April 19, 2017

Hinds CC Vicksburg-Warren Campus holds College Night

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BY: Danny Barrett Jr.

Against a backdrop of heavy machinery, fencing and freshly moved dirt, the Utica Campus officially broke ground on a new coed residence hall behind the Cooper Fine Arts Building on May 3.

The new residence hall, expected to be complete in December 2024, will have 183 beds on three floors, a laundry room, kitchen on the first floor, study rooms, computer lab, a mini-mart plus an apartment for a residence hall director.

“We are investing in our future, we are investing in our community and we are investing in our students,” said Sherry Bellmon, Vice President of Instruction, Career & Technical Education. Her office has been on the Utica Campus, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), since 2019.

Hinds is using $28 million in federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds made available during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, the U.S. Department of Education allowed colleges to make requests for use of remaining HERF funds. The college submitted a request and received approval to use the funds for the residence hall construction.

Bellmon said when Dr. Stephen Vacik became president in July 2020 he asked her what her top priority was for the campus. “He asked me, ‘What can I do for you?’ I told him I wanted a new residence hall for our students,” she said.

Dr. Vacik said he knew such a project would take considerable funds. “I made a promise to get this done when I first came to Hinds, and today I have made good on that promise. I am very grateful that we were able to find the resources needed for this project,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming.”

In the meantime, three existing residence halls on the opposite side of the campus are receiving much needed renovations including new HVAC and painting.

“This will be an exciting campus expansion,” said sophomore Lauren Gatlin. “I’m happy to see that we are moving forward and advancing resources on our campus. I hate I won’t be able to experience living in a new residence hall. This hall will be an essential tool for recruitment and increasing enrollment.”

Hinds recruiter and HBCU Liaison Donny Epting said the new building will be an asset to him as a recruiter.

“As an institution, it is our mission to provide students the best place possible to achieve their dreams. This new space will add to the many attributes that Hinds already maintains, which includes our costfriendly tuition, small class sizes and a variety of resources to help our students succeed,” he said.

Quoting Kevin Costner from the baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” he added: “Build it and they will come.”

 VICKSBURG – Patanya Williams has chased her goal of working in the medical field once before but didn’t have the proper support.

Patanya Williams, of Vicksburg, speaks wtih Joycelyn Washington, a Student Services coordinator for Hinds Community College, at College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Patanya Williams, of Vicksburg, speaks with Joycelyn Washington, a Student Services coordinator for Hinds Community College, at College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

“I’m just getting older now and I have a better outlook on life and school,” said Williams, 43, after stopping by College Night at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus to get more information on the Practical Nursing program.

Working security in recent years has paid the bills. She hopes a credential in a well-respected program can pay her passion and her pocket.

Ferran Parker, a senior at Warren Central High School, is pursuing his own passion with gusto.

“I enjoy working on cars,” Parker said, visiting with Automotive Technology instructors. “I’ve worked at it for four years already, doing people’s cars.”

Each was among prospective students young and old who attended the come-and-go event. High school students and adults looking to return to school were able to find out about admissions, majors, financial aid, registration and more.

“We look forward to many of the hundreds of juniors and seniors from Vicksburg and Warren County and the surrounding area enrolling at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus and taking advantage of what we have to offer.” said Campus Dean Marvin Moak.

Deborah Nicole Hartley, of Vicksburg, who’ll be making the switch from homeschooling to the classroom setting for college, could have two goals in mind – one to satisfy each of her passions.

“The nursing field is an option because I like helping people and making them feel better,” she said. “And I can pursue my art work here, with my canvas and pencil art.”

[tweetable alt=””]Hinds CC Vicksburg-Warren Campus holds College Night[/tweetable]

Deborah Hartley, right, speaks with Kathryn Cole, district Director of Enrollment Services at Hinds Community College, at College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Deborah Hartley, right, speaks with Kathryn Cole, district Director of Enrollment Services at Hinds Community College, at College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Deborah Nicole Hartley, right, listens to Shane Brown, a recruiter for Hinds Community College, during College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. Her mother, Deborah Hartley, is at center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Deborah Nicole Hartley, right, listens to Shane Brown, a recruiter for Hinds Community College, during College Night at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. Her mother, Deborah Hartley, is at center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferran Parker, right, a senior at Warren Central High School, speaks with Dr. Sarah Nichols, left, at College Night at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. In the background are Donna Tingle, his aunt, and Jenny Parker, his mother. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Ferran Parker, right, a senior at Warren Central High School, speaks with Dr. Sarah Nichols, left, at College Night at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. In the background are Donna Tingle, his aunt, and Jenny Parker, his mother. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

 

Attendees seek information at College Night at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)

Attendees seek information at College Night at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus April 18. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)