Mississippi College Welcomes Freshmen at Back to the Bricks 2017

Mississippi College students, Clinton residents, and other members of the MC family are pictured at the entrance to the 2016 Back to the Bricks in Clinton.

When Olivia Mabry arrived as a Mississippi College freshman, she really enjoyed herself as a visitor to the Back to the Bricks celebration on the streets of historic Clinton.

“It was a good way to meet people and get connected,” said Mabry, a Lady Choctaws basketball player from Meridian. “Clinton’s like a small community.”

After Olivia made new friends with students, Clinton merchants and others in the MC family, she returned year after year. She also helped to make it better. It’s one of the signature events of MC’s Welcome Week, and one that new students shouldn’t miss.

Back to the Bricks is set for Thursday August 24. Clinton Main Street teams with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, the City of Clinton and MC to make the event a success every summer. The program starts around 5 p.m. and runs about two hours.

Whether it’s steaming hot, overcast or it rains, hundreds of students converge on Clinton’s historic business district. 

An MC graduate student in business administration, Mabry remembers the fun time she had. But she also recalls picking up lots of valuable discount coupons from Clinton businesses.

The Indian Lanes Bowling Alley, Brick Street Pops, Chick-fil-A, James & Leigh clothing store, Clinton churches, Mazzio’s pizza, and many more are always well-represented. President Lee Royce, Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher, artist Wyatt Waters and other Clintonians walk around to greet Mississippi College newcomers or chat with old friends.

The 7^th annual Back to the Bricks remains a free event. It’s also the place where MC Campus Dining serves delicious meals to students. Often, MC football players or soccer players show up after practice to join the crowd. 

MC admissions director Kyle Brantley believes events like Back to the Bricks reflect a vibrant Clinton community that goes the extra mile to make students feel at home. They come from nations as far away as China, India and Nepal and from towns as nearby as Madison, Brandon, Pearl and Clinton.

“New MC students will find Clinton to be very welcoming and supportive of their presence here,” Brantley said.

The Brick Streets are located just a few steps away from the MC bookstore, and Pimento’s restaurant on the Clinton campus. Lofts for MC grad students are above it.

“I especially love the fact that the Brick Streets run right into MC’s campus, providing another avenue of community-based activities where students can interact with others from around the city,” he said.

“Brick Street Pops will be open and going strong,” says Mississippi College graduate Clay Mansell, who owns the business. “We are really looking forward to it.”

It’s always a terrific event to bring MC students and local merchants together, adds the publisher/owner of “The Clinton Courier.” For sure, Clay says, Back to the Bricks 2017 will help strengthen partnerships between Mississippi College and its hometown of Clinton.

Back to the Bricks will go on rain or shine. “It continues to grow more and more each year,” says T.J. McSparrin, executive director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Usually about 50 businesses are represented at Back to the Bricks and merchants on hand always encourage students to shop local. 

“This is a great opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves to Mississippi College students.”