Clintonians Cherish Hometown Mississippi College

MC freshman Mallory Burnside of Clinton

Mallory Burnside didn’t travel far to get a world-class education at Mississippi College.

A Class of 2024 newcomer, Mallory stayed in her hometown of Clinton to begin her college studies.

A May 2020 Clinton High graduate, the MC freshman drives just five miles to see her parents and get homecooked meals. Really, there’s little chance the new member of the Blue & Gold family will get homesick.

On the Clinton campus, the 18-year-old began classes in August as a pre-physical therapy major. Professors in the Department of Kinesiology will equip Mallory with the tools to become a pediatric physical therapist at a Mississippi hospital. “I have no doubt that MC will prepare, encourage and aid me in achieving this goal.”

There are a growing number of Clinton High School grads attending America’s second oldest Baptist College.

At the moment, there are 69 CHS grads enrolled at Mississippi College – from freshmen through seniors. That includes 22 freshmen starting classes in August, up from 14 a year ago. There were 19 CHS grads enrolling as freshmen in fall 2018, with 14 arriving in 2017.

As MC begins its 195^th academic year, Mallory Burnside is convinced she’s come to the right place.

“I have many favorite parts about MC, but the most important is how awesome all the professors are. I have already learned so much about my spiritual, mental and physical health from my professors’ lectures, stories and many jokes.”

As MC students returned to traditional classes in the midst of a pandemic, there are many health protocols in place to protect the university family. From social distancing to sanitizing stations to frequent temperature checks, it is part of the landscape at MC and institutions nationwide.

“I know the next four years will come with many challenges and hardships,” Mallory Burnside said. “But I am confident that God will work in many ways through Mississippi College to provide for not only myself but for all students.”

Kyle Brantley, the Mississippi College director of admissions, believes the Class of 2024 will be special for many reasons. Mask-wearing students in the class, he said, “are some of the most deeply committed to MC, choosing to enroll despite difficult and uncertain world circumstances.”

Clinton High grads are fitting in quite well at the university in their hometown.

Michael Wright, director of freshman recruitment, says Clinton High Arrows always bring academic skills and other talents when they become Choctaws. “CHS students come to MC well-prepared in the classroom and ready to be involved outside the classroom.”

Clinton High, he said, “is an amazing place that prepares these students for the rigors of MC in incredible ways.”

They are attracted to the university due to “a desire to be trained by the best in the world in their chosen fields and then graduate to transform the world for Christ,” says Michael Wright, an MC graduate. “That’s what we offer at MC and students are taking notice.”

Clinton High graduate Aaron Graves, 18, was attracted as a new freshman to enter the university’s Honors College. He’s seeking to get a first-rate education to be ready to attend medical school. Scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT, Aaron is receiving a full scholarship like all 29 Honors College students.

MC junior Rachel Burns, 20, has lived in Clinton for four years. Homeschooled, she selected the Christian university because of its outstanding social work program and close-knit family atmosphere. Her commute to campus is just 15 minutes.

“I love the college ministries at MC and I love how caring the professors are,” Burns said. “I also love the small community of the school and that everybody knows everybody.”

Clinton gets high marks in her book. The vibrant community in Hinds County, she said, “is a quiet town with lots of really nice people and local churches.”