Tradition Never Graduates at Mississippi College 2013 Homecoming

Mississippi College alumni are invited to the university’s 2013 Homecoming that includes delicious tailgating, an MC Singers concert, a parade, Choctaws football game, 5K race and much more.

Festivities on the Clinton campus run from October 24-26. This year’s theme, “Tradition Never Graduates,” is fitting for thousands of MC graduates from across the USA and around the globe.

Activities will be extra special for McLaurin High math chairman Brad Johns. The 41-year-old Magee resident returns as the MC Math Department’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

A doctoral education student, the math award is the latest for Johns, who’s succeeded despite battling Cystic Fibrosis soon after he was born. The disease causes major problems for respiratory and digestive systems. CF attacks people well before their first birthday and lingers for the rest of their lifetime.

Johns is the 2012 National Heroes of Hope Living with Cystic Fibrosis Award. The MC Math Department award is another noteworthy honor and Brad gives much of the credit to his professors.

“I have been blessed to have really great professors during my undergraduate years as well as during my graduate work,” Johns said. “I am thankful they were willing to work with me and help me receive the best education possible.”

Math Department Chairman John Travis and his colleagues believe they’ve selected an excellent recipient.

“Brad is an inspiration in that he is always energetic with his students,” Travis said. “Even though he has this terrible illness, it doesn’t slow him down from being a good role model.”

Another alum joining the Homecoming celebration is art professor Steve Cook. The 62-year-old Jackson artist is the recipient of the Art Department’s distinguished alumnus award.

“I am deeply appreciative of the honor which has been given to me by my colleagues,” Cook said.

Cook, Johns and others will be among Mississippi College grads saluted at an awards dinner on Friday October 25 at Anderson Hall. The event begins at 6 p.m. Dr. Sharon Martin, a physician at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, is the university’s Alumna of the Year. Tickets are $20.

Many of the events will help graduates reconnect with old friends and share good times. ”As an MC alumnus, I have long memories of Homecoming,” Cook said. “It was a great time of camaraderie for students and faculty.”

A 1973 graduate, Cook speaks highly of his MC experience. “My MC education continues to carry me along and provide the foundation for what I have become both personally and professionally.”

Homecoming begins Thursday Oct. 24. Among the events is the Choctaw Cheer-Off at the patio of the B.C. Rogers Student Center. Alums are invited to enjoy club and tribe cheer competition and meet members of Choctaws athletic teams. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Also Thursday evening, the 50-Year Club Reunion at Anderson Hall begins at 6:30 p.m. RSVP is required. The cost is $15.

On Friday, the Homecoming Golf Tournament at Live Oaks Golf Course starts at 11 a.m. The event is open to alumni, students, and guests. RSVP is required and the cost is $50.

Visitors shouldn’t miss Friday’s 7 p.m. Follies show at Swor Auditorium. It’s a fun-filled night of hilarious skits by pledges from MC clubs and tribes. Tickets are $8 for parents and alumni. The cost is $5 for students, faculty and staff.

Events Saturday include the Hap Hudson 5K run and walk beginning at 8 a.m. at Cockroft Hall. The Department of Kinesiology sponsors the race.

There’s a blitz of club and tribe receptions starting as early as 7 a.m.

Table tennis fans are invited to Alumni Gym starting 9 a.m. Saturday for the Dixie Division Tournament. Ranked No. 2 in the USA, MC’s squad faces Tulane, Alabama, West Florida, Mississippi State, Alabama-Birmingham, and Alabama-Huntsville. The action ends at 5 p.m. It’s free.

A water volleyball tournament run by Pam Milling brings a mix of students and alumni to Alumni Pool from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Winners receive Applebees gift cards.

A cookout and tailgating is set for the Quad, and patio. RSVP is required and the fee is $10. The food is served promptly at 11:30 a.m.

The Homecoming Parade motors along College Street at 1 p.m. The Mississippi College Singers are booked for a 1:30 p.m. concert at Provine Chapel.

Fans bleeding Blue and Gold cheer for the Choctaws in a 3 p.m. football game at Robinson-Hale Stadium. All during Homecoming, grads are welcome to shop at the MC bookstore. It’s open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.mc.edu/homecoming or contact Lori Bobo of the Alumni Affairs Office at 601.925.3252 or lbobo@mc.edu.