Transfer Students Receive Warm Welcome at Mississippi College

Mississippi College student Chris Williams joins his mom, Resell Gibson Williams, at a luncheon at the university's transfer orientation. Chris will join the MC Choctaws soccer team. He transferred from a university in Hawaii.

Rachel and Audrey Funchess offered several good reasons for becoming Mississippi College Choctaws.

The 19-year-old twin sisters from Houston, Texas start classes in late August on the Clinton campus. During their July 25^th orientation, the Texans say they like MC’s close-knit community as well as the university’s communication program.

The Funchess twins previously attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas. They were among scores of transfer students greeted by a host of MC leaders on Wednesday.

President Blake Thompson, Vice President for Enrollment Services & Dean of Students Jim Turcotte and Director of Student Success Terry Dent were among the speakers making them feel right at home.

At a luncheon at Anderson Hall, Dr. Thompson noted he once stood in their shoes. He transferred from Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville to the University of Mississippi. Thompson earned three degrees from Ole Miss, including his doctorate at the institution’s School of Pharmacy.

MC’s family of faculty and staff is eager to reach out to help students succeed on the Clinton campus, Thompson said. “We are here to serve you,” he said. “The MC family will help you thrive.”

His message touched on football, faith, family and many new friendships that students will develop at Mississippi College starting this Fall.

Academic strengths and opportunities to play sports at the Christian university were some of the big draws for the newest crop of transfer students.

Dylan Gatewood, 20, of Clinton enrolled primarily because of the university’s strong pre-dental program. Other members of his family were once MC students who earned good grades and went to attend dental school. The Hinds Community College transfer student and Hillcrest Christian School graduate sees no reason to go against the Gatewood family tradition.

The chance to play NCAA Division II sports in the Gulf South Conference attracted Payton Yawn, 20, of McComb. The Southwest Mississippi Community College transfer student will play for the MC Choctaws baseball team next spring. Off the diamond, he wants to get a first-class education and will major in business administration.

Chris Williams of Vicksburg transferred to MC from a university in Hawaii to get closer to home and join the Choctaws men’s soccer team this Fall.

MC’s international studies program sparked Maggie Morrison, 19, of Picayune to earn her degree on the Clinton campus. The former Pearl River Community College student joined her mom, Debbie Morrison, for the warm welcome from the MC family.