October 16, 2023
91福利 Honors Institute students at the Forrest County Campus have a plan in place to help take the school鈥檚 motto to another level.
PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood, established the motto, 鈥淧ride, Respect, Class, Character鈥� for PRCC students, faculty, and staff.
According to Dr. Ryan Ruckel, Dean of the Honors Institute at the FCC, students will be working together to establish events that will advance goals to promote the motto on campus.
鈥淲e ran with that idea by dividing our Honors Institute students into four 鈥楬ouses鈥� a la Harry Potter, complete with a 鈥渟orting hat鈥� selection day and House Governors, one each for House Pride, Respect, Class, or Character,鈥� said Dr. Ruckel.
Each House of students elected their own Governor. The four Governors, and their motto selection, are Abigail Ford (Character) of Purvis, Jayden Hibbits (Class) of Sumrall, Laura Meyerholtz (Respect) of Hattiesburg and Emily Smith (Pride) of Petal.
鈥淓ach Governor is responsible to assist with all Honors communications, organization, and events,鈥� said Dr. Ruckel. 鈥淭hey also prepare icebreakers, and in the coming weeks will be working with the Honors Council to run each of the Forum sessions.鈥�
Students elected as House Governors believe that communication is the major link to making this project a success.
鈥淭he role of the House Governors is to connect members, notify members of important events, and build a sense of community within the House,鈥� said Hibbets, 18. 鈥淩esponsibilities include making sure these groups communicate by use of group chat, and lead group conversations during Honors forums.鈥�
Added Smith, 17, 鈥淎s House Governors, we work to voice the opinions and lead with our respective Houses by communicating opportunities and building community across our Houses.鈥�
According to Dr. Ruckel, each House elected a Governor and two Honors Council members. The Honors Council then elected one of their own to serve as president.
Said Meyerholtz, 19, 鈥淗ouse Governor is a role that helps guide the house and relay information and goals between the members and the administrators.鈥�
Honors Council members include:
President 鈥� Brandon Gwin of Oak Grove, Freshman Vice President 鈥� Kaleb Kinkopf of Petal, Sophomore Vice President 鈥� Grace Harrison of Laurel, Secretary 鈥� Maddie Stafford of Petal, Public Relations and Communications Officer 鈥� Halle Jo LaFleur of Mamou, La., Public Relations and Photographer 鈥� Abbilyn Jones of Sumrall, Events Coordinator 鈥� Jiana Atencio of Laurel, and Online Ambassador 鈥� Kaycee Tanner of Lucedale.
鈥淥ur advisors really look out for us and they push us to be better,鈥� said Gwin, 21, a business finance major. 鈥淏eing a student here helps me to prepare for a future education.鈥�
Said Kinkopf, 18, 鈥淭he atmosphere and culture are wholesome and welcoming. Our professors are amazing.鈥�
Ford, 19, a health sciences major, summed up here feelings this way. 鈥淚 am grateful to be a member of the Institute鈥檚 Honors Council, and blessed with the opportunity to be here.鈥�
Stafford, 18, a Dental Hygiene student, agrees. 鈥淚t makes me feel like I have an important purpose to everyone, and it holds me accountable.鈥�
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Article by Chuck Abadie. Photography by Caitlyn Jones.
