Mississippi on the Mall provides opportunities to reconnect with MC alums in nation’s capital

Tim Fritts will be on familiar ground when he welcomes guests to the Mississippi Christian University’s booth at the 35th-annual Mississippi on the Mall on June 6 at Henry Bacon Ball Field in Washington, D.C.

Fritts, director of development for athletics at Mississippi Christian University, spent his high school years near the nation’s capital.

“It’s always fun for me to go back (to Washington, D.C.) and see the beauty of the city and to see many of the colleges and universities from the state of Mississippi represented there,” Fritts said. “There’s a camaraderie between fellow Mississippians, people who love the state and have ties to the state.

“It’s a great vibe, a great feeling, within the nation’s capital.”

About 700 state and industry leaders, representatives from the state’s institutions of higher learning and Mississippians living in the capital area are expected to attend Mississippi on the Mall, a celebration of Mississippians in Washington, D.C.

Bria Henderson serves as president of the Mississippi Society of Washington, D.C., which hosts the event. She said the celebration will feature a live band, lawn games, Southern hospitality, and a menu of Mississippi favorites, including farm-raised catfish and sweet tea.

“MC’s participation in Mississippi on the Mall and its partnership with the Mississippi Society are such a value to the MC community at large,” said Henderson, who serves as a communications specialist at the Learning Policy Institute in D.C. “The event showcases MC’s interest in its students beyond their time on campus and beyond their presence in the state.”

Through the years, Mississippi Christian University has developed an academic pipeline to the nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. is a popular destination for MC students seeking internships or jobs outside of Mississippi.

“There are plenty of opportunities for our students to experience a big city like Washington, D.C. before they get settled into a career,” Fritts said. “Many of them pursue internships with lobbying firms and the federal government.

“It’s eye-opening when so many young people walk up to you at Mississippi on the Mall and say they went to MC.”

Fritts said he considers it a privilege to represent MC at the event.

“It’s important for our alumni who attend the event to see that their alma mater is represented on this special Mississippi day.”

Fritts said he relishes the opportunity to be among the first to showcase the University’s new name at an event outside the state of Mississippi.

“Some attendees may not have heard about our shift to ‘Mississippi Christian University.’ I’m looking forward to telling everyone that the new name represents our mission and our roots and our future, and we’re excited about the name and looking forward to the future.”

He is looking forward to making connections with members of the MC Family in Washington.

“Mississippi on the Mall provides an easy way to break the ice and connect with people,” he said. “From reliving some of their memories of MC and where they lived on campus to hearing about their experience with MC and how it impacted their lives, there’s nothing better.

“You have that instant MC connection, and it’s a fun day for everybody to share stories about our University.”

Fritts also added that he will remind everyone that, while the nation is celebrating its 250th year, MC is celebrating its bicentennial throughout 2026.