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Omega Psi Phi Donation to CCC
COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES DONATION FROM OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
Representatives on the local, regional, and national levels of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. visited the campus of Coahoma Community College (CCC). The group met with CCC administration to make a donation and to discuss partnerships that would ultimately benefit Coahoma students and local communities.
CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner welcomed the support and shared that past Coahoma presidents were members of the 111-year-old organization.
“They are supporting students of Coahoma by their act of generosity. It is fitting that the Omega Psi Phi fraternity would support students who attend a college that was founded by an Omega (B.F. McLaurin), and the second president of our college (James E. Miller) also belonged to the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi,” said Towner. “Yet, beyond the sentimental connections of Coahoma to Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the financial support given to our college is empowering as we continue to uphold the mission of serving as the College That Cares.” Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is a historically African American fraternity. The organization was founded on November 17, 1911, by three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, and Frank Coleman, and their faculty adviser, Dr. Ernest Everett Just. Since its founding, the organization has chartered over 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters. Omega Psi Phi is the first fraternal organization founded at a historically Black university.
Terrance Course, senior special assistant to the Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Davis Marion, says that the organization is happy to support CCC and that this act is part of a national effort to support every HBCU.
“One of the visions of Dr. Marion was the fact that he wanted to cover (support) every HBCU in this nation. So, he started this program One Thousand for One Thousand —picking out 1,000 people to donate $1,000, hoping to raise $1 million,” Course shared. “We are targeting every HBCU in this nation.”
Course added that funding and support from the government are important for the lifeblood of HBCUs. He said that the organization is making bold moves to ensure that these colleges and universities are supported on all levels. “Not only do we give back financially, but we also give back in the fight for monies given through the federal government,” said Course.
“There have been two visits from the Divine Nine to the White House, talking to Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. We are fighting for the survivability and sustainability of our HBCUs.”
Located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Coahoma Community College is one of the youngest HBCUs in the state but arguably the most comprehensive two-year HBCU in the nation.
The institution offers a variety of career and technical programs, five short-term programs, and the university-parallel general education program with 61 areas of study. Classes are offered online, in the classroom, and at extension sites within its five-county service area of Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, and Tunica counties.
From pertinent class and program offerings to competitive athletic programs, Coahoma Community College exists as the lone HBCU in the Mississippi Community College System. CCC endeavors to support a need that exists in the state, serving those who strive to achieve better, especially those in socially disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
Course said that the organization hopes to grow the partnership with Coahoma, building personal interest from those who would seek to invest in the college to help it grow and sustain itself.
Towner hopes more partnerships can be forged to help sustain the 73-year-old institution.
“Support from groups, individuals, and organizations enhances the college’s capacity to keep students in school so that they can reach their educational goals,” Towner added. “We are grateful to our friends at Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for supporting the most comprehensive, two-year, HBCU institution on the planet as we work daily to uplift the state of Mississippi.”
Pictured: Karen Woods-Done, director of Student Engagement & Marriel C. Hardy, chief communications officer join Home Depot reps for a photo op during the 2022 RYS Winner’s Ceremony.
COAHOMA SECURES FOURTH CONSECUTIVE HOME DEPOT RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL GRANT AWARD
Coahoma Community College had a reason to cheer after its faithful alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends helped the 73-year-old institution return to the winner’s circle in 2022 and claim the $75,000 cash prize in this year’s annual Home Depot Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant program.
This year, Coahoma captured its fourth consecutive win.
CCC was among 30 HBCUs selected by students, alumni, and advocates to receive a combined $1 million in campus improvements grants through the annual Retool Your School program for 2022.
The grants were created to make sure HBCU students have an upgraded environment that enhances their educational experience.
“Since its launch in 2009, The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant program has provided support to almost 70% of the nation’s HBCUs through more than 180 grants,” said Derek Bottoms, chief diversity officer for
The Home Depot. “Grants from The Home Depot have helped HBCUs make more than $5 million worth of improvements, including the creation of outdoor eco-classrooms, renovation of health facilities, revamping of residence halls, and more.” The Home Depot launched the Retool Your School grant program in 2009 to encourage and recognize innovative projects that provide improvements to HBCUs nationwide, according to the program website. To date, the program has awarded over 500 grants to qualifying HBCUs totaling $4.2 million.
Dr. Valmadge T. Towner, fifth president of Coahoma, was taken aback by the continued support of his institution. He shared his thanks for the many individuals who have sustained Coahoma’s continued success in the competition.
“I recall hearing my grandfather say that if you can do something all by yourself, then whatever you are doing isn’t that much. As a small, relatively young two-year institution of higher learning, we could not compete well or win in the Retool Your School contests without the help of people from beyond our immediate campus community,” said Towner.
In 2019, 2020, and 2021, Coahoma won grants totaling $200,000. The funds were used to construct numerous multipurpose outdoor spaces and to refresh a variety of areas throughout the CCC campus.
“Of course, we have energetic support from our students, faculty, and staff. However, we are able to register high voting numbers due to our constituents, friends, and partners who reside literally all over the nation and beyond. The level of support is quite encouraging and impressive. Because of our supporters, our college is able to win and gain favorable exposure on a national level. We are excited and grateful and ready to Put Five on It,” Towner added.
Grants were awarded based on the total popular vote that combines unlimited daily online voting at www.retoolyourschool. com/vote and social media “voting” that counted Twitter and Instagram posts that included the hashtag #RYSCOAHOMA. Coahoma competed in cluster 2.
“We are so excited by the response made by CCC supporters in this year’s competition,” said Hardy. “Every year, we mark our calendars and make plans to fight hard in pursuit of an RYS grant. We’ve been so fortunate to win in 2019, 2020, and 2021. We are thrilled with the win in 2022. We went “Go 4 for 4!”
Thirty campus improvement awards ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 each will be awarded to each of the winning schools in the three clusters. The Campaign of the Year award can be awarded to a participating school awarded the CIA Grant. Schools outside of the 30 grant recipients may win Campaign of the Year. If they do, Hardy said one unique aspect of CCC’s participation this year was that the institution utilized new strategies to keep Coahoma on track toward success.
“We have made elevated efforts to promote CCC in the competition and rally our supporters this year,” Hardy shared. “We have coined the phrase ‘Let’s Go 4 for 4.’ The campus team has enjoyed taking on this challenge and working to create a campaign that brings awareness, has a sense of whimsy, and showcases why Coahoma is deserving of the nod.”
The institution is already preparing to compete in the 2023 competition. Supporters are encouraged to prepare for Coahoma’s “We’ve Got 5 on It” Campaign, launching in March.
JOHN MAYO
A STAPLE IN COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S HISTORY
Forty-two years ago, John Mayo was hired by former President James Miller as the public relations director for Coahoma Community College. Miller was excited to tell the institution’s story. But little did he know that he would become a significant character in the story he was telling.
“Telling the story of Coahoma to the community became a passion,” said Mayo. “I wanted to focus on telling CCC’s story through the accomplishments of our students and teachers while involving myself in the community.”
Throughout his life accomplishments, which included becoming mayor of Clarksdale and a member of the House of Representatives, he always was an advocate for the school that gave him a chance to shine.
Years of advocating for the school became another opportunity to return as a teacher after Mayo served 12 years in the House of Representatives. The classroom is where he found his passion for preparing the next generation of leaders to take their places in society.
He used wise words from CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner as inspiration.
“Dr. Towner, I believe, summed up best the role of a teacher at Coahoma Community college as one who will ‘Bring students, no matter where they are in their education and take them where they ought to be when they graduate.’”
Towner’s advice resonated with Mayo and motivated him to live up to those expectations.
“My goal as a teacher, I hope, reflected Towner’s vision. However, I added my perspective. Through my classes, I hoped I could inspire at least one student to see the good in government and politics and run for office one day and hopefully become governor.”
Mayo would see his work pay off while shopping at the local Walmart Supercenter. While searching for items, a former student thanked him for his leadership. Mayo’s encouragement led the student to career enlightenment.
“The value of my passion came one day in Walmart. My former student approached me and asked how I was doing. She was an education major who had been teaching for five years but switched in another direction for which she said I was responsible.”
He continued, “Seems that in one of my government classes, I asked a question which she answered in detail. I then asked her what her major was. She said ‘Education,’ to which I replied, ‘A noble profession.’ Then, I whispered to her, ‘That’s a great answer. You might want to go into becoming a lawyer. After five years of teaching, she was completing her second year of law school at the University of Mississippi.”
Mayo’s commitment to his students is one attribute that President Towner admires about him. Towner also applauds Mayo for using his many platforms to be a voice for the institution.
“I have known Mr. Mayo since the 1970s,” said Towner. “Regardless of his station in life – employee, mayor of Clarksdale, state representative – he has consistently advocated and leveraged for Coahoma. All of Mississippi has always known that John was pro-Coahoma. He has always volunteered to do the work of the college that was not in his job description. He has always offered to represent the college in areas and situations that were unique and beneficial to the college. He has frequently displayed his affinity and genuine concern for students at this college. His devotion to the college serves as collegial attributes that we should share for the college.”
Teaching is a calling that Mayo appreciates.
“Teaching is a passion. We make a difference in the lives of young men and women, and even many older people. When I hear people say, ‘Those who can, go into business; those who can’t teach,’ I ask them to spend one day in any of my classes, but only after they spend eight hours preparing for the class and another eight assessing the classwork afterward.”
Mayo thanks CCC for allowing him to live out one of his dreams for over four decades.
“Teaching is a labor of love, a passion for helping others fulfill their dreams of who they are and what they want to become. Not everyone can do it. I’m glad I can say that I was a teacher.”
IT ALL
Starts at COAHOMA
Four Coahoma Community College grads open their own business.
With over 45 years of nursing experience combined, Mrs. Nora McNeal and the McNeal sisters, Amber McNeal-Stacker, Anna Jones, and Tiffany McNeal Calhoun, are excited to bring ReiVitalize Therapy Infusions PLLC to Clarksdale, Mississippi, providing IV hydration for almost any situation.
Whether you are an athlete looking to boost your performance, or hope to address dehydration issues, pesky allergies, or even the common cold, the team at ReiVitalize Therapy Infusions is here to serve those in need.
The company uses intravenous therapy, a medical technique that administers fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into a person’s vein.
“This is the first business of its kind in Coahoma County and the immediate surrounding areas. Not only will we provide in-clinic IV hydration, but we will also provide concierge services to our clients, as deemed appropriate,” Nora said.
ReiVitalize Therapy Infusions is owned and operated by a family of nurses who all had their start at Coahoma Community College.
Nora dropped out of high school but returned at 21 and received her GED in 1977. She earned an Associate of Arts degree in Pre-Nursing from Coahoma Community College (CCC) in 1995. By 1998, Nora had completed her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree at Phillips Community College in Helena, Arkansas.
“Coahoma equipped me to further my education and successfully complete my Associate in Applied Science degree from Phillips Community College with a 3.0+ GPA. Mr. Jerome Shaw, Mr. Frank Howard, Mrs. Catchings, and Mrs. Furdge took me under their wings and challenged me to be all I can be,” Nora shared.
As needed, Nora currently works as a registered nurse at Regional One Mental Health Rehab Center in Quitman County. She brings over 20+ years of healthcare experience to the new up-and-coming company.
Amber received her certificate in Practical Nursing from Coahoma Community College in 2008. She also received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing from Coahoma Community College in 2012. Then she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2015 from The Mississippi University for Women.
Encouraged by her twin sister, Anna Jones, Amber went on to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Track at the University of Southern Mississippi. At USM, she finished in 2020 and became a certified FNP in October 2021.
“Coahoma really played an important role in where I am today. They accepted me into their Practical Nursing program. When I got pregnant after completing the first semester successfully, they allowed me to sit out and have my baby and then pick up with the next class going into their second semester,” McNeal-Stacker shared.
“With the Fast Track RN program, I did not complete it successfully; however, they allowed me to pick up with the traditional two-year RN program students, which I completed successfully. I am a nurse today because of the grace that was extended to me by the faculty and staff at that time, especially Ms. Flora Williams,” Amber expressed.
She has experience working in oncology and corrections and has been an ICU nurse for the last four years.
Anna has been in healthcare for 13 years. She obtained her LPN certification in 2009 and Associate degree in Nursing in 2012 from CCC. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women in 2014, she continued her educational journey by completing her Master of Science Degree in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Track from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018.
“Coahoma Community College laid a foundation for me that no one can take away. I shied away from Coahoma after graduating from high school because I wanted to pursue becoming a medical doctor, and I felt attending a university was a better choice for me,” she expressed.
Jones continued, “After facing many challenges away from home, I returned and enrolled at Coahoma in fall 2006. There I was provided the support and framework to build my nursing profession. As my mother and Tiffany mentioned, many people played essential roles in my life during my time at Coahoma, especially my professors.”
She has now become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner since June 2018. Anna has had the privilege to work in many areas of nursing, including corrections, geriatrics, insurance, hospice, and, more recently, clinic and hospital.
Tiffany McNeal has been in the healthcare field since 2006, when she started her career as a CNA at 20. Tiffany received her CNA certification in 2006, LPN certification in 2007, and Associate of Applied Science in 2010, all from Coahoma Community College. Later, she returned to school and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mississippi University for Women in 2017.
“Coahoma was the initial stepping stone for me to recognize my potential to be who I am. The staff there gave me the support and drive I needed to achieve my academic goals,” Calhoun said.
Although Tiffany has worked in many nursing fields, for the past nine years she has been working as a labor and delivery registered nurse, which has become one of her true passions.
The family chose to open their business in Clarksdale, because it is home for them and made them who they are today. They share that “there is nowhere else we would rather be or serve.”
The McNeal sisters have many hopes and dreams for their future with their new company. They aim to thrive, support the community, expand their reach, and provide excellent health care service for many years.
“Our prayer is that this company will operate within the will of God and provide quality care to Clarksdale and the surrounding areas. We desire to continue to give ourselves back to our community through administering genuine and proficient healthcare,” the McNeal sisters agreed.
The McNeal sisters wanted to share their words of wisdom with current CCC students.
“Zachariah 4:10 states, ‘Do not despise these small beginnings,’” they quote.
“Whether you are a high school dropout, a mother of one or nine children, received your GED, failed at a university, and returned to the community college, or flunked out of a program, do not give up or throw in the towel,” said the sisters.
“True success is found in being in the perfect will of God, so for anyone seeking to be successful, we would say Proverbs 3:5-6:
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your to understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths,’” the McNeal sisters concluded.
Although their opening date is still pending, the family is excited about the future of ReiVitalize Therapy Infusions.
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