Club & Tribe Spotlight: Civitan & Nenamoosha
This week: two of MC's largest and most established organizations to date.
Clubs and tribes are one of the most unique aspects of Mississippi College. The campus’s ten organizations are MC’s way of providing social and service opportunities in a similar way to Greek life, while simultaneously upholding the university’s Christian values. For the first installment of Club & Tribe Spotlight, Blue & Gold will be covering Civitan Men’s Club and Nenamoosha Social Tribe, two of MC’s largest and most established organizations to date.
Civitan
Civitan Men’s Club was founded in 1949 and is the oldest active club on MC’s campus. Its current philanthropy is the Clinton Community Christian Corporation, and its colors are navy blue and gold. Civitan’s current sponsors are Dr. Christopher Weeks, Dr. Steven Mulhollen, and MC tennis coach Michael Ward.
The organization places an emphasis on chivalry and gentlemanly conduct, and its three pillars are brotherhood, service, and character.
“A man of Civitan is, above all, a gentleman,” said Rush Chair Josh Peters. “He knows when to speak, listen, and act. I’ve personally seen Civitan men live out the three pillars on a daily basis since my freshman year.”
Many members cite the pillar of brotherhood as one of Civitan’s most important aspects. “The moments in between big events is where we thrive,” said Historian Caleb Grubbs. “Our brotherhood does not depend on victories, but our brotherhood depends on each other.”
“I realized that Civitan was a brotherhood worth joining by looking at the guys within the organization,” member Alex Broadhead said. “We’re not a group that’s just held together by a shared interest or hobby, but a brotherhood of so many kinds of people, from all walks of life.”
“Our men have a bond that is forged together through our difficult rush process,” Peters said. “Civitan men will stand beside me at my wedding and attend my funeral. They are my brothers in every sense, except by blood. I love all my brothers and I’m proud to be in Civitan.”
One of MC’s most well-known traditions is the beating of the Civitan drum, which starts twenty-four hours before the annual Homecoming football game. Club members often cite it as their favorite memory in Civitan. “Staying up all night and hitting the drum with all my brothers is some of the most fun I’ve had so far, especially when we destroy it at the start of the football game,” member Ward Adams said.
For over 75 years, Civitan has provided male students with a place to cultivate community service, godly character, and lifelong brotherhood. Many students’ college experiences have been transformed for the better by this organization.
“My college experience has changed drastically because of Civitan,” Grubbs said. “I wasn’t just given lifelong friends, but rather a community of men who push each other to get better, strive for excellence, and to get out of your comfort zone.”
Nenamoosha
Nenamoosha has been a beloved part of Mississippi College since its creation on September 24, 1954. The ladies of Nenamoosha are dedicated to bringing people together and sharing, as their tribe’s chosen Bible verse says, “love, hope, and faith.” Their motto, “One in the bond of love,” is the image Nenamoosha strives to project on campus.
One of the standout qualities of Nenamoosha is the friendships it cultivates. “I love NT because of all the sweet friendships it has brought me,” said member Olivia Chance.
Like the rest of the tribes on campus, Nenamoosha’s calendar brims with year-round events, including a formal dance coming up this fall. “I’m really looking forward to formal,” Chance said.
Nenamoosha is distinguished by its red and white colors and symbols, including a red heart, red rose, and bear. Its philanthropy is The Orphan Door.
“Nenamoosha is a sisterhood where we truly are ‘one in the bond of love’ and are always there to support one another as believers in Christ,” former president Kat Moss said. “From the beginning to the very end of being a part of this organization, you form lifelong friendships, have a place to be undeniably yourself, and a group who will support you in everything you do. Nenamoosha allows me to be a part of something larger than myself and I am beyond honored to have the privilege to lead and serve this group of young women!”
Nenamoosha’s four sponsors, Dr. Cindy Melton, Dr. Sydney Holbert, Taylor Orman, and Deanna Russell, are well-known across campus. Under their sponsors’ guidance and together with their sisters, Nenamoosha continues to create a welcoming environment for girls to grow in their faith and friendships. Nenamoosha is dedicated to creating a positive influence at Mississippi College by organizing fun events and humanitarian endeavors, one relationship at a time.
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