Mississippi College
Encyclopedia
Mississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi
. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon
and Madison, Mississippi
, and the Mississippi College School of Law
in Jackson
. It is the oldest college in the state of Mississippi
and the second-oldest Baptist
affiliated university in the world.
Mississippi College has been included in U.S. News & World Report
' s "America's Best Colleges", The New York Times
"Best Buys in College" and Barron's "Best Buys in College Education".
, on January 24, 1826. The name was changed to Mississippi Academy in 1827 at the request of the Board of Trustees.
Three years later, on December 18, 1830, having become an institution of collegiate rank, the name was changed to Mississippi College. It was the third such institution in Mississippi, but as the other two institutions no longer exist, Mississippi College today has the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher learning in the state.
During its early years, Mississippi College was not church-related and was once offered to be "the" State University. It has past affiliations with the Methodist and Presbyterian church, but since 1850 it has been operated by the Mississippi Baptist Convention
through an elected Board of Trustees.
A private institution, in 1831 Mississippi College became the first coeducational college in the U.S. to grant a degree to a woman. In 1850 the Female department was discontinued; and in 1853 a Central Female Institute, later renamed Hillman College, was established in Clinton. In 1942 Mississippi College purchased and absorbed Hillman College, and the institution was again coeducational.
The Civil War
caused Mississippi College to suffer: its endowment was destroyed, its student body disbanded, and its buildings deteriorated. Under the leadership of Warren S. Webb (1873–1891) the college stabilized. Under the administration of W. T. Lowrey (1898–1911), the endowment fund was renewed and the plant was greatly improved.
The administration of J. W. Provine (1911–1932) was a fruitful period, seeing the completion of Provine Science Building (largely constructed in Lowrey's administration), and the construction of Lowrey Hall, Alumni Hall, Farr-Hall Hospital, Jennings Hall, Ratliff Hall and Crestman Hall. The endowment was increased to more than $500,000 and in 1922 the College was initially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS). The enrollment reached 400.
During the 25-year administration of D. M. Nelson (1932–1957), the college successfully withstood the Great Depression
and emerged stronger. During World War II, women were once again admitted and the enrollment increased rapidly. The physical plant was expanded and Nelson Hall Administration Building, Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall and Mary Nelson Residence Hall were erected; Lowrey Hall and Ratliff Residence Hall were enlarged and improved.
In 1943, Mississippi College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
The College continued to grow under the administration of R. A. McLemore (1957–1968). Enrollment increased and the following buildings were constructed: Leland Speed Library, Aven Fine Arts Building (both of which were begun before Nelson retired), B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Latimer-Webb Residence Hall, Whittington Residence Hall, Self Hall and Hendrick House (President's home). The old cafeteria was converted into a women's gym; the Old Chapel (now Provine Chapel) was restored; Ratliff and Crestman residence halls were renovated.
Lewis Nobles' administration (1968–1993) saw continued growth in the areas of enrollment and quantity and qualifications of faculty. An addition to the library was made and the electronic media center emerged. Other construction included: Cockcroft Hall for the School of Nursing and Department of Home Economics, A. E. Wood Coliseum, and the James Moody Adams Field House. The Law School building in downtown Jackson was remodeled and was occupied by the School of Law in 1981. The Latimer House, a Victorian home, was dedicated in 1991.
In 1981 Mississippi College began to absorb Clarke College, which had been founded in 1908 in Newton, Mississippi
. The merger was complete by 1991.
Nobles' last years were marked by the revelation of improprieties in the administration of athletic scholarships and mishandling of institutional funds. The first set of revelations resulted in the school having to surrender the NCAA Division II National Championship in football and the second resulted in Nobles resigning the presidency while under criminal investigation. With the resignation of Nobles on August 3, 1993, Rory Lee, Vice President for Institutional Advancement was named Acting President, and ably served the college, maintaining student, staff, and faculty morale during trying times.
Howell Todd began his administration July 1994 and began physical improvement to maintain and replicate the architectural character of the campus. Renovations and remodeling have transformed Nelson Hall, Alumni Hall, Jennings Hall and Jennings Annex, Self Hall, Farr Hall, and Latimer-Webb Residence Hall. Remodeling will soon be complete on B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Mary Nelson Residence Hall, and Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall. New construction included: The New Men's Residence Hall, The New Women's Residence Hall and the MC connector building between Self Hall and Hederman Science Building. The grounds have also undergone a makeover, including The Piazza between Jennings and Alumni. New parking lots have emerged and plans are underway for the ground floor of a parking garage.
In September 1996, four Mississippi College students were killed on a rainy night in Jackson when their car skidded along Interstate 20, went over the guard rail and landed upside down on Valley Street below.
A 106000 square feet (9,847.7 m²) Healthplex now stands in place of the old tennis courts and football field. New tennis courts, a baseball, and softball field and practice fields have been built.
In July 2002, Lee G. Royce began his administration as the 19th president of Mississippi College.
In September 2008, Mississippi College announced a record enrollment of 4,847 making MC the fastest growing private university in the state for the fifth year in a row. This was the fourth straight year that MC's enrollment topped 4,000. Included in the 2008 class is Choctaw Indian Princess Tia Faye Anderson.
in Anderson, South Carolina
, where he served as president. Prior to his assuming the presidency of Anderson, Royce was Vice President for University Relations at Belmont University
in Nashville, Tennessee
.
Royce holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University
's Peabody College
. He also holds two other degrees from Vanderbilt: a master's degree in business administration from the Owen Graduate School of Management
and a bachelor of arts degree with a major in history.
Royce was married in 1975 to Rhoda Russell Royce, former editor of Open Windows magazine and other publications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a 1971 graduate of Belmont University. Rhoda Royce holds an M.A. from the University of South Carolina and is an adjunct instructor of Business at Mississippi College. The Royces have one son, Mark.
, Mississippi
. The law school started out as the Jackson School of Law in 1930, but was acquired by Mississippi College in 1975. The main campus of Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi.
For years Mississippi College was a dominant force in NCAA Division II athletics. MC won the Division II National Championship in 1989; however, Mississippi College's football tournament participation, along with its NCAA Division II national football championship
, were vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions for recruiting violations.
The Board of Trustees of Mississippi College voted in March 1995 for the university to become a member of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
in the fall of 1997.
Mississippi College currently sponsors 16 sports. Since their transition to Division III in 1997, the Choctaws have won 25 American Southwest Conference
championships. In 2007, the College won conference championships in women's cross country and men's basketball. http://www.ascsports.org/Pdfs/ASC/2007/8/14/ASC%20AllTime%20Champs%2006-07.pdf?tab=champs
Mississippi College's biggest rivalry is with Millsaps College
in nearby Jackson. After a more than 40 year hiatus, the two teams began meeting on the football field again in 2000. The rivalry is dubbed the Backyard Brawl
.
Men's
Women's
for MC athletics.
Lee Royce, President of the college said, “We are pleased with the ruling from the NCAA giving their approval of our request to remove Mississippi College from the list of institutions subject to the policy’s restrictions. We are very appreciative of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ support of our use of the Choctaw name, and look forward to continuing our mutual relationship of respect and cooperation.”
music.mc.edu
Clinton, Mississippi
Clinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:...
. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon
Brandon, Mississippi
Brandon is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 16,436 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rankin CountyBrandon is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and Madison, Mississippi
Madison, Mississippi
Madison is a city in Madison County, Mississippi, USA. The population was 14,691 at the 2000 census. The population is currently 16,930. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is currently the highest income city in the state...
, and the Mississippi College School of Law
Mississippi College School of Law
The Mississippi College School of Law is located in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The law school started out as the Jackson School of Law in 1930, but was acquired by Mississippi College in 1975. The main campus of Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi.In December 2005, the school...
in Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. It is the oldest college in the state of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and the second-oldest Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
affiliated university in the world.
Mississippi College has been included in U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
"Best Buys in College" and Barron's "Best Buys in College Education".
Historical overview
Mississippi College, originally known as Hampstead Academy, received its first charter, signed by Governor David HolmesDavid Holmes (politician)
David Holmes was the last governor of the Mississippi Territory and the first governor of the State of Mississippi.-Career:...
, on January 24, 1826. The name was changed to Mississippi Academy in 1827 at the request of the Board of Trustees.
Three years later, on December 18, 1830, having become an institution of collegiate rank, the name was changed to Mississippi College. It was the third such institution in Mississippi, but as the other two institutions no longer exist, Mississippi College today has the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher learning in the state.
During its early years, Mississippi College was not church-related and was once offered to be "the" State University. It has past affiliations with the Methodist and Presbyterian church, but since 1850 it has been operated by the Mississippi Baptist Convention
Mississippi Baptist Convention
The Mississippi Baptist Convention is an autonomous association of Baptist churches in the state of Mississippi. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention...
through an elected Board of Trustees.
A private institution, in 1831 Mississippi College became the first coeducational college in the U.S. to grant a degree to a woman. In 1850 the Female department was discontinued; and in 1853 a Central Female Institute, later renamed Hillman College, was established in Clinton. In 1942 Mississippi College purchased and absorbed Hillman College, and the institution was again coeducational.
The Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
caused Mississippi College to suffer: its endowment was destroyed, its student body disbanded, and its buildings deteriorated. Under the leadership of Warren S. Webb (1873–1891) the college stabilized. Under the administration of W. T. Lowrey (1898–1911), the endowment fund was renewed and the plant was greatly improved.
The administration of J. W. Provine (1911–1932) was a fruitful period, seeing the completion of Provine Science Building (largely constructed in Lowrey's administration), and the construction of Lowrey Hall, Alumni Hall, Farr-Hall Hospital, Jennings Hall, Ratliff Hall and Crestman Hall. The endowment was increased to more than $500,000 and in 1922 the College was initially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS). The enrollment reached 400.
During the 25-year administration of D. M. Nelson (1932–1957), the college successfully withstood the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and emerged stronger. During World War II, women were once again admitted and the enrollment increased rapidly. The physical plant was expanded and Nelson Hall Administration Building, Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall and Mary Nelson Residence Hall were erected; Lowrey Hall and Ratliff Residence Hall were enlarged and improved.
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
The College continued to grow under the administration of R. A. McLemore (1957–1968). Enrollment increased and the following buildings were constructed: Leland Speed Library, Aven Fine Arts Building (both of which were begun before Nelson retired), B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Latimer-Webb Residence Hall, Whittington Residence Hall, Self Hall and Hendrick House (President's home). The old cafeteria was converted into a women's gym; the Old Chapel (now Provine Chapel) was restored; Ratliff and Crestman residence halls were renovated.
Lewis Nobles' administration (1968–1993) saw continued growth in the areas of enrollment and quantity and qualifications of faculty. An addition to the library was made and the electronic media center emerged. Other construction included: Cockcroft Hall for the School of Nursing and Department of Home Economics, A. E. Wood Coliseum, and the James Moody Adams Field House. The Law School building in downtown Jackson was remodeled and was occupied by the School of Law in 1981. The Latimer House, a Victorian home, was dedicated in 1991.
In 1981 Mississippi College began to absorb Clarke College, which had been founded in 1908 in Newton, Mississippi
Newton, Mississippi
Newton is a city in Newton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 3,699 at the 2000 census. Country singer/songwriter Paul Overstreet was born in Newton.-Geography:Newton is located at ....
. The merger was complete by 1991.
Nobles' last years were marked by the revelation of improprieties in the administration of athletic scholarships and mishandling of institutional funds. The first set of revelations resulted in the school having to surrender the NCAA Division II National Championship in football and the second resulted in Nobles resigning the presidency while under criminal investigation. With the resignation of Nobles on August 3, 1993, Rory Lee, Vice President for Institutional Advancement was named Acting President, and ably served the college, maintaining student, staff, and faculty morale during trying times.
Howell Todd began his administration July 1994 and began physical improvement to maintain and replicate the architectural character of the campus. Renovations and remodeling have transformed Nelson Hall, Alumni Hall, Jennings Hall and Jennings Annex, Self Hall, Farr Hall, and Latimer-Webb Residence Hall. Remodeling will soon be complete on B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Mary Nelson Residence Hall, and Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall. New construction included: The New Men's Residence Hall, The New Women's Residence Hall and the MC connector building between Self Hall and Hederman Science Building. The grounds have also undergone a makeover, including The Piazza between Jennings and Alumni. New parking lots have emerged and plans are underway for the ground floor of a parking garage.
In September 1996, four Mississippi College students were killed on a rainy night in Jackson when their car skidded along Interstate 20, went over the guard rail and landed upside down on Valley Street below.
A 106000 square feet (9,847.7 m²) Healthplex now stands in place of the old tennis courts and football field. New tennis courts, a baseball, and softball field and practice fields have been built.
In July 2002, Lee G. Royce began his administration as the 19th president of Mississippi College.
In September 2008, Mississippi College announced a record enrollment of 4,847 making MC the fastest growing private university in the state for the fifth year in a row. This was the fourth straight year that MC's enrollment topped 4,000. Included in the 2008 class is Choctaw Indian Princess Tia Faye Anderson.
Facts
- Established in 1826, MC is the oldest institution of higher learning in Mississippi.
- Mississippi College was the first coeducational institution in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to grant a degree to a woman. - Mississippi College is the oldest, largest private college in Mississippi.
- Mississippi College is the second-oldest BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
college in the United States. - The first indoor pool in the United States is located at Mississippi College.
Lee Royce
Royce came to Mississippi College from Anderson UniversityAnderson University (South Carolina)
Anderson University is a private comprehensive university located in Anderson, South Carolina, offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in approximately 60 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited as a Level V institution by the...
in Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
, where he served as president. Prior to his assuming the presidency of Anderson, Royce was Vice President for University Relations at Belmont University
Belmont University
Belmont University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is the largest Christian university in Tennessee and the second largest private university in the state, behind nearby Vanderbilt University.-Belmont Mansion:Belmont Mansion...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Royce holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
's Peabody College
Peabody College
Peabody College of Education and Human Development was founded in 1875 when the University of Nashville, located in Nashville, Tennessee, split into two separate educational institutions...
. He also holds two other degrees from Vanderbilt: a master's degree in business administration from the Owen Graduate School of Management
Owen Graduate School of Management
The Owen Graduate School of Management is the graduate business school of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1969, Owen awards six degrees: a standard 2-year Master of Business Administration , an Executive MBA, a master's of finance, a master's of accountancy, a HealthCare...
and a bachelor of arts degree with a major in history.
Royce was married in 1975 to Rhoda Russell Royce, former editor of Open Windows magazine and other publications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a 1971 graduate of Belmont University. Rhoda Royce holds an M.A. from the University of South Carolina and is an adjunct instructor of Business at Mississippi College. The Royces have one son, Mark.
School of Law
The Mississippi College School of Law is located in downtown JacksonJackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. The law school started out as the Jackson School of Law in 1930, but was acquired by Mississippi College in 1975. The main campus of Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi.
Undergraduate degrees offered
- Studio Art
- Art Education
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Biology Teacher Education
- General Biology
- Biology- Medical Sciences
- Research
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Business Administration/Law 3/3
- Business Education
- Marketing
- Biochemistry-American Chemical Society
- Chemical Physics-American Chemical Society
- Chemistry-American Chemical Society
- Chemistry-Career
- Chemistry Teacher Education
- Chemistry-Medical Sciences
- Bible Concentration
- Biblical Languages Concentration
- Ministry Studies Concentration
- Philosophy Concentration
- Interpersonal and Public Communication
- Journalism
- Mass Media
- Public Relations
- Theatre
- Computer Science
- Computing & Information Systems
- English
- English Education
- English/Law 3/3
- Foreign Languages & International Trade
- French
- Modern Languages
- Spanish
- Administration of Justice
- Administration of Justice/Law 3/3
- History
- History/Law 3/3
- History/Pre-Legal
- Paralegal Studies
- Political Science
- Political Science/Law 3/3
- Political Science/Pre-Legal
- Social Studies Education
- Exercise Science
- Sports and Fitness Science
- Physical Education
- Sports Management
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Church Music-Instrumental
- Church Music-Keyboard
- Church Music-Vocal
- Music
- Music Composition
- Music Education-Instrumental K-12
- Music Education-Piano K-12
- Music Education-Voice K-12
- Organ—Robert Knupp, Associate Professor of Organ
- Piano
- Voice
- Wind Instrument
- Nursing
- Physics
- Secondary Education: Physics
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sociology/Law 3/3
- Elementary Education
- Special Education
- Brazil Study Abroad Program
- British Summer Study Program
- France Study Abroad Program
- France Summer Program
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- London Study Abroad
- Mainz Exchange Program (Germany)
- Nursing Mission Trip to Mexico
- Salzburg Study Abroad Program (Austria)
- Spain Study Abroad Program
- Spring Break in Europe
- School of Business
- School of Christian Studies & the Arts
- School of Education
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Nursing
- School of Science and Mathematics
Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry and biochemistry
Christian studies and philosophy
Communication
Computer science
English
Foreign languages
History and political science
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Music
Nursing
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Teacher education and leadership
Study abroad programs
Schools of the college
Graduate programs
- Art
- Biological Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Business Administration, Accounting
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Communication
- English
- Educational Leadership
- Elementary Education
- Fine Arts - Visual Arts
- Health Services Administration
- Higher Education Administration
- History
- JD/MBAS
- Liberal Studies
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Mathematics
- Mental Health Counseling
- Music
- Music Education
- Music Performance
- Political Science
- Public Relations and Corporate Communication
- Art
- Biological Sciences
- Business Education
- Computer Science
- English
- Mathematics
- History
- School Counseling
- Sociology
- Teaching Arts
Secondary Education
Choctaw athletics
The philosophy of intercollegiate athletics at Mississippi College is much the same as the vision statement of Mississippi College. The vision statement reads: "Mississippi College seeks to be a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ."For years Mississippi College was a dominant force in NCAA Division II athletics. MC won the Division II National Championship in 1989; however, Mississippi College's football tournament participation, along with its NCAA Division II national football championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
, were vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions for recruiting violations.
The Board of Trustees of Mississippi College voted in March 1995 for the university to become a member of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
in the fall of 1997.
Mississippi College currently sponsors 16 sports. Since their transition to Division III in 1997, the Choctaws have won 25 American Southwest Conference
American Southwest Conference
The American Southwest Conference is a college athletic conference, founded in 1996, whose member schools compete in the NCAA's Division III. The schools are located in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi...
championships. In 2007, the College won conference championships in women's cross country and men's basketball. http://www.ascsports.org/Pdfs/ASC/2007/8/14/ASC%20AllTime%20Champs%2006-07.pdf?tab=champs
Mississippi College's biggest rivalry is with Millsaps College
Millsaps College
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...
in nearby Jackson. After a more than 40 year hiatus, the two teams began meeting on the football field again in 2000. The rivalry is dubbed the Backyard Brawl
The Backyard Brawl (Millsaps-Mississippi College)
The Backyard Brawl is an annual football game between the Mississippi College Choctaws and the Millsaps College Majors. Both teams compete in Division III of the NCAA, Mississippi College in the American Southwest Conference and Millsaps in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference . The series...
.
Men's
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross-Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track
Women's
- Basketball
- Cross-Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track
- Volleyball
Athletic facilities
In the summer of 2005 Mississippi College opened new athletic practice fields which support soccer and football. Plans include expansion in the near future which will add an extra practice field as well as two new intramural fields for student flag football, soccer, and general student use.Choctaw nickname
In a letter dated February 17, 2006 http://mc.edu/newsevents/prnews/user/story.php?id=209, Mississippi College received word that the NCAA has removed its policy restrictions in the use of the name ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
for MC athletics.
Lee Royce, President of the college said, “We are pleased with the ruling from the NCAA giving their approval of our request to remove Mississippi College from the list of institutions subject to the policy’s restrictions. We are very appreciative of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ support of our use of the Choctaw name, and look forward to continuing our mutual relationship of respect and cooperation.”
Accolades
- For 13 consecutive years, MC has been selected on the Honor Roll of Character Building Institutions as selected by the John Templeton FoundationJohn Templeton Foundation"The John Templeton Foundation is a philanthropic organizationthat funds inter-disciplinary research about human purpose and ultimate reality. It is usually referred to simply as the Templeton Foundation...
. - MC ranks in the top 2.5% in the field of education, top 3.5% in the non-sciences, and the top 17% in the sciences.
- Outstanding premed program. MC is the only institution in the country where undergraduate premed students can take Medical School Board exams, e.g., National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Exam for Gross Anatomy, Cell Biology and Histology, Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology.
- Acceptance rate is more than twice the national average.
- MC has supplied 16% of the dental students to the University Medical Center during that period of time.
- With less than 5% of the total student population in the state, Mississippi College has averaged MC students filling more than 10% of the medical school class at the University of Mississippi School of MedicineUniversity of Mississippi School of MedicineThe University of Mississippi School of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Mississippi.Created in 1903 on the Oxford, Mississippi campus, the School of Medicine was used as a hospital during the Civil War for both Union and Confederate soldiers, especially those who were wounded...
for the past five years. - MC ranks #19 in the nation in the number of undergraduate students who have pursued and have been awarded doctoral degrees in all fields.
Notable alumni
- Earle S. BanksEarle S. BanksEarle S. Banks is a Mississippi lawyer, funeral director, insurance agent, and has been a Democratic member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.- Background :Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Banks graduated from St...
, Mississippi state representative - Ross BarnettRoss BarnettRoss Robert Barnett was the governor of Mississippi from 1960 to 1964. He was a States' Rights Democrat.- Early life :...
, Mississippi Governor (1960–1964) - Albert Gallatin Brown, Mississippi Governor (1844–1848)
- William Leon ClarkWilliam Leon ClarkWilliam Leon Clark was Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.-Biography:Clark was born in Mississippi in 1911. He attended Pearl River Community College, Mississippi College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and became an...
, Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Air Force - Harry CraftHarry CraftHarry Francis Craft was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. Born in Ellisville, Mississippi, he was an center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937–1942...
, MLB player and manager - Ted DiBiase Jr., Professional Wrestler currently in WWE
- Bernard EbbersBernard EbbersBernard John "Bernie" Ebbers is a Canadian-born businessman. He co-founded the telecommunications company WorldCom and is a former chief executive officer of that company....
, former WorldCom CEO - Jenna Edwards, Miss FloridaMiss FloridaThe Miss Florida competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Florida in the Miss America pageant. Florida has twice won the Miss America crown.-Winners:* Assumed the crown after Miss Florida won Miss America...
(AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
) 2004-2005, Miss FloridaMiss Florida USAThe Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Florida in the Miss USA pageant.While Florida has been successful in terms of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, the state has never won the Miss USA pageant, although Cheryl Patton became Miss USA...
(USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
) 2006-2007 - Major EverettMajor EverettMajor Donel Everett was an running back in the National Football League for 5 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.-High school:Everett attended New Hebron High School...
, former NFL player for Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Barry HannahBarry HannahHoward Barry Hannah was an American novelist and short story writer from Mississippi.The author of eight novels and five short story collections , Hannah worked with notable American editors and publishers such as Gordon Lish, Seymour Lawrence, and Morgan Entrekin...
, Author - Scott LeehyScott LeehyBernard Scott Leehy is a judge of the Louisiana Fourth Judicial District Court bench in Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. He was sworn into office on December 27, 2006. Leehy had been the Monroe City Court judge since 1997. A Republican, he defeated the Democrat Jay Mitchell in the September 30,...
, state district judge in Monroe, LouisianaMonroe, LouisianaMonroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636... - Andrew H. LonginoAndrew H. LonginoAndrew Houston Longino was a Mississippi politician who served as a Democrat in the State Senate , the U.S. District Attorney's , and Governor's offices .-Biography:...
, Mississippi Governor (1900–1904) - Fred McAfeeFred McAfeeFred Lee McAfee is a former American football running back in the NFL who played for the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Early years:...
, of the NFL's New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Larry MyricksLarry MyricksLarry Myricks was an American athlete, who mainly competed in the men's long jump event.A durable jumper, Myricks first broke onto the track scene in 1976. While competing for Mississippi College he was the NCAA Champion, in the long jump. He followed that up with a second place at U. S...
, 1988 Olympic bronze-medalist in the long jump. - Michael PassonsMichael PassonsMichael Passons , a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, is the founding member of the Christian band Avalon. As a young musician, Michael was influenced by artists like Elton John and Lionel Richie. In college, he performed in a band and in a New Jersey-based group that toured nationally...
, Gospel Music Artist - Dayn PerryDayn Perry-Journalism:His journalism can be found on FanGraphs online journal NotGraphs. He formerly published with BaseballProspectus.com and at Foxsports.com...
, sportswriter and author - Odell PollardOdell PollardOdell Pollard is a retired attorney in Searcy, the seat of White County in central Arkansas, who was a pioneer in the revitalization of the Republican Party in his state.-Early years:...
, Arkansas attorney and politician - Karen Ray, Executive Director of the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... - Amy TuckAmy TuckAmy Tuck was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. A Republican, she is only the second woman elected to statewide office in Mississippi and the first to have been re-elected.-Biography:...
, former Mississippi Lieutenant Governor - Henry L. WhitfieldHenry L. WhitfieldHenry Lewis Whitfield was an American politician who was Governor of Mississippi from 1924 until his death.-Biography:Whitfield was born in Rankin County, Mississippi. He began his teaching career at the age of sixteen...
, Mississippi Governor (1924–1927) - Jalin WoodJalin WoodJalin Wood is a beauty queen from Waynesboro, Mississippi, who has competed in the Miss America pageant and competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2007....
, Miss MississippiMiss Mississippi:For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss Mississippi USAMiss Mississippi is a scholarship pageant and a preliminary of Miss America. The contest began in 1934, has been held in Vicksburg since 1958, and provides more money than any other scholarship pageant in the Miss America...
(AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
) 2004-2005, Miss MississippiMiss Mississippi USAThe Miss Mississippi USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Mississippi in the Miss USA pageant.Mississippi has not been very successful in Miss USA pageants, with only 10 placements as of 2010...
(USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
) 2006-2007 - Daniel Jones (chancellor)Daniel Jones (chancellor)Daniel Wayne "Dan" Jones is the 16th and current chancellor of the University of Mississippi. He was appointed June 15, 2009, after Robert Khayat announced his retirement from the post on January 6, 2009....
, Current Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, former Dean of the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine
See also
- Southern Baptist ConventionSouthern Baptist ConventionThe Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
- Mississippi College School of LawMississippi College School of LawThe Mississippi College School of Law is located in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The law school started out as the Jackson School of Law in 1930, but was acquired by Mississippi College in 1975. The main campus of Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi.In December 2005, the school...
- Clinton, MississippiClinton, MississippiClinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:...
- Jackson, MississippiJackson, MississippiJackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
music.mc.edu