. It is adventure,” said contemporary writer George Mann.

Since the steampunk subculture first emerged on the scene in the late 2000s, its ”retro-futuristic” combination of science fiction, the British Victorian era, the American Wild West and cyberpunk has captivated audiences around the world. The unique genre incorporates literature, art, fashion, cinema and gaming.
“I’ve always liked antiques, old handcrafted art and science fiction,” Walrod said. “Steampunk is a fascinating amalgamation of my favorite things; it attracted my attention almost immediately.”

His exhibit features his “Extreme Patina” series, consisting of heavily patinated copper, brass and steel assemblages.

His art palette includes an extensive collection of antique and vintage metal and glass and wood materials he has picked from flea markets, garage sales and antique stores.

“Over the years, I’ve scored a few ‘museum-quality’ pieces,” he said. “One was a framed 16th-century print that was covered in dry mud by Hurricane Katrina. I found it at a local yard sale for $1. Another was an antique life-size articulated chrome-metal spine and skull medical anatomy model my wife helped me find at a local garage sale for $5. It was a wicked cool find. A similar piece resides in the Smithsonian.”

Walrod has an engineering degree from Mississippi State University and has worked as a design engineer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for more than 30 years, a career that has helped him create his assemblage pieces.

“Great design engineering is all about creative solutions,” he said. “It requires out-of-the-box thinking; a blending of ideas that isn’t commonly associated; composition, craft and attention to detail just like art. Good engineering solutions frequently include appeal, symmetry, cleverness, economy and beauty – qualities that I also value in my artwork.”

Walrod says the steampunk genre is “a small but highly enthusiastic niche.” His works have garnered the attention of Coast audiences, including a large turnout for a steampunk costume contest at the reception of his Pass Christian Library show in 2018. He has won numerous awards, such as the 2013 Creative Artist Award at the Peter Anderson Art Fest in Ocean Springs and the 2018 Best of Show Award at the Gulf Breeze Fine Arts Festival in Florida.

“Interestingly, the love of the art aesthetic itself transcends beyond the steampunk niche to lots of folks who have never heard the term ‘steampunk,’” he said. “I generally focus on the aesthetic in my artwork, not the genre, and the response has been very rewarding.”

The Steampunk Curiosities exhibit is offered at no charge and is open to the public. The Jefferson Davis Campus is located at 2226 Switzer Road, Gulfport. The art gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building on the east side of campus, building D.

Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The gallery will be closed the week of Thanksgiving.

For more information, contact gallery director Cecily Cummings at cecily.cummings@mgccc.edu or 228.897.3909.

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The Fine Arts Department at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perkinston Campus will be holding open auditions for the spring musical “Matilda” on Thursday, November 14. Auditions will begin at 6 p.m. in Malone Hall Auditorium. Anyone from the community and college is invited to audition for this family-friendly production.

“Matilda” is based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl. It’s the story of a little girl with a love of books who uses her special powers to fight against the tyrannical principal at her new school. This show just finished a successful Broadway run and is a wonderful and fun family production.

To audition, please bring a prepared monologue of no longer than one minute and a song, and be prepared to dance. Children auditioning should be in at least first grade.

A workshop to help those planning to audition will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. in the Malone Hall Auditorium. The director will provide information about preparing for the audition along with general information about the musical.

For more information, contact Daisha Walker at 601.928.6289 or daisha.walker@mgccc.edu.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College campuses and centers have a variety of activities honoring veterans during the month of November. While Veterans Day is November 11, many of the activities extend for the entire second week of November or the whole month.

GEORGE COUNTY CENTER
Veterans Day Program
Monday, November 11, 10:00-11:00
George County Center Multi-purpose Room
Event includes the Bulldog cheerleaders, guest speakers, coffee and refreshments
The event is offered at no charge and open to veterans and their families from the George County community

JACKSON COUNTY CAMPUS
Veterans Breakfast
Monday, November 11, 7:30am
Jackson County Campus Private Dining Room
The event is by invitation to veterans only; no guests.

Veteran Appreciation Program
Tuesday, November 12
12:30 p.m.
Jackson County Campus Fine Arts Auditorium
The event is offered at no charge and is open to the public.

Red, White and Blue Day
Wednesday, November 13
Students and employees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue to show support for all veterans.

Veterans 5K Run/Walk
Thursday, November 14, 2:30 p.m.
Campus Walking Track
The event is open to the public. Entry fee is one canned good for the #DoMore Food Pantry.

JEFFERSON DAVIS CAMPUS
Movie Monday
Monday, November 4, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cyber Cafe
Military-themed movies will be shown all day.

Military Appreciation Day
Wednesday, November 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This is a day to celebrate military and to say, “Thank you for your service.”
Several branches of the military will be on campus to play games and exhibit military equipment. Refreshments will be served.

Veterans Day Ceremony
Thursday, November 7, 12:30 p.m.
Veterans Courtyard
Special event to honor soldiers and to say, “Welcome home, and thank you for your service.” The event is offered at no charge and is open to the public.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the Cyber Cafe.

Special Projects
“The Yellow Ribbon Project”
Deadline: November 1, 2019
The campus is collecting yellow ribbons/bows from students and employees to tie around campus to start the Welcome Home Soldier events. These ribbons can be personalized to honor a special soldier. Ribbons should be delivered to the Jefferson Davis Campus Military Services Center. Members of the Veterans Day Committee will display the ribbons on campus.

“You Had Our Back, Now We Have Yours”
Deadline: November 15, 2019
The campus is collecting backpacks with supplies in them for
homeless veterans. Suggested donations include the backpack with items such as batteries for flashlights, flashlights that don’t need batteries, candles, socks, gloves, blankets, rain ponchos, toiletries and hygiene products, tarps, washcloths, small radio with batteries, used coats and pocket warmers.
Drop off donations at the Jefferson Davis Campus Military Services Center.

PERKINSTON CAMPUS
Veterans Day Tribute
Monday, November 11, 3:45 p.m.
Gregory War Memorial Chapel
Red, White, & Blue Patriotic performance by the MGCCC Cheerleaders, the National Anthem, and Color Guard. The program will end with a POW/MIA Tribute Balloon Release.
Event is free and open to the public.

Annual Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk
Begins immediately after the balloon release
No registration fee and the event is open to the public.
The first 50 to register by noon on November 6 will be eligible to receive a shirt upon completion of the walk/run. Registration must include shirt size.
For information or to register for the 5K walk/run, contact Christopher Upton at 601-928-6270 or christopher.upton@mgccc.edu.

Veterans Day Concert
Monday, November 11, 7 p.m.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Woolmarket
MGCCC’s Perkinston Concert Choir and Mississippi Sound will perform with St. Mary Catholic Church Music Ministry and Our Lady of Fatima Children’s Choir.

“Honoring Those Who Serve-Past and Present” Veterans Tribute Tri-Art-a-Thon
Tuesday, November 12, 5:45 p.m.
Malone Hall/Dees Hall
The event includes Perkinston Elementary Kids Choir patriotic performance, and Stone County’s Civil Air Patrol. A Student Art Show and gallery talk will be held at the Visual Arts Center Gallery. There will also be “Valor” performances by Mississippi Sound, the Perkettes and a Band of Gold parade. Ceremony will conclude at Dees Hall, Flag pole with the Flag “Retreat” by the Army National Honor Guard, wreath laying with “Echo Taps,” and presentation of a Patriotic Ornament by the Visual Arts Department. The evening will end with music from MGCCC’s Woodwind Ensemble. Light refreshments will be served.
The event is free and open to the public.

Special Projects
Honor Wall and Fallen Soldier table display
During the month of November, there will be an Employee/Student Military Honor Wall and a Fallen Soldier Table display in Heidelberg Hall (cafeteria).

Silhouette Soldiers
Under the Oaks, Perkinston Campus
These silhouette soldiers will be on display during the entire month of November.

If you have questions concerning any of these scheduled celebrations at the Perkinston Campus, contact Shellye Smith in the Perkinston Campus Military Services Office at 601-928-6325 or shellye.smith@mgccc.edu.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will host Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat events at both the Jackson County and Jefferson Davis campuses on Wednesday, October 30. Both events provide entertainment for all ages, with activities for both children and adults.

Due to inclement weather predictions, both locations are planning to move the festivities indoors.

At the Jackson County Campus, the event will be from 5-8 p.m. in the gymnasium and will include the annual Trunk or Treat, arts and crafts, face painting, and selfie station. A display of scary art will be in the Fine Arts Building, with works submitted by first-through-sixth-grade students in the Jackson County area. In addition, the campus is collecting toilet paper for Sue’s Home in Ocean Springs. Donations may be dropped off at the entrance.

The Jefferson Davis Campus will host festivities from 6 -8 p.m. in several locations spanning the campus. The event will be held in the CTE Complex, Gymnasium, Cafeteria, Cyber Café and Commons, with activities including the annual Trunk or Treat, CarnEVIL, arts and crafts, laser tag, photobooth, inflatables, games, concessions, and an indoor movie.

All activities are free with MGCCC ID. The Trunk or Treat events are free to the public as well as some other activities. Cash-only concessions will be available.

For more information about Fall Festival activities, email brandi.martino@mgccc.edu at the Jackson County Campus and rachelle.murphy@mgccc.edu at the Jefferson Davis Campus.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perk Players will perform “Wicked Wonderland II: The Monster Monologues” October 29-31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Malone Hall Auditorium on the Perkinston Campus.

The monologues consist of a group of monster friends eulogizing their friend, the Fly. The Blob, Werewolf and Mummy all have hilarious fun telling stories about their friend. Halloween songs and other spooky and hilarious monologues, such as the Weird Sisters from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” are included. Music includes “The Monster Mash” and songs from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”

The cast includes Dasia Rayborn, The Blob’s Monologue; Robert Rankin, Chantavia Davis, and Gustavio Ramirez, Three Witches’ Monologue; Danielle Davis, “Night of Fright”; Lita Rish and Greg Walmsley, “My Next Door Neighbor is a Witch”; Tiffani Jernigan, Madison Havard, Gustavio Ramirez, Tristin Shiffer and Destiny Orengo, “Rules for Halloween”; Ashton Chaney, “Dad’s Defense”; Trevor Griffin, Mummy’s Monologue; Caitlyn Diamond, Wicked Witch of the West’s Monologue; Elijah Hall, Werewolf’s Monologue; and Anthony James, Zombie’s Monologue.

“Come Little Children” is performed by Haleigh Blanchard and Daniel Mohr. “I Put a Spell on You” is performed by Caitlyn Diamond, Annie Hillman and Galen Johnson. “The Monster Mash” is performed by the entire cast.

The crew includes Bill Lipscomb, director; Brandon Ring, music direction; Bill Lipscomb and Kenny Yocum, set design; Britney Patten, “Monster Mash” choreography; Mikayla Denton, Jewelee Garcia and Ahmaud Reese, stage crew; Minley Brumley, lights and sound; Makayla Gunter, Destinee Cure, JoLee Goff, Krista Howard, Karah Grady, Amie Peacock, Jade Wheeler, Sarah McGowan, make-up design.

The monologues were written by Brad Bishop, Opie Cooper, Danny Dauphin, Brent Hearn, John Howell, Beth Kander, and Bret Kenyon.

This production is being offered by special arrangement with Fondren Theatre Workshop.

Tickets are $3 for students and $5 general admission and may be purchased at the door. For more information about the play, contact Bill Lipscomb at 601.928.6282 or bill.lipscomb@mgccc.edu or Brandon Ring at 601.928.6370 or brandon.ring@mgccc.edu.

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Jonathan “J. Michael” Clough of Gulfport designed the winning logo for the QEP logo contest. The contest, which was announced in January 2019, was open to all MGCCC students. The top three entries won cash awards.

“It was very exciting to win the contest,” Clough said. “I’ve done websites and geeked around with lots of technology. I notice design and have definite ideas about it, but have never designed a logo. This was a first.”

Clough, who is a nursing student at the Bryant Center, said he immediately thought of the proverb “Hear No Evil; See No Evil; Speak No Evil.”

“That’s what my design is based on, with each of the three circles representing an eye, an ear and a mouth,” he said. “I also believe in logo/brand continuity, so I looked up the pantone colors that the college uses and also incorporated the college’s wave in the design.”

His attention to detail paid off, winning him $300 and creative acknowledgement.

“With no graphic design background, I really didn’t think I had a huge chance of winning,” he said. “I am very proud that mine was chosen, and I think it turned out pretty good. It’s really something seeing my logo being used on the website and in print materials.”

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is now taking submissions for the 2020 edition of the college literary journal Illumination. For the first time, students may submit artwork to be included in the journal.

The journal is transitioning away from the contest format it has had in the past to a more sophisticated format similar to those found at universities. With a new vision, page design, and editorial board, plans are underway to elevate the publication to new literary heights. A launch party will be held in fall 2020 to introduce the new journal.

Both art and literary submissions should be made in one of six categories – Personal Essay/Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, Short Fiction, Comic Strip, Poetry, and Artwork. Multiple submissions can be made.

Your work could be included in the first issue of the newly designed MGCCC Literary Journal, so submit your work early. Student submissions are considered for publication by the journal’s editorial board.

The editorial board comprises Language Arts faculty from each of the college campuses. Board members include Jason Stuart, editor in chief; Robin Lyons and Dr. Gaye Winter, Perkinston Campus; Jennifer Moffett and Dr. Jordan Sanderson, Jackson County Campus; and Susan Bosarge and Dr. Tammy Townsend, Jefferson Davis Campus.

The submission deadline for the 2020 edition is May 1, 2020.

For more information about submission requirements visit Illumination Submission Guidelines.

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Jackson County Campus

• Christmas at JC Choir Concert, Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m., Campus  Fine Arts Auditorium.There is no charge for the event, and it is open to the public.

Jefferson Davis Campus

• Holiday Hobnob Dinner Party, November 6 at 6 p.m., Hospitality Resort Management Center, 420 Debuys Road, in Biloxi, MS.  Dress is business attire. Must be 21 to attend.  Tickets are $40 per person.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

• Turkey Trot 5K & 1.5 Mile Run Walk, Wednesday, November 20, at 3 p.m. Starting line is at the Arena Theatre on east side of campus. Registration is at the gym before race day or at the Arena Theatre on race day. Entry fee is $5 and proceeds are donated to Mac’s Helping Paws Food Pantry on campus. Awards include top first and second place male and female 5K finishers in both student and employee categories.
• Annual Christmas Concert, Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., Campus Fine Arts Auditorium. There is no admission charge, and the event is open to the public.  All alumni are invited to join the singing of “Silent Night” at the end of the concert.

Perkinston Campus

• 2019 Festival of Lights, Sunday, December 8, 2019, Perkinston Campus. The event begins at 4 p.m., and includes a holiday parade, visit and photos with Santa, concessions, rides, music, games and more.  The public is invited to the event, and there is no charge for admission.

• Athletics Dinner, Tuesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Resort Management Center, 420 Debuys Road, in Biloxi, MS. Guest Speaker: Sean Tuohy Sr.  Doors open at 6 p.m.  Catering provided by City Line Café. Ticket Cost: $125 for two tickets and $75 for one ticket. Funds raised help support MGCCC athletics.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College held a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Career and Technical facilities at the George County Center in conjunction with a State of the College presentation by Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president, on November 4 at the center.

“We are proud of our facilities in George County and are excited for our faculty and students as they begin using these new labs,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham. “At MGCCC, we are continually updating facilities and equipment to remain up to date with technological advances that affect our academic, career and technical programs so that we can provide our students the very best opportunities for success.”

The $1.1 million construction project at the George County Center includes renovations to Career Technical Education labs for Welding, Electrical and Cosmetology and other improvements needed at the center to expand educational and training opportunities for students. The renovations include new machines and materials in the welding and electrical labs and a professional high-end salon with new stations and furnishings in the Cosmetology Lab. Construction began in early May, with renovations completed this month.

As part of the college’s Strategic Plan initiative, Graham has made a series of presentations throughout the college’s four-county district in the last few months. The presentation on Monday marked the culmination of events that highlighted college achievements and focused on plans for its future.

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MGCCC unveils Emerging Scholars Program to high school principals and counselors

The new Mississippi Gulf Coast Emerging Scholars program was unveiled on November 1 during a special event at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Hospitality Resort Management Center in Biloxi.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Emerging Scholars Partnership Appreciation Luncheon for high school principals and counselors was the perfect opportunity to introduce this innovative program to those who have direct contact with high school students in MGCCC’s four-county district comprising George, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. This program brings together MGCCC Phi Theta Kappa and Honors College advisers with local high school counselors, principals, parents, students and teachers to prepare high school and college students to reach their full potential, receive scholarships and become academic champions.

“MGCCC already does a lot for students, but we want to do even more,” said Dr. Phil Bonfanti, executive vice president of Student Services and Enrollment Management. “This past spring, MGCCC graduates were awarded $3.2 million in transfer scholarships.  That equates to more than $12,700 each to complete the remaining two years of college toward a bachelor’s degree.  These same students also received a variety of scholarships at MGCCC, with most students paying little or no tuition for their two years at Gulf Coast.”

The Emerging Scholars programs will not only help school districts prepare students for opportunities to succeed through scholarships, but will provide a clearinghouse of scholarships available to students through MGCCC and for transfer after they graduate with an associate degree.

“We want to help students reach their full potential,” Bonfanti said.  “This program focuses the full power of our resources and expertise into one program, providing easy access for students to receive the support they need to get there. With help from our high school partners, we can ensure students are prepared to meet the challenges of higher education successfully.”

Partnership schools will receive display banners with scholarship winners from their school listed on them. Each year, high schools will be recognized for helping create outstanding scholars in the program.

Other events are planned through the program that will focus on students.  The Presidential Reception for Emerging Coast Scholars will highlight the new Mississippi Gulf Coast Emerging Scholars Partnership and will give students and future MGCCC supporters information about scholarships and honors programs. The event will be held on November 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at the Hospitality Resort Management Center. To register, visit mgccc.edu/emerging-scholars.

In addition, a series of Scholarship Workshops will be held in February 2020 that will provide students, parents and counselors a playbook full of vital information to aid in student scholarship opportunities and preparation. The workshops will also cover resume creation, public speaking, scholarship and essay writing, and other relevant skills.   Other events planned during the spring semester include Junior Scholars Draft and Scholars Signing Day.  Additional information and registration about these events will be provided at mgccc.edu/emerging-scholars.

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The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as one of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. Selection was based on strong and improving student outcomes, including learning, completion rates, employment rates and earnings, and equity.

MGCCC has been selected for the top 150 several times –in 2010, 2012 and 2014– and was selected as a top ten finalist in 2010.  The award is given every two years.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president.  “Gulf Coast is committed to offering students the very best opportunities for success through education and training. This recognition proves we are doing a great job. We want to do even better to provide our communities with excellent academic, job and career training, and a variety of educational resources.”

The top 10 finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize will be named in May 2020. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished jury will make award decisions in spring 2021.

Funded by ECMC Foundation, Joyce Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and Siemens Foundation, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve the world’s greatest challenges. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado, and New York City, and an international network of partners.

Previous winners of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence are Miami Dade College (FL) and Indian River State College (FL), 2019; Lake Area Technical College (SD), 2017; Santa Fe College (FL), 2015; Santa Barbara City College (CA) and Walla Walla Community College (WA), 2013; and Valencia College (FL), 2011.

For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize.

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The Perkinston Campus Faculty Association of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College held a food drive for the Stone County SPCA during the month of October.  Donations benefitted the many homeless dogs and cats of the Stone County shelter.

“Our faculty association feels community service should be a top priority and represents our faculty and MGCCC in a positive way,” said Jason Shows, history instructor and campus Faculty Association representative.  “Many of the animals were in such horrible shape before the shelter stepped in, and it takes a tremendous amount of resources to bring those animals back to health.”

Shows said feedback was great, with contributions from Perkinston Campus, family and friends, and the social media community.

“It was definitely a team effort, and we appreciate the love shown by our family here on campus and in the community,” Shows said.  “We plan to continue this event every year to support the great work of the Stone County SPCA.”

Donations to the shelter are welcome at any time – food, litter, cleaning supplies, towels, old blankets and more are always needed and appreciated.  To make a donation, visit Stone County SPCA on Facebook.

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PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs are 2019 MACJC champions, and they have one key characteristic to thank for that beautiful, shiny football trophy.

Determination.

The No. 1 Bulldogs beat back a rugged No. 4 Northwest Rangers team 23-19 for the school’s 16th state championship, clinching a spot in the NJCAA championship game.

“This is all about all the hard work we put in,” Gulf Coast quarterback Chance Lovertich said. “The countless hours in the summer. There’s no telling how many times we ran routes against air. Everything. This means everything to our team right here.”

Gulf Coast (11-0) will play an opponent yet to be determined on Dec. 5. It will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. No. 2 Lackawanna (9-0) plays No. 9 Georgia Military on Sunday in Scranton, Pa. If the Falcons win, they’re expected to be the opponent.

The Bulldogs rallied from three separate deficits to win, with Austin Bolton (So., Poplarville/Poplarville) breaking a slew of tackles on a 30-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter for the final margin. The Regulators, the Gulf Coast defense, made it hold up, shutting out the Rangers the rest of the way.

“That’s the one thing we talked about at halftime,” Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. “It was going to take one of our really good athletes to do something special. I know who we have under center, I know the playmakers we have, I know the defense we have. There was never any real sense of panic in the locker room. We just had to play our game. We got a couple of good breaks and were able to put some points on the board.”

The Rangers had three drives after that, punting after two drives netted a total 32 yards, and turning the ball over on downs with 1:22 left.

Northwest (8-3) ran for only 50 yards, and quarterback Jack Walker completed just 10-of-29 passes for 191 yards. The Rangers got 129 of their 241 total yards on three big plays to set up scores.

A 32-yard pass to Braden Smith set up the Rangers’ first score in the first five minutes into the game.

Gulf Coast would tie it up in the second quarter when Jymetre Hester caught his first of two touchdown passes. His 6-yard reception from Lovertich came midway through the second quarter.

Northwest would take the lead back four players later when the Rangers hit a 61-yard tunnel screen pass. But Gulf Coast got what proved to be a big play when T.J. Ficklin (So., Brandon/Pelahatchie) blocked the extra point, and the Bulldogs trailed 13-7 at halftime.

Lovertich would make the difference on the drive that gave the Bulldogs their first lead. Flushed out of the pocket, he scrambled on for 25 yards to converted a second-and-nine, burying a Ranger in the middle of the drive with a punishing shoulder.

“He took it to another level,” Wright said. “There’s not enough superlatives in the English language to talk about his play in the course of two years here, let alone today. There were a couple of times today in the third quarter where we didn’t look real good and he put the team on his back and got a couple of critical plays.”

Omni Wells (So., Moss Point/Moss Point) ran three times for 18 yards, setting up Hester’s 18-yard score. Gulf Coast led 14-13 after Caden Davis (Fr., Pearl/Pearl) made his second and last PAT.

The Rangers retook the lead with 2:21 to play in the third quarter on a drive keyed by a 36-yard run by Jaquerrious Williams. But Northwest missed the PAT.

Gulf Coast immediately answered with a 10-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Bolton’s bruising run. Lovertich converted a third-and-10 in his own territory with a beautiful arching pass to Shaun Anderson (So., Picayune/Picayune) that gained 17.

“We have a really special group,” Lovertich said. “I could go on for days talking about this group. I just knew there was no way we were going to lose that game. I knew there was no way the defense would let up and let them score with two minutes. I had faith in those guys.”

Hester caught the two-point conversion to make it 22-19, and the Bulldogs defense made it stand up.

“We just came out and fought hard the second half,” Gulf Coast defensive lineman Jamie Sheriff said. “We just gave up two big plays they were able to capitalize on. We just kept putting the pressure on them. We knew it was going to be a hard fight.”

Lovertich completed 26-of-37 passes for 214 yards and the two scores. Bolton ran 23 times for 116 yards.

For more information on MGCCC’s 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.

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Presidential Reception to provide seniors information on new scholarship program

High school seniors are invited to attend the Presidential Reception for Emerging Coast Scholars on Thursday, November 21, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Hospitality Resort Management Center in Biloxi. The event will highlight the new Mississippi Gulf Coast Emerging Scholars Partnership and give students and their parents information about scholarships and honors programs.

To register for the Presidential Reception for Emerging Coast Scholars, high school seniors and their parents can visit mgccc.edu/emerging-scholars.

“MGCCC already does a lot for students, but we want to do even more,” said Dr. Phil Bonfanti, executive vice president of Student Services and Enrollment Management. “This past spring, MGCCC graduates were awarded $3.2 million in transfer scholarships. That equates to more than $12,700 each to complete the remaining two years of college toward a bachelor’s degree. These same students also received a variety of scholarships at MGCCC, with most students paying little or no tuition for their two years at Gulf Coast.

The innovative new program was unveiled on November 1 during a special event for high school principals and counselors, providing vital information to those who have direct contact with high school students in MGCCC’s four-county district comprising George, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties.

Bringing together MGCCC Phi Theta Kappa and Honors College advisers with local high school counselors, principals, parents, students and teachers, the program is designed to prepare high school and college students to reach their full potential, receive scholarships and become academic champions. It will not only help school districts prepare students for opportunities to succeed through scholarships, but will provide a clearinghouse of scholarships available to students through MGCCC and for transfer after they graduate with an associate degree.
“We want to help students reach their full potential,” Bonfanti said. “This program focuses the full power of our resources and expertise into one program, providing easy access for students to receive the support they need to get there. With help from our high school partners, we can ensure students are prepared to meet the challenges of higher education successfully.”

In addition, a series of Scholarship Workshops will be held in February 2020 that will provide students, parents and counselors a playbook full of vital information to aid in student scholarship opportunities and preparation. The workshops will also cover resume creation, public speaking, scholarship and essay writing, and other relevant skills. Other events planned during the spring semester include Junior Scholars Draft and Scholars Signing Day. Additional information and registration about these events will be provided at mgccc.edu/emerging-scholars.

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