February 2016 beacon

67th Year--Vol. II

Northeast Mississippi Community College--Booneville, Miss.

February 2, 2016

Student Activities schedules a bevy of events Spring semester packed with karaoke night, movie nights and cookouts

By Jourdan Samuelson, Staff Writer

With most of the semester still to come, the Student Activities office has been busy planning events for the student body to enjoy.

During the month of February and while the winter weather continues to grip campus, Student Activities and the Student Government Association (SGA) has plenty of fun activities to help the student body break away from ol’ man winter.

Karaoke Night is currently set for Tuesday, February 2 and is open to anyone willing to sing his or her heart out in public.

Sign-ups are also underway for Tigers Got Talent until Tuesday, February 2. The event is set for Tuesday, February 16 in the Seth Pounds Auditorium.

With 2016 being a Leap Year, Student Activities and SGA has special plans for Monday, February 29 for the day that happens just every four years.

An old adage says, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” and it’s true with the events of the SGA as the activities continue until Spring Break (March 11-20).

Movie Night takes center stage before students release for Spring Break when Student Activities show the cinema

flick, “War Room” on Tuesday, March 8.

Easter happens early this year and with the holiday falling just a week after Spring Break, Student Activities takes advantage of the opportunity and to hold a campuswide Easter egg hunt on March 21-23.

BINGO, with some great prizes as always, happens on March 29 to round out the month.

As students start to get anxious in April preparing for finals and summer break, Student Activities has a bevy of events planned to help students find a release from the rigors of the classroom.

Northeast’s SGA will celebrate one of the last home baseball doubleheaders with a cookout on April 5 as the Tigers take on the Bulldogs of Holmes Community College at 1 and 4 p.m. at Harold T. White Field at Booneville City Park.

Northeast’s annual Spring Fling is set for April 11-14.

May brings the end of the semester for students but Student Activities is able to squeeze in its ever-popular “Fueling for Finals,” on May 2, where Northeast faculty/ staff and administration serve a breakfast to students the night before finals to help ensure a positive finals experience.

Calendar of Events February

February 2 Karaoke Night February 16 Tigers Got Talent February 29 Leap Year Day

March

March 8 War Room Movie Night March 14-18 Spring Break March 21-23 On Campus Easter Egg Hunt March 29 Bingo Night

April

April 5 Baseball Cookout April 11-14 Spring Fling

May

May 2 Fueling For Finals

Northeast opens book on VitalSource Program put in place to save students money on textbooks

By Sam Marino, Staff Writer

Marshall Grooms (above), a worker with the Northeast HelpDesk aids a student in setting up their VitalSource account and Bookshelf app during a training session earlier this semester. Northeast offered a variety of work sessions for faculty, staff and students to seek help if they were experiencing problems with VitalSource, the BookShelf app or any of their courses.

Since the spring semester is almost a month old, most students have probably heard of Vital Source, a new system of accessing text book information Northeast is implementing for the first time this year.

Recently, Executive Vice President Craig-Ellis Sasser shed light on some hazy topics surrounding the new system.

According to Sasser, Vital Source was designed by Northeast to bring more efficient learning to the classroom and making textbooks less expensive for students. It is the primary source for Northeast textbooks for the coming semesters and will help to make getting and using textbooks easier than before.

How inexpensive? In comparison to last semester, textbook costs will be significantly reduced.

“Buying the books and access codes for all the classes last semester would usually go for around $900,” Sasser estimated.

Now with Vital Source, it will cost around 50 percent less, around $450, and gives students the textbooks and access codes at the beginning of the semester.”

This is a tremendous benefit to students, especially those without financial aid. It also means students don’t have to purchase books from external sites with the risk of getting the wrong textbook, faulty access code, or receiving either late.

Students will only receive an e-book when they register. Some alternatives include purchasing a hard copy of the textbook at the bookstore for approximately $25-$40, or print ten pages at a time for a quick reference. Students can also download the e-book straight to a device with the Bookshelf app so you do not need an internet connection to read it.

Some courses will not be supported

by Vital Source. Those courses will be handled the same as in previous semesters.

Sasser confirmed Northeast plans to add publisher Norton (English and American Literature) to the program in the 2016 fall semester.

Some are concerned about the system and would prefer not to start using this new program. While it may not be apparent at first, Vital Source will be a very useful tool

“Buying the books and access codes for all the classes last semester would usually go for around $900. Now with Vital Source, it will cost around 50 percent less, around $450, and gives students the textbooks and access codes at the beginning of the semester.”

Craig-Ellis Sasser

NEMCC Executive Vice President

for the Northeast campus community.

One of the major complaints is that some instructors do not use the textbooks and therefore it is a waste of money.

“The instructors in question have been instructed to use the textbooks in some way,” Sasser noted. “Students have always felt they purchase books they don’t use a lot. Now it’s just cheaper.”

Other complaints mostly revolve around how the program is a part of the curriculum and is not optional. Asked if administrators plan to modify the requirements for unsatisfied students stating, Sasser explained, “We do not plan to. Students are, more often than not, more successful with the textbooks than without.”

Sasser concluded over time students will get used to the new system and especially the savings.

Opinion

2

The Beacon

Tigers’ Roar Questions: How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? What are your plans?

Pablo Carrillo Ripley, Miss.

Freshman

Nathan Cleveland Dennis, Miss.

Freshman

V’lenchia Farmer Calhoun City, Miss.

Sophomore

Javon Green New Orleans, La. Sophomore

I feel as if it is too expensive.

I plan to kick it with my homies.

It is pretty dumb. Why is there just a day for love? We should each other every day.

I hope to feel very loved and go out to a fancy restaurant and the movies.

I don’t like Valentine’s Day. Your significant other thinks they need to get something. I plan to sit back and chill.

Abby Jackson Ripley, Miss.

Freshman

England Lamons Galveston, Texas Freshman

Kendrick Lofton Forrest, Miss.

Freshman

I enjoy Valentine’s Day. I have a boyfriend but we do not have any current plans.

Valentine’s Day is okay. I hope to have some plans.

I feel like it is a special day.

You can treat your girl like a queen. We plan on going to the movies and out to eat.

Madison Moore Fulton, Miss.

Freshman I do not like Valentine’s Day. It is awkward and taking one day out of the year to capitalize on love is unnecessary but the history of Valentine’s Day is interesting. I plan to live and love like normal.

Edward Morfin Ripley, Miss.

Freshman It is just a regular day with my special someone. I have no plans but am trying to make it special.

Jalen Peterson Ripley, Miss.

Sophomore

Woodrow Prince West Point, Miss.

Sophomore

I don’t feel anything, I am single.

I hope to find me a girl.

I like it. I get to spend the time with my girl.

I plan on going to the movies and out to eat.

Vacant lot offers opportunities for Northeast Staff Editorial Some students have noticed a vacant lot on campus between Patterson Hall and the recently renamed Cartwright Hall. Some students have walked by the lot and not even noticed it.

There are many possibilities that Northeast could explore to enhance the campus experience.

One of the first options to consider is a sitting area – either of benches or of tables with umbrellas for those who want to enjoy the outdoors after picking up a beverage at the Bookstore coffee bar.

While the lot is small, the college could put a small amount of money into sprucing up the lot to make it an area for students and faculty/staff to enjoy during their downtime between classes.

This would make a great alternative for students to hang out between classes because there are limited spaces for them to sit and have a conversation on campus.

There are benches at the Eula Dees Memorial Library, benches in the wooded area between the library and Anderson Hall and the sitting area around the quad area surround the fountain, but with Patterson Hall hosting some of the classes with great debates over topics, this sitting space would allow students to continue their discussions

outside of class. For instructors, who want to add an outdoor classroom to their repertoire, a sitting area just outside Patterson Hall would allow them to take their classes outside instead of keeping the lecture contained to the classroom.

Although, the sitting area would need to be covered to provide shade from the Southern sun or bad weather, the area is prime to give students more chances to socialize while waiting on classes.

Another possibility is a place for multiple bike racks. Currently, there is a proposal for students to check out bikes, ride them around campus to their classes, and return them when they are done. While this may not be the first thing that comes to someone’s mind when discussing the green area, this would be a great opportunity to further promote physical fitness and allow students to arrive to their classes on time.

With the central location, this area would be a great opportunity for the college to invest in bikes and bike racks in the location for students to use.

One popular addition to campus would the inclusion of a restaurant into the space.

While the space is not enormous, it is big enough to house a small restaurant.

It is very difficult for some students to walk across campus or drive to a fast food establishment, eat their meals and make it back to class on time due to a limited lunch

period (12:10-12:40 p.m.).

If a restaurant is located on campus, it would likely be a big hit with students regardless of the franchise.

Another idea for the green space comes from something that was close to the location already before the parking lot behind Patterson was expanded and that is a greenhouse.

While a greenhouse would serve the college in a variety of fashions, a flowerbed in the location would also add a splash of color to the area to help break the look of stone buildings.

A combination of both of these ideas – the greenhouse and flowerbed, could serve as learning opportunities for a variety of classes on campus – especially those that deal with gene splitting and growing of plants.

It would also make a great place for students who want a quiet place to talk or meditation, or just a good place to take a stroll to relieve the stresses of the college day.

A greenhouse would need someone to run it and while Buildings and Maintenance is already burdened with work orders throughout the campus, there are many other groups on campus that could take charge of the greenhouse and allow it to prosper in the location.

Northeast’s botany classes can take

charge of the greenhouse and use it as an outdoor classroom where instructors have free reign to show students the real world outside of the classroom and demonstrate on plants instead of showing images on the Apple TV. Another group is Continuing Education which could offer farming classes and use the greenhouse to their advantage as a way of showing what the college has to offer.

Farming has played a major role in the five-county area that surrounds Northeast and this would also be a good way to pay homage to those farmers.

However, one of the most popular suggestion on campus a new parking lot. Several students have been heard complaining about parking not being close to their buildings or they could never find a parking spot if they got to school late.

This parking lot could serve as a pay lot for students and help the college raise money as well. With a parking lot located just off Cunningham Boulevard, Northeast could fit 30 parking spots in the space and charge students for use of the lot like many bigger cities do with their parking garages.

This would not only allow students to have a spot close to their classes on the boulevard but it would also help the college raise money.

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Northeast Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate in Arts degree, the Associate in Applied Science degree and certificates.

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX, Educational Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College hereby adopts a policy assuring that no one shall, on the grounds of race, sex, color, age, creed or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the college. Northeast Mississippi Community College adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, sex, color, age, creed, or national origin. This policy includes the qualified disabled and extends to all programs and activities supported by the college.

The Beacon

Campus

3

Library offers movies, DVDs

By Maranda Cheatwood, Staff Writer

CAMPUS COUNTRY SET FOR THIRD SHOWTIME OF YEAR Campus Country’s Chance Stanley (left) and Kerston Jumper (right) go through a performance during the musical ensemble’s second Showtime of the year on November 19. Campus Country will hold its third Showtime of the academic year on February 25 in the Seth Pounds Auditorium. Campus Country, which presents four Showtimes a year, will wrap up its performance calendar on April 14 with its final Showtime.

NORTHEAST THEATRE SCHEDULES “THE OLD BEGINNING” Justice Strickland (left) and Adrianna Jackson (right) work through a scene during “Dance Lessons,” during one-act plays at the Northeast Theatre in fall 2015. Northeast will present Horton Foote’s “The Old Beginning,” on Thursday, February 25 and Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28 in the Hines Hall Auditorium.

Curtain rises on the Thursday and Saturday show at 7 p.m. while Sunday’s performance call is a 2 p.m. matinee.

For college students, especially those living on campus that do not want to go all the way to a Redbox or do not want to pay for Netflix each month but still want to watch movies, there is a solution.

Northeast’s Eula Dees Memorial Library offers free movie rentals to all Northeast faculty, staff and students.

Each Northeast faculty, staff and student can check out up to two movies at a time from the library’s collection of DVDs and just like the library books, the movies have due dates too.

At the end of each semester, the library staff buys new movie releases and puts them on display the following semester.

“We have a lot of the ones that were books first.

We have all the Harry Potter movies, the Twilight movies, Gone Girl,” said librarian Ellice Yager. “We also have Vampire Academy, Pitch Perfect, 21 and 22 Jump Street. Just a lot of the more popular movies the students would watch.”

Northeast’s library currently houses over 200 movies available to not just students but the college’s faculty and staff as well.

Movies are housed in the main lobby of the library next to the newest fiction purchases.

So before making a trip to RedBox or if someone simply just does not want to pay monthly fees for online movie streaming, be sure to stop by the library and check out their movie rental shelves right outside the study area.

All Northeast campuses are smoke-free and tobacco-free including e-cigarettes

Campus

4

The Beacon

PTK Gala celebrates raising funds for tutoring center Special to The Beacon Northeast’s Iota Zeta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society values the four pillars that the national honor society has set forth for local chapters.

Following the four pillars of service, scholarship, leadership and fellowship, the Northeast PTK has come to the aid of a program that aids students at the two-year college.

In an effort to help the tutoring center at the college, PTK held its inaugural Glaciation Gala to raise funds for the tutoring center at the school.

Each year, the Northeast chapter chooses a college project that will make Northeast a better place. This year’s project is the support of the tutoring center.

“Education is a gift and the work that the tutoring program does for Northeast students is unprecedented,” said Northeast Phi Theta Kappa member Grant Gaar of Walnut. “The goal for the gala was to bring awareness to the aid the center gives students.

“As a community college, we are offering an invaluable service to essentially the entire community.”

Phi Theta Kappa banded together over the late summer, early fall to come up with an event that would raise funds for the tutoring center that would allow it to continue to function on the Northeast campus.

Northeast’s Glaciation Gala, a blacktie optional event, was held at the old Booneville Hardware building in downtown Booneville on Thursday, December 3 and featured a three-course full meal served along with live entertainment, door prizes and other entertaining options.

An organizational goal of raising $25,000 to help offset the cost of operating the tutoring center was set earlier in the fall semester and the group’s efforts surpassed that goal.

During its annual fall cheese fund-raiser and other projects, members of Phi Theta Kappa were able to raise over $11,500 for the project.

A silent auction in the Ramsey Student Services Building’s lobby on Tuesday, December 1 garnered over $1,000 going toward the project.

Moreover, as announced during the gala, Tri-State Education Foundation contributed $15,000 to the cause while the Modern Woodmen of America pushed the total to over $30,000 with a $2,500 matching contribution to the organization’s fall cheese sales.

Former Phi Theta Kappa president Zeb Taylor, who works for Modern Woodmen of America and is headquartered in Corinth, was instrumental in getting the matching contribution for the cause.

For those that wish to contribute to the cause, one can donate to the Northeast

Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Iota Zeta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society held its inaugural Glaciation Gala at the old Booneville Hardware Building in downtown Booneville on Thursday, December 3. The Gala was part of a fund-raising effort by the honor society to raise funds for the college’s tutorial program.

Development Foundation and earmark the gift for the tutoring program.

“We look forward to helping students create a bright future through the process of offering free tutoring in all areas of study through the tutorial center,” Gaar said. “To everyone who has contributed tonight, we thank you.”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions.

Nearly three million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 131,000 students inducted annually. Phi Theta Kappa seeks to foster the development of leadership and service, to provide an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas, and to encourage the establishment of scholarships for advanced education.

Northeast’s Iota Zeta chapter has been recognized as a “Five Star” chapter for 13 straight years, the highest rating given any chapter, and has been recognized as an exemplary model.

Advisors for the chapter during the 201516 academic year are Dr. Ray Harris, Andrea Mathis of Booneville and Carla Falkner, Morgan Ricks, both of Tupelo.

Northeast’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society held its inaugural Glaciation Gala at the old Booneville Hardware Building in downtown Booneville on Thursday, December 3. Part of the 150 people that attended the black-tie optional event were (above photo, from left) Mary Alice Coats, Crystal White, Grant Gaar, Rebecca Elliott and Alexis White and (bottom photo, from left) Austin Marlin of Iuka, Lindee Witt of Corinth, Shelbi Barnes of Corinth and Ben Burdette of Sterett, Alabama.

Help Desk Hours Monday 8:00 A.M – 9:15 A.M. ; 12:15 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Tuesday 10:50 A.M – 3:00 P.M.

Wednesday 8:00 A.M – 9:15 A.M. ; 12:15 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Thursday 10:50 A.M – 3:00 P.M.

Friday - Closed helpdesk@nemcc.edu

Campus

The Beacon

5

FCA spends time at Ronald McDonald House

By Madison Phillips, Staff Writer

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) took a field trip to Memphis, Tennessee before the holidays, but the trip was more educational than many of the members ever thought it would be.

During their time in the Bluff City, Northeast students took the time to stop by the Ronald McDonald House and spread some holiday cheer to the patients and families at the house and at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“You go in with the mindset of being the blessing,” said Trace Lee. “But you come out being the blessed one.”

However, while members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes went in to spread holiday cheer, many people may not know that the Ronald McDonald

House does not exist as part of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In 1983, Dr. Joe Simone, the medical director of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, met with a group of McDonald’s (the fast-food restaurant) operators to formally discuss how the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis could benefit the hospital.

From those meetings, the Ronald McDonald House was born.

Construction began in 1990 and the house for the families of children seeking treatment at the research hospital opened in September 1991.

In less than a quarter century of existence, the Memphis location of the Ronald McDonald House has housed nearly 500 families and has 51 total bedrooms.

According to organizers, the Ronald

McDonald House has housed over 8,300 children from all 50 states and from nearly 50 countries.

Organizers wanted to relieve the burden on families whose children are seeking treatment at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, thus all families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House are housed free of charge.

During its trips to the Ronald McDonald House, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes informed the residents of the Ronald McDonald House about arts and crafts, cooked the families’ dinner to help them spend more time with the children and even went to chapel with the families there.

“This experience is very eye opening,” Lee said. “It makes you re-evaluate your strength. It helps you realize you can fight harder than you think.”

“You go in with the mindset of being the blessing, but you come out being the blessed one.”

Trace Lee

Northeast student

Eaton named nation’s best Community College Fundraiser Special to The Beacon WASHINGTON, D.C. -- D. Patrick Eaton, VP of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Development Foundation & Alumni Association was honored at the Council for Resource Development 49th Annual Conference October 29 in Washington D.C. for being named the Nation’s Best Community College Fundraiser of the Year, 2015.

The CRD Campus Impact Awards recognize the efforts of individuals or teams that have made a significant positive impact on a community college and/or the students it serves. Award criteria is based off of successful advocacy, writing grants, donor solicitation, college administration and developing business partnerships. CRD is nationwide organization and has membership of over a 1000 community colleges across the United States of America.

“This award was only made possible because of the generosity of numerous individuals and organizations. I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of Northeast MS Community College and have the opportunity to serve our

outstanding students.”

Eaton earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a MBA from Columbia Southern University. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) program at the University of Georgia.

Rotary International recognized Eaton as a Paul Harris Fellow award recipient. He also was named one of Mississippi’s Top 40 under 40 Business professionals by the Mississippi Business Journal. He has been internationally recognized three times by the CFRE organization for satisfying all the requirements to be declared a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). In 2012, Eaton was awarded Administrator of the Year - by the North MS Association of Educational Office Professionals.

Employed at Northeast since 2000, Eaton currently serves as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Northeast MS Community College Development Foundation and Alumni Association. He is a member of the President’s Cabinet and the college’s administrative council. He has directed

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numerous Major Gift Capital Campaigns, which utilized over 300 volunteers that raised over $17 million for Northeast. During his tenure scholarships given to students grew from $10,000 a year to over $300,000 a year.

Over the past 20 years, serving as executive director and CEO, Eaton had the opportunity to be involved in the startup of two different non-profit development organizations that produced approximately $35 million. He has also provided assistance in “re-energizing” many others.

Eaton volunteers his time by serving on numerous community, regional and state development boards and committees. He has served a two-year appointment on the Council for Resource Development National Board of Directors in Washington D.C. He is an active member of East Booneville Baptist Church where he teaches Sunday School and is Chairman of the Finance committee. He also enjoys spending time with his family, deer hunting and water-skiing.

Patrick is married his wife Pam for 24 years and they have four sons; Blake, Cade, Connor and Matthew.

Chittom captures Most Beautiful title

Northeast held its annual Parade of Beauties beauty pageant on Tuesday, November 10 in the Seth Pounds Auditorium on the Booneville campus. Freshman Carly Chittom of Booneville (center) bested a field of 46 contestants to take the crown for the 2015-16 academic year. Joining Chittom in the Top 5 of the pageant included (from left) Alissa Ann Williams of Corinth, Addison Carter of New Albany, Chittom, Savanna Pulliam of Walnut and Savannah Dixon of Corinth. field was narrowed to a Top 20 before Special to The Beacon the four ‘beauties’ took the stage and the Northeast freshman Carly Chittom of announcement of Most Beautiful.

Included in the Top 20 were Savannah Booneville was crowned the college’s Most Beautiful at the school’s annual Parade Dixon of Corinth, Paige Wood of Baldwyn, of Beauties held inside the Seth Pounds Erin Wall of New Albany, Jorda Waters of Baldwyn, Kyla Shumpert of Booneville, Auditorium on Tuesday, November 10.

Chittom bested 45 other contestants in Maggie Martin of Baldwyn, Hannah Gann claiming the crown to the annual pageant of Rienzi, Madison Martindale of Walnut, Shelby Barnes of Kossuth, Madison Parks and the title of 2015-16 Most Beautiful.

With Chittom’s selection as Most of Corinth, Haley Wilbanks of Walnut, Beautiful, the event marked the third Emily Cook of Myrtle, Madeline Winfield straight year a freshman has won the of Booneville, Alissa Ann Williams of Corinth, Janessa Gibbs of Corinth, pageant.

Chittom was crowned by reigning 2014- Aliyah Akins of Ripley, Carli Bullard of 15 Most Beautiful Hannah Day and was Booneville, Savannah Pulliam of Walnut, awarded flowers by Northeast president Addison Carter of New Albany and Chittom.

Ricky Ford.

Other winners for the night included Contestants in the annual Parade of Beauties are judged on poise, elegance and awards for scholastic and photogenic categories. beauty.

Saltillo’s Kerston Jumper took home the As part of their on-stage presentation, contestants in the pageant had to tell about scholastic prize for the 2015 pageant.

In addition to the Scholastic Award, their hobbies and answer a question before the pageant, with the answers being read Waters was picked for the Most Photogenic by the emcee as the contestant presented Award, an award that contestants submit a photo of their choosing beforehand and the poise, elegance and beauty on stage.

Before Chittom was crowned as the judges select the most photogenic from the 2015-16 Most Beautiful, the 46-contestant submitted photos.

Sports

6

The Beacon

Tigers ready to take on challenging slate Special to The Beacon Richy Harrelson has pieced together a challenging slate of matchups for the Northeast baseball program during his inaugural season as its head coach.

The Tigers face seven opponents that were either ranked or receiving votes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) polls at some point last year as part of an outstanding 2016 schedule.

“We’re ready to get out there and play a little catch and hit a little bit,” said Harrelson. “Our guys have worked very, very hard for us over the last semester. They’re just a great group so we’re looking forward to it.”

Northeast opens the campaign at home for the first time in three years when Columbia State (Tenn.) comes to town on Saturday, February 6. The Tigers make the return trip one week later for their initial road matchups.

The friendly confines of Harold T. White Field is the location for four of Northeast’s next five doubleheaders starting on Wednesday, February 17 versus Jackson State (Tenn.).

Fans can also watch the Tigers compete against Calhoun (Ala.) , Lake Land (Ill.) College and Southwest Tennessee during that stretch of games in the City of Hospitality.

Northeast concludes its non-conference action in early March with back-to-back dates in the neighboring Yellowhammer State at Calhoun and Wallace State (Ala.) at Hanceville.

All but one of the Tigers’ out-of-state opponents won 20plus contests during the previous campaign. Two of those ball clubs claimed over 30 victories one season ago.

“We’re playing some really good teams to get us ready for division play,” Harrelson said. “Our league has gotten so much better over the last five years and so we want to be prepared.”

Under the direction of first-year head coach Richy Harrelson, Northeast’s baseball team will face a challenging 46-game schedule for the 2016 season.

Northeast opens the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) portion of its agenda when Gulf Coast travels to Booneville on Saturday, March 12.

The Tigers clash with each MACJC member for the second consecutive campaign. The defending state champion Hinds and runner-up Northwest visit Northeast on Saturday, March 19 and Tuesday, April 19, respectively.

Archrival Itawamba and the Tigers meet just once this year.

The two adversaries confront each other on Tuesday, March 22 at Roy Cresap Field in Fulton.

Northeast will celebrate its sophomores on Saturday, April

30 in the home finale versus Southwest. The Tigers host six of the last eight regular season games inside their own stadium.

A best-of-three series kicks off the playoffs over a two-day span from May 6-7. The MACJC State Tournament will take place the following week at the lowest remaining seeded squad.

Northeast is one of the most successful teams in the Magnolia State since the turn of the century. The Tigers have qualified for the postseason nine times in that period and also captured the MACJC North Division title in 2013.

Softball ready to tackle new conference format Special to The Beacon Northeast will look to continue its strong tradition on the softball diamond as a new era in the Magnolia State begins.

The Tigers face each member of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) in a new scheduling format as part of an exciting 2016 lineup of 45 total games.

“High schools travel 30 minutes to one hour. Our shortest trip is over an hour,” said Northeast head coach Jody Long.

“That’s going to be the biggest adjustment for our players is just the amount of time.”

Northeast prepares for the new league layout by going on the road for its first two doubleheaders of the campaign. The Tigers christen the new year at Dyersburg State (Tenn.) on Saturday, February 13 and then visit Calhoun (Ala.) three days later.

Area softball fans are in for a treat from February 19-20 when the TigerFest Tournament invades all three fields at Booneville City Park. The annual competition also serves as the home openers for Northeast.

The Tigers entertain clubs from as far north as Illinois and Missouri for what is widely considered as one of the top

events in the entire country. The tourney features nine squads that won 20 or more games last season and two that qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament.

“Our tournament field is probably one of the best we’ve had in the past 14 or 15 years,” said Long. “We’ve got some really talented teams and we’ve got some good matchups put together.

“Our goal in the early part of February is to challenge our team as much as we can.

Having those five games over two days is huge for us as we’re trying to figure out our core nucleus.”

Northeast begins the conference portion of its agenda when former North Division comrade Coahoma treks to David Carnell Memorial Field on Tuesday, March 1.

The Tigers meet archrival Itawamba just once this campaign instead of the usual home-and-home series. The two adversaries square off on Tuesday, March 8 in Booneville.

Northeast welcomes defending state and region champion Gulf Coast on Sunday, March 13. Nationally ranked Jones County also comes to the City of Hospitality later that month.

Northeast’ softball team will square off against each of the community colleges in the state of Mississippi under a change to the conference format which will mean that the Lady Tigers will bring 25 games to David Carnell Memorial Field in 2016.

Other key dates on the calendar include six of its last eight regular season contests Saturday, April 2 when Northeast travels inside its own stadium. to reigning NJCAA National Tournament “All the coaches are really excited about runner-up East Central and Tuesday, April this team,” said Long. “They work hard 5 at Northwest. and do what we ask them to do. I’m kinda The Tigers will celebrate their sophomores ready to see what this bunch is able to on Tuesday, April 19 in the home finale do once we get them on the field against versus Dyersburg State. Northeast hosts someone else.”

Sports

The Beacon

Lady Tigers for Life honor a legend

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Northeast has always been about family to Northeast president and former Lady Tiger basketball coach Ricky Ford (above left, center) as he embraces his daughters Lauren (left) and Suzanne (right) following a ceremony in his honor and reunion of the basketball teams coached by Ford during his 30 years. Both Lauren and Suzanne played for their dad at Northeast during his 30 years of leading the Lady Tigers. (Right, top photo) Former Northeast Lady Tigers (from left) Melissa Spears Clark (‘94‘96), Summer Stroupe (‘94-‘96) and Sandy Childs (‘86) cheer on the Lady Tigers during a reunion of the basketball teams coached by current Northeast president Ricky Ford and former Northeast Lady Tiger basketball players and managers cheer on current Northeast president Ricky Ford during a ceremony in his honor between the men and women’s basketball games against Coahoma Community College on Thursday, January 21. Ford coached the Lady Tigers for 30 years and captured the college’s only national title while leading Northeast on the hardwood.

Tennis opens at home for first time in five years Special to The Beacon The Northeast tennis programs are presenting their supporters with an immediate opportunity to catch them in action at home.

The Lady Tigers and Tigers are set to begin their respective campaigns in the City of Hospitality for the first time in five years as part of a 14-match 2016 schedule.

Both teams welcome Holmes for their openers on Friday, February 5. Northeast last opened a season at its own venue on February 17, 2011 against Hinds.

“I’m excited about that,” said Northeast head coach Ben Shappley. “Typically we try to chase the warm weather down south, but I think with the way the weather has been going lately it should work out OK.” It is also the quickest that the Lady Tigers and Tigers have started a new year while under the direction of Shappley, who sees several advantages to getting underway sooner than usual.

“I do like starting a bit early,” Shappley said. “It kind of spreads the season out a bit. It gives us a little more time to recuperate in between matches and hold some extra practices.”

Northeast closes the inaugural month of the campaign with three consecutive road dates at Itawamba, CopiahLincoln and Hinds.

Three of the initial four outings in March will take place at the Northeast Tennis Courts. Nationally ranked Meridian, East Central and Northwest all come to town during that stretch.

The pair

For the first time in five years, Northeast’s men and women’s tennis teams will open the season at home. Northeast is set to host Holmes on Friday, February 5 at the Northeast tennis courts at 1 p.m. of squads will make an appearance in New Albany for the compete in four such matchups. fourth straight year as well. The Lady Tigers and Tigers “We’ve got a good team and they’ve shown that during face Gulf Coast on Tuesday, March 8 at BNA Bank Park. the fall semester,” said Shappley. “We’ve got some Northeast completes return trips to East Central and key players returning. I can’t wait to see how the team Holmes to conclude March. The two groups then play as a whole just comes together and progresses. They’re their final games on the Booneville campus versus Jones working really hard.”

County on Friday, April 1 and Itawamba five days later.

Mississippi Gulf Coast is the host school for the Overall, the men will participate in six contests Mississippi Association of Community and Junior against opponents that are in the Intercollegiate Tennis Colleges (MACJC) State Tournament. The championship Association’s (ITA) preseason poll while the ladies event runs from April 20-23 in Perkinston.

Former Tiger set for Super Bowl appearance Special to The Beacon Mario Addison made what was considered at the time to be a brash prediction about his Carolina Panthers last July before the National Football League (NFL) season got underway.

“I see a Super Bowl. I feel it, man,” Addison told reporters prior to team training camp at Wofford (S.C.) College.

“We’re going all the way. We have all the tools and all we have to do is put it together.”

He proved himself to be an expert prognosticator and will become the first former Northeast student-athlete to compete in the NFL’s annual championship

game.

Addison’s Panthers meet the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7. Kickoff from Levi’s Stadium is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with CBS handling the television coverage.

The Birmingham, Ala., native is a fiveyear veteran of the NFL with stops at four different franchises.

Addison is having a stellar campaign at defensive end for the Panthers. He has accumulated 19 total tackles and six sacks, which is the second highest mark on the squad behind fellow lineman Kawann Short.

He compiled a season-best four takedowns in a win against New Orleans

during week three. Addison had a pair of sacks in Carolina’s opening contest of the year at Jacksonville.

Addison has been spectacular in the playoff run put together by the Panthers.

He pressured Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson into throwing an interception that eventually transitioned into a Carolina score during a victory over Seattle.

Addison has participated in 65 games since entering the professional ranks in 2011. He set career-highs of 26 tackles and 6.5 sacks during the 2014 campaign with Carolina.

The 6-2, 240-pounder has cumulative figures of 40 solo stops, 37 assisted takedowns, 16 sacks, three forced fumbles,

three fumble recoveries and one pass deflection.

Addison was tabbed as a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State selection in 2007. He led the entire conference with 21.5 tackles for loss that season.

The Tarrant (Ala.) High School graduate added solid numbers that included 60 stops, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup in his last campaign on the Booneville campus.

He also made an impact for the Tigers as a freshman with 46 takedowns, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Addison also had two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

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Entertainment

The Beacon

Ross, Coffin nail night with Northeast Jazz Ensemble Special to The Beacon Northeast continues its series of bringing in some of the top talent in the nation to help strengthen music education in the region on Wednesday, January 20.

Grammy-award winning musician Jeff Coffin and Rashawn Ross made their way to the City of Hospitality for a masterclass at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20 and entertained the musically inclined when they join forces with the Northeast Jazz Ensemble for a concert at 7:30 p.m. that night.

Coffin and Ross’ visit is part of a series of musicians that Northeast assistant director of bands Jason Beghtol brings in to help strengthen the Northeast music education.

“The purpose for these clinics is to educate students on musical fundamentals, creativity, and various other various other topics to advance the students’ personal knowledge in the form of an interactive presentation/lecture from musicians that are incredibly talented and internationally known,” Beghtol said.

Coffin’s visit to campus marked the fifth out of the last six years that the legendary musician has paid a trip to the Boonevillebased campus.

Coffin first came to Northeast in 2011 with his group “Jeff Coffin & the Mu’Tet” and the ensemble returned in 2013 for an encore performance.

In 2012 and 2014, Coffin and Roy “Futureman” Wooten came to campus to instruct the Northeast Jazz Band.

“The reason I continue to ask Jeff to consistently return to Northeast is that he is a great musician that brings a multitude of professional experiences to share with the students of our region,” said Beghtol. “Jeff is also very student centered and places his primary focus on their musical knowledge and development. He interacts with the students very well. Plus, he’s an overall

Northeast’s Jazz Ensemble joined forces with Jeff Coffin and Rashawn Ross of the Dave Matthews Band on Wednesday, January 20 for a performance in the Hines Hall Auditorium. While Northeast students got a chance to play with Grammy-award winning artists, Northeast music instructor received an opportunity to play an original piece with Coffin and Ross. great guy.” genres such as New Orleans, funk, jazz, with background vocals.

In addition to the concert, Coffin was on rock, African and Brazilian.

A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ross campus earlier in the day rehearsing with Coffin is also a man of many talents found his love for music while at Ulla the Northeast Jazz Band and producing a and is known to use guitar effects on his F. Muller Elementary School where he master-class for high school and college saxophone and also entertains the crowd discovered his love of the trumpet. students at 4:30 p.m. by playing two saxes at the same time In 2000, Ross graduated from the “The purpose of a masterclass is to during a concert.

Berklee College of Music and has had the educate students on musical fundamentals, Ross has been a touring musician with opportunity to work with many artists from creativity and various other topics the Dave Matthews Band since 2006 but a wide range of musical genres funk, rock, to advance the students’ personal has been working with the group for over a jazz, hip-hop, gospel and country music. knowledge in the form of an interactive decade but his love for music came a long Ross, who also serves as a U.S. Virgin presentation/lecture,” Beghtol said. “Jeff’s time before joining the Dave Matthews Island Ambassador, has toured with other masterclasses are geared so that musicians Band. musical ensembles such a Yerba Buena, from a beginning level all the way to an After joining the Dave Matthews advanced level will gain something.”

Band full-time in 2006, Ross has been Soulive and D.J. Quik.

During his multiple decades in the Coffin is best known for being the instrumental to the band’s success and business, Ross has had the opportunity saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band began performing tour dates in that same and was with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones year while adding backing vocals to to work and record with artists such as for 14 years (1997-2010). many of the ensemble’s most popular Usher, Ludacris, The Fugees, Maceo Parker, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Coffin, a three-time Grammy Award performances. winner, will bring a variety of musical Since joining the band, Ross has Willie Nelson, Sean Paul, Questlove, Talib roots to the masters class and concert on appeared in every Dave Matthews Band Kwelli, Pharoah Monch, Robert Randolph, January 20 as Coffin draws from different performance either as a trumpet player or Mo Horns, Doug E. Fresh and Kim Burrell.