Skip to main content

Mississippi College Focuses on Faith


Faculty and staff gather in Swor Auditorium for fall convocation marking the college's 184th academic year.
Mississippi College faculty and staff should put their focus on their faith as the Christian university embarks upon its 184th academic year.

In the midst of the nation's lingering recession and America's anxiety levels running high, that was the message President Lee Royce delivered as he welcomed hundreds of faculty and staff at Friday's fall convocation.

Rather than dwelling on a flood of negative and conflicting information, Royce suggested that MC faculty and staff should stay on a different path. It's time to "calm down and read a good book," he said.

It is a Mississippi College with a vision statement that seeks "to be recognized as a university known for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ," Royce noted.

As MC begins a new school year with classes to begin Aug 26, the focus should be to "trust in the Lord with all your heart," he said. "We cannot live without faith."

There are many reasons for MC leaders to be upbeat in 2009. While colleges in California and other many other states are experiencing layoffs and slashing salaries due to the bad economy, MC is adding faculty and staff this fall, Royce said. There are ten new faculty on the MC campus and a significant number of new staffers. MC may equal or surpass its record of nearly 4,900 students last fall, school officials predict.

The growth experienced at MC is not the case at most campuses. Royce mentioned a new survey of college presidents showing 75 percent expect to make budget cuts or see layoffs this year. Nationwide, higher education is seeing its worsts financial crisis in decades. The nation's jobless rate now hovers around 10 percent.

Things have gotten so rough on some campuses that Harvard recently shaved $224 million from its budget for arts and sciences programs. In addition, the Ivy League school cut out all hot breakfasts for students. As MC student leaders looked on, Royce smiled and assured them that MC will continue to serve hot breakfasts on the Clinton campus. Royce was a recent visitor to the Harvard campus during the summer.

MC alumni, retired professors, alumni and a number of trustees were on hand for the 90-minute program in Swor Auditorium. Among those returning to campus: retired MC art chairman Sam Gore, retired art professor Kenneth Quinn, and board of trustees chairman Wayne Parker.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard made a special point to thank the returning outpouring of retirees - from Joe Barber to Ed McMillan to Doc Quick- for laying a firm foundation that's made the Baptist-affiliated school so strong today.

Student Government Association Vice President Samuel Gregory, 21, of Hernando said he's anxious to kick off the new year and work on a number of SGA goals. One is to encourage and build enthusiasm in the MC community, he said.

Following the convocation, faculty and staff and their guests enjoyed the fellowship and food at a meal at Anderson Hall compliments of Sodexo.