Winter Commencement Provides Opportunity for MC Grad to Celebrate Achievements, Honor Heritage

Rachel Stephenson will honor her Native American ancestry when she receives her Bachelor of Arts in Music during Mississippi College's Winter Commencement.

In the waning days of her undergraduate career at Mississippi College, Rachel Stephenson approached Cyrus Ben, tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, with a special request.

Stephenson, an MC cheerleader, had met Ben before MC’s Homecoming football game Oct. 29. An MC alum and former Choctaws football player, Ben was on hand to receive the University’s Order of the Golden Arrow, lead the team in the traditional Choctaw Walk, and hoist the official MBCI flag at Robinson-Hale Stadium.

“He’s very kind, easy to talk to, and very friendly,” Stephenson said. “Because I’m Native American, I introduced myself. I said ‘I’m from a different tribe, but here I am. Go Choctaws!’”

To honor her ancestry – she is descended from the Navajo Nation by way of her maternal grandparents, James and Julia Davis – Stephenson sought to obtain a unique item representative of Native American culture to add to her regalia when she receives her Bachelor of Arts in Music during MC’s Winter Commencement.

Native Americans typically wear graduation accessories such as colorful beaded belts, sashes, or stoles to express pride in their heritage and academic achievement. Had she not been able to secure a Navajo stole from her grandparents for the ceremony, Stephenson had expressed interest in wearing a garment of significance to the MBCI.

“I’m thankful I was raised by my parents to learn the history of my people, to honor where we’ve come from, and to know the sacrifices my grandparents have made throughout the years,” she said. “I want to honor them and Native American people as a whole, so wearing something that represents them is very important to me.”

Stephenson’s dedication to her ancestry will be evident in the stole she will wear on Friday, Dec. 16, when she will be among hundreds of graduates to be honored by MC leaders during the Christian University’s Winter Commencement in the A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The ceremony for the School of Education and the School of Law is scheduled for 10 a.m.; the ceremony for the School of Business, the School of Christian Studies and the Arts, and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is scheduled for 1 p.m.; and the ceremony for the Interdisciplinary Studies, the School of Nursing, and the School of Science and Mathematics is scheduled for 4 p.m.

After an invocation by Elizabeth Milner, assistant registrar and 2021-22 Van “Doc” Quick Distinguished Staff Member of the Year, Dr. Blake Thompson, MC president, will welcome the graduates and give opening remarks. Dr. Sara Kimmel, associate professor in the School of Business and 2021-22 Distinguished Professor of the Year, will give the Commencement Address.

Thompson, Dr. Keith Elder, provost and executive vice president, Dr. Debbie Norris, associate provost and graduate dean, and each school’s respective dean will confer the degrees. Dr. Jim Turcotte, vice president and executive director of the Alumni Association, will give the Alumni Charge, and Elder will offer the closing statement, followed by the Benediction.

In August, Thompson and Ben signed a memorandum of understanding solidifying the University’s special relationship with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and establishing an expanded cultural exchange between MC and the MBCI.

“I think it is valuable,” Stephenson said of the agreement. “I commend MC in doing its best to pursue that relationship with the Choctaw Tribe and respecting their culture. As someone who is part of that Native American community, it’s made my heart happy to see the school go the extra mile to do everything to respect and honor the Choctaw Tribe.”

Stephenson’s journey to the graduation stage began in Tupelo. Andrew Fehrenbacher, MC admissions counselor, recruited her from Tupelo Christian Preparatory School. She had other connections to the University as well: some of her high school cheerleading coaches had cheered for the Choctaws, and the children of music directors in her hometown congregation at Belden Baptist Church raved about MC’s music program.

“Music had been a part of my life since I was a little kid,” Stephenson said. “I’ve always had a passion for music, and I knew the Lord could do something with that. I thought, ‘Why not go for a degree in music?’

“I couldn’t see myself in any other field.”

Her original plan was to obtain a music therapy degree, so she pursued a minor in psychology. Once immersed in the MC culture, she found an enthusiastic, encouraging environment. She has been a part of the Worship Team on the Pinelake Church Clinton Campus, and has led worship for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization at MC.

“The group of professors, leaders, and mentors I’ve gained at MC solidified the idea that a career in music would be possible,” she said. “I’ll forever be grateful for the growth I’ve seen in myself during the last four years, and I will cherish the many memories and experiences I’ve enjoyed.

“I know no matter what, I can always come back to MC and feel welcomed, because it is home.”

She hopes to enter one of the graduate worship leadership programs she has been keeping an eye on during her senior year. Whatever she chooses to pursue, the twin pillars of her upbringing – her faith and her heritage – will serve as her life’s compass.

“I’m blessed to have the grandparents that I have,” she said. “Knowing the history of that part of my heritage and understanding everything they have gone through, I want to honor, respect, and be thankful for them. I want to live out the legacy they started.

“It’s comforting to know people at MC care for us, even after we graduate and move on. That’s why I love MC. It’s become a constant in my life and I’ll forever be grateful for God allowing me the opportunity to attend this amazing school. Once a Choctaw, always a Choctaw!”