MSCC Provides Clothes, Toys to Kids at Three Elementary Schools

Mid-South Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society chapter has made the holiday season much brighter for students at Faulk, Jackson, and Weaver elementary schools in West Memphis.

With a generous response from MSCC students and staff, Phi Theta Kappa provided more than $700 worth of Christmas cheer to children in special needs classrooms at the three schools. PTK collected dollars, spare change, and direct donations for about a month to help put smiles on the faces of more than 50 West Memphis-area children.

Honor society members and other campus volunteers gathered Tuesday, Dec. 16, to wrap presents for the youngsters. MSCC representatives, as well as Santa Claus, went to the schools on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to deliver the gifts. PTK member Laura Buralli participated in the gift distribution, and fellow member Robin Abbott devoted time to the organization’s fund-raising effort at the basketball concession stand and helped to prepare the gifts for the children.

West Memphis Rotary Donates $1,000 to Literacy Council

The Crittenden County Literacy Council, based at Mid-South Community College, has additional funding for educational supplies and promotional efforts thanks to a generous contribution from the West Memphis Rotary Club.

Local Rotarians recently donated $1,000 to the Literacy Council to support efforts to reach out to area residents in need of educational assistance. As many as one in three Crittenden County citizens is considered functionally illiterate, which means they read at or below the fifth-grade level.

“The West Memphis Rotary Club’s donation is a significant blessing for us,” said Jacki Murase, Literacy Council Coordinator. “Our Council has grown to 30 students and 20 tutors in the last three months, so our need for additional supplies and educational materials has increased considerably.”

MSCC’s Adult Ed Overcoming Misinformation, Meeting County Needs

One year ago, Mid-South Community College’s Adult Education department began bracing for a major change that some thought would sink the program.

A new General Education Development® examination had been created, and the cost of the test was expected to go from free to more than $100, effectively ending access for many of those who needed the service and opportunity the most.

Today, however, MSCC’s efforts to help Arkansas citizens earn a high school diploma equivalency are going strong thanks to some last-minute adjustments by the state.

Gov. Beebe Appoints Dr. Barr to MSCC Board of Trustees

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has appointed Marian Barr, M.D., to the Mid-South Community College Board of Trustees. Dr. Barr, whose term runs through July 1, 2019, replaces Milton Nicks Jr. who stepped down after winning election to the Arkansas House of Representatives (District 50).

“We are certainly excited to have Dr. Barr on the board,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “She is a great proponent of higher education, and her roots run deep in Crittenden County. Dr. Barr previously served with distinction on our Foundation Board, and her insight and vision will be invaluable to our efforts to keep the institution moving forward.”