14 August ICC formally opens newly-renovated Student Activities Center at the Fulton Campus August 14, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College reopened its Student Activities Center with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, Aug. 14, at the Fulton Campus. “It is with great pride and excitement that we gather to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Student Activities Center,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Just as with our recent residence hall ribbon cuttings at Monroe and Sheffield Halls, this is not just a physical transformation but a renewal of our commitment to providing a vibrant and supportive campus environment for our students.” ICC’s approximately 13,000-square-foot Student Activities Center, which opened in 1961 and the oldest building on the Fulton Campus, has had numerous facelifts over the years, but this renovation touched every aspect of the building, including a completely redesigned interior to maximize open space for seating and the addition of a new covered space on the back to provide students a place to dine in the event of inclement weather. Allen said that the new space will be called “The Yard.” The outdoor furniture will arrive soon and be installed with outdoor TVs. “Our goal was to make this feel like a home on the outside with the style and rocking chairs while providing modern accommodations on the inside,” Allen noted. “With this renovation, we are now able to offer a modernized space for study, play and programming for the entire student body,” Allen said. “The renovation is not 100 percent complete today. While temporary audio-visual items are in place today, new TVs and projectors will be installed soon.” Additionally, landscaping and a potential arcade will be installed this semester. By Christmas, an updated grill space with mobile ordering hot lockers will be housed in this building. ICC’s Student Activities Department will be located in this facility as well as new offices. “As you have heard me previously mention, here at ICC, we know our students living, gathering and learning spaces are critical to their overall college experience,” Allen said. “This is a place they will form lasting friendships, engage in study sessions and create memories that will stay with them long after graduation. We believe that the environment in which they live and their opportunities for student activities and engagement play a significant role in their academic success and personal growth.” Allen said that the $4.1 million renovation of the Student Activities Center was designed with ICC’s students’ needs and aspirations in mind. The upgraded facilities provide modern amenities, increased comfort and spaces that foster community and collaboration. PryorMorrow was the architect, and JESCO, the contractor. Related Articles ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Robotics Lab at Belden Center Itawamba Community College formally opened its state-of-the-art robotics lab at the Belden Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony today (May 8). “It is an exciting day for our college, our students, our faculty and our region as we officially unveil our new state-of-the-art Robotics Lab, a facility that not only represents the future of workforce training, but also our steadfast commitment to innovation, opportunity and excellence,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The $1.2 million renovation made possible through the support of our friends in the Mississippi Legislature reflects a true investment in the lives and futures of our students and the communities we serve. At ICC, we don’t just train for today’s jobs, we prepare for tomorrow’s careers. And this Robotics Lab is a shining example of that mission in action. As industry leaders consider locating in North Mississippi, this lab, and the facility as a whole demonstrates that we are ready – with the talent, training and technology to meet their needs.” Dr. Doug Ferguson, ICC Robotics instructor, concurs. “This new ... ICC student artwork featured in exhibit in newly-renovated W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center The artwork of several Itawamba Community College students is currently on display in the newly-renovated W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus. The first student exhibition in the new space, which consists of approximately 80 pieces of art including drawing, painting, computer art and sculpture, will be on display until May 5. Artists include Taylor Braxton of Amory; Jamecia Walker of Baldwyn; Bayleigh Caldwell of Caledonia; McKenna Powell of Hatley; Alli Blansett, Makenzie Brooks, both of Houston; Olivia Jones of Mantachie; Francisco Garcia of Mooreville; Mia Coggin of Nettleton; Michaela Pearson, Rachel Gann, Kaitlin Stegall, Brianna Hall, Maria Tinajero, all of Pontotoc; Lily Wright of Red Bay, Ala.; Jaiden Hutson, Danielle Thompson, Elliana Parker, all of Saltillo; KaJatlon Clark of Shannon; Selena Crowley of Tremont; Ana Chambers, Drew Edmonson, Camille Campbell and Brianna Dent, all of Tupelo. Normal gallery hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information, email Shawn Whittington at eswhittington@iccms.edu or call (662) 862-8301. ICC formally reopens W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center Itawamba Community College formally reopened the newly-renovated W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus during a ribbon cutting, Apr. 20. Renovations began in the fall of 2021 to restore the decades-old 24,000-square-foot facility, which had not received any major work since it was built in 1978. With upgrades to almost every inch of the facility, the state-of-the-art auditorium, lecture space, exhibit hall and lobby now boast modern designs that are more inviting to guests. The renovations were designed by McCarty Architects. ICC student art competition currently on display at the Fulton Campus Itawamba Community College’s Student Art Competition is currently on display in the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center gallery at the Fulton Campus. Works from a variety of media including drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics and computer art are included. The show will be juried by Tom Douglas, former member of the ICC Art faculty. The show includes works by Owen Beasley, Makenzie Nevins, both of Amory; Karol Arias-Little, Cayden Rogers, both of Belden; Breanna Isaac of Choctaw; Bree Ana Bennett, Lexi Grant, Keyelle Holder, Aiden Hunter, Emily Tibbs, all of Fulton; Versie Lucille Laher of Glen; Vega Taylor of Greenwood Springs; Alli Porter of Guntown; Meradith Gaudet of Hamilton; Dakota Fuller of Milton, Fla.; Monserrat Garcia, Micah Hatfield, both of Mooreville; Jackson Bynum of Nettleton; Taylor Babbitt of Plantersville; Connor Coker, Micahela Lopez, Mak Masters, Isaiah Pannell, Emily Sauerwein, Jamarion Shannon, David Tucker, all of Pontotoc; Ahmad Cox of Prairie; Molly Pennington, Sebastian Raines, Abby Roberts, all of Saltillo; Christopher Smith of Shannon; Kylee Rafnson of Southaven; Jarques Madison of Starkville; Sarah Brown, Kali Dalton, both of Tremont; Charles Crayton, ... ICC student artwork on display until Nov. 17 at the Fulton Campus An array of drawings, paintings and sculptures by Itawamba Community College art students will be on display until Nov. 17 in the hallways of the visual arts and music area of the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus. Participating artists include Harleigh Roberts, Jamecia Walker, both of Baldwyn; Bayleigh Caldwell of Caledonia; McKenna Powell of Hatley; Makinzie Brooks of Houston; Olivia Jones of Mantachie; Mia Coggin of Nettleton; Brianna Hall, Kaitlin Stegal, Aaron Tutor, all of Pontotoc; Danielle Thompson, Elliana Parker, both of Saltillo; KaJatlan Clark of Shannon; Gracie Spearman of Tremont; Julie Laney, Brianna Dent, Brianna James, Ana Chambers, Kyndal Scott and Drew Edmonson, all of Tupelo. Viewing hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Shawn Whittington at (662) 862-8301 or email eswhittington@iccms.edu. ICC alumnus Jason Dickinson returns to become Campus Police Chief 28 years after he first enrolled as a student Itawamba Community College alumnus Jason Dickinson of Mantachie has returned to his alma mater to become Campus Police Chief 28 years after he first enrolled as a student. On July 1, Dickinson started his new job after spending 23 years working patrol and investigating. Dickinson said he applied because he wants to make a difference in the young lives of the students. Although he has never worked in the college environment, he wants to help or keep them on the right path and explain to them what a bad decision can bring. Dickinson earned two associate’s degrees from ICC, one in agribusiness and the other, in Law Enforcement Technology. “My first stint as a student was in 1993, and it was an adjustment straight out of a small high school. The best part was I met my wife of 25 years now in music appreciation class.” Dickinson’s second time as a student begin in 2015, when he enrolled to obtain a law enforcement degree. He was working full-time as an investigator with the Itawamba County Sheriff’s ... Comments are closed.