August 30, 2017

Hinds CC Utica Campus to unveil renovated J. Louis Stokes Student Center

Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus will hold a ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 to officially re-open the student center. The J. Louis Stokes Student Center, a 21,066-square-foot facility,…
BY: Cathy Hayden

Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus will hold a ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 to officially re-open the student center.

The J. Louis Stokes Student Center, a 21,066-square-foot facility, will be open to students, staff and the public. It houses computer labs, Student Services offices, the campus bookstore and dining areas.

The newly remodeled Student Union on the Utica Campus of HCC. This lounge area has room for 100 students to gather and socialize between classes.

The newly remodeled Student Union on the Utica Campus of HCC. This lounge area has room for 100 students to gather and socialize between classes.

Speakers for the ceremony include Hinds President Dr. Clyde Muse, Utica Campus Vice President Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Hinds Community College Board of Trustees President Paul Breazeale and Alexis Williamson, president of the Utica Campus Student Government Association.

Renovations on the building began October 2013 with the first of three phases, which concluded this summer. The $5 million project was funded by the Title III, Part B Strengthening HBCUs funding formula.

“The third phase was the addition,” said project architect Bill Campbell. “We gutted the entire first floor and put on additions to three sides of it to increase student dining, to create a student lounge space and create an enlarged kitchen and dining area.”

The student center on the Utica Campus was dedicated on March 19, 1998, to J. Louis Stokes, the sixth and final president of Utica Junior College. Stokes held the position during the college’s merger with the Hinds Junior College District in 1982. From 1987-1993, he was vice president for Continuing Education and Community Services. From 1993 until his retirement in 1997, he served as executive assistant to the president for special projects.

[tweetable alt=””]Renovated Stokes Student Center reopens at Hinds CC Utica Campus.[/tweetable]

 

Hinds Community College is celebrating its 100th year of Community Inspired Service in 2017. Hinds opened in September 1917 first as an agricultural high school and admitted college students for the first time in 1922, with the first class graduating in 1927. In 1982 Hinds Junior College and Utica Junior College merged, creating the Hinds Community College District. Today, as Mississippi’s largest community college, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution with six locations. Hinds offers quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.

Photo: Angie Foote

RAYMOND – Hinds Community College Hi-Steppers have been named for 2024-2025.

They are, front, from left, Denver Jackson of Jackson, Zoe Irving of Jackson, Alexis Marts of Flowood, Amia Lewis of Byram, Cheyenne Cornelius of Clinton, Malayah Evans of Newton County, Erin Lollis of Byram, Skylar Boyd of Jackson and Jayda Graham of Flowood; back row, Alexis Malone of Clinton, Ciera Pruitt of Gulfport, Olivia Broadwater of Pearl, Chloee Haley of Clinton, Rylan Liles of Vicksburg, Chloe McHann of Clinton, Cori Turner of Jackson, Reaghan Miller of Clinton and Jakayla Brown of Utica.

The group has a new director, Beka King of Pearl. She is only the third director in the 75-year history of the Hi-Steppers. She herself was a Hi-Stepper from 2013-2015 and, during her sophomore year, she was captain of the team.

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Hinds offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and an extensive array of online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.