Mississippi College Strengthens Wellness Initiatives Thanks to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Grant

Piper Walters

Mississippi College will enhance its Wellness for Life initiative for the university’s family thanks to a second grant of more than $148,000 from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

The generous award follows the initial award of $274,620 from the Foundation in October 2014. That grant paved the way for the Baptist-affiliated university to construct a walking track and revitalize wellness programs. Efforts included steps forward for the MC Wellness for Life program, which is part of the overall Wellness for Life initiative, for university employees that began in 2012.

“I am so excited about receiving second period grant funding from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation,” said Piper Walters, the Mississippi College wellness coordinator. “This is great news for MC faculty, staff, students and the Clinton community.”

Construction of a one-third mile walking track near the MC Choctaws soccer field, the Relay for Life, creation of a Farmers Market on the Clinton campus, free Yoga classes, fitness testing, water aerobics, a BFit Bootcamp, and employee exercise and nutrition challenges were part of a long list of items the first phase of the Wellness for Life initiative grant launched. Piper helped lead the way on the Clinton campus.

“I feel so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to lead this health and wellness initiative for MC,” Walters said.

The latest grant will include outdoor exercise equipment installed near the walking track, the use of special Combi Ovens that cook food in a way that places a greater focus on health and creation of a disc golf course on campus. The installation of the Microfit treadmill will soon add to MC’s existing fitness testing equipment.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Executive Director Sheila Grogan joins MC President Lee Royce in applauding the June announcement of the $148,157 grant. They believe it can only lead to healthier lives for Mississippians.

“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is proud to extend its support of Mississippi College’s wellness efforts,” Grogan said. “The enthusiasm and participation demonstrates just how driven this community is in its efforts to create a healthier place to live, learn and work.”

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

Dr. Royce joined Grogan, Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher, Clinton Chamber of Commerce leaders, students, faculty and local residents at ribbon cutting ceremonies to open the walking track last fall. Royce and Grogan teamed up for a celebratory lap around the track as part of the September 22 ceremonies.

Both leaders are on the same page as they salute the continuation of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation-Mississippi College partnership to promote healthy lifestyles. The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, Grogan stated earlier, “has a vision for a healthy Mississippi and provides targeted grants to improve the health of Mississippians.”

With many people utilizing the new Mississippi College walking track and the university placing a stronger emphasis on wellness initiatives, the first Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation grant led to wonderful results, Royce said. “We look forward to seeing even more positive things from the second grant.”

The 2014 grant enabled MC to hire Walters as the wellness coordinator along with a graduate assistant to plan activities for the entire MC community.

Also an MC kinesiology instructor, Walters predicts the 2016 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation grant will provide a nice stimulus to reach out to more people and get them regularly involved in fitness activities year-round.

The Wellness for Life initiative at Mississippi College is in partnership with the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is committed to supporting Mississippi’s universities and colleges in implementing healthy eating and exercise initiatives that extend from the campus to the local communities and schools. Learn more about the work of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation at www.healthiermississippi.org.