MONDAY MORNINGApril 19, 2017

MERIDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY & STAFF NEWSLETTER

Gov. Phil Bryant discusses economic opportunities with Dr. Scott Elliott, MCC Board of Trustees member Tommy Dulaney and Riley Foundation Board President Marty Davidson.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

Ceremony officially opens new Workforce Development CenterMCC’ers, state and local governmental officials and community residents turned out to get a closer look at the MCC-Riley Workforce Development Center at a special ceremony held April 7.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony, with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant taking center stage, capped off the program showcasing the new look that took ap-proximately a decade to complete after the College initially purchased a closed Walmart.

Two major grants – a $3.7 million from the Riley Foundation and another of $1.5 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, were secured to complete the project. Additional financial assistance came from the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.

The center, designed by local architect B.B. Archer, features more than 81,000 square feet (including a 12,000 square foot welding shop) of in-structional and meeting space. It includes 15 classrooms and five shop laboratories. Classrooms range from 16 to 250 in student capacity. There are 19 offices, a state-of-the-art multi-media conference room, a commer-cial-grade catering kitchen among other amenities.

The total cost of renovation was roughly $7.2 million.

The Mississippi Community College System is highly regarded, Gov. Bry-ant said during his comments at the ceremony, contributing to the state’s lowering unemployment rates.

“We are at 5.2 percent unemployment,” Bryant said. “That is as low as it’s been since 2001 and it is a credit to community colleges who are leading workforce development – particularly here at Meridian Community Col-lege.”

The workforce is key, Bryant said, with the facility helping to train plumb-ers, electricians and diesel mechanic technicians – these are all jobs cor-porations are seeking to fill.

“Corporations are looking for the best-trained workers that they can find, and we want to be the on time workforce,” Bryant said. “As I tell people we are going to win through people.”

At the ribbon cutting ceremonies were Joseph Knight, MCC dean for commu-nity and business development; Jenifer Buford with the East Central Planning and Development District; Dr. Scott Elliott, Tommy Dulaney, Gov. Phil Bryant, Meridian Mayor Percy Bland, Marty Davidson and Lauderdale County Board of Supervisor Josh Todd.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

Riley Foundation Board President Marty Davidson shares a laugh with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant.

Donning a new MCC baseball cap, Gov. Phil Bryant smiles with Dr. Scott Elliott.

Dr. Scott Elliott shows the audience and the governor a gift of a one-of-a-kind bobble head doll featuring Gov. Phil Bryant’s head in a Superman costume.

The audience listens as MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott addresses the group.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

MCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Phyllis Holladay summed it up: “Phi Theta Kappa officer team has risen to the top time and time again.”

And in many ways that statement rang true after the Nu Upsilon chapter proved its mettle at the academic honor society’s international conven-tion in Nashville, Tenn.

MCC sophomore Jay Fritts, co-vice president of fellowship for the col-lege’s chapter, has stepped up to a larger stage. He was elected to one of PTK’s highest leadership position as International Vice President for District II.

Serving is important to Fritts. So much that he’s committing to another year to PTK as he will travel and lead the district as well as preside at PTK’s 100th Annual Convention in 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. “I am look-ing forward to seeing how much this next year is going to change my life. I know that just over the past couple of months, I have been able to grow tremendously as a person and as a leader. So I am looking forward to what opportunities lay in store for me this next year,” he said. Being elected to this office involved campaigning, a live caucus and more. Holliday said, “After moving to the second round, Jay gave his pre-pared speech with the given topic of beauty and vulgarity to the 3,500-plus crowd. Let me just say, that he nailed it.”

Holliday said this was a first in the College’s history. “We are elated and beaming with pride.” And there were more points of pride. The Scholar Bowl team, Les Quizer-ables, coached by Dr. Jim Dauphine, won first place. They competed in the final round on the big stage in front of 3,500-plus people. The team in-cluded Aaron Kirby, Donnie Carrol, Tim Sansing, Adam Mowdy and Madi-son Godfrey. Each student received a pin and $100 scholarship.

“It was a fun experience for the entire group and region,” Holliday said.

Also, MCC sophomore Emma Moffett competed in the Extemporaneous

Speech Competition where she placed third and received a $100 scholar-ship. This competition involved several rounds and required her to pre-pare a speech on a given topic with only 30 minutes to prepare in each round. In addition to the individual awards, the MCC PTK chapter received a College Project Award for Top 50. “Our College Project is our Health and Wellness Initiative which we hope to continue next year. We also were named in the Top 100 Chapters among 1,300 chapters,” Holladay said. This year’s PTK officer team includes: Aaron Kirby, Dakota Ivy, Jay Fritts, J.T. Champion, Mallory Harmon, Donnie Carroll, Kevin Chance, Madison Godfrey, Tim Sansing, Adam Mowdy, Emma Moffett and Shelby Gossett.

Co-advisor Lucy Ferguson also received the Distinguished Advisor Award given to advisors who have at least four years or more service to PTK.

On the big stage MCC’ers bring back top awards at international convention

Jay Fritts presents his speech before the PTK audience.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

Jay Fritts, second from left, with fellow international vice presidents.

Emma Moffett receives her award.

Scholars bowl team approaches the stage.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

Learning more about MCC – When Meridian Community College hosted its Honors Orientation session potential students got the chance to visit the campus, meet with advising and financial aid staff, learn of regulations and policies and find out what academic and support services are available. Joseph Malcolm Combest, left, of Enterprise talks with Tracy Mitchell, admissions specialist at MCC.

Meridian Community College’s baseball, women’s basketball, golf, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s tennis teams joined in a community service opportunity this month to collect canned goods and other items to take to Love’s Kitchen. Pictured are tennis team members Nathan Hollis, Taylor Miller, Jordyn Hull, Katherine Mitchell and Micah Gray; MCC soccer team members Hannah Heustess and Michael Elias; MCC baseball team members Briar Russell and Matthew Harrison; MCC golf team members Rhett Walters, Lance Strickland and Jacob Berry; and MCC basketball coach Jocelyn McGilberry. Coach McGilberry and Coach McPhail took the canned items to Loves Kitchen. Thanks to all these athletes for their support of our soup kitchen, Love’s Kitchen. Thanks to Coach Sudduth, Coach Smith, Coach Key, Coach McGilberry and Coach McPhail for encouraging their athletes to participate in this worthy cause.

Meridian Community College Monday Morning

SPEA

KING

Brief

lyPublic relations opportunityThe MCC Today show on Comcast Cable Channel 12 is look-ing for guests to appear on the weekly show. To sign up, con-tact Neil Hatten at extension 345.

SmileThe Dental Assisting Technology Program students are seek-ing clients to help meet the students’ X-ray requirements this semester. Appointments are available on Monday and Tues-day afternoons. Please call Robin Johnson or Tiffani Minchew at extension 676. These X-rays are free and can be sent to your dentist.

Policy changeMCC will become a tobacco-free campus on May 12, said MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott.

Put it on your calendarMCC Awards Night ceremony will be Monday, May 1, at 6 p.m. in McCain Theater.

For your informationThe College’s spring graduation ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 12, at Evangel Temple. The Practical Nursing pin-ning will be at 9 a.m., the Associate Degree Nursing pinning will be at 10 a.m., and the Health Care Assistant, Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing graduations are set for 11:30 a.m.

The graduation ceremony for the remaining students will be at 4 p.m.

Relay fundraiserMCC’s Relay for Life team is sponsoring a parking spot give-away with tickets for $1 each or six for $5. “If you are chosen as the winner, you will have a reserved parking spot for the 2017 fall semester,” said LeAnne Motes, MCC Relay for Life committee team member.

The Relay for Life event will be Friday, April 28, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the MCC Track.

In the communityMCC will be participating in the East Mississippi Business De-velopment Corporation’s Home and Garden Show on Thurs-day, April 20, in the Tommy E. Dulaney Center.

The Radio People & Meridian Community College

15th Annual Radio People & MCC Job Fair including Nursing & Health Education Expo

Thursday, April 27, 2017 9 am-1 pm

MCC-Riley Workforce Development Center 1524 Highway 19 North

DRESS FOR SUCCESS BRING YOUR RESUME Learn more, Call 601.693.2661 or 601.481.1327

VENDORS INCLUDE: HEALTHCARE • CUSTOMER SERVICE • SALES • MEDIA • EDUCATION

Brought To You By:

Wednesday East Central Trauma Region Training 0800 AM - 0500 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 171 Home & Garden Show (EMBDC) Set-up Day 0800 AM - 1200 PM, Tommy E. Dulaney Center Nursing 1210 0800 AM - 0200 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Crossroads Consortium Meeting 0900 AM - 0300 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 104 Tribal Scholarship Program 0930 AM - 0240 PM, Ivy Hall 121 BSU Noon Day Lunch 1000 AM - 0130 PM, Chapel AR Twin Districts Sector Strategy Meeting 1130 AM - 0230 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 134 Diversity Book Club Meeting 0200 PM - 0300 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL MCC vs. Coahoma (Women Softball) 0300 PM - 0500 PM, Mcdonald Ball Field Thursday BOT-MCC Students 0800 AM - 0900 AM, Smith Hall 104 East Central Trauma Region Training 0800 AM - 0500 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 171 Home & Garden Show (EMBDC) 0800 AM - 0500 PM, Tommy E. Dulaney Center SBA Entrepreneur Event 0800 AM - 0500 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 133 Industrial Techology Advisory Luncheon 1130 AM - 0200 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Great Books 0230 PM - 0400 PM, Phil Hardin Hall 124 Dental Study Club 0430 PM - 0800 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Friday East Central Trauma Region Training 0800 AM - 0500 PM, MCC-Riley WDC 171 Walk for Wellness 0830 AM - 1130 AM, Track Field Lunch Bunch 1100 AM - 0130 PM, G.V. Sonny Montgomery CAFE EMPOWR Program Meeting 1200 PM - 0200 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL Lunch Bunch 1200 PM - 0130 PM, G.V. Sonny Montgomery BANQTRM PBL Garage Sale Fundraiser 1200 PM - 0400 PM, Tommy E. Dulaney Center Saturday PBL Garage Sale Fundraiser 0500 AM - 1200 PM, Tommy E. Dulaney Center CE Classes Monday CRC Retest IV 0400 PM - 0410 PM Webb Hall 102 CISCO CCNA 0500 PM - 0900 PM MCC-Riley WDC 126 Rush Medical Billing 0530 PM - 0900 PM MCC-Riley WDC 125 HVAC I Part 2 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 100 How to Start a Business 0600 PM - 0900 PM MCC-Riley WDC 123 Tuesday CRC Retest IV 0400 PM - 0410 PM Webb Hall 102 Ballet 0430 PM - 0730 PM Fitness Center Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0700 PM Off Campus Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0700 PM MCC-Riley WDC 124 Network Maintenance (Network+) 0500 PM - 0900 PM MCC-Riley WDC 126 Adv MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel 0530 PM - 0730 PM MCC-Riley WDC 131 HVAC II Part 2 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 100 MPSA Reserve Law 0600 PM - 1000 PM Webb Hall GSR Wednesday CRC Retest IV 0400 PM - 0410 PM Webb Hall 102 CISCO CCNA 0500 PM - 0900 PM MCC-Riley WDC 126 MASEP April 0630 PM - 0930 PM MCC-Riley WDC 134 MASEP April 0630 PM - 0930 PM MCC-Riley WDC 139 Thursday CRC Retest IV 0400 PM - 0410 PM Webb Hall 102 Ballet 0430 PM - 0730 PM Fitness Center Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0700 PM Off Campus Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0700 PM MCC-Riley WDC 124 Adv MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel 0530 PM - 0730 PM MCC-Riley WDC 131 Furniture Painting II 0530 PM - 0730 PM MCC-Riley WDC 171 MPSA Reserve Law 0600 PM - 1000 PM Webb Hall GSR Ballet Pointe 0630 PM - 0730 PM Fitness Center STU Friday Forklift Training 0800 AM - 0500 PM MCC-Riley WDC 128 CPR/Basic Life Support 0100 PM - 0500 PM Emergency Medical Science Acad 117 CRC Retest IV 0400 PM - 0410 PM Webb Hall 102 Saturday Radiation Health/Dental 0800 AM - 0500 PM Health Center 117 ACT Prep - April 0900 AM - 0200 PM MCC-Riley WDC 142 First Tee Spring 2017 0900 AM - 1200 PM Webb Hall GSR Fiber Optic-CTECH Trng ATT 0530 PM - 0930 PM MCC-Riley WDC 126

Weekly Schedule Apr 17 - Apr 23

April 17Shannon Coleman

April 18Cynthia Kennedy

April 19Annie Whigham

April 21Albert Espey

April 23Rita McClure

Wellness walk set at MCC track April 21Meridian Community College’s Science and Wellness Division will be hosting its MCC Walk for Wellness on Friday, April 21, from 9-11 a.m. at the MCC Track.

Campus and community residents are encouraged to attend.

Activities will include walking, yoga, cardio exercises, BMI and body fat measurements. Participants will be able to get information about organ and bone marrow donation as well as smoking cessation.

In case of rain, activities will be located at the Fitness Center and Quave Center.

For additional information, contact Valerie Bishop, biology instructor and division chair of the science, fitness and wellness division, 601-484-8642 or email vbishop@meridiancc.edu