MCares Emergency Funds Help MC Students

In the Spring, MC awarded $1 million, assisting students with housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology needs.

This fall, MCares funds continue to serve Mississippi College students hard-pressed to pay school bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Blake Thompson, earlier this year, announced the emergency fund’s creation. Dr. Thompson and other leaders of the Christian university encouraged alumni and other supporters to donate to the cause. More than $82,000 in donations have poured in.

Students can utilize the money to help meet college costs as many families face challenging times. Since March, the health emergency has resulted in millions of people losing their jobs. The USA jobless rate in September stood at 7.9 percent. Unemployment levels shot up to 20.5 million Americans or 13 percent in May.

“We have had a large volume of requests for aid, and the stories are heartfelt,” says MC administrator Jim Turcotte. “There have been many students impacted by the pandemic. It is affirming to see how the Mississippi College family has come together in this time of need to give to this effort.”

Turcotte serves as vice president for enrollment services and director of alumni affairs. Christian Studies professor Ivan Parke is the committee co-chair.

In early October, MC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Keith Elder applauded the robust support for the MCares fund. This assistance, he said, “allows the greater MC family an opportunity to help prevent students from stopping their academic pursuits due to financial hardships amid the COVID pandemic.”

The solid support for MCares sends an important message as well. “It’s another way MC is demonstrating the love of Christ,” Dr. Elder said.

President Thompson has asked university supporters to pray and continue to invest in the MCares fund during the pandemic. The donations, he said, will “help MC continue our mission of educating students in an atmosphere of academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.”

Said Damon Wright, the Student Government Association vice president: “The MCares fund has been a great asset to the university.”

Chief Financial Officer Laura Jackson said the MCares money is one key source of assistance to students. The university also received federal dollars to help students with emergency financial support during the health crisis.

In the Spring, MC awarded $1 million, assisting students with housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology needs.

More details are available at mc.edu/MCares. People interested in supporting the emergency fund can contact Dr. Jim Turcotte at turcotte@mc.edu.