Ӱ’s Utica Campus held its 2017 Homecoming Week Oct. 23-29. The theme of the week was Laissez Les Bon temps Rouler! (Let the good times roll!).
The week kicked off with an “All that Jazz” lunch featuring a live New Orleans Jazz ensemble and traditional New Orleans cuisine. Students and staff were treated to a total Mardi Gras experience with lavish décor, food samples and music from the region. Day one of the week continued with a Lip Sync Battle, which allowed students to show off their skills and a late night movie on the lawn.
Ӱ Utica Campus sophomores Markendy Felisor of Haiti, left, and Trevon Johnson of Port Gibson get in the spirit of Mardi Gras during the Carnival/Health Fair event held on the Utica Campus.
Other events for the week included a combined Bourbon Street Style Carnival and Health Fair. The carnival welcomed vendors and guests young and old to indulge in New Orleans culture, music and arts. The carnovial even included an appearance from YouTube sensation “Famous Amos.”
The Health Fair welcomed vendors from organizations such as The MS Track Club, MEA Medical Centers and Arrow Nutrition, to name a few. Patrons were offered free health screenings, information on updated medical procedures, flu shots and other resources. Vendors such as Arrow Nutrition felt especially proud to be a part of the festivities.
“We are products of the Utica Campus. We all graduated from here in 1987. This is our first time back in 30 years. It’s such a great feeling for us to be able to be a part of such an amazing time,” said Christopher Griffin, representative for Arrow Nutrition.
One of the week’s most heightened events was the inclusion of motivational speaker and author Alysia Steele. Steele, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, is author of the book “Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisdom.” The book is a collection of formal portraits and oral histories from church mothers, including civil rights activist Myrlie Evers Williams, widow of slain NAACP leader Medgar Evers.
Steele told tales about the Jim Crow era in Mississippi, including stories about the Civil Rights Movement, voting, sending the first child to college, picking cotton on plantations, fighting to receive an education and the journey women took to have “Mrs.” added next to their names in the telephone book. Steele is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and New Media in Oxford.
Crowned Mr. and Miss Utica Campus, Travon Johnson of Port Gibson and Brianna Watkins of St. Louis, Mo., were all smiles during the Coronation Ceremony honoring their election on Oct. 26 during Ӱ Utica Campus’ annual Homecoming.
The week proceeded with “The Masquerade” Coronation and Crowning of Mr. & Miss Utica Campus. The event gave students the opportunity to experience not only the physical crowning of their elected leaders, but to get a firsthand look at a coronation ceremony, comprised of rituals, taking of special vows, regalia presentations, and acts of homage by their new leader’ subjects. To some students, the event was an introduction to an untapped world. Utica Campus Vice President Tyrone Jackson believes an experience such as the coronation is pertinent to student development.
“The pomp and circumstance surrounding an event such a coronation provides participating students an opportunity to be exposed to a formal event where they can learn and/or enhance their skill set in proper etiquette, attire, dance, etc. This event also provides a social atmosphere and entertainment for the student body and other guests in attendance such as the local community in which we serve. Speaking of community, it’s another conduit to strengthen the “town and gown” relationship. Overall, the ceremony creates memories for all involved,” said Jackson.
Other events for the week included fashion shows, powder puff games, tailgating and ending with a gospel explosion.
Ӱ is celebrating its 100th year of Community Inspired Service in 2017. Ӱ 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 Ӱ Junior College and Utica Junior College merged, creating the Ӱ District. Today, as Mississippi’s largest community college, Ӱ is a comprehensive institution with six locations. Ӱ 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 or call 1.800.ӰCC.
Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Alysia Steele is author of the book “Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisdom.” Steele presented during Homecoming festivities at Ӱ Utica Oct. 25.
Ӱ Utica Campus sophomores Markendy Felisor of Haiti, left, and Trevon Johnson of Port Gibson get in the spirit of Mardi Gras during the Carnival/Health Fair event held on the Utica Campus.
Pat Seaton of Richland, left, Christopher Griffin of Richland and Cassandra Sillas of Carthage, all representing Ӱ Utica Campus’ class of 1987, were overjoyed to come back as vendors during Homecoming festivities. The trio are all representatives of Arrow Nutrition, one of the healthcare companies presenting at the Carnival/Health Fair held Oct. 24.
Mississippi Track Club representative Jack Ward of Mendenhall tells of the importance of moving and getting fit through the “Let’s Go Walking” campaign. Ward was one of many healthcare professionals in attendance at Ӱ Utica Campus’ Carnival and Health Fair held during their Homecoming Week.
Freshman Jimmie Jones of Edwards tries his hand at bull riding during Ӱ Utica Campus’ Carnival and Health Fair event held Oct. 24 during Homecoming Week.
Utica Campus Dean of Students Dr. Timothy Rush and Biology instructor Sheilia White-Gaskew show off their dance moves during the “All That Jazz” lunch held Oct. 23 as part of the campus’ Homecoming Week celebrations.