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Mississippi College Welcomes New Students to Clinton Campus


Freshman Andrew Jones, 18, of Clinton plans to study history as a Mississippi College freshman in late August.His parents are both MC graduates. Andrew is a 2016 Clinton High graduate.

Mississippi College leaders warmly embrace thousands of students as a new academic year begins in late August.

America’s second oldest Baptist college celebrated its 190th anniversary earlier this year. Now it’s time to achieve more milestones on the Clinton campus as MC launches its 2016-17 school year with Welcome Week activities.

From Move-In Day on August 20 for hundreds of freshmen entering residence halls to annual Back to the Bricks fun showcasing Clinton businesses on August 25, there will be numerous events in store for the Mississippi College family.

During another steamy July in the South, Shelby Roberts, 18, of Madison can’t wait to begin her nursing studies at Cockroft Hall. “MC is not far from home, she likes the community and is always very strong in her faith,” says her mom, Christy Roberts, a 1994 MC graduate. The Madison Central High graduate decided to become an MC Choctaw two years ago.

At a nationally recognized Christian university offering more than 80 areas of study, 16 graduate programs, a law school in Jackson & much more, first-class facilities impress students and parents alike. “The cadaver lab is amazing,” says Christy Roberts, business manager at Canton Academy. She was among scores of parents taking part as MC’s freshman summer orientation for over 200 students wrapped up Friday.

Opportunities to learn from an amazing lineup of professors made Mississippi College the right choice for incoming freshmen like Andrew Jones, Jacob Cruse and Shreve Bland. The trio of Clinton High graduates believe the Christian university offers a superb education. So why leave their Hinds County hometown and go to college hours away?

MC’s Communication Department and the possibility of working at Christian radio station Star 93.5 convinced Jacob Cruse to stick close to home. He’s forgetting about an offer to attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Instead of Roll Tide, he will join fans shouting “Let’s Go Choctaws!”

Andrew Jones, 18, son of Mississippi College graduates Mark and Kelly Jones, considered schools like Ole Miss and Southern Miss. But the chance to study history under an outstanding professor like Otis Pickett helped make up his mind to attend Mississippi College.

“We’re both excited,” says Mark Jones, whose office in City Hall as Clinton’s communications director sits one block from his alma mater.

No matter how much stuff from home they squeeze into their dorm room, Andrew and Jacob are eager to experience life this fall as Hederman Hall roommates.

Mississippi College is also a friendly place for Shreve Bland. Her name sounds pretty familiar to Choctaws fans. The Clinton High grad is the daughter of Choctaws head football coach John Bland and his wife, Candis. Shreve will cheer for the Blue & Gold when MC opens the home season against Point University on September 3. Another big game for the Bland family: MC’s Homecoming on October 15 against Gulf South Conference foe Valdosta State.

Athletics attracted Biloxi High graduate Tray Payne, 18, to enroll at Mississippi College. But the size of the school (nearly 5,200 students last fall), friendly environment, and top-notch academics all played a role. The freshman Choctaws wide receiver will be a business major. The son of Traci & Vincent Payne, Tray reports to campus August 9 to begin pre-season workouts.

Biloxi High graduate, Alex Teets, 18, says he’s coming because of the Baptist-affiliated university’s premier pre-med program. The University of Mississippi Medical School is his next stop. Alex is sure he’s picked the right place. “The people here are very nice.”

MC supporters aren’t the only ones saying positive things about their school. Last September, “U.S. News & World Report” rated MC No. 11 as a “best value” among the South’s regional universities.

With more than 500 faculty and staff, the state’s oldest university always hires new employees each year. Newcomers include: Brett Shufelt, who joins Mandi Powers as MC equestrian coaches. A 2003 MC graduate, Megan Pritchett recently became the new registrar. Former Tiffin University (Ohio) professor James Rovira serves as the new chairman of the English Department. Patrick Connelly will chair the History Department at Mississippi College.