Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Celebrate New Walking Track at Mississippi College

President Lee Royce, Sheila Grogan, executive director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, and Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher were among the leaders attending the September 22 ribbon-cutting at MC's new walking track.

Mississippi College’s new walking track will step up fitness levels for the MC family and Clinton residents for years to come. The track is one element of the college’s Wellness For Life initiative, made possible by a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

Following Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremonies, President Lee Royce and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Executive Director Sheila Grogan celebrated its opening with a celebratory lap around the track. MC’s leader also joined speakers in thanking the Foundation for their grant of nearly $275,000 to make the track and other wellness initiatives possible as part of the Wellness for Life initiative.

Members of the MC faculty, staff, students and local residents also reached the walking track’s finish line. Many vowed to return for more exercise in the coming days.

The one-third mile facility located near Mississippi College’s Longabaugh Soccer Field is the centerpiece of the university’s Wellness for Life initiative. The campaign seeks to promote healthy lifestyles for the MC family and Clinton community.

The MC wellness drive is among the latest efforts statewide as the Foundation seeks to build a healthy Mississippi with its grants to schools, colleges, universities and communities.

Impacting colleges, Grogan said, is “the next logical step’’ following the Foundation’s targeted work in building healthier schools for thousands of children across the Magnolia State.

“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation actively supports our communities, schools, and colleges and universities through targeted grant making efforts, promoting healthy lifestyles for all Mississippians,” Grogan said. “Mississippi College is setting a positive example for other colleges and universities in our state by focusing on wellness initiatives that impact not only its students, but the community at large.”

Mississippi College joins such institutions as the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi University for Women that have received Foundation grants for similar projects. Community colleges and private institutions are also part of the Foundation’s wellness campaigns.

Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher, former Clinton Chamber of Commerce President Clay Mansell and Main Street Clinton President Marilyn Hetrick also saluted the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation for their efforts to support wellness programs here.

The new walking track is already getting a good workout this fall.

“Walking classes are using the track,’’ said Kinesiology Department Chairman Chris Washam. “It is much more convenient’’ than the facilities used by MC Choctaws track teams. “There’s a hill on it and the students really like it.’’

“I love the way it flows with the property,’’ adds MC kinesiology professor Suzanne McDonough, a longtime participant in road races in the region.

The grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation also enabled Mississippi College to hire Piper Walters as the university’s wellness coordinator. ”It is my hope that many, many people will take advantage of these facilities and programs offered by MC Wellness for Life,’’ says Walters, a kinesiology instructor.

Starting September 28, MC launches its “Walking Works’’ program. It’s a four-week walking or running challenge. Mississippi College is also scheduling personal fitness evaluations with more opportunities to come.

Lately, students are spending lots of time at the walking track. Says kinesiology graduate assistant Meredith Johnson: “It’s another place to be active.’’ A former Lady Choctaws cross country runner from the Gulf Coast, Meredith plans to regularly use the track to stay fit.

For more details on MC’s Wellness For Life programs visit the website mcwellnessforlife.com or call 601-925-7752. Learn more about the work of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation by visiting www.healthiermississippi.org.