Education

Ashley Schmidt, a sophomore Medical Laboratory Technology student from Okolona, was named the 2026 recipient of the Lois B. Jones and David R. Pace Memorial Scholarship, the Mississippi/Louisiana chapter of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science announced.

Rhonda Keenum told Phi Theta Kappa students her membership at Northeast Mississippi Community College helped lead to a senior White House staff position during the George W. Bush administration, Mississippi State University said.

The NEMCC Foundation announced that Levi Lovelace of Tishomingo and Haven Alvis of Rienzi received the Coke of Corinth Scholarship.

Students walked away with gift baskets, campus-branded gear and other prizes at a bingo night on campus, event organizers said. Organizers said the evening included laughter, lucky numbers and Tiger spirit.

Episode 389 of the TigerTalk podcast, released March 4, 2026, features Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford discussing the value of a community college education and the role of Northeast as a launching pad, the podcast said.

Enrollment is open for aerospace technician courses at Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Corinth Center. NEMCC says the course is a required first step for employment at Northrop Grumman and is free to participants.

Britney Whitley, assistant vice president of the Student Success Center at NEMCC, received the Northeast Way Award for her positive leadership and dedication to the campus community.

The NEMCC Foundation announced that Kania Simmons has received the Bill Ricketts Memorial Scholarship. The foundation said applications for the 2026-207 academic year are open and close March 15.

Northeast Mississippi Community College said check-in is at 3 p.m. and tryouts run 4 to 6 p.m. at Bonner Arnold Coliseum. For information, the college provided contact details for Head Coach Brenda Mayes.

Two hundred six Phi Theta Kappa members donated about $4,120 worth of canned food and supplies to the Tiger Den Food Pantry, the organization said.