Mississippi College Celebrates Clinton

Dr. Lee Royce, president of Mississippi College gears up for "Mississippi College Celebrates Clinton - Town and Gown Since 1826."

Mississippi College’s partnership with its vibrant hometown of Clinton dates back nearly two centuries.

Helping to trumpet those longstanding ties, President Lee Royce announced a series of activities to pay tribute to Clinton over the next twelve months.

“Mississippi College Celebrates Clinton – Town and Gown Since 1826’’ is the name of the new initiative with Dr. Royce to unveil more details at the university’s faculty/ staff convocation on August 22.

Events at the Christian university starting this fall will salute the robust community in Hinds County.

The play “Our Town’’ by Thornton Wilder is set for production on the Clinton campus later this year. In addition, a special Messiah sing-along is planned for the Christmas season. Various community service projects and the creation of a mural to salute the city are among other activities in the planning stages.

The event-driven campaign will come to an end during the City of Clinton’s July 4^th celebration in 2015.

Blue banners appearing soon on the Clinton campus and around the city will proclaim a positive partnership that’s existed since Mississippi College’s birth as Hampstead Academy in 1826. MC graphic design major Lorin McAlpin of Magee designed the attractive banner logo.

 Affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1850, MC today enrolls more than 5,000 students. Mississippi College is the nation’s second oldest Baptist college.

In announcing the initiative in early July, Royce said “ As the oldest and largest private university on the state, we have enjoyed a long relationship with the City of Clinton.’’

It’s closely linked a growing university with over 30,000 alumni with a jewel of a community of about 25,000 residents in metro Jackson.

“The history of our town and institution is in so many ways woven together,’’ Royce said.  “ It is appropriate for us to make a statement of how fortunate and blessed this institution is to be an integral part of this special community.’’

The Mississippi College campus, from the Quad down to the new medical sciences building and over to the bookstore & Pimento’s Café,  is conveniently located near the quaint shops along the brick streets of Olde Towne. Mississippi College’s impact on the local economy is strong with more than a $70 million budget and over 500 employees. MC’s ties to Clinton schools are inseparable.

Royce hopes the new initiative sends a message to Clinton leaders and city residents.

“An important message we wish to communicate to the Clinton community is how grateful we are for the relationship we enjoy with our hometown,’’ Royce said.

City leaders, including Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher and officials with the Chamber of Commerce, are invited to the MC convocation to take part as the year-long celebration begins.