MSCC Gives Clothes to Help Kids at Weaver Elementary School

Michelle McMillan, Todd Pendergrass, and Gloria Elliot

Mid-South Community College, with the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society taking the lead, opened its collective pockets to reach out to students at Weaver Elementary School for the holiday season.

MSCC, which also “adopted” a class last year, raised $957 for the 2012 effort, and the money went toward clothing items that included sweatshirts, jeans, and T-shirts.

Marion, West Memphis Speakers Win MSCC Speech Contest Titles

Mid-South Community College students Shannon Jordan from Marion and Tristan Vaughn from West Memphis made the best oral presentations to win first-place awards at the Fall 2012 Speech Contest held on Tuesday (Nov. 27).

Jordan captured top honors in the Prepared Speaking competition, and Vaughn prevailed in the Impromptu Speaking division.

MSCC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Inducts 32 New Members

Mid-South Community College’s Beta Epsilon Psi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted 32 new members during its fall semester ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 29.

With the second consecutive large induction class, Beta Epsilon Psi earned a Level 5 Pinnacle Award for increasing its membership by 61 percent over 2011. The Pinnacle Award recognizes chapters and regions for successfully enhancing recruitment and orientation strategies.

MSCC Loses Two at Division I Southwest Tennessee Community College

MEMPHIIS – Mid-South Community College men’s and women’s teams started off strong against Division I foe Southwest Tennessee Community College Thursday, but the home teams pulled away for a pair of victories.

Lady Greyhounds
The Lady Greyhounds, looking to get back into the win column, fell short of their goal in a hard-fought 78-57 setback to the Lady Saluqis.

It was a game that started off the way MSCC planned. The Lady Greyhounds had the full-court press working, and it boosted them to an early lead.

However, MSCC players started to run out of steam the last five minutes of the first half, according to head coach Kim Turner.

Greyhounds Extend Win Streak; Lady Greyhounds Fall to Division I Foe

CONWAY – Mid-South Community College’s Greyhounds rolled to a 95-77 victory over Central Baptist College Tuesday night to increase their early-season winning streak to four games.

The Greyhounds dominated the game defensively, and head coach Chris Parker said that was the difference maker. In a previous meeting with CBC, MSCC struggled to rein in the hot-shooting Mustangs despite an 86-81 home victory.

“We did a much better job defensively,” Parker said. “Our defense really helped our offense as we got several transition baskets after steals. That was the main difference in the game.”

The Greyhounds led 51-37 at halftime and never let off of the gas. MSCC opened the second half on an 8-0 run and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Greyhounds Defeat Champion Baptist College for Third Straight Win

HOT SPRINGS – Freshman Rodney Ollison scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to key Mid-South Community College’s 90-80 win over Champion Baptist College on Monday, Nov. 19.
The victory gave the Greyhounds their third straight decision and moved them within one game of the .500 mark.

“Rodney has been giving some good minutes as a high-energy player,” said MSCC Coach Chris Parker. “He is very active and plays hard, and his energy was a big part of his ability to take advantage of an occasional mismatch. He is also active on the offensive boards, and he did a good job of scoring out of our offense.”

ServiceMaster Establishes Scholarship at MSCC

Pictured, from left, include Mid-South Community College
President Dr. Glen Fenter; Roshell Coleman, MSCC
Director of Workforce Technology; Andre Coleman,
ServiceMaster co-owner, and Patti Coleman,
MSCC Director of Advancement.

ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance of Memphis has established a Mid-South Community College scholarship program to encourage students in the MSCC Technical Center to pursue additional education after high school graduation.

Administered by the Mid-South Community College Foundation, the ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance Technical Scholarship fund supports the awarding of two $250 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have completed one of MSCC’s technical programs.

Lady Greyhounds top Lady Titans for Second Straight Victory

The Mid-South Community College Lady Greyhounds’ home opener Saturday finished just the way they wanted it to – with a win.

MSCC held off a late run by Middle Georgia Technical College to secure a 72-67 victory over the Lady Titans. The win gives the Lady Greyhounds a two-game winning streak and a 2-3 record on the young season.

The Lady Greyhounds jumped out on a 14-2 run to start the game and took a 34-26 lead over the visitors heading into halftime. However, the Lady Titans inched their way back and took their first lead of the game, 57-56, with 6:28 left to play in the second half.

Greyhounds Use Free Throws, Three-Pointers to Hold Off Middle Georgia

Mid-South Community College’s Greyhounds stormed to a 23-7 lead and used solid free-throw shooting and timely three-point buckets in the second half to defeat Middle Georgia Tech 80-71 at Marion Arena on Saturday.

“We came out the way we wanted to come out,” said Greyhounds’ head coach Chris Parker. “But (Middle Georgia Tech) is a good team, and we knew they would make a run. We were fortunate to hold them off at the end.”

MSCC led 39-27 at the intermission, but the Titans battled back to take their first lead of the game, 50-48, with 11:30 left to play in the second half. From there, the Greyhounds rebounded and regained the momentum down the stretch.

MSCC Basketball Players Learn Life Lessons at Ronald McDonald House®

Trevail Lee, Brittany King,
Eugene Palmer, and Jasmine Greer

Mid-South Community College basketball players recently took a break from their study and practice routines to volunteer as cooks at the Ronald McDonald House® in Memphis. They will likely not forget the experience anytime soon.

“As we fed those kids and their families, it helped me look at life in a different perspective,” said second-year Greyhound Trevail Lee. “I realized I don’t need to take anything for granted because it can be taken away from me any moment or any time. Seeing how those kids are not able to lead a normal life helps you realize life is too short to be complaining.”

“Just to see the children still smiling even though they know what they’re going through is something special,” added Brittany King of the Lady Greyhounds. “It just makes me think that when I’m mad or upset, I could be going through that. Those kids seem okay, so I should be okay as well.”

Sophomore Eugene Palmer, who has gone with teammates to the facility on two different occasions, called it “a really good experience. It was great cooking for the kids, and seeing them smiling was priceless. You can’t get that anywhere else. It also made me very thankful that I’m not in that situation.”

MSCC Names Kenneth Cunningham 2012-13 Academic All-Star

Mid-South Community College student Kenneth Cunningham from Marion has earned Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) Academic All-Star recognition for 2012-2013.

The 2010 Marion High School graduate received formal acknowledgment of his accomplishment at the recent AATYC Fall Conference, and he will receive a $500 scholarship for MSCC’s spring semester.

When notified about the honor, “I was a little shocked,” Cunningham said. “I didn’t think I was even in the running. I was really excited when I found out, and I was proud of myself because I didn’t think I would ever reach a stage of being able to be labeled an Academic All-Star. It really made me happy and made me want to push myself more.”

Holly Chevrolet, MSCC Team Up Again to Give Greyhound Fans a Chance to Win Car

Holly Chevrolet and Mid-South Community College are teaming up for the second time to give Greyhound fans a chance to shoot for a new fully-loaded Chevrolet Sonic, valued at $20,635.

MSCC supporters 18 and older who attend home games will be able to register for a chance to compete for an opportunity to ride home in style following the Greyhounds’ home finale on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Greyhounds Defeat Central Baptist JV for First Win

MARION – Trevail Lee scored 26 points, and Berkeley Boston made two momentum-changing blocks to lead Mid-South Community College to an 86-81 win over Central Baptist College’s junior varsity team on Saturday.

The victory is the Greyhounds’ first of the season after opening with four losses, and head Coach Chris Parker said it is nice to get the first one out of the way and be in the win column.

“It is always good to get that monkey off of your back,” Parker said. “Hopefully, our guys will settle down now that they have kind of got a taste of (winning).”

It was a back and forth game on Saturday. Every time the Greyhounds built a lead, the Mustangs managed to get right back in it with the three-point shot. Parker said he was simply happy his team prevailed against the sharp-shooting visitors from Conway.

“I don’t know if they always shoot the ball that way, but I haven’t seen very many teams shoot it like that,” Parker said. “So, we feel very fortunate to get a win against a team that seemed to be having a career night shooting.”

MSCC took a 43-42 lead going into halftime on a pick and roll, buzzer-beater three by Tyrone Willis. Willis knocked down several key threes in the game and finished with 11 points.

The big momentum shift for the Greyhounds came late in the second half, though.

Delta Caucus Urges Greater Economic Growth and Respect for Diversity in the Mid-South, Oct. 23-24, Regional Conference in West Memphis, Arkansas

In this crucial election season, over 130 Delta grassroots leaders will urge much greater action on the eight-state region's distressed economy to federal, regional and state "powers that be" at the Delta regional conference in West Memphis on Oct. 23-24. Key participants include:

• Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Mike Ross (AR), Mayor A. C. Wharton of Memphis, Jr. of Memphis, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Dustin McDaniel (AR), Prosecutor and Congressional candidate Scott Ellington (D-AR), Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill, Bob Nash, former senior White House aide to President Clinton, civil rights leaders, and other federal, regional and state officials on Oct. 23-24.

The two candidates in the First District election, Rep. Rick Crawford and Prosecutor Scott Ellington, will speak Wednesday morning to tell us what they would do to jump-start the Delta's economy if elected.

We will have President Beverly Robertson of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, as well as civil rights advocates addressing race relations in the wake of bigoted public statements by three Arkansas politicians regarding African Americans, slavery and other controversial matters. Gov. Mike Beebe (AR) will speak by video.

"For the first time ever the Delta Regional Conference will be held in the heart of the Delta rather than Washington, DC, because we did not want to ask financially strapped partners to take an expensive trip to DC in the fifth year of a weak economy, and the gridlock in Washington is so bad that it would not have been a productive dialogue in any case," said Lee Powell, Caucus Director.

The Memphis area is the heart of the vast Greater Delta Region extending from St. Louis and southern Illinois down through Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi to New Orleans.

Key Memphis participants include Rep. Cohen, Mayor Wharton, President Shirley Raines of the University of Memphis, President Beverly Robertson of the National Civil Rights Museum, Gregory Hall, Senior V.P., Technical Operations, FedEx Express, President Steve Bares of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Alan Gumbel of the Memphis Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), Minnie Bommer, civil rights advocate and rural economic development expert from Covington, TN, Greg Maxted, executive director of the Harahan Bridge project in Memphis, the nonprofit Shiloh Distribution Center from west Tennessee, and other west Tennessee leaders.

The opening session begins Tuesday evening at 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center, Mid-South Community College, West Memphis. President Glen Fenter of Mid-South Community College is our host.

The Delta conference session on Wednesday, Oct. 24 is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., again at the Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center, Mid-South College.

"In this crucial election season we are asking leaders of both parties to step up and tell us what they will do to turn around an economy that is sluggish nationwide and severely distressed in most of the Greater Delta Region," said Caucus Director Lee Powell. The Delta Caucus is particularly concerned about middle and lower income working families, African Americans, women and other minorities, and continuing our progress in race relations and civil rights.

There will also be a debate between Mid-South leaders expressing their views as to why President Obama or Gov. Mitt Romney would be better for the region's economy. Mayor Carl Redus of Pine Bluff, Arkansas is the pro-Obama speaker, Sen. Missy Irvin (R-AR) is the pro-Romney speaker.

The 130 Delta regional leaders from across the region are college and university presidents, mayors and other elected officials, nonprofit executives, corporations, experts in health care, job creation, civil rights and other vital regional issues.

The fundamental issue is job creation. Key issues will be support for investments in transportation and other infrastructure to create jobs and:

• support for full funding for the USDA SNAP and other federal nutrition programs, USDA Rural Development and aid to family farmers, as well as full funding for the DRA;

• health care for the underserved Delta;

• small business and entrepreneurialism for job creation;

• promotion for Delta Heritage tourism such as the civil rights movement historic sites;

• equitable tax reform to provide revenue to reduce the deficits and invest in the economy.

"A disturbing development is that we had been planning to celebrate our progress in civil rights and race relations in Arkansas and the region, but this plan was complicated by recent bigoted statements by three Arkansas politicians--such as Rep. Jon Hubbard's (R-Jonesboro) statement that African Americans benefited from slavery, and his comparison of Gov. Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to Nazis after they criticized his statement," Powell said.

Due to coverage of these disturbing comments in the national media, we have had to devote time to condemning these statements and emphasizing that this does not represent the true state of opinion in Arkansas and certainly not the Mid-South region as a whole.

The Delta Caucus calls upon Rep. Hubbard, Rep. Loy Mauch (R-Bismarck) to apologize and resign from the Arkansas legislature, and for candidate Charlie Fuqua (R-Batesville) to suspend his campaign for the legislature. Rep. Mauch said that Abraham Lincoln was a war criminal. Mr. Fuqua advocates the expulsion of all Muslims from the USA.

"We have speakers such as Beverly Robertson of the National Civil Rights Museum who are going to address the progress on civil rights in our region since the civil rights movement, as well as other advocates of diversity and progressive race relations. We will still move forward with that plan. It was hard enough before the bigoted statements to attract investment into the Delta and this was very damaging, to say the least," said Desha County Judge Mark McElroy, Delta Caucus Vice Chairman.

For a full detailed agenda, see the website at www.mdgc.us

Deadline Approaches for Spring 2013 Scholarships at MSCC

Students who plan to start or resume their higher education during the spring 2013 semester should check out the many scholarship opportunities at Mid-South Community College. The priority deadline for MSCC scholarship applications is Thursday, Nov. 1.

Awards are not limited to recent high school graduates or full-time students but include opportunities for returning learners, part-time students, working adults, and transfer students as well.

“If you will be enrolling for the spring semester, we urge you to complete an application today,” said Amy Cable, MSCC Financial Aid Director. “Scholarships are based on many different things, and we have awards for almost every kind of student.”

“We have scholarships for students interested in aviation maintenance, health care, manufacturing, machining, diesel technology, computer software applications, and general studies. We also have awards that emphasize community service. We encourage you to take advantage of these great opportunities for financial assistance at Mid-South Community College.”

Students must complete an MSCC scholarship application to be eligible for an award. Forms are available at the Financial Aid Office in the Donald W. Reynolds Center on the College’s South Campus.

Students seeking assistance from funds administered by the Mid-South Community College Foundation must also submit a typewritten summary of their educational goals and plans for the future. All applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well.
In addition to institutional awards for high academic achievers, MSCC offers numerous scholarship opportunities through the College’s Foundation.

Award amounts range from $150 to $600, and students are able to use the funds to meet a variety of college-related expenses. Foundation scholarships include the following:

A.B. Smith Jr. Non-Traditional Student Endowed Scholarship, Arkansas Greyhound Association Scholarship, Barbara A. Bird Memorial Scholarship, Brenda Gail Ask Memorial Scholarship, Bryant Lindsey Memorial Textbook Scholarship, Centurions for Christ Michael Waters Memorial Scholarship, Centurions for Christ Sgt. Glen Bailey Memorial Scholarship, Charley Bartholomew Memorial Scholarship,

Coach Cliff Garrison Scholarship, Crittenden County Board of Realtors/Ralph Sloan Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Crittenden County Farm Bureau Scholarship, Crittenden Emergency Medical Ambulance Service Scholarship, Crittenden National Bank Scholarship, David Brennan Ray Memorial ‘Sunshine’ Endowed Scholarship,

David Jacob Herren Memorial Scholarship, Donna and Fred Goodfellow Scholarship, Dorothy Gautreaux Memorial Leadership Scholarship, Ford Turner Memorial Scholarship, G. A. Robinson Jr. Aviation Flight School Scholarship, Gene Arnold Memorial Scholarship, Greyhound Breeders of Arkansas Scholarship, Grover Lloyd Agricultural Aviation Scholarship,

Harold Patterson Memorial Athletic Scholarship, Hattie M. Kemp Memorial Scholarship, Isabelle Kate and Beau Franklin Fenter Scholarship, Jimmie C. Barham Scholarship, Jimmie Ladd Richardson Scholarship, Jimmy Moudy Memorial Scholarship, John Gammon, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, La Coterie Scholarship,

Lee Catt ‘Find Me Foundation’ Memorial Scholarship, Mac D. Holmes Family Memorial Scholarship, Mae and Charlie Wah Community Service Scholarship, Marvin Steele Endowed Scholarship, Mary and John P. Wilson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Mary Meux Toney Scholarship,

Maxine Neri Memorial Scholarship, Molly Whistle Paudert Endowed Scholarship, MSCC Working Student Scholarship, Paul Gray Memorial Scholarship, Phillip M. Brick Sr. Memorial Athletic Endowed Scholarship, Reed C. and Frank G. Fogleman Memorial Scholarship,

Reverend and Mrs. Zilmon Barr Memorial Scholarship, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation Technical Scholarship, Robert Crittenden Chapter NSDAR Scholarship, Roberta Jackson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Rosewood United Methodist Church Endowed Scholarship, Ross Tyler Johnson Hamilton Foundation Scholarship,

Roy L. Gray Working Man Scholarship, Sam G. Ashworth Memorial Scholarship, Sanders Family Memorial Scholarship, Sean Coulter and Jennifer Coulter Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Senator Mike Everett Memorial Scholarship, ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance Technical Scholarship,
Shelley and Jim Pugh Scholarship, Sorrells Family Scholarship, Southland Park Gaming and Racing Endowed Scholarship, Stephen M. Brick Memorial Scholarship, Thomas B. Goldsby Jr. Scholarship for Concurrently-Enrolled High School Students, Todd Allen Scholarship,

Tommy Gadberry Textbook Scholarship, Upton Family Memorial Scholarship, Verneil and A.L. Reed Memorial Endowed Scholarship, West Memphis Quota Club International Scholarship, West Memphis Recycling Scholarship, and West Memphis Rotary Partners in Education Scholarship.
Registration for MSCC’s Spring 2013 semester will be held on Jan. 7-8. Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 14.

A comprehensive community college, MSCC offers credit classes in Addiction Counseling; Allied Health Sciences; Aviation Maintenance Technology; Biology; Business; Chemistry; Computer Applications; College “Survival” and Study Skills; Computer Basics; Cultural Anthropology; Developmental English, Math, and Reading; Diesel Technology; Digital Media (film and video production); Economics; Education; Emergency Management; English; Geography; History; Health and Physical Education; Information Systems Technology; Machine Technology; Manufacturing; Math; Music; Philosophy; Political Science; Physical Science; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish, and Welding.

For more information on scholarship opportunities at Mid-South Community College, call the Financial Aid Office at 733-6729, access the college’s website at www.midsouthcc.edu, email finaid@midsouthcc.edu, or visit the campus at 2000 West Broadway, West Memphis.

Marion, West Memphis Runners Set Pace at MSCC’s Greyhound 5K

Jason Webb of Marion and Candice Smith of West Memphis won the overall titles at the first Greyhound 5K on Saturday, Oct. 6. More than 280 runners and walkers competed in the event which started and finished on the campus of Mid-South Community College.

“We are really excited about the turnout for the inaugural Greyhound 5K,” said Jason Carmichael, Mid-South Community College Athletic Director and Dean of Students. “For a first time, I think everything went well. We heard good feedback from runners, and that’s always a positive sign.”

MSCC Awarded $2.5 Million for Job, Skills Development Training

Mid-South Community College has been awarded a three-year, $2.5 million grant designed to promote skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, science, technology, and engineering.

The grant is part of President Barack Obama’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) initiative. The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing and administering the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.

“This grant gives our institution an unprecedented opportunity to enhance our ongoing efforts to build a world-class workforce in our region,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “Industry experts have been telling us for several years that there is a serious skills gap within advanced manufacturing and related fields. The TAACCCT grant will give us the resources we need to help fill some of those gaps.”

Family, Mid-South Community College Establish Endowment in Memory of Patrick Michael Murphy

The Murphy family and Mid-South Community College have established the Patrick Michael Murphy Endowment for Business. The endowment, in memory of the long-time Foundation Board chair and friend of the college, will be used to enhance business education and instruction at MSCC.

“Mike played a vitally important role in this community for a number of years, and what he did for the college was extraordinary,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “Mike, both personally and professionally, set a great example of philanthropy in our community, and it would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t been touched by his generosity.”

“While this endowment doesn’t begin to demonstrate our full appreciation for all Mike did for the College, we anticipate that it will keep his memory and spirit alive for generations to come.”

MSCC Hires Forrest City Native as VP for Learning and Instruction

Dr. Cliff E. Jones, a Forrest City native who worked previously at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, has been named Vice President for Learning and Instruction at Mid-South Community College.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Jones join the MSCC team, and we’re looking forward to the
contributions he will make to our academic programs and initiatives,” said Dr. Barbara Baxter, Executive Vice President. “He strongly supports quality teaching and active student learning, both of which are very important to our institution.”

“Dr. Jones is also very knowledgeable about national and state issues and policies which affect community colleges. He is dedicated to providing quality academic programs and services that promote a strong citizenry and economic advancement for eastern Arkansas.”

MSCC Accepts FedEx 727 Jetliner at Stuttgart Airport; Aircraft Will be Used for Airframe/Powerplant Training

Mid-South Community College acquired a signature and iconic piece of training equipment for its Aviation Maintenance Technology program on Monday when it accepted a FedEx 727 jet at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport.

FedEx pilots, with MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter and ADTEC Liaison for Special Projects Dr. Gibson “Sunny” Morris on board for the final flight, took off from Memphis around 8:40 a.m. and landed about 20 minutes later in Prairie County, Ark.

“Obviously a plane of that caliber will be a great opportunity for our students to have access to technology that we otherwise would not have been able to provide for them,” Dr. Fenter said. “It certainly sets our Aviation Maintenance program apart from a lot of other programs in the country.”

MSCC Riding in Fast Lane of Information/Digital Superhighway

Mid-South Community College remains in the fast lane of the information superhighway for the fall 2012 by offering nearly 40 computer-related courses for novices through networking wizards.

Everything from Intro to Computers for those who want to gain a basic understanding of how the technology works to UNIX System Administration I for second-year students is being offered for the term which begins Monday, Aug. 20.

MSCC’s Final New Student Orientation Session for Fall Set for Aug. 2

Mid-South Community College will conduct its final New Student Orientation session for the fall semester on Thursday, Aug. 2, 1-5 p.m., in the Wilson Conference Center in Magruder Hall.

Students may register online by clicking on the Orientation Sign-In Summer 2012 link on MSCC’s home page, www.midsouthcc.edu, or by calling the Learning Success Center at (870) 733-6766. All participants will receive a custom-designed MSCC T-shirt.

Mid-South’s fall classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 20, and regular registration will be held Monday, Aug. 6, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 7, 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

MSCC Signs 6-6 Forward/Center from Conway High

Xavier Clardy, who contributed significantly to 63 Conway High School victories in three years, has signed to continue his basketball career at Mid-South Community College.

“With Xavier, we have someone who is coming from a winning program, and he understands accountability and responsibility,” said Greyhounds’ head coach Chris Parker. “He knows what it takes to truly excel on the court.”

“We see him playing the post, but in our system, he’s also going to have some ball-handling assignments and will play what we call a ‘step-out four.’ He has a nice touch and can shoot the ball, but we’re also very impressed with his footwork around the basket.”

Germantown Player Inks with Greyhounds for 2012-13

Marquavious Smith, a 6-6 forward from Germantown (Tenn.) High School, has signed to continue his basketball career at Mid-South Community College.

Smith averaged 4.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a team-leading 1.9 blocks per game for head coach Marvis Davis. The two-year letterman also served as team captain as a senior and posted highs of 11 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocked shots.

“Marquavious is probably as good an athlete as we’ve had at Mid-South Community College,” said Greyhounds’ head coach Chris Parker. “He loves to catch the alley-oop and has a really nice jump shot all the way out to the three-point line.”

MSCC’s Next New Student Orientation Session Set for July 10

Mid-South Community College will conduct its second New Student Orientation session on Tuesday, July 10, 5:30-8 p.m., and students should register by Tuesday, July 3, to participate. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Students may sign up online by clicking on the Orientation Sign-In Summer 2012 link on MSCC’s home page, www.midsouthcc.edu, or by calling the Learning Success Center at (870) 733-6766. All participants will receive a custom-designed MSCC T-shirt.

Southland Park Pledging $1 Million in Support of MSCC Hospitality Program

Southland Park Gaming and Racing, which has teamed up with Mid-South Community College on many occasions to expand higher learning opportunities in the region, has stepped to the forefront once again. Southland plans to invest $1 million in the next 10 years to support a hospitality/food service training program at the college that will provide a myriad of benefits for Eastern Arkansas.

“For some time now, we have been trying to figure out a way to develop a hospitality program that would enhance existing and entrepreneurial ventures to catalyze local economic development,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, MSCC President. “In keeping with their long-standing tradition of corporate citizenship, the folks at Southland have agreed to partner with us one more time to help galvanize what we think will be an exciting and overwhelmingly positive initiative for our region.”

Southland Park, Mid-South Community College to Make Major Announcement on Thursday, June 21

Troy L. Keeping, Southland Park Gaming and Racing president and general manager, and Dr. Glen Fenter, Mid-South Community College president, will announce a significant, new educational/economic development partnership on Thursday, June 21. The presentation will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the rotunda of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Educational Excellence located on MSCC’s South Campus, 2000 West Broadway, West Memphis.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Lady Greyhound Center Signs with Rust College

Jozetta Wright, a two-year starter for the Mid-South Community College Lady Greyhounds, has signed to continue her basketball career and higher education at Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss.

“This is a very big opportunity for me, and I’m so grateful to further my education because years ago I didn’t think I was college material,” Wright said. “I am so grateful and thankful to Mid-South Community College because the people there have done a lot for me. I’m very humbled.”

MSCC Sets Mandatory Orientation Sessions for June 26, July 10, Aug. 2

Beginning this summer, all first-time, degree-seeking students at Mid-South Community College will be required to attend one of three New Student Orientation sessions before classes begin on Monday, Aug. 20.

Orientation will be held on June 26 and Aug. 2, 1-5 p.m. both days, and July 10, 5:30-8 p.m.

Registration deadlines for the events are June 19, July 3, and July 26. Seating is limited for each session, so students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible for the one they want to attend.

Students may register online by clicking on the Orientation Sign-In Summer 2012 link on MSCC’s home page, www.midsouthcc.edu, or by calling the Learning Success Center at (870) 733-6766. All participants will receive a custom-designed MSCC T-shirt.

MSCC Graduation Speaker Tells Students to Set Lofty Goals, Work with Conviction

Setting challenging goals and working with conviction, when coupled with the “magic” of higher education, make personal and professional success possible, says advertising/marketing expert Michael Steele.

Steele, speaking to the largest graduating class in the history of Mid-South Community College, encouraged students to work hard, dream big, and ignore critics.

"How MSCC Changed My Life" Video Contest

Students (past, previous, continuing), submit a video telling us how MSCC has changed your life and you could win $500, $300, or $100!

Southland Park, WM Advertising and Promotion Commission Step Up to Sponsor MSCC Greyhound 5K

Southland Park Gaming and Racing has signed on as Title Sponsor, and the West Memphis Advertising and Promotion Commission will be the Presenting Sponsor for Mid-South Community College’s Greyhound 5K Run/Walk.

“We intend to make this a premier event in the Mid-South, and the phenomenal commitments made by Southland Park and the Advertising and Promotion Commission have paved the way for a first-rate production,” said Jason Carmichael, MSCC Athletic Director.

MSCC Employees Attend Marginal Male Strategy Session

From left, Tony Wilson, john a. powell, and Robert Oselen

NOTE: The keynote speaker for the conference spells his name without capital letters. Per his wishes, references to him are all lower case, except when his last name is used at the beginning of a sentence.

Mid-South Community College’s Title III PBI Academic Counselor Robert Oselen Jr. and Student Activities Coordinator Tony Wilson recently attended a presentation they hope will strengthen the institution’s male mentoring efforts.

The MSCC employees participated in “Promoting Opportunity for Marginal Male Workforce Education Consortium: A Strategy Session with john a. powell,” in Little Rock. Powell is an internationally-recognized authority in the areas of civil rights and civil liberties and a wide range of issues including race, structural racism, ethnicity, housing, poverty and democracy.

MSCC Students Earn 18 Medals at SkillsUSA State Championship

Mid-South Community College students teamed up to win two gold, nine silver, and seven bronze medals at the Arkansas SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championship at Hot Springs on April 18-20.
 

“We are excited and proud of our students for performing so admirably at the state competition,” said Donnylle P. Hampton, Program Coordinator of the MSCC Technical Center. “It’s a great confidence builder for them to do well against the best students from other schools in the state.”

International Honor Society at MSCC Inducts New Members

Mid-South Community College’s Beta Epsilon Psi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted 30 new members during its spring semester ceremony on Monday, April 23.
 

Chapter Vice President Lori Wilson of West Memphis welcomed and addressed the new members, and Secretary Rhonda Butler of Hughes introduced continuing members and advisors.

MSCC Greyhounds to Play Next Two Years in NJCAA Division II

Mid-South Community College has successfully petitioned the National Junior College Athletic Association to move from Division III to Division II for the 2012-13 and 2013-2014 basketball seasons.
 

The change will allow MSCC to offer tuition, fee, and book scholarships to studentathletes, will give the Greyhounds a better opportunity to qualify for post-season play, and will make playoff participation more economically feasible.

Marion Residents Sweep MSCC Speech Contest Titles

Mid-South Community College students Rhonda Carter and Tyler Woolbright, both from Marion, made the best oral presentations to win first-place awards at the 2012 Speech Contest held on Wednesday (April 18).
 

Carter captured top honors and a $100 gift card in the Prepared Speech competition, and Woolbright prevailed in the Impromptu Speaking division and earned a $50 gift card.

MSCC Student to Participate in Arkansas 2032 Conference

Lori King-Wilson of West Memphis will represent Mid-South Community College at the Arkansas 2032 Conference at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service April 27-28.
 

The conference, coordinated by graduate student Nate Looney, will bring together student representatives from Arkansas public and private higher education institutions to critically assess and offer solutions for some of the most pressing issues in the state over the next 20 years.

MSCC Receives Grant to Enhance Entrepreneurship, Job Growth

Mid-South Community College has been awarded a $19,950 grant to train local entrepreneurs so they can start or expand their own businesses and create additional jobs in the region.

The Delta Regional Authority and the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Southeast Missouri State University announced nearly $185,000 in grants funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s PRIME program and the DRA.
 

The objective of the effort is to increase the capacity for communities to train, support, and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs and to accelerate the number of new ventures created each year throughout the region. The cornerstone of the project is the nationally recognized Operation JumpStart SM entrepreneurship development program offered by the CIE.

MSCC Students Earn Record Number of Foundation Scholarships

Mid-South Community College students received a record number of privately-funded scholarships during the spring 2012 semester, thanks to an ever-increasing list of benefactors of the MSCC Foundation.

“We continue to add new scholarships every year, and that is really exciting,” said Patti Coleman, MSCC Director of Advancement. “I am continually amazed at the generosity of the people of Crittenden County, especially during such challenging economic times. I appreciate their willingness to invest in our efforts to secure a brighter future for our students, and I know the scholarship recipients are very thankful for the assistance.

Daughter Establishes MSCC Scholarship in Memory of Harold Patterson

Tabetha Patterson Bramucci of Marion has established a scholarship in memory and recognition of her father’s legacy as a successful businessman and an avid sports fan and mentor of local athletes.

The Harold Patterson Memorial Athletic Scholarship fund will support the awarding of a $500 scholarship to an MSCC student-athlete each fall and spring semester.

“My father was a very generous, giving man; he was constantly doing for others,” Bramucci said. “I want people to think about him and the good things he has done in this area, and I thought this would be a perfect way to remember him."

Early Registration for Summer/Fall Begins for Current MSCC Students

Early registration for Mid-South Community College’s summer and fall 2012 terms has begun and will continue through Friday, April 20, for current MSCC students.

Summer classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, June 4, and fall classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 20.

“Early registration is always the best time to sign up for classes,” said Jeremy Reece, MSCC Director of Enrollment Services. “Our course and time selections are at their best right now, so we encourage students to enroll as soon as possible.”

MSCC’s Title III PBI Staff Attends Black, Brown, College Bound Summit

Paula Rose-Greer, Yolanda Reyes-Guevara, & Perry Studevent

TAMPA, Fla. – Staff members of Mid-South Community College’s Title III Predominantly Black Institution Grant department participated in the recent 6th Annual Black, Brown, and College Bound 2012: Meeting the Challenge of Higher Education Summit.

Hosted by Hillsborough Community College, the conference focused on the theme, “And Still We Rise: Turning Hurdles into Triumphs for African American & Latino Males.”

MSCC Joins American Welding Society, Pursues Program Certification

Pete Selden and Ed Cook

Mid-South Community College has taken the first step toward overall program certification by joining the American Welding Society (AWS) as an Institutional Member.

“The institutional membership recognizes that we have started that process, and what we have effectively done is invest in a comprehensive curriculum to make sure what we’re teaching aligns with American Welding Society and National Center for Construction Education and Research standards,” explained Pete Selden, MSCC Workforce Technology Program Specialist.

MSCC President to Speak at Education-Economic Development Summit

Dr. Glen Fenter

Mid-South Community College President Dr. Glen Fenter will speak at the 2nd National Summit on the Role of Education in Economic Development in Rural America in Washington, D.C., on April 17.

Roger Sampson, president of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), invited Dr. Fenter to make a presentation with Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chair Chris Masingill.

MSCC Offering Free Training, Testing for Welding Certification

Mid-South Community College, with grant assistance from the Arkansas Energy Sector Partnership, is providing free evaluation, training, and testing to help area welders earn American Welders Society (AWS) certification.

Welders with AWS credentials are much more likely to be hired than their counterparts without certification, and some projects/companies require the formal documentation of expertise.

Arkansas’ Two-Year Colleges Promoting Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship Announcement Participants

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) has launched a statewide effort to promote entrepreneurship. Seventeen of the state’s public two-year colleges have committed to promoting job creation through entrepreneurship in order to impact the economic well-being of the communities they serve.
 

Participating institutions, including Mid-South Community College, signed on to commitments developed by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) as part of their Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. NACCE is the nation's leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. The commitments are based on their observations of best practices in supporting and promoting entrepreneurs on community college campuses.

MSCC Students, Staff Participate in Minority Male Conference

Mid-South Community College’s Men Aspiring to Lead and Excel (M.A.L.E.) Mentoring organization along with the new Title III Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) Grant Department teamed up to take eight students to the Minority Male Conference in Little Rock.
 

Pulaski Technical College hosted the third annual event on Friday, Feb. 24. The learning experience is one of the project tasks aligned within the PBI Grant’s Goal II: Develop the engagement and self-confidence of African American male students to increase their success, retention and completion.

MSCC Meeting Regional Needs with Current, Future Programs

In a continuing effort to lead the region as an energetic, innovative, and resourceful organization focused on individual and economic growth, Mid-South Community College is meeting challenges for 2012 and beyond.
 

“We have great facilities, great technology, and great people,” says MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “There’s not a better place on the planet to pursue higher education than Mid-South Community College. Nobody cares more about students, and nobody’s going to work harder to help them to succeed or be more excited when they are successful.”

Work to Begin Soon on MSCC’s $5 Million ‘Safe Room,’ Wellness Center

All of the paperwork has been completed, a construction firm has been hired, and dirt work will begin soon on a combination “safe room” and wellness center at Mid-South Community College.
 

With the help of a $784,010 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the facility will include a large amount of space designed to provide temporary protection to students, employees, and local residents in the event of tornadoes and/or severe straight-line winds. In addition $250,000 of a Title III Predominantly Black Institutions grant awarded in October 2011 will support the inclusion of amenities to enhance student activities designed to increase minority student retention to goal achievement.

Family Establishes MSCC Athletic Scholarship in Memory of Phillip Brick Sr.

The Brick family has established the Phillip M. Brick, Sr. Memorial Athletic Scholarship at Mid-South Community College in recognition of Phillip’s countless and selfless contributions to his family and community. Brick, 56, succumbed to cancer on Feb. 25.

“He was the ultimate sports fan (especially of the Arkansas Razorbacks), and he would be elated about this scholarship,” said his brother David Brick. “Phillip never liked people making a big fuss over him, but I’m sure he would be happy with this. I’m glad we can honor him in this way and keep his memory going.”

West Memphis Schools Win 5 of 6 at Regional Math Contest at MSCC

West Memphis High School won three first-place awards; West Junior High earned two, and Rivercrest High captured one at Saturday’s Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics contest at Mid-South Community College.

WMHS won the Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and Calculus competitions, and WJHS prevailed in Algebra I and Algebra II. Rivercrest triumphed in Geometry to prevent a West Memphis sweep.

MSCC Hosts Counselor Appreciation Day

Guidance counselors from Crittenden and Shelby counties gathered at Mid-South Community College recently to tour the campus, meet with instructors and staff, and learn about cutting-edge educational opportunities.

“We’re going to share a lot of information with you in a very short period of time, but we want you
to remember one thing,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter in his welcome. “There’s not a better place on the planet for your students than Mid-South Community College.”

MSCC, Students Dealing with Federal Financial Aid Changes, Challenges

Significant changes to the federal financial aid system, specifically Pell Grants, will impact students beginning this fall, but Mid-South Community College is already working to meet the new challenges.

“We are doing everything we can to make our students aware of these changes and to help them make informed decisions about their futures,” said LeChelle Davenport, MSCC Director of Financial Aid. “We’re hoping this new legislation will not put an undue burden on any of our students, and we are prepared to do everything possible to help people who are serious about starting or continuing their education.”

MSCC Offering Week-Long Inspection Authorization Test Prep Course

Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas, with funding provided through a $3.4 million U.S. Department of Labor grant, is offering a week-long aviation Inspection Authorization (IA) test preparation course March 19-23.

The grant, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will provide scholarships to cover the cost of tuition ($800) for up to 60 certified Airframe and Powerplant technicians who meet Federal Aviation Administration qualifications and prerequisites for the course. Attendees are responsible for transportation, meal, and lodging expenses.

PR Executive Encourages Dreams, Hard Work, Education, Benevolence at MSCC Presentation

Big dreams, hard work, higher education, and a giving spirit are the keys to lifelong success, said public relations professional Michael Steele at Mid-South Community College’s Black History Month program on Feb. 10.

Speaking to a good crowd of students, staff, board members, and community guests, the president/CEO of Advantage Communications of Little Rock encouraged all listeners to maximize their potential. His presentation mirrored the program theme, “Raising My Standards to Achieve My Dream.”

MSCC, Crittenden Regional Hospital Partnering on Respiratory Care Program

Mid-South Community College and Crittenden Regional Hospital have partnered to design and implement a respiratory care program that will enhance patient care throughout the region.

Beginning in the fall semester of 2012, MSCC will offer an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care that will train students to meet growing healthcare needs. Informational sessions about the program have been scheduled for noon and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Allied Health Center, room AH 113. Anyone interested is welcome and encouraged to attend.

MSCC Earns Second “Military Friendly” Rating from Magazine

Mid-South Community College has been selected – for the second time – as a Top Military-Friendly College by “Military Advanced Education,” a magazine for service members and veterans seeking to access educational benefits.
 

“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate your entire faculty and staff for their efforts,” wrote Glenn R. Berlin, MAE Associate Publisher in a laudatory email. “No school is more dedicated to promoting quality educational programs that serve all branches of our Armed Services and I am proud to be able to work with you….”

MSCC Hires Experienced, Successful Industrial Training Coordinator

Anita K. Brackin, who has more than 19 years of experience in coordinating customized credit and non-credit industrial training, has joined the staff of Mid-South Community College as Director of Business and Industry Services.
 

Brackin comes to MSCC from Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville where she spent nearly two decades identifying, developing, and implementing training activities relative to the needs of regional businesses and industries.
 

Family Establishes MSCC Scholarship in Memory of Uptons

Through the generosity of the family in memory of Lillian and Charles J. Upton Sr. and Charles J. Upton Jr., the Upton Family Memorial Scholarship has been established at Mid-South Community College.
 

Upton family members have lived in West Memphis/Crittenden County for more than 70 years and have been actively involved in the business, social, and education communities. Mrs. Pam Upton Capps and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Upton established the scholarship as a way to honor their parents’ and grandparents’ memories while providing much-needed financial support for dedicated and deserving students.
 

MSCC Sets Greyhound 5K Run/Walk for October 6

Mid-South Community College, in collaboration with Start 2 Finish Event Management of Memphis, will host the first Greyhound 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 6. Proceeds from the race will go toward MSCC’s athletic program. The Greyhound 5K, which will start and finish on the Mid-South campus in West Memphis, is expected to draw hundreds of participants, from serious runners to families with strollers. The race will begin at 9 a.m.
 
“We see the Greyhound 5K as something that will be good for the community and something that will be good for the college to promote and publicize our athletic program,” said Jason Carmichael, MSCC Athletic Director. “The city has been very welcoming to the idea, and I’ve been encouraged from the other feedback we have received.” 

MSCC Promotes Weaver to Associate VP for Finance

Mid-South Community College has promoted Karyn Weaver to Associate Vice President for Finance. She previously worked in the Finance Office as controller for the college.
 

“Karyn has worked hard and has been a major asset to the college,” said Susan Marshall, CPA, Vice President for Finance and Administration. “We couldn’t do what we do without her.”