According to Chief Levius Buckley of the Clinton Fire Department, a lack of rain was the reason for the ban’s implementation. “It’s in place right now because we’re in a drought,” Buckley said. “And since the beginning of the new year, we’ve been overloaded with grass fires, whether it’s caused by fireworks or just dry and windy conditions.”

According to Buckley, unattended grass fires are one of the most common fire hazards he sees in the Clinton community. “Like, somebody burning limbs and they leave their house, it happens all the time, [they] end up burning their neighbor’s fence or something like that,” Buckley said.

Other common causes of fires include outdoor cooking and the overheating of lithium-ion batteries, especially those in cellphones, which, according to the fire chief, is a common cause of fire among college students.

When it comes to students living in dorms, Buckley also noted several other potential fire hazards. He said overloading washers and dryers, irresponsible and unattended cooking, hanging clothes from the sprinkler systems in dorms, and charging bikes containing lithium-ion batteries inside of dorms are all major fire risks.

Mississippi College sophomore Elijah Whitfield shared how the recent burn ban has affected his family’s plan to build a lake on their property. “So, right now, we’re mining dirt to put a lake in, and we had to take out a bunch of trees,” Whitfield said. “So, right now, we probably have [about an] acre of wood piles that we need to burn.”

Whitfield also said that his family usually burns their overgrown fields, but they have not been able to because of the ban. “Usually, we’ll burn a field if it gets too overgrown, and if the grass builds up too high, burn it, and all the weeds will go, and the fresh grass will come in, and the cows will eat it better,” Whitfield said.

The local student said that overall, the ban has not significantly impacted his family’s routine. “This is really a one-off, and we really haven’t burned too much, so it hasn’t done us off too bad,” Whitfield said.

Some ways to prevent fires include not leaving flames unattended, properly disposing of hot coals, and removing lint from lint traps. When charging lithium-ion batteries, Buckley recommended placing the charging device on a hard surface, such as a desk. He also warned against charging phones on a non-porous soft surface, such as a mattress, to prevent overheating. Talking on a cellphone as it charges can cause overheating as well. Buckley also emphasized the importance of using a UL-rated charger to charge cell phones, as other kinds may cause overheating and start fires. The fireman said students can prevent dangerous situations simply by paying more attention to what they are doing. “Just be present and watch what you’re doing,” Buckley said. “Slow down, take care of what you need to take care of, and we’ll be good.”

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On Nov. 21, 2025, Mississippi College’s historic Provine Chapel was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, marking a major milestone for both the university and the Clinton community. On Feb. 12, the university recognized this achievement during ongoing bicentennial celebrations.

Stephanie Busbea, MC professor of art and dean of the School of Christian Studies, Humanities and the Arts, played a major role in the months-long process of obtaining national recognition. Busbea worked alongside others in the MC administration, including COO Laura Jackson and Archivist Heather Moore, to ensure all state and national requirements were met for Provine Chapel’s listing on the register.

Busbea commented on the recognition’s impact and how she hopes it will reach those traveling through the city. “There are people, myself included, that when we travel…we stop and look at buildings that are in the National Register of Historic Places,” Busbea said. “I think as people travel through, I am hoping they will stop and visit Provine.”

The dean said she hopes to develop additional programming for tourists, mentioning ideas such as a written self-guided tour or opportunities for student ambassadors to lead in-person experiences for tour groups.

The university’s efforts to obtain the recognition began with extensive research, led in large part by Heather Moore, head of special collections at the MC archives. “We started digging through every picture we could, old yearbooks and vertical files on Provine,” Moore said. “It was really interesting to just see these other elements as the oldest building on campus, to see how it has been used for the past 160 years.”

Busbea commended Moore and her staff on the extensive work accomplished in the past six months.

“She had tons of materials. It was amazing. She had student workers who went through every one of the minutes from all the meetings for the last 200 years to figure out, you know, ‘Who built it? Who designed how it was going to get done? Who was going to pay for it? How was it going to get paid for? How are we working with the Mississippi Baptist?’ All that stuff was in those records, those minutes. And so we were able to go through all those. But the student workers did all that work and read through all of them and just compiled it for me. So a lot of the research was made easier by what they were able to do. And Heather Moore is a master of getting all that material.”

The chapel was constructed in 1860 and is the oldest building on the Mississippi College campus. It is considered a major landmark in the city of Clinton. Built in the red-brick Greek Revival style, the chapel has served generations of students, faculty and visitors as a place of worship, reflection, and community gatherings.

The structure of the building features a full-height stone Corinthian portico, symmetrical windows and doors, a monumental pediment with dentils, and bold classical elements typical of the Greek Revival style. Its smooth, tapered columns with Corinthian capitals and elevated basement enhance the chapel’s commanding and distinctive presence. This defines the chapel as a mid-19th-century Greek Revival temple-form chapel.

Although minor modifications occurred in the early 1900s, including the removal of the belfry and the introduction of electricity, the building has preserved its historic integrity. Renovations in the 1960s reconfigured the ground level for practical use, while the chapel level and exterior remained largely unchanged. Moore said the chapel was also renamed to honor former MC president John William Provine during this time. “It wasn’t actually named Provine Chapel until the 1960s; a hundred years before that, it was always just called ‘the old chapel’ or ‘the chapel,’” the archivist said.

The interior of Provine Chapel contains a two-story main worship space with natural lighting from large triple-hung windows, a high arched plaster ceiling, balconies on three sides supported by slender iron Corinthian columns, and a central apse illuminated by brass chandeliers.

Some later interior renovations included the addition of concrete stairs, new pews, an organ installation, removal of the baptistry and the addition of an elevator. The overall layout, architectural details, and historic character of the chapel remain largely preserved.

For additional information regarding the historical significance of Provine Chapel, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History provides an official property record that documents its architectural features, alterations, and continued historic integrity.

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The Department of Communication at MC planned an educational and professional networking trip to Washington, D.C., for several of its students. The trip to the nation’s capital was originally scheduled for the beginning of November with six students and two faculty members signed up for the immersive experience. Planned activities included a visit to the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon and a meeting with U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

The group was originally scheduled to leave Nov. 1 and return to Clinton on Nov. 4. Reid Vance, chair of the MC Department of Communication, organized the experience. Vance began monitoring the status of the trip as soon as the shutdown started. The communication chair said his decision to postpone was made in late October, after determining that the group’s experience would be greatly hindered under then-current conditions. “We postponed it because many of the activities that we were going to take part in relied on us being able to access offices of the federal government,” Vance said. “It just didn’t make sense to make the trip and not be able to do those things which were essential components of the experience.”

When the government reopened, the trip was rescheduled for late March 2026. While the postponement is changing some students’ decision to attend, faculty are optimistic that the new dates will offer the same experience. “We hope to have all the things that we had scheduled for the original trip also in place for this updated trip in late March,” Vance said. “That includes a meeting with Mississippi College alumni all across D.C. They’ll be coming together for a large alumni meeting, and our students will be able to attend that.” The department chair said he enjoys reconnecting with Mississippi College alumni in Washington and that he looks forward to introducing current students to unique opportunities.

Aside from the postponement of the school trip, other university services were largely unaffected. Financial aid was an area that was not heavily impacted, yet remained a common concern among students. School officials said the timing of the shutdown occurred after financial aid staff had already completed the necessary programs and files for the current semester. Tawesia Colyer, director of the MC Office of Financial Aid, during the shutdown said the situation was stable but uncertain. “We are currently covered until May, so we should not be affected until after May,” Colyer said. “Students should remain calm and not panic about their financial aid.”

Prior to the shutdown, Colyer’s office experienced the effects of staffing reductions and structural changes within the Department of Education. These changes led to diminished customer service, reduced quality of support, and longer response times.

With the eventual passage of a continuing resolution, the government and the U.S. economy are now faced with the challenge of recovering from the historic shutdown. While many economic effects of the shutdown are still being calculated, some published reports show the emerging damage. Delta Air Lines, the world’s second-largest commercial carrier, reported an estimated loss of $200 million due to reduced operations mandated by the FAA. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated that government furloughing during the shutdown would result in an $11 billion loss in real GDP.

While Greek life is a staple in modern American university culture, MC’s decision to opt out of fraternities and sororities leaves a unique opportunity for social engagement. Men on campus have the opportunity to join one of five clubs: Civitan, Kokoa, Rotaract, Shawreth and Decerto. Women on campus have a choice between five organizations called tribes: Chenoa, Kissimee, Laguna, Nenamoosha and Swannanoa

While most of these organizations are original to Mississippi College, Civitan and Rotaract are individual chapters of worldwide organizations. Civitan International and Rotary International have existed for over 100 years. At MC, Civitan, Kissimee and Laguna have had the longest legacies; the club first started in 1949, and the two tribes in 1952.

Today, the ten organizations compete in their efforts to recruit new members. To join, students pay a fee and begin the recruitment process at the start of a fall semester. Those who participate are referred to as potential new members (PNM). In recent years, Mississippi College has moved away from the more common term — “pledge”–under updated hazing policies.

In 2025, recruitment began with a Sept. 4 block party and concluded on Sept. 18 with last chance parties. While the final events were optional for recruits, potential new members were required to visit with each club or tribe at least twice. Most of these events were scheduled later in the evening, in an effort to allow as many students the chance to participate.

Participation in the recruitment process tends to fluctuate from year to year, and more women generally participate than men. This reflects the university’s majority-female population. Recruitment in 2025 saw a lower turnout than in recent years, which also reflects a slight decline in overall student enrollment. Jadi Foster, MC’s director of student engagement, said this semester, 95 men and 245 women completed the recruitment process and joined an organization.

While the process is open to all student classifications, the majority of PNMs are naturally freshmen. Some freshmen stated that they were drawn to the opportunity for connection and community. “I wanted to make friendships I wouldn’t have otherwise made and to potentially find mentors,” Zoey Corales, now a member of Laguna Social Tribe, said. “I want to have a community of like-minded individuals,” Anna Morgan, another freshman, said.

Many students who can participate do so, looking for ways to serve the community. With the new addition of “philanthropy parties” to this year’s recruitment festivities, freshmen are made more aware of each organization’s distinct way of serving. “I want to have an opportunity to serve, and being a member of a tribe seems like an accessible way to do that,” Anna Harrington, a member of Swannanoa Social Tribe, said. “It’s been fun, and it’s [recruitment events] late enough to where it doesn’t interfere with other parts of my life,” Harrington said.

While clubs and tribes are largely governed internally, a student group known as The Council acts as an official governing body between the organizations. The Council is composed of representatives of each organization and is responsible for recruitment logistics.

Council President Anne Bigley said students who join organizations are primarily interested in getting to know more people. Bigley also commented on the major downside, and to some, a complete turnoff for recruitment participation—time commitment. “I had to be very strict, especially during recruitment and the [rush] process to make sure I was prioritizing my school so that come the evening when I had an event, I was able to go and be fully invested,” she said.

Bigley, a nursing major, is not the only student who considers time a major factor in their decision to participate or opt out. Josiah Dwyer, a freshman biochemistry major, quickly saw that recruitment was not going to work for him. “From week one, my schedule kind of got immediately pretty packed, and I just didn’t see time to fully invest in it,” Dywer said.

Anne Bigley recalled her freshman-year recruitment experience and acknowledged another deterrent to participation—expenses. “I know for me, money was pretty tight my freshman year, so I was basically paying dues, and then I was opting out of everything else like tickets and shirts and stuff,” the council president said. “We, the council, try to keep the fees fairly low, but I know it is an issue for a lot of people.”

To some, a decision against recruitment stems from a mix of time and expenses. Amber Baugh, a transfer student, explained that her situation would not allow her the opportunity to go through the recruitment process. “I’d heard about it, but it became a lot more clear to me that it was something I wasn’t ever gonna be able to do because I’m so busy with school and work and balancing my personal life,” Baugh said. “I’m having to work to afford to continue to go to MC, so I can’t cut my work hours back at all if I want to continue to go to school.”

Clubs and Tribes continue to be the largest organized social opportunity at Mississippi College. Upon the conclusion of recruitment and a mutual selection process, PNMs are welcomed into their organizations through a month-long rush process.

The campus streets were packed with students, waiting in line several hours before doors opened. The cold weather, rain and wind did little to deter the crowd.

Students from several universities in the state traveled to Oxford to catch the vice presidential visit. The event was first opened to students, then to a general admission line.

“We got here hours before the event, and there’s thousands of people behind us in line and then probably a thousand in front of us,” Garett Ramsey, a Mississippi College senior, said. “I’m glad we got somebody like the Vice President to come speak in Mississippi—I’m happy we were able to drive up to Oxford.”

While Ramsey and several of his friends made the deliberate trip to attend, many Ole Miss students—the majority of the crowd—gathered a short distance from where they live.

Students were not the only group attending the event; several key federal, state, and local leaders were seen in the stands and on the arena floor. Local representation consisted of several state legislators and Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill. Top state leaders, including Gov. Tate Reeves and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, were joined by Mississippi House Speaker Jason White and Attorney General Lynn Fitch. A majority of Mississippi’s federal delegation also came out to support the Vice President. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Congressmen Trent Kelly and Michael Guest were in attendance.

In his speech, the vice president encouraged students to pursue open and honest dialogue even in rough political climates. While Vance did spend some time addressing specific issues and policies within the Trump administration, his core message highlighted the importance of peaceful disagreement, national unity and civic engagement.

The induction dinner took place in Alumni Hall. Among those in attendance was Dr. Blake Thompson, president of Mississippi College. The university president spoke of the great fifty-year milestone achieved by the Class of 1975. During the event, the graduates were honored individually, with Dr. Thompson announcing each graduate and awarding them a medal.

Jake Donald, director of Alumni and Family Engagement at MC, attended the event, announcing that this class would be the first to receive medals with a new 50-Year Club emblem. “For decades and decades, we have honored what we call the ‘golden class,’ or the ‘golden anniversary,’ which is the 50-year mark of graduating from Mississippi College,” Donald said. “That’s a huge milestone for our graduates, and I like to be able to celebrate our alums in very special ways, whether it’s careers, families, or milestones in their lives.”

Alumni were also given a chance to speak at the event and to share their memories. Susan Tappan, a 1975 graduate, spoke to her classmates about her fond MC memories and reflected on life throughout her time at the university.

At the dinner, Mississippi College memorabilia was displayed, allowing alumni to step back in time.

Gary Rice, another 1975 graduate, and his wife, Connie Wicks Rice, shared the story of how they met at MC and what the school means to them. “We used to cheer on the quad together,” Connie Rice said. “It was wonderful because we were partners, and they had bylaws where you could not be married and be cheerleaders. That year, it changed for us. We married each other.”

Gary Rice majored in business, and Connie Rice majored in education. “I taught for thirty years,” Connie Rice said. “I loved every minute of it, but I give all the glory to God first, then Mississippi College.”

Lee Dukes, another graduate of the Class of 1975, talked about how he created lifelong friendships with classmates and teammates that continue to this day. While at MC, Dukes was a member of both the cross-country and track teams, as well as a beau of Kissimmee Social Tribe.

“We created friendships at Mississippi College with classmates and especially teammates that have persevered through the years. We still get together, we still celebrate each other, we still support one another. When we have hard times or good times, we’re there for each other,” Dukes said. “I think that’s unique because we moved all over the country and still, we stay in touch. So, I think that Mississippi College was a place where that could happen naturally, and it stuck.”

Tuesday, November 4, is election day in the United States. Several key races are happening across the country, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, and the highly publicized New York City mayoral race. After multiple vacancies and legal battles on redistricting, the Magnolia State will host its own general elections. Several Mississippi College students shared their views on Election Day and the importance of voting.

While no federal or state-wide offices will be on the ballot, the state of Mississippi is holding special elections to fill vacancies in the state legislature. Ten legislative districts will have new representation when polls close. For the state senate, elections are being held for districts 1, 2, 11, 19, 24, 26, 44, and 45. For the state House of Representatives, districts 22 and 26 are holding elections. In four additional districts, candidates are guaranteed a win after advancing from their primary and are now standing unopposed in the general election.

“We’re very used to paying attention to the shiny diamond called national politics because it is constantly spoon-fed to us through social media and the news,” Kye Webb, a sophomore political science and pre-law major, said. “But our hometown mayor and city government has a much more direct impact on our daily life because they provide central services like schools, public safety, roads, utilities, and they also make decisions about zoning, housing and local businesses.” Webb is the President of the Mississippi College chapter of College Republicans. The club is a student-led political organization that focuses on networking through guest speakers and campaigning opportunities.

One notable race is happening in District 26, which covers Hinds and Madison counties, as well as north Jackson. The vacancy came after would-be incumbent John Horhn left the office to lead the city of Jackson as its new mayor. Horhn previously served in the state senate for over three decades. With no incumbent present, the race is highly contested with seven candidates on the ballot: Coleman Boyd, Jermaine Cooley, Letitia Johnson, Theresa Kennedy, Kamesha Mumford, James Pittman and Jeffery Stallworth.

“[These special elections] are very important because we might have Democrats beating incumbent Republicans and Republicans beating incumbent Democrats, and that says a lot,” Webb said.

Hayden King, who served as president of MC’s former Turning Point USA chapter, said that special elections do not tend to have high voter turnout rates, especially among college students. “I’m not sure that people realize there’s an election in November, which is an off year, so to speak,” King said. “I haven’t seen many younger voters talk about it, and I don’t think many people really see it. Some of it is lack of interest and awareness of what’s going on and some of it is just not being educated about all the elections we have.” King was a two-time candidate for alderman in recent city elections.

During his time with Turning Point, King hosted a mock election for the 2024 presidential election, setting up tables and booths to get people registered to vote. This boosted political awareness and participation regardless of party affiliation. “I think all elections are important – doesn’t matter how big or small they are,” King said. He encouraged on-campus organizations to host similar events, as outcomes in special elections are often decided by a small number of voters.

When it comes to voting for a candidate, several students cited income and the economy as key issues among young people. “A lot of people don’t really know what qualified means,” Anja Marsalis, a sophomore at MC, said. “But has this person proven in the past that they can handle money?”

Decreased awareness and interest have caused some on-campus organizations to stress the importance of these elections. Webb said that the MC College Republicans are working to spread awareness via social media. “Tufts University put out a statistic saying that 77% of young conservatives got their political information from social media,” Webb said. “Overall, from our standpoint, how we can encourage people to go out and vote is just making them aware of the candidates through social media.”

Regardless of the outcome of these special elections politically, Webb, King and others see a bigger victory in building a space where students feel comfortable with political engagement. “We’re here to get people engaged in what’s going on,” Webb said. “We are here to inform people about different things that are happening across the state.”

The goal of Webb and others like him is to increase student engagement and awareness around the value of their vote. “I would encourage everyone to find the time to go out and vote,” Webb said. “One of the ways we can get involved with our political process is deciding who we want to represent us.”

The show was held during Mississippi College’s (MC) family weekend, giving MC students, friends, and family the chance to join the greater Clinton community in their annual automotive event.

The show was coordinated by Main Street Clinton, the city’s programming and events department, and a branch of the Mississippi Main Street Association. As part of the event’s leadership team, Allison and Tyson Reno worked the show and shared about the event’s history and turnout.

“It’s really cool to see how this event has morphed over the years. Because when we first started, we were literally in the parking lot at Big Lots,” Allison Reno said. “When you move it into a place like Olde Town, it’s already an organic feel. And so when you bring a car show into it, it just really is this amazing venue, to have not only old car guys, but young car guys. You’ve got families that come shopping for the ladies. You have pottery right here that they can do. People can go to the bakery. It’s a wonderful family event.”

The event coordinator serves on the board of Main Street Clinton and is a small business owner on the brick streets. Reno shared that they counted 101 cars at the show. The Clintonian has been assisting with the event for over a decade with her husband, Tyson. The couple brought their own car as part of the display: a 1968 Ford Mustang convertible.

Like most car shows, the event had a competitive aspect. Participants competed for 34 available awards, including those given out by event sponsors and city officials. The main awards consisted of the top 25 and the Ben Todd Best in Show award.

“I want to give a huge thanks, big thanks to all of the drivers of the cars today for shining the cars up, getting them out here on a sunny day, showing them off. Please put your hands together for all of our drivers out here today. I hope they make a little noise whenever they leave this afternoon. They always put on a good show,” Tyson Reno said during the awards announcements.

The Best in Show trophy was awarded to Ade Fleming of Jackson, Mississippi. The driver attended in his 1946 Ford convertible nicknamed “Vanilla Ice.” Fleming has had the vehicle for 24 years and is no stranger to car shows. He has attended Cruzin’ Clinton and many other auto shows, showcasing various cars on which he has worked over the years. Fleming noted that his cars have appeared in several auto publications, including Southern Rodder magazine and Goodtimes Gazette. “It’s just a car that I love, an old car,” Fleming said.

Allison Reno described the importance of awards to the drivers. Many drivers consider these cars to be their most prized possession.

“It’s a lot, it’s bragging rights, so some of these guys…they will have plaques and trophies and all sorts of things lined up, and it’s their pride, it is amazing,” Reno said. “And so when you’re at a car show or if you’re in an event like this, talking to the people, the person who’s sitting closest by the car is probably the owner – and they want to talk to you about it.”

For Fleming and dozens of other drivers, the day ended with awards, handshakes, and the engine-revving satisfaction of seeing their work admired up and down the brick streets.

The future of The Caf App remains uncertain. The creator of the project, Micah Lindley, will graduate in May 2026 and is unsure about his involvement thereafter. The Caf App is a student-run application that assists Mississippi College (MC) diners through a variety of features, one of which allows students to view the MC cafeteria menu. It also helps students keep track of their meal points, rate food items listed on the menu, and check meal times across all dining facilities on campus.

While the app is used by many on campus, the project is not an official MC service. The app was created and is entirely managed by Lindley, a senior from Millington, Tennessee.

Lindley, a computer information systems major at MC, created The Caf App in fall 2022. Now, with his graduation in spring 2026 quickly approaching, he is unsure about what is to become of his creation. “Graduation is something that’s definitely weighing on me a little bit because, am I going to keep maintaining this for free after I graduate?” Lindley said.

“My original business plan for the app was — I wanted to bring it to other universities and charge a monthly subscription fee to the university, not the students … to pay me to maintain The Caf App for their school. Every school could have their own Caf App,” Lindley said.

The developer pitched his idea to Robert Turnage, director of web and creative communications, for the Office of Marketing and Communications. The project was turned down. “I wanted to use MC as like a test case to show off to other schools and so I wanted to offer to do that for MC for free, so I reached out to them, I sent an email to the marketing department with screenshots of an administrative panel that I had built out … they got back to me like ‘we’re not interested,’” Lindley said.

Blue & Gold Media reached out to Robert Turnage for a comment on Lindley’s offer and the careful decision to turn it down. “The office of marketing and communications has no involvement with The Caf App, so we can’t really comment on the subject,” Turnage said via email.

While the office did not comment further, universities often weigh factors such as data security, contracting requirements and long-term feasibility when considering third-party apps.

Lindley was not the only one who was disappointed after the project faced rejection. Nick Allen, a student government senator, described the schools response as “a little disheartening.” Allen is one of five sophomore senators of the Student Government Association (SGA) at MC. Allen felt that the school should have taken advantage of Lindley’s work and stated that he did not believe there were any downsides. “It was not going to be a charged service, and it was already established as a very good and convenient way to access various items in the Caf,” Allen said.

In fall 2024, an SGA committee focused on campus affairs discussed ways to make the cafeteria menu more transparent for students with allergies. They found The Caf App as a potential solution. Allen, who serves on the Campus Affairs Committee, commented on some of his work relating to dining improvements. “We were already looking for a way to maybe have a QR code to scan for the nutrition information and allergen information, but if you have The Caf App, then it could just be direct on there, very convenient to students,” Allen said.

Lindley also believes that accessing allergy information could be made into a feature on the app. The developer stated, however, that it is not something that he would pursue as the operator of the service due to liability concerns. “A benefit of it being an official MC service means the school could manage that,” Lindley said.

According to the developer, another potential option for The Caf App is to pass on the management to another student. “That’s probably something I’m going to look into more in the second semester. The Caf App has a lot of documentation on the codebase and stuff that would help someone who is coming on to take it over,” Lindley said. “But that would kind of be, in my opinion, a last-ditch scenario I think. I still haven’t completely given up on pitching the app to other schools and it becoming a side business for me, but I’m honestly not quite sure what the future holds.”

July 9, Mississippi College students discovered they would have to pay to do their laundry. Yet, less than two weeks into the semester, free laundry returned. The implementation of paid washers and dryers was stalled due to an app software malfunction, in which many students with Android devices could not use the service. After five weeks of free laundry, the $1.50 per cycle service fee returned.

While the July announcement detailed the perks of new, technology-integrated washers and dryers, only one detail resonated with most students – a new price tag. In recent years, laundry facilities have been readily available to on-campus residents at no additional cost. The new fee was shocking news to many.

A second campus-wide email sent on Aug. 19 only added to the complexity of the situation. “We understand that many of you have been experiencing issues with the new laundry app,” MC Residence Life staff said via email. “We are actively working with Caldwell & Gregory to get these issues addressed. In the meantime, they have switched all machines to FREE mode so you may use them without interruption.”

The laundry app, “Speed Queen,” exists as the only method of payment and allows users to check machine availability, and displays how much time is left on a user’s cycle.

Jonathan Ambrose, vice president for the student experience and dean of students, manages the MC Office of Residence Life. The university official stated that the issue with Android devices stemmed from a software bug that would not connect those devices to the payment system. The dean also noted that the problem extended beyond MC; the contractor, Caldwell & Gregory, has been working on technology solutions for many of their similar models. “It was becoming an inconvenience, and we made the decision very quickly to switch back [the laundry machines] over to free,” Ambrose said.

The timing of the situation played a major factor in the decision to temporarily remove the required payment. “When we signed the contract and ordered the machines, they were being delivered on the Monday of move-in day,” Ambrose said. “It took all week; people were like, ‘We need to wash clothes.’ And then you had all the problems with some machines working with some phones and some machines not, and so we just said, ‘Hey let's just do for free for now, and then we'll make some adjustments once we get word from Caldwell & Gregory whether it's working.’”

When asked about the initial decision to upgrade laundry systems and require a payment, Ambrose pointed to the expiring contract with Caldwell & Gregory. The dean stated that many options were weighed and that the expiring contract was seen as the right opportunity to make the switch.

“When we looked at all the companies and when we looked at the services that are being provided on other campuses, we wanted to make sure that we're providing the best services we possibly can to our students,” Ambrose said. “It was apparent, at least to me, that the services of new machines with the technology would make the overall experience better at Mississippi College.”

Students had mixed reactions to the situation. Alayna Richardson, a senior, expressed her disappointment upon receiving the news and described the upgrades as an “additional expense.” “I pay a lot of money for school already; I could probably go to the laundromat for cheaper,” Richardson said. For upperclassmen like Richardson, the shock of change seems to hit the hardest.

Others described how laundry expenses are the standard among most colleges and that the incoming freshman class won't notice any changes. Some on-campus residents also highlighted the long-term and immediate benefits of the changes. “I can see the practicality; [the app] is very beneficial and saves some time,” Aidan Castillo, a junior, said. Castillo, while not satisfied with the new prices, gives credit to what is arguably the new system’s best feature – the app.

Looking back to the spring semester, data shows that students wanted changes to laundry facilities. In a recent spring survey, conducted by the Student Government Association (SGA), over 67% of respondents described laundry facilities as either always or often in poor condition

Laundry on campus has been an ongoing discussion among student leaders. Before the update was announced, Jace Denson, vice president of the SGA, assisted with an awareness campaign that called on students to take better care of shared spaces – especially laundry facilities. “The Spring Refresh was a campaign to show that we want to take care of the spaces that we all have in common and not leave them in a wreck,” Denson said. “This helped us get trash cans either inside or outside of laundry rooms and just try to keep our laundry rooms very clean.”

The idea of charging for laundry was raised in the spring semester of 2025, yet in a much different way. “[SGA] had the idea of bringing Tide Pod dispensers to each laundry room… and that was more so the idea as opposed to having paid washers and dryers where you still have to get your own detergent,” Denson said.

The proposal to have detergent for sale inside laundry rooms was not unpopular among students. According to recent survey results obtained from SGA, a majority stated that they would give up a few dollars if they needed laundry supplies in a crunch.

While this data gives a small peek into what students were thinking last semester, the discussion is no longer about optional detergent expenses but mandatory fees for the machines themselves.

While the August email did not state when payment would be restored, a school official stated that the change would not happen until the contractors were “absolutely sure” the bug was fixed.

Decision-makers remained hopeful about the situation, believing that the updates would benefit students and the university in the long run. “Time is your most valuable commodity,” Ambrose said. “I'm hoping that the $1.50 gets overshadowed by the time that you're being given back for not wasting your time walking to the laundry when no machines are open or wondering if your clothes are dry, but using the convenience of technology to give you a little bit more time toward the things that students find important.”

As of Sept. 15, laundry machines were still operating in free mode. Campus officials contacted Caldwell & Gregory on behalf of Blue & Gold Media for an update to the situation – the contractor did not immediately respond.

Sept. 16, students reported the systems had been switched back to paid mode.

Ed. Note: This story was updated Sep. 5 in several places to replace incorrect enrollment data previously provided by the university.

New undergraduate student enrollment for Fall 2025 at Mississippi College has declined compared to Fall 2024. Michael Wright, MC’s dean of enrollment management, points to two major factors that affect the university’s student count: the “enrollment cliff” and changes to the Speed Scholarship Program.

The enrollment cliff refers to a predictable decline in university enrollment resulting from demographic shifts. There were fewer high school graduates to recruit due to low birth rates 18 years ago. For MC, the decline in high school graduates is most clearly seen in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. “Birth rates are on the increase again, but for the next seven years, we’re in this dip before it comes back up,” Wright said.

Changes to the Speed Scholarship Program also had an impact on student enrollment. In fall 2023 and fall 2024, the Speed Scholarship Program provided a full-tuition scholarship for Mississippi residents.

“That is going to be unsustainable for the next 200 years,” Wright said. “In order to make it more sustainable, we had to dial down what the program was going to pay for.”

This year, to ensure the longevity of the Speed program, the scholarship only covered remaining tuition after state and federal aid was applied. Since the launch of the Speed Scholarship program in 2023, MC’s enrollment has grown significantly. To account for this, the university has prepared the necessary resources to support similarly sized classes.

Within the past few years, the Ratliff, Hederman, and Gunter dormitories have been renovated to accommodate new students. The dorms are at 94% capacity, housing 1,830 students. This is a percentage that school officials say is ideal and allows flexibility.

According to the admissions office, MC received 438 freshmen and 192 transfers for a total of 630 new undergraduate students for the fall semester. This number falls shy of the spring projection of 750 new enrollments. With the addition of this new class, there are 2,582 undergraduate students, 1,593 females, and 1,043 males. For the first time since 2020, the number of new graduate students has increased at MC. 353 new students enrolled for the fall semester, totaling 1,404 graduate students.

“We have roughly 100 less freshmen year over year,” Wright said. “This slight decline, however, is not unexpected.”

Additionally, the dissolution of MC’s football program accounts for lower student enrollment. Wright explained that the football program brought in around 40 new freshmen and transfer students each year. With the discontinuation of the program in Fall 2025, MC now has fewer athletes and, therefore, fewer students.

As the university prepares to celebrate its bicentennial, attracting a strong incoming class and ensuring MC’s sustainability for the next 200 years is crucial. The admissions office is focused on recruiting students who not only thrive academically but also embrace MC’s Christ-centered mission. As of Aug. 26, the total student count is nearly 4,000. Additionally, there are 246 high school students in MC’s dual enrollment program.

Year over year, MC has seen an increase in the academic quality of incoming students. The average ACT score for incoming students is 26, compared to 25 in Fall 2024. This is the highest ACT score for incoming MC students in the last 10 years and speaks to the academic caliber of new students.

Each undergraduate school saw steady numbers. The School of Christian Studies, Humanities, and the Arts is the university’s largest, with 552 students, followed by the School of Education (536), the School of Science and Mathematics (451), the School of Business (380), and the School of Nursing (335). 82 students went undeclared.

While MC is content with its enrollment numbers, Wright shared some ambitious goals to diversify the student body.

“We would love to have roughly 40 to 45% of our incoming class from out-of-state,” he said. “We want to be as diverse as possible in all the senses of diversity, from where people are from, to socioeconomics, to test scores, to GPAs, to interests.”

Currently, MC has an approximate 68-32 in-state to out-of-state ratio. To balance this ratio, Wright plans to more strategically recruit from specific “ponds” of families who are willing to invest in Christian higher education.

“We need people from out-of-state that value what we’re doing, that want to be here and that see this place as the next step toward developing the next generation of Christian leaders,” said Wright.

In the past few years, MC has seen success with increasing retention rates. Two years ago, the first-to-second-year retention rate was 76%; this year, it has climbed to 78%.

“We’ve got the full depth and breadth of a rocking university,” said Wright. “And we’re committed to being focused on the Lord and making sure that when you get out of here, you’re ready to go change the world for Christ in your chosen field.”

“Let's do the sports metaphor,” Dean of Enrollment Management Michael Wright said. “On the transfer side, it’s more like early second quarter, because they're just now starting to get all their stuff in and let us know they're coming, or let us know they're not.”

750 is a median number between the previous two classes. The first and second years, following the announcement of the Speed Scholarship Program, saw classes of 850 and 670, respectively. The goal is smaller because of limited space in the Residence Halls.

Additionally, two major changes were made to the Speed Scholarship Program. First, applicants are required to have scored at least a 22 on the American College Testing (ACT). The ACT requirement was raised by two points. Second, the Speed scholarship is applied differently to a student’s tuition.

“Speed is used as the last dollar towards their financial aid award after state grants and federal grants are applied to their tuition,” Wright said. “The requirements have changed a little bit every year. [We’ve] sort of dialed in who that audience is going to be.”

After two years of analyzing the response to the scholarship, MC leadership has officially changed the name from “Speed Scholarship” to “Speed Scholarship Program.” Leadership believes “program” carries more weight and displays better the intention behind the scholarship — to enroll students in Christian higher education.

“We want to make sure it can last the next 200 years,” Wright said. “In order for that to really become true and even [to] have potential of becoming true, we're making tweaks so that it can be sustainable. It just carries with it a little bit more [gravitas] in our minds.”

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Despite the program not being offered to out-of-state students, out-of-state enrollment has increased slightly over the past few years. Wright predicts 170 out-of-staters will join the incoming class. MC maintains a competitive price in comparison to similar universities.

“We're about $15,000 cheaper per year, not year over year,” Wright said. “$15,000 cheaper than the average Christian school in the country. I think as we change our name to Mississippi Christian University, which will happen next year, that'll only increase the out-of-staters.”

A study published by the Economics of Education Review revealed that over 120 schools, who dropped “college” from their name and added “university” saw a 5% increase on average in enrollment. In the first five years after the name change, universities saw a 7% average enrollment increase.

“That’s what we're hoping and planning for and strategizing for on more the grad level [and] in the international level,” Wright said. “The name change is coming. When you're talking about out of state enrollment, Mississippi Christian University is going to pay off.”

Will Purdie ran uncontested in the race for City Hall. Purdie is a Clinton native who has served as the City Judge and Attorney. It was his legal career that he says has prepared him to take on the role of mayor.

“I think it is imperative that cities elect people who not only have the knowledge and understanding, but also the connection and commitment to those particular communities that allow them to preserve what makes those communities special,” Purdie said. “I think my background allows me to fit that bill in a unique manner.”

Purdie praised law enforcement in Clinton and wants to make sure the brick streets continue to be safe. He would like to accomplish this by raising officer salaries and adding 10 new officers to the force. He would also like to expand the number of specialty units of first responders.

“The hard truth is, our immediate neighbor is the most violent city in America,” Purdie said. “It’s the murder capital of America. It’s up there in the world, unfortunately. I hope they can get a handle on that, but we have to take steps to prevent it from spilling over into our city. Our police force has done a remarkable job of that.”

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Purdie is also looking forward to new ways to boost Clinton’s economic development. The Clinton-Raymond-Bolton Waste Water project and the Rising Spring development project in partnership with Mississippi College are just some of the ways Purdie is looking to accomplish that. In addition, Purdie wants to invest in more residential development.

“I think we will continue to attract young families,” Purdie said. “One of the ways I would like to do that is to work with some of the local residential developers to spur some home growth.”

Purdie views Mississippi College as a vital part of the community and hopes to strengthen the city’s bond with the university.

“I’ve often said that when you come from the campus down Jefferson Street in Olde Towne, it should really feel more like a college town than it does,” Purdie said. “It has gone a long way in that direction, but it should really buy in from the college, the city, and the Olde Towne businesses. Really, I would like to get everyone rowing in the same direction, probably, for the first time.”

Purdie will officially be sworn into office on July 1.

Mississippi College (MC) hosted its second annual Research Week. Research Week provided students the opportunity to present their academic research to peers and professors. The presentations took place April 22-24 in B.C. Rogers. Over 90 students from various schools participated.

“It’s [an] effort to showcase all the things that are going on academically at MC,” History and Political Science Professor and Research Week organizer Dr. Christian Pinnen said. “It’s uniting honors projects, both of people who are a part of the honors college and people that are doing the honors projects on their own.”

Research Week also allowed students to learn valuable skills marketable in the professional world.

“It’s good to share [research] with peers and to get input. It’s the process of how we research and learn,” Pinnen said. “These are skills [not just for academics.] You're going to present something at some point for someone.”

Among the projects, senior Rachel Duncan’s research probably yielded the most head-turns.

“My research topic is the ethical and medical implications of venereal diseases within Victorian marriage,” the English literature and history major said. “I found a source a while ago that covered more of the ethic[al] side of it rather than the actual medicine. It was fascinating, talking about the gender roles and the different things that were implied within marriages in that context as far as social class.”

Duncan began a deep dive into Victorian England two years ago, though her research on venereal diseases only started earlier this semester. The history lover was excited to share her findings with an audience.

“It’s a lot of fun to show off what you are able to do and learn, “ Duncan said. “It’s fun to be able to share it with a wider audience who may [change their perspective]. We have so many perceptions of what the Victorian era was like, and when you go back and study it, it’s actually very different.”

Research topics varied from modern languages to biology to film. Robert Pennell, a senior English writing and math major, submitted two research projects. Pennell examined depictions of place across genres in Jesmyn Ward’s “Where the Line Bleeds” and “Men We Reaped.” Additionally, his second research project centered on bathymetric cross-section analysis.

“I decided to participate in research week because undergraduate research is really important,” Pennell said. “It takes learning from memorization or from performance to trying new things and learning new things. Because I spend such a large part of my undergrad doing [research], I now have the opportunity here to share it with the rest of campus.”

Having a Research Week allowed underclassmen the opportunity to learn from their older peers and for the presenters to learn from one another. It stirred fresh interest in contributing to the academic community and opened doorways for students to explore niche topics.

“It's encouraging to those lower class men who get to look up and see, ‘I'm not just studying for a test, because that's not always fun, but I'm learning what I need to learn so that one day I can contribute to the larger academic community,’” Pennell said.

“I’m looking at doing some different certifications and professional developments,” Melton said. “I always try to keep up with different certifications in my different areas of academics, but there are definitely some trainings and some seminars, there’s some writing that I want to do and some research, and I’m still working on some grant opportunities.”

Melton first came to MC as a freshman in college before serving in public school education and then as a professor at MC. Now, her son attends MC and will be graduating in May. Her favorite role at MC has been MC mom.

Melton loves her career, especially her time in the classroom with students. One of her favorite aspects of her job is being able to discuss with students what their future mission field will look like and being able to minister to them. With her son graduating and the recent passing of her mom, she feels that it is time for her to take a break.

“I think it’s always nice to be able to recharge,” Melton said. “Self-care is really important. Precious time with family is vital. It’s crucial, always, to say family needs to be at the first and foremost, along with your faith. I think it’s going to be good to recharge and come back even more excited, energized, reinvigorated, focused, and be able to use some of my energy and some of my excitement towards some new projects.”

Although students and staff are excited for Melton, she will be missed. She ensures that all of the students feel loved and seen and reaches out to all the different departments that fall underneath the Department of Education. She is an encouragement and is loved by the students in addition to running the department well.

“I am certain that Dr. Melton has left a phenomenal foundation for anyone that steps into the role,” Chip Wilson, Director of Student Wellbeing, said in an email response. “Dr. Melton leads in a way that she comes alongside individuals, and I know that standard will be maintained as they are seeking the next dean of the department.”

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Dr. Christopher Washam, Professor and Chair of Kinesiology, will be assuming the role of interim Dean of Education until the department is able to find a permanent replacement for Melton.

“I hope it brings the two departments together because they are in two separate buildings,” Lilly Pillow, a senior education major, said. “I just really hope that while they’re looking for someone that is going to fill Dr. Melton’s spot, they’re going to look for someone who is as passionate and kind and compassionate as her.”

While her position may be changing, Melton has made a lasting impact on campus.

“Even though her specialization is in elementary, she’s still very in touch with the secondary,” Pillow said. “I think she’s very in touch with the kinesiology department, and all of us feel so seen and loved by her.”

Both students and staff are curious to see what the future of the department will look like under the direction of Dr. Washam and, eventually, someone else. While they are saddened by Melton’s leave, they are eager that she will not be permanently missing from the department and are anticipatory for the future.

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The Mayor and his wife received special honors at the Parade. First Lady Kathy Fisher was crowned the Caterpillar Queen and expressed appreciation for the event.

“It’s such a blessing,” Kathy Fisher said. “We live in Olde Towne. It’s a very special place. Tara Lytal does Main Street, which does the Caterpillar Parade. It’s a lot of fun.”

Phil Fisher has been the mayor since the parade began. Now, he finally gets a chance to become its Grand Marshall.

“It’s great; it’s a lot of fun,” Phil Fisher said. “We’ve been doing it for more than ten years now. Everyone seems to enjoy it.”

These honors come as Fisher is set to retire as mayor after 12 years in office.

“I think it was really kind of those who were in charge of this to think of us and give us this goodbye, this farewell,” Phil Fisher said. “I thought that was nice.”

“It was,” Kathy Fisher said. “That was very nice. You know, I’m just kind of in the background. I don’t really like to stand out anyway in the political scene, but it was a really nice gesture to send us in this way.”

Main Street Clinton’s Spring Market followed the parade.

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“My hope is that folks can come to campus and experience all that our international students have to offer,” Richard Ladner, Director of the International Institute, said. “I hope they understand the richness that our international students bring to the campus and the community, which enriches our lives everyday.”

Tiffany Tseng is a visiting instructor from Taiwan. Tseng wanted to bring awareness of her country as one of the evening’s emcees.

“I think most people know where mainland China is, but most probably don’t know where Taiwan is,” Tseng said. “I think I’m pretty important here as I’m the first Taiwanese teacher at Mississippi College, and it is my mission to promote Taiwan culture.”

Her co-host was James Guo, a student from China. Guo hoped that the festival could build a bridge between American and international students.

“As [a person who is] Chinese, I know the importance of having conversations between multiple cultures,” Guo said. “Also like she said, I want to increase influence of my culture on Americans to make a friendship between us.”

Guests were treated to cuisine from around the world after the show.

Last week, the student body of Mississippi College (MC) voted in a new executive body for the Student Government Association (SGA). The elections occurred on Tuesday, March 25, and the announcement of the winners was made via Instagram on Wednesday, March 26. Three of the four new executive council members were uncontested, but the vice presidential race was between three candidates.

The 2025-26 SGA executive councillors will be President Grey Thompson, Vice President Jace Denson, Chief Justice McLain Boyd, and Business Manager Grace Knight.

An executive council debate was held on the evening preceding the elections, Monday, March 24. The three uncontested candidates — Thompson, Boyd, and Knight — related their plans to an audience of peers in Swor Auditorium. The three candidates for vice president, Denson, Camryn Robertson, and Naomi Strozier, were each given a chance to answer a series of questions regarding their plans, ideals, and potential policies.

Denson, who seemed to elicit the most reactions from the crowd at the debate, expressed hopes for reenergizing student life and making improvements to student facilities, such as adding Tide Pod dispensers to dorm laundry rooms. Denson emphasized drawing on his prior experience as a 2024-25 SGA senator and assistant director of the campus affairs committee.

“I’m always trying to talk to people and see their ideas,” Denson said during the debate. “If you know me, you know I’m a social person, and I really enjoy getting to know people and getting to know what they see on campus that I’m not able to see.”

Business Manager Knight, a graphic designer and double major in accounting and finance, emphasized her plans to bolster the SGA’s outreach and public relations efforts, including posting regularly on social media, refining utilization of mass emails, designing appealing graphics, and strengthening communication.

“It’s just really important to me, so I know I will be able to put my time into it to make it better and benefit students,” Knight said.

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Boyd, who referenced predecessor Jason Ray as a model for his own leadership, expressed hopes to be a neutral, fair, and uncompromising operative of the student justice system. “I consider myself an outsider to campus,” Boyd said. “I’m an independent.” Boyd plans to draw on this aspect of his identity to ensure fairness.

“I feel like, in my rulings as a chief justice, I’ll be able to see not just the perspectives of the people that are going to be on the judicial council, a lot of whom will be in clubs and tribes, but like my own perspective, a lot of them will be unaffiliated,” Boyd said.

The executive council will be led by Thompson, whose key goals for SGA involve increasing visibility and bolstering student life.

“I’ve already held a couple of leadership positions across campus, and one thing I’ve really seen from other executives is communication,” Thompson said. “Communication is key. If you don’t have good communication, you’re not going to be effective. Another thing is hearing everyone’s ideas. You have an executive council for a reason – to hear everyone out and get everyone’s ideas. Everyone’s got a voice.”

Updates about SGA leadership and initiatives can be found on the organization’s Instagram page.

The first of these was Story Fest, a new event during which Mississippi College-produced short film “Chasing Rabbits” premiered. This is the first narrative film from the Institute of Southern Storytelling. It is also the directorial debut of local author Michael Farris Smith, who wrote the script based on his short story of the same name.

“For me, no matter what project I’m working on, enthusiasm is the main ingredient I’m looking for in anybody,” Smith said. “The MC crew showed up everyday ready to work. They listened and loosened up. By the end of it, they knew what they were doing.”

In attendance was local actor Gary Grubbs, who spoke to the audience on his career. While he did not appear in “Chasing Rabbits,” he has appeared in small roles in various movies and television shows. These include the likes of “M*A*S*H," “Honkytonk Man,” “Silkwood,” “JFK,” “Will and Grace" and "Ray," among many others.

“I think they will hear about acting, writing, the potential to do both and how to do it,” Grubbs said of his part in the festival.

Later on Saturday, community members gathered to paint on the Brick Streets for a “Paint Out” sponsored by local painter, Wyatt Waters.

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“So, we had this idea of an art paint out,” Waters said. “We didn’t want it to be a competitive thing, but more like a communing thing. There is no judge, but there is a people’s choice. That was mainly to involve the public with what we’re doing.”

Local artist Lesile Milam enjoyed the atmosphere. She painted one of the buildings on Main Street.

“I’m not drawn so much to the landscape, but I do like buildings,” Milam said. “I like to paint from life. I love to be out with other artists.”

In addition to the artistic activities, there were also concerts, markets, a 5K run, and food vendors during the weekend.

“I’m excited to announce that we’ll be adding this sport to our varsity line-up,” Bizot said. “Pickleball continues to grow in popularity in our country. I hope we’ll be able to attract a new group of student-athletes to our campus who are interested in being part of the team.”

MC pickleball athletes will compete in a newly created Southern Collegiate Pickleball Conference (SCPC). Officials from the NCAA are reportedly in discussions about authorizing pickleball as an official collegiate-level sport, with MC taking the lead.

Although the team, which will officially be known as the Golden Choctaws, will actively recruit students of non-traditional college age, several current members of the campus community are also interested in joining the team. MC has already made waves by signing its first recruit, Emma “The Paddle” Ellard. Known for her aggressive net play and signature spin serve, Ellard is a dominant force on local courts and is eager to take her talents to the next level.

“As someone who is deeply passionate about the sport of pickleball, I am thrilled that campus will have the opportunity to experience the sheer euphoria and profound joy of the sport,” Ellard said. “I can’t wait to wipe the floor with all my competitors. In a friendly way.”

To accommodate the new program, MC has announced plans to convert a portion of the Healthplex into a state-of-the-art pickleball arena featuring professional courts and stadium seating. The new Krason-Melancon Arena will be named after MC’s humanities professors and social media stars Ashley Krason and Kristi Melancon, whose donations have made the facility renovations possible. Free pickles and Choctaws-themed paddles will be available to fans at all home matches.

Even before playing their first match, the Golden Choctaws are already engaged in some friendly competitive banter with their rivals at Delta State, who are reportedly also launching a pickleball team because they are already outfitted in pickle-green uniforms.