Flowood Center Celebrates Grand Opening

Mississippi College President Lee Royce used a big pair of scissors for ribbon-cutting ceremonies Monday at MC’s new Flowood Center.

That was fitting because MC leaders have big plans for the center that will offer a number of Accelerated Degree Program classes geared to working adults in metro Jackson.

Now 184 years-old, Mississippi College has made a “long-term commitment” to its new center in Rankin County, Royce said during brief remarks at ceremonies joined by officials in this bustling community.

In future years, the Flowood Center could also house day classes, graduate school courses, and continuing education programs, MC leaders say.

“There’s a lot happening in Flowood,” Royce said, noting the center is located near Lakeland Drive with its busy traffic count of 55,000 cars daily. The center is just a short drive from the Dogwood Festival mall and other shopping outlets. “We look forward to a lot of teaching and learning.”

The modern two-story facility at 115 Laurel Park Cove will offer classes in business administration, accounting, marketing, sociology and public relations two evening per week. The comfortable eight-classroom complex can house up to 200 students.

Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads says he’s glad to welcome Mississippi College to his hometown. When economic developers want to know about Flowood, they usually ask about the city’s medical facilities and schools.  Rhoads says he’s delighted to see a branch of the Clinton-based Christian university set up shop next-door to the Flowood Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

The grand opening drew a number of other Flowood leaders including Police Chief Johnny DeWitt, Fire Chief Tim Pace, and Flowood Chamber of Commerce officials. Jackson TV stations such as WAPT-16, WJTV-12, Fox 40 and a local weekly newspaper, “The Rankin Record” were on hand to cover the center’s formal opening.

MC Communications Department Chairman Cliff Fortenberry says  enrollment should  steadily grow at the Flowood Center over the next few semesters and long term. The first evening classes are set for August 23. “The best form of advertising is word of mouth,” Fortenberry says.

Sara Kimmel, the center’s executive director, will also teach business classes at the facility. On Monday, Kimmel stayed busy doing rounds of media interviews and giving tours to visitors.“This is a very exciting time for me and Flowood,” she said. “What a great grand opening.”

There’s no time to rest. Registration for the Flowood Center will be Thursday August 19 with classes to begin a few days later.

Monday’s ribbon cutting also drew a large number of Mississippi College leaders, including School of Business Dean Marcelo Eduardo, Graduate School Dean Debbie Norris, Gary Mayfield, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Wayne VanHorn, dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Arts. Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard, Vice President for Advancement Bill Townsend and Vice President for Administration and Government Affairs Steve Stanford were among others on hand for the opening.

For more information on the Flowood Center, call Sara Kimmel at 601.925.7774.