October 2015 beacon

67th Year--Vol. I

Northeast Mississippi Community College--Booneville, Miss.

October 23, 2015

Officials respond to increase in security threats

By Maranda Cheatwood, Staff Writer

With the recent Delta State University tragedy and gun threats at Mississippi State University, Northeast is making sure that its Emergency Response Plan is up to date and keeping students and faculty as safe as possible.

Earlier in September, MSU experienced what turned out to be a minor scare and less than a week later, DSU history professor Ethan Schmidt was shot and killed by fellow faculty member Shannon Lamb who earlier in the day shot and killed a female friend in Gautier.

Northeast has not been immune from

putting its plan into place when what college officials determined to be a hoax, caused the plan to be activated on Tuesday, October 6.

College administrators say, whether the threat is legitimate or not, a situation like that should not be taken lightly.

Northeast officials take all threats to the safety and security of its faculty, staff and students, seriously and meet each time an incident occurs to look over the policies and procedures to update the plan to keep it active with today’s changing environment.

“Just cleaning it up, things like that, to make sure that all the people are in the right place at the right time,” executive

vice president Craig-Ellis Sasser said on keeping Northeast’s emergency plan updated.

According to Sasser, the emergency response team met in July to discuss things like lockdown procedures and Tiger Alert and are one meeting away from having the plan finalized. Procedures are different for every protocol including severe weather, fires and even bomb threats.

Things like Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media are used by over 85 percent of college students every day, which can cause word of emergency to spread quickly but Sasser points to a larger tool that the college uses in the event of an

emergency.

“Our biggest tool is called Tiger Alert,” Sasser explained.

“We encourage all students and faculty and staff, if they haven’t signed up for it, to sign up,” Sasser said. “You can get there through our website.”

Tiger Alert is a system that quickly sends out alert messages and cell phone and land line calls to students and faculty, if they have signed up for it, regarding emergencies and threats on campus.

Officials say that an emergency can happen anywhere at any time and no matter if the emergency is true or a hoax, they take each incident very seriously.

Ford ascends to NEMCC presidency Former basketball coach becomes tenth president in college history

By Meayesha Foster, Staff Writer

Former Lady Tiger basketball coach Ricky Ford assumed the Northeast presidency on July 1. In just over 100 days in office, Ford has laid out a plan that helps to lead the college not only technologically but also in the five-county community as well.

From the head women’s basketball coach’s office to the office of the president is the journey Ricky G. Ford, Northeast’s tenth president, has taken during his time here.

Ford laid out his plans for the college and for the students and their learning environment.

“It all starts with the faculty and the environment,” Ford explained. “Getting them together and giving them an atmosphere where they are able to learn and receive all knowledge available, with this comes success.” iPads in the classroom have opened many doors for students and faculty. It exposes them to more knowledge and more information.

Also, it cuts the price of books.

Starting in November, Northeast will assume control over its bookstore. This means staff will deal directly with the publisher and be able to have more affordable books for our students. At the most students would have to pay $250-300 on all of their books. This is all a part of “making college as affordable as possibl Ford said one of many short range changes for Northeast will be to upgrade the computer learning center so there will be plenty of available computers for students, especially for proctored exams and major projects.

Ford is looking forward to the beginning of an MDOT project that will replace the

“Northeast is my heart and soul. I want to do the best job for this school.”

Ricky Ford

Northeast President

sidewalks along the boulevard and additional lighting for a safer student environment. This will happen sometime this year. Ford said his plans also include constructing an honors dorm for male and female students, baseball/ softball complex and renovating the Tiger Stadium.

As far as mid-range changes the nursing program should expect some major improvements. The labs that are available on campus will be upgraded as well as the labs at the Corinth campus. One of Ford’s biggest goals is to extend Northeast’s reach out into the community by opening another center In Ripley in the future.

Ford also would like to make students more ready for the job market by working with local See Ford, on page 4

Northeast crowns Witt as 2015 Homecoming Queen

By Madison Phillips, Staff Writer

As truth be told, homecoming never gets old.

On October 8 under the Thursday night lights, Corinth native Lindee Witt was crowned 2015 Northeast Homecoming Queen by President Ricky Ford during a halftime ceremony.

For the first time in six years, Northeast held its annual homecoming on a Thursday night at Tiger Stadium.

Leading up to this crowning moment, Northeast’s Student Government Association (SGA) kicked off the week with the annual homecoming dance Monday night. From the Whip and NaeNae to the Electric Slide, music of all sorts sounded from Bonner Arnold Coliseum under the lights and sounds of DJ MAC of Baldwyn.

On Wednesday, the lawn was filled with bouncy houses of all kinds and colors. From slides to relay races, smiling faces walked throughout the Northeast campus all day.

Being a kid for the day was always a treat.

Later that night, a BINGO session was held that allowed winners to leave with a myriad of prizes.

See Witt, on page 4

Northeast president Ricky Ford (left) crowns sophomore Lindee Witt of Corinth as the reigning queen at the college’s annual Homecoming celebration during the halftime ceremony on Thursday, October 1 at Tiger Stadium. Student Government Association president Trace Lee of Columbus (right) served as Witt’s escort for the occasion. Witt, a graduate of Tishomingo County High School, is the daughter of Todd and Candee Witt.

Opinion

2

The Beacon

Tigers’ Roar

Questions: What do you think of the reintroduction of an Activity Period into the school day schedule (12:10-12:40 p.m.) and what do you do during that time?

Recie Brown Destin, Florida Freshman

Olivia Hall Belmont Sophomore

Lauren Hill Falkner Sophomore

Hunter Palmer Corinth Sophomore

Jacob Price Corinth Freshman

“I think we need more activities. I usually go to the library to get some quick work done and I chill.”

“I don’t think it is long enough. I usually go eat.”

“I usually go to lunch. It gets crowded.”

“It’s fine. I work at the IT help desk in the Union.”

“I love it. I usually go play ping pong.”

Brock Reesor Walnut Freshman

Aundreunna Tate Starkville Sophomore

Denver Turner Corinth Freshman

Donald Wesley West Point Freshman

“It’s pretty good. I like it. I usually am eating lunch.”

“I guess it is pretty cool. We eat.”

“It’s alright. I play ping pong.”

“It’s a good break between classes. I go to the lounge.”

Commuting provides Students need advice ways of passing time in time management

By Sam Marino, Staff Writer

I am a student at Northeast that commutes daily.

Not everyone enjoys it, but I, for one, find it quite entertaining. Mostly, because of all of the different ways you can discover to past the time.

Below is a list of some of the things you could do on your way to Northeast: You can listen to music on the way. Maybe your friend told you about an album by a band called “Masters of Genesis.” This is a great opportunity to listen to that.

You can listen to an audiobook. Do not let your subscription go to waste. You have wanted to read that book titled “FiveHundred and Twenty-Five Ways to Use a Staple.” This is the perfect time to do it.

Carpool with a friend. Granted, finding someone who leaves for and from the school at the same time as you can be tricky.

However, you will have loads of fun talking about Susie Q’s horrible hairstyle she had the other day.

Listen to a podcast. There are several different topics out there that people can spend hours talking about. Find a podcast about the way global warming has been affecting the penguin population in the poles. It could be a very interesting topic.

However, not everything is rosy in the land of commuting. There are still some negatives. Here are some of them: You have to drive back to attend the extra-curricular activities. This could be a big downer if you wanted to do most of the things that happen after classes, not to mention a steeper gas bill.

You will not develop as many friendships as someone staying on campus. If you are

By Sarah Grace Moore, Staff Writer

Commuting is not a chore; it is an event that can be enjoyed liked no other.

not a people person, this is not a problem.

If you are, then you will be hard pressed to meet some new folks to hang out with unless you actively seek them out.

You have to wake up early. If you wait around until 7:45 a.m. to get up, you will either have to hightail it to school (not recommended) or be late for your 8 a.m. class. Those who live in the dorms most likely do not get up as early as commuters do.

In my opinion, commuting is not a bad thing. It is an experience worth having even though not everything is perfect.

You may have to drive back for extracurricular activities, but that just gives you more time to listen to your new album “Casting Dreams on the Rings of Saturn.”

You may not get to meet as many people, but you can bring a deck of cards, hang out after classes and invite some people to play a game of Go Fish.

Commuting is not a chore; it is an event that can be enjoyed liked no other.

Are you stressing out about school?

If you answered yes to this question, then welcome to the club.

It is only normal to feel this way.

Trying to manage 20 hours per semester, worrying about grades, staying up late studying and then trying to make it on time to class the next morning, plus extracurricular activities is a very difficult task to handle.

Some may think that there is not enough time in one day to manage your life.

Learn to make time for priorities, oneself, family and friends.

First, set aside time for priorities, which include getting to class on time, paying attention in class, doing homework along with setting aside a time to study.

If one will set a time to study right after class, then the material will be fresh on the mind and homework can be done without any problem. This helps in the class and it allows one to have free time at night.

If one can manage this simple task, then one might want to consider online classes.

Online classes help because they are not so structured. They allow students to teach themselves the material at your own pace.

Next, give one some slack and take a break from everything. Sometimes people get flabbergasted that they forget to eat and sleep. Take time out of the day to go eat.

Also, set aside a decent hour to go to bed. According to the University Health Center at the University of Georgia, the average college student needs at least six hours of sleep per night to be able to function properly the next day.

True friends are the ones that tend to bring out the best in all of us therefore, keep them close.

Once one takes care of themselves and sets their priorities, then they should set aside time for family and friends. Never forget where one comes from. Family is the reason that a person is where they are today.

So if family lives close, take time to go see them at least once a week.

If the student lives far away, all it takes is a simple phone call a day.

Finally, yet importantly, make time to visit with friends. College students could not make it through life without friends.

True friends are the ones that tend to bring out the best in all of us therefore, keep them close.

Now, that one has learned to manage their time wisely, one should be on the way to feeling better and living a less stressful lifestyle.

Whether one is a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, it does not matter.

These simple time management steps will help anyone…not only in college, but throughout life as well.

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

GOVERNOR BRYANT VISITS NORTHEAST Mississippi governor Phil Bryant (top left, center) watches as students in the Northeast’s Construction Engineering Technology go over the foundations of building such as concrete and other materials.

Ray Gaillard (top left, far right) is the instructor in the class while other dignitaries such as local elected officials and college administrators joined the governor on a tour of the college’s Business and Engineering Technology Division as well as a brief glimpse of the Booneville campus. While on campus, Bryant spoke to approximately 200 faculty/staff, students and community members on the importance of education especially community colleges and the economic impact that a strong, trained workforce has on the economy. Northeast freshman Maranda Cheatwood (top right, left) of New Albany stops to have her photo taken with Mississippi governor Phil Bryant during Bryant’s stop on the college’s Booneville campus Thursday, September 16. Mississippi governor Phil Bryant (left), Northeast president Ricky Ford (center) and diesel mechanics instructor Jonathan Alexander of Ripley (right) share a laugh while discussing the inner workings of a John Deere tractor during the governor’s visit to the college’s Booneville campus.

4

Witt...

Campus

The Beacon

From page 1

Homecoming Day (October 1) was sunny and 75 with no clouds in sight. The lawn was lined with flowers of the most vibrant colors. Athletes dressed in black “Game Day” t-shirts ready to show their Tiger Pride during the pep rally.

Tiger fans were all along the sidewalks, in the union, and on top of the fountain, watching as Northeast Development Foundation executive director Patrick Eaton presented the Homecoming Court.

The 2015 Homecoming Court included sophomore maids Zury Alta of Olive Branch, Shelbi Barnes of Kossuth, Carli Bullard of Booneville, Angelica Copeland of Booneville, Hannah Day of Tishomingo and Sarah Grace Moore of Baldwyn.

Freshmen maids were Addison Carter of New Albany, Ashley Flowers of Iuka, Lindie Hill of Booneville, Rebekah Holt of Iuka, Katie Hunt of Corinth and Anna Claire Ivy of Booneville rounded out the 13-member court.

Football players presented flowers on behalf of the student body.

Northeast head football coach Greg Davis gave Witt a football signed by all members of the Tiger football team.

The cheerleaders and Tiger Dancers were lively as the ‘Showband from Tigerland’ preformed their show, “Spanish Fire” to end the pep rally!

While the court was preparing for its big appearance at halftime of the football game, Northeast’s alumni took center stage with a banquet to honor the fourth Alumni Hall of Fame class and the eighth Sports Hall of Fame Class.

Longtime Northeast employee Earline

While the court was preparing for its big appearance at halftime of the football game, Northeast’s alumni took center stage with a banquet to honor the fourth Alumni Hall of Fame class and the eighth Sports Hall of Fame Class.

“Woodsie” Woods and Board of Trustee member Vance Witt were recognized as the newest members of the Alumni Hall of Fame, while former baseball player Phillip Chapman, former football players Donnie Clayton and Robert Henry, former men’s basketball player Tim Kesler and former women’s basketball standout Tamica Pierce became part of the Sports Hall of Fame.

Northeast recently held campus wide elections to select its 2015 homecoming court. Joining 2015 Homecoming Queen (front row) Lindee Witt of Corinth are (second row l-r) sophomore maids Carli Bullard of Booneville, Hannah Day of Tishomingo, (third row l-r) Angelica Copeland of Booneville, Zury Alta of Olive Branch, Sarah Grace Moore of Baldwyn and Shelbi Barnes of Kossuth along with (back row l-r) freshman maids Addison Carter of New Albany, Lindie Hill of Booneville, Rebekah Holt of Iuka, Katie Hunt of Corinth, Ashley Flowers of Iuka and Anna Claire Ivy of Booneville.

Faculty saves students over $125,000 on textbooks Special to The Beacon Northeast Mississippi Community College faculty care about their students and that is why a few of them have taken the time over the summer to help relieve one of the financial burdens of receiving an education.

During the 2015 summer, music faculty members Dr. Amy Langley and Dr. Amanda Mattox along with fine arts division head Dr. Ray Harris, science instructor Carlena Benjamin and math and science division head Dr. Michelle Baragona took the time to design their own multi-touch textbooks instead of relying on the traditional textbook.

In addition to designing their own multitouch textbook, Langley, Mattox, Harris, Baragona and Benjamin have been able to save Northeast students over $125,000.

“I think of it as a two-fold approach,” said Northeast president Ricky Ford. “One, our faculty at Northeast has a passion about helping our students and doing the best job they can do and secondly, we are able to provide some of our students with textbooks at no cost.”

Instead of each student purchasing a textbook for the 13 sections of Music Appreciation offered during the 2015 fall semester, the fine arts department’s efforts along with former student Dakota Dooley have been able to cut $88,000 from what students would spend on textbooks for the class.

“We (Northeast) recently launched ‘The One’ iPad Initiative” said Northeast Information Technology Specialist Jeffrey Powell. “This is just another way that our

faculty have been able to use the iPads to not only their advantage but also the students’ when it comes to studying and the cost of college as a whole.”

Approximately 466 students are signed up to take Music Appreciation in the fall and at an average cost of $189.95 per textbook, the efforts of the Northeast music faculty have saved $88,516.70 on what students would pay for textbooks in the class.

“The multi-touch book provides the student with what we want to have and learn,” Harris said. “We can update it at any time and do not have to wait for the next edition of the textbook to come out two-to-three years later.”

Northeast math and science faculty’s work has focused on those taking a scientific emphasis and the department has benefited nearly 200 students close to $40,000 that can be used somewhere else.

Approximately 198 students have signed up for Survey of Anatomy and Physiology (Survey of A&P) during the 2015 fall semester and with each book costing a student $201.70, textbook have been cut by $39,936.60 just for that course.

“It is a more streamlined approach,” Baragona said. “We can tell them to read Chapters 1-3 and that is the information that is going to be on the test. It eliminates the confusion that some books can cause.”

However, saving students money and confusion is not the only benefits to the multi-touch book.

“It takes the ‘fluff’ out,” said Powell, who has headed up the Northeast “The One” iPad initiative. “It helps the student stay more focused on their work and not get distracted.”

“No matter his or her level of expertise, everyone gets a chance to learn the same thing.”

Michelle Baragona

Mathematics and Science Division Head Online courses will also benefit for the multi-touch book, as eLearning students are able to receive the same instruction as a traditional student in the classroom would.

“It is going to be beneficial to our hybrid classes,” Baragona said. “Carlena (Benjamin) has started to record her lectures and for those times that the classes do not meet, they are able to access the lectures at any time through the book to get a comprehensive explanation of the topic covered.”

Northeast’s hybrid courses offer the best of both the traditional classroom environment with the ease of the eLearning world and allow students to take classes that cover the same amount of information as a traditional class but some of the time in the classroom has been replaced by online learning activities.

“One of the major advantages to the multitouch book is that online students receive the same information as the traditional student,” Baragona said. “We are working on making the book even better with the option to include identification diagrams and quizzes that help to reinforce the learning process.”

For Harris, the advantages continue with the Music Appreciation multi-touch book.

Not only are students able to use the book on their tablets in class but after downloading the book, they are able to access many of

its features even if an Internet connection is not available. “(The multi-touch book) centralizes all of the information into one file,” Harris said.

“And, it is smaller than most apps – under 200 megabytes.”

Not only does the book offer text that the student can read and comprehend but with the multi-touch book, instructors are able to link to videos and audio files as well as incorporate presentations into the book that enhance the learning environment.

Baragona does see an advantage to the college as well as providing a quality education at very little cost to the student.

“It helps to reduce equipment cost as well,” Baragona said. “Instead of each student having a microscope in lab and being confused over what they are seeing under it, we can use an app to cast from any one of their iPads onto the screen in the room and everyone is seeing the same thing.”

By enhancing the learning environment and saving students money, the Northeast faculty hopes to expand its offerings of multi-touch books to the students through its learning management software Canvas.

“The main point is everyone is on the same page,” Baragona said. “No matter his or her level of expertise, everyone gets a chance to learn the same thing.”

Ford...

From page 1

companies to train students for the workforce when they complete school.

By upgrading Burgess Activity Center and turning it into a commercial-style fitness center, the college promotes opportunities for healthier students, faculty, and community.

This goes hand in hand with Ford’s passion for running and keeping fit. This year he completed three marathons, including the Tupelo Marathon. Ford is also preparing for his fourth marathon.

After leaving the sidelines and rising through the administrative ranks, Ford never thought he would see himself in the president’s chair. When he started 30 years ago as a basketball coach, being promoted was not even a thought. He was so involved with doing his job as best as he could.

After coaching he became Dean of Students and Athletic Director. These were his first steps up the ladder to the presidency. In every position that he served, Ford always tried to make a difference, no matter how big or small.

“Northeast is my heart and soul,” Ford said. “I want to do the best job for this school.”

To the student body he advises, “Just try to do your job the best you can do it.”

Northeast president Ricky Ford (left) talks with Kedrick Storey of the Southern Sentinel about the possiblities that Tippah County holds for the college. Three of the college’s five counties have honored Ford with a receptions that he has used as listening sessions for ideas, concerns and goodwill from members of those communities.

Campus

The Beacon

5

Yearbook places fifth in state competition

By Josh Luttrell, Staff Writer

Since its reformation four years ago, Northeast Mississippi Community College’s yearbook, The Torch, has been slowly rising to the top of the Mississippi Community and Junior College Press Association’s (MCJCPA) yearbook competition.

Last year, The Torch tied for fifth place with Itawamba Community College, the highest ranking North Division schools in a list otherwise dominated by Southern Half colleges.

Southwest Mississippi Community College claimed first place with 1,047 points of the possible 1,075. Jones County Junior College (1,027), East Central (1,015), and Hinds (930) community colleges claimed second through fourth.

Northeast scored a total of 905 points out of the possible 1,075.

During the competition, yearbooks are judged in seven categories: cover, theme, structure, typography, design, copy, and photography, each with its own point limit.

The book with the highest overall score wins the competition.

Northeast ranked first in the theme cate gory with its theme of “Leave Your Mark”.

The book attempted to illustrate how not only do the faculty leave their mark on the educational process while here at Northeast but also how students leave their mark on the college and the college, an indelible mark on its students.

The Torch also placed third in the Cover and Structure Categories, earning ninety percent of the possible points in each.

To highlight the six years the book spent out of print, the first six pages of each new yearbook are to be dedicated to people and

events that have impacted the school over the years.

With its debut title, “Rekindled”, The Torch managed to secure the fourth place award in copy in 2012-13.

The following year, The Torch placed seventh overall with its theme, “A Year in The Life of a Tiger.”

That same year, The Torch also received its first division place as the book was honored for its cover and won third place in theme and fourth in photography.

In a few short years following its return, the Torch has achieved two top-ten overall finishes in the state as well as two first place category wins, three third place awards, and two fourth place finishes.

In the past, the staff utilized Balfour’s StudioWorks system to design the book and, began formulating the publication in late August.

This year, however, the staff will have to acquaint themselves with new software and, have the 144-page, full-color book complete and ready to deliver by the end of May. The yearbook is 100-percent studentmade by the members of the Student Publications staff under the direction of Public Information Specialist Michael H. Miller.

The staff is open to all students and awards a one-hour activity credit.

The 2015-16 award-winning staff included Morgan Bollinger of Calhoun City, Blake Alsup of Ripley, Mallory Little of Belden, and Maria Hernandez of New Albany.

For those interested in joining the Student Publications staff, contact Michael H. Miller at mhmiller@nemmc.edu

We Can Help You Quit Online!

College life is designed to prepare you for your future. Quitting tobacco use is one way to increase your odds of being healthy for a long time to come. Want to quit without group sessions, without driving and without fuss? Log on! You can access helpful tips, chat with your peers, and blog with a counselor.

The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline can provide online help for those who are ready to quit now! Get free counseling and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)!

Who is eligible?

Residents of Mississippi who are at least 18 years old Will I get all twelve weeks of NRT at one time?

NRT will be ordered in two-week increments and delivered to you. Cessation counseling is required between NRT orders.

What are the hours?

The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline’s website is available 24/7. Online counselors are available from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Friday; and 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday.

Students and Staff are Welcome.

Invest in your future by visiting: www.quitlinems.com.

The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline is funded by a grant from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

AthlEATS

Submitted Photos

Northeast athletes are the star of a new community program by the Booneville Junior Auxiliary called, AthlEATS. Under the program, high school and college athletes go into local Prentiss County schools and eat lunch with a student, chosen by his or her teachers, that need some special one-on-one attention. Booneville’s Junior Auxiliary provides lunch for the “AthlEATS” to take in and spend a few extra moments getting to know the student as well.

Participating in the first few AthlEATS were (top left) wide receiver Joe Horn, Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., (top right) cheerleader Calin Holley of Nettleton and Tiger long snapper Andrew Ashe (left) of Pontotoc.

Community colleges rank as best in nation Special to The Beacon

Mississippians have long believed that their community college system was one of the best in the nation.

Now, a study by the financial website, WalletHub, has proven the citizens of the Magnolia State correct.

During its analysis of data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the Center for Community College Student Engagement, and the Council for Community and Economic Research and American Institutes for Research and Optimity Advisors, the financial report ranked Mississippi’s community college system as the top in the nation.

“We have (15) fifteen outstanding community colleges in the state of Mississippi. This is a joint effort from all community colleges in the state of Mississippi to provide a quality education to academic and career technical students,” said Northeast president Ricky Ford. “We also provide a great deal of assistance to our communities with economic development through our workforce. This is just a team effort among all the community college presidents to enhance and to improve the quality of life in our great state.”

Mississippi distanced itself from Midwestern states such as North Dakota and Wyoming, which came in second and third, respectively.

“I’m extremely proud that our community college system is being recognized for the great work we have done and will continue to do on very limited funds,” Ford said.

“Just think what we could do if we were provided with more resources.”

While Mississippi was at the top of the list, other traditionally Southern states were scattered throughout the list. Florida and Arkansas took the fifth and sixth spot, respectively. Georgia held down the sixteenth spot while Tennessee was twentythird in the rankings and Alabama and Louisiana found themselves on the lower part of the rankings. Alabama finished at the thirty-second spot on the list while Louisiana was forty-fourth.

In order to come up with its state-bystate ranking, WalletHub looked at 670 community colleges in the United States and took into account states that had two or more community colleges for comparability of results.

By comparing the Cost & Financing, Classroom Experience, Education Outcomes, and Career Outcomes on its 2015 Best & Worst Community Colleges, the financial report was able to deduce the best state for students to attend community college.

Mississippi took top honors in the state category when the Magnolia State had seven schools place in the top 250 including five educational institutions in the top 100

of the ranking.

Northeast Mississippi Community College, East Central Community College, Itawamba Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Southwest Mississippi Community College all placed in the top 100 of the rankings.

Northeast placed in the Top 12 percent of all schools surveyed.

“In order for our system to be one of the best in the country we must have a great faculty and staff,” Ford said. “They are the ones that deserve the credit more than anyone, because they take the time to get to know our students and try to meet all their needs.”

None of Northeast’s scores were outside the Top 38 percent of the group that was sampled. Two of the college’s scores placed in the Top 18 percent of the community colleges included in the study.

Northeast was awarded for its Cost & Financing ranking and its Education Outcomes. The college ranked 123 out of 670 for its Education Outcomes and was consistent in its finish as the college picked up 124 out of 670 in Cost & Financing.

“To be named as the outstanding community college system in the country is like winning a national championship,” Ford said. “All of our faculty and staff deserve a big applause for their untiring efforts to serve our students.”

While examining the four key categories, WalletHub also took into account 17 key metrics that allowed the site to do a detailed analysis on not just the Magnolia State but also each community college in the state.

In Cost & Financing, the site looked at the cost of in-state tuition and fees at each of the 670 community colleges, the total amount of state and local aid divided by the amount of federal aid, the cost per student, the school’s spending efficiency and the faculty/staff salary as adjusted for cost of living.

In exploring the Classroom Experience, the site took into account such things as active and collaborative learning environments, student efforts in the classroom, how challenging the school is academically, student-faculty interaction and the support system in place for learners.

In not judging a school by its current class, the site also took into account the Education Outcomes of its students such as first-year retention rates, graduation rate, transfer-out rate, and credentials earned that are awarded to full-time equivalent students.

In keeping with making sure the educational process is beneficial to not only the school but to the student, Career Outcomes were also included in the survey and those included a return on educational investment as it compared the starting salary of graduates to the cost of an education and the student-loan default rate at the school.

Sports

6

The Beacon

Northeast scores wins against Pearl River, Coahoma Special to The Beacon Northeast ruined Pearl River Community College’s homecoming on Saturday, October 17 with a thrilling 2623 victory at Dobie Holden Stadium in Poplarville.

L.J. Hawkins caught three touchdown passes to guide the offensive effort for the Tigers. Two of his catches were diving efforts in the back right corner of the end zone.

Northeast (2-6) compiled 341 yards of total offense.

Kendrick Doss guided the effort with 131 yards through the air and an additional 29 yards on the ground.

Doss gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead with his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. Pearl River’s Brennan O’Keefe hit a 32-yard field goal to make the score 6-3 after one period.

Hawkins began his unbelievable afternoon with two touchdown catches in the second to push Northeast’s advantage to 19-10 at the break.

Pearl River made things interesting in the fourth quarter following a 12-yard touchdown pass from Marshall Kranz to Darreal Cook. But the Tigers ran out the clock thanks to a fourth-down conversion with less than one minute to play by Bailey Walker.

Walker added over 100 all-purpose yards for the Tigers.

Tiberias Lampkin was the game’s top rusher with 79 yards on 17 carries.

Pearl River was held to just 32 yards rushing for the entire contest. The Tigers put pressure on Kranz all night and had five sacks.

Demarcus Rogers and Justin Williams topped the Tigers with nine tackles apiece. Brandon Tillman contributed six stops as well.

Northeast 42, Coahoma 14 It was a night of firsts for the Northeast football program as it reached the midway point of the 2015 campaign.

Three players scored their inaugural touchdowns and Greg Davis captured his initial victory as head coach of the Tigers in a 42-14 decision over Coahoma Community College on Thursday, September 24 at James E. Miller Stadium.

Northeast set the tone on the opening possession of the contest after winning the coin flip and electing to receive the pigskin. The Tigers quickly went 65 yards downfield on only four plays.

Back-to-back runs by Tiberias Lampkin pushed Northeast into enemy territory less than one minute into the matchup.

Kendrick Doss then sprinted 23 yards into the end zone to give the Tigers an early 7-0 advantage.

The homestanding Tigers brought the game into a temporary stalemate early in the second quarter after Greg Johnson made a diving one-handed catch on a pass from Rodney English for a touchdown.

But Doss gave Northeast the lead for good moments later on a seven-yard quarterback keeper. It was the team-high fifth rushing score of the campaign for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) transfer.

The Tigers added some padding to their advantage just before the break with a beautiful 80-yard drive that took just two minutes and 13 seconds off the clock.

Doss connected with Cameron Montgomery, who slashed through the middle of Coahoma’s defense for a 34-yard score that gave Northeast a 21-7 lead at halftime.

It was only the second catch of the year for the Shannon High School graduate.

The visiting Tigers forced a three-and-out on the initial possession of the third period thanks in part to a tackle for loss by linemen Anthony Rush and Justin Williams.

Northeast quarterback Kendrick Doss (2) of Florence, Ala., tries to avoid the rush of Mississippi Gulf Coast defensive end Isaiah Buggs during the Tigers first home game of the year on Thursday, August 27 while Brandon Tillman (23) of Grenada (left) celebrates a fumble recovery against East Mississippi on September 17.

Northeast capitalized on the outstanding effort by the defense with another brisk scoring spurt. A lengthy dash

by Doss set up Lampkin’s 14-yard scamper across the goal line that lifted the Tigers ahead 28-7.

Chester Lewis recorded his first touchdown with the Tigers at the 7:19 mark on a four-yard carry. The Germantown High School alumnus had a season-best eight touches on the evening.

Bailey Walker tallied his inaugural score at the collegiate level as well with a 60-yard jaunt. It concluded the stretch of 35 straight points by the guests and is currently the longest rush from scrimmage by any Northeast athlete this year.

Dominic Marino accounted for the lone score of the fourth on a 36-yard run for the host Tigers. Coahoma (0-5, 0-3) was held to just 222 yards, which was their second lowest total of the season.

Doss had his best performance to date for the Tigers. The Florence, Ala., product completed 16 of 28 passes for 197 yards and also contributed 73 yards on the ground.

Lampkin notched a new career-high with 114 yards on 15 rushes while Armstrong had a game-best 66 receiving yards. Austin Holloway was perfect on six point after attempts as well.

Orlandous Davis had 1.5 tackles for loss to guide a group that amassed nine stops in the backfield. Northeast also broke up a season-high six passes with Takari Brooks accumulating two of those.

Terrance Lindsey, Woodrow Prince, Demarcus Rogers and Ladarius Townsend were knotted for the most overall tackles for the Tigers with five apiece. Brady Smith grabbed the initial interception of the campaign for Northeast midway through the fourth.

The Beacon

Sports

7

Golf finishes strong during home event at Shiloh Ridge Special to The Beacon Joseph Taylor enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the links and recorded a solid finish for Northeast Mississippi Community College at the same time.

Taylor achieved a nice turnaround and carded a twoday total of 170 at the second Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) tour stop, which was hosted by the Tigers from September 19-20 at Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club.

The Lafayette County High School graduate shaved eight shots off his opening round score of 89. He completed the event in fourth place among Northeast’s entrants at the pristine 6,831-yard course.

“I hit the ball a lot better and got off the tee well,” said Taylor. “I got it in the fairway and it was a lot easier to get it close to the green. That’s definitely a big confidence boost.”

Austin McClamroch progressed tremendously during his last 18 holes as well for the Tigers. He dropped 11 strokes between sessions, which was second best for the entire field behind only Jonathan Duncan of Itawamba Community College.

The Corinth native tallied a 96-85—181, which was 20 shots better than his final results at the inaugural competition of the campaign at Hinds Community College one week ago.

“I started off a little slow, but I kept the ball in bounds which was important,” McClamroch said. “I hope this carries on to the next tournament. I feel a whole lot better.”

Alex Tull led Northeast for the seventh straight team based match since joining the program as a freshman last spring. The reigning MACJC All-State selection ended in a tie for ninth with East Central Community College’s Tristan Hernandez at even par.

It was the third consecutive conference meet in which Tull earned a spot in the top 10 of the individual standings.

The streak dates back to the MACJC State Tournament last

Northeast golfer Austin McClamroch chips in from the sand on the seventeenth hole at Shiloh Ridge Golf Course during the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) second tour stop of the year. Second round action of the MACJC event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. today with a shotgun start and players walking the course. Northeast played host to a myriad of teams from around the Magnolia State during the MACJC second tour stop of the year and will hold the MACJC State Championship at Shiloh Ridge in April.

season at Lion Hills Golf Club.

Ken Waddell followed Tull with an 82-83—165. The Belmont High School alumnus concluded in a stalemate with East Mississippi Community College participant Jace Hobart.

Hayden McDuffie rounded out the lineup for the Tigers.

He remained consistent on the TifEagle Bermuda grass greens and putting surfaces with an overall mark of 8385—168.

“We’ve got a team that’s got a lot of inexperience on the course, but I thought they played well,” said Northeast

head coach Mark Hatfield. “To see two guys improve as much as they did was outstanding.”

Meridian Community College claimed the championship over runner-up Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with a combined score of 560.

The Eagles’ Lance Strickland was the medalist at 13-under-par.

The Tigers welcomed the Magnolia State’s best athletes for the first time since the 2012 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament, which was held at Big Oaks Golf Club in Tupelo.

MEET THE TIGERS Northeast held “Meet the Tigers” at Domino’s Pizza on Tuesday, August 25. As a way of fostering community support for the Tiger football team, “Meet the Tigers” also allowed members of the college’s nine athletic teams plus the “Showband from Tigerland” to become ingrained in the Booneville/Prentiss County community. Northeast freshman defensive lineman (top left) Bryce Brown (50), freshman offensive lineman Antwon McCoy (54), both of DeKalb and sophomore linebacker Mario Virges (20) of West Point try their hand at making pizza inside the Domino’s Pizza in Booneville at the conclusion of “Meet The Tigers” Night. Freshman running back Kyoshi Agnew (5) of Corinth (right) applies his signature to one of the promotional posters given away to fans at “Meet the Tigers” Night. Northeast Director of Bands Bryan Mitchell (far left) leads the “Showband from Tigerland” into Tiger Rag while Madison Parks (above) energizes the crowd.

CHEERLEADERS EXPAND TO 18 Northeast’s cheerleading squad expanded to 18 members for the 2015-16 academic year. Cheerleaders serve a vital role in promoting the college to not only Northeast faculty/staff and students but also serve as brand ambassadors to members of the public at home and away football games, home basketball games and a variety of public functions that help raise the awareness about the positive aspects of Northeast. Members of the 2015-16 Northeast Mississippi Community College cheerleading squad include (front row, from left) Rebekah Holt, Baylee Turner, Madison Parks, Ryleigh Follin, Hannah Knight, Lindie Hill, Addison Carter, Bailey Adams, Carli Bullard, Ashley Flowers, (back row, from left) Shelbi Barnes, Kameron Talley, Alyssa Trulove, Emma Howard, McKayla Bradley, Calin Holley, Yasmin Young and Anna Claire Ivy.

8

Entertainment

The Beacon

CAMPUS COUNTRY HOLDS FIRST SHOWTIME

Northeast’s Campus Country held its first Showtime of the year on September 24 in the Seth Pounds Auditorium. During the 26-song setlist, the ensemble featured famous hits such as Zach Campbell’s (above, left) rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden,’ Vanna Loveless (above, l-r), Chasie Gentry and Molly Thorn’s ‘My Mistake,’ while (left photo, l-r) Drew Henry, Dillon Keith and Adam Chabot perform during ‘I Will Survive.’ Campus Country’s complete Showtime schedule for the 2015-16 school year will include performances on Thursday, November 19; Thursday, February 25, 2016; and Thursday, April 14, 2016.

Tuesday, November 10 4 to 6 p.m.

Hargett Hall Lobby No registration is required.

Call (662) 720-7781 for more information. or visit

BOONEVILLE