Where Tomorrow’s Leaders are Students Today
Announcements
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…
Emergency notifications for students, faculty and staff will be
handled by mass email, Channel 19, WURC 88.1 FM, RC-TV 2,
and campus loud speakers. If you would like to receive emergency notifications by text message, please submit your cell
phone number to Mrs. Carolyn Hymon, Dean of Students. The
numbers will be used for emergencies ONLY and will not be
distributed.
Emergency Numbers:
Security office:
662-252-8090
Security guard on duty: 662-216-3429
It’s time to take your photos for the
2010-2011 Yearbook!
A Weekly Update of Activities at Rust College
Vol. 40, No. 19
January 25-26, 2010,
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please call Adrienne Phillips @ ext.
4917 to schedule an appointment.
In cases of inclement weather, information
on cancelled classes and school closings can
be found by calling the Rust College
switchboard at (662) 252-8000.
Campus NewsBriefs
Attention Campus Organizations!!
This is your organization’s last chance
to be in the 2010-2011 Rust College
Bearcat, so don’t miss it!
United Water Corporate Scholars Program 2010
The United Water Corporate Scholars Program up to $5,000 to college sophomores, maintaining a grade point average of 3.0
Eligible Majors: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science(s), Accounting, Human Resources, Communications, Marketing
January 21, 2011
~~Remembering Octavia~~
The Rust College community gathered together Thursday, January 20 to remember and
celebrate the life of Ms. Octavia Crumb. Octavia, a senior Mass Communications major,
and her fiancé both departed this life on Sunday night, January 16, 2011. Dr. David L.
Beckley welcomed members of Octavia’s family, Holly Springs Mayor Andre DeBerry,
students, faculty and staff to honor and remember Octavia.
“We assemble this morning to pray for strength for the family of Octavia Crumb,” Dr.
Beckley said.
Octavia Rae Crumb, born April 15 1986, grew up in Holly Springs, Mississippi, where
she attended Holly Springs High School, graduating in 2004. Loved by so many, Octavia was often described as determined, caring, compassionate, generous, truthful, and
wise. “She was beautiful inside and out,” say friends and family.
“Nothing brings us closer to life than death, because death reminds us to live,” said
Mayor DeBerry. “God placed among you such a beautiful flower, and He only plucked
this flower in order to place it in His magnificent garden.”
Application Deadline: Friday, January 21, 2011 How to Apply: www.uncf.org/forstudents
“Death can take our loved ones, but can never take
away the memory. So hold fast to the memory of Octavia,” Dr. Beckley said as he gave condolences to the
family.
The program is two-fold working with the United Water Foundation and United Water for profit companies. The United Water
Foundation is a non-profit private foundation formed in January 2009. United Water is one of the largest environmental services
companies in the United States. Headquartered in Harrington Park, New Jersey, we serve 27 million people in more than 40
states. The United Water affiliate, Utility Service Company, is the leading provider of long-term water tank management contracts with municipal and industrial clients in the nation. Our parent company, Suez Environnement, is a global water and waste
water treatment company whose activities focus on provider water to those without access, the distribution of water from alternative resources, the management of industrial impacts and coastline protection.
Dr. Beckley also announced Thursday that a posthumous degree from Rust College
will be presented for Octavia during Commencement in May.
Delivering the homily during memorial service was Rev. Frenchye Magee who first
recognized members of Octavia’s family.
The United Water employee culture is built on the strategic business drivers of business efficiency, customer service, employee
development and managed growth, with a strong commitment to ethics, safety, diversity and environmental stewardship. We
strive to provide an environment in which the best talent can grow, develop and be challenged to contribute every day. United
Water begins with U.
The UNCF Scholars program will provide selected candidates a 10-week paid internship at a United Water for profit facility and
UNCF will provide a $5,000.00 scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year paid for by the United Water Foundation. The internships will be offered at the following locations: Oradell and Hackensack , New Jersey. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Indianapolis, Indiana. Perry, Georgia. and Springfield, Massachusetts. Each candidate will need to go through the United Water for-profit
hiring process. This program is made possible by a grant from the United Water Foundation to provide the dollars to the UNCF
and by United Water for-profit companies which will provide work opportunities.
Dr. David L. Beckley, ‘67, President
Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, ‘71, Vice President
Ms. Adrienne Phillips, Public Information & Publications Specialist
Mr. Ray V. Autry, PR Director
Octavia Rae Crumb
1986-2011
“There are times we are literally speechless… this is one of those times,” she said.
“We look to the wisdom of the ages—we look beyond the hills because the help we
need to get through this tragedy is the Living Word.”
“She is free to live in pure love. Thanks be to God for Octavia, who showed us the
meaning of the word love,” said Rev. Magee.
Octavia Crumb—Miss
WURC— during the 2009
Miss Rust Coronation.
Octavia cont’d page 2
Also presenting words of prayer and remembrance were Brother Bridge Muhammad
of the Nation of Islam in Holly Springs, Ms. Stephanie Davis, SGA President
Braque Talley, Miss Rust Ereca King, Danielle Caradine, and Mass Communications
instructor Mrs. Sharron Goodman-Hill.
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“BY THEIR FRUITS…
...YE SHALL KNOW THEM”
Rust College Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Celebrate Founders’
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President’s Mid–Year Opening Convocation: SGA President Speaks
Submitted by Ms. Emma Miller
Seated-(L to R): Jamie
Rogers, Jakaila Shaw, Mrs.
Jacqueline Mason, Rosa
LeBlanc, Shavitta Hill,
Shana Jones
Standing-(L to R): Karren
Delaney, Desiree Small,
Krystal Henderson, Breanna
Viverette, Brigetta Buck,
Vanessa Duckworth
Rust College President Dr. David L. Beckley took time to welcome students, faculty and
staff back to Rust College after the holiday season during the President’s Mid-Year Convocation held Tuesday, January 18, 2011.. The keynote speaker for the event was Student
Government Association President Braque Talley.
Talley, a senior English-Liberal Arts major, spoke to his peers about the importance of always putting forth the best effort and “shaking off mediocrity”.
“I’ve had the opportunity to be around a lot of people from a lot of different cultures, and
one of the things I have noticed is that those people that are, or were, successful got that
way because they shook off mediocrity,” Talley said. “In order for you to be successful in
life, you must be selective about who you have in your space.”
He explained two types of friendships: the type that nourishes and the type that drains.
Braque Talley, SGA President,
speaks during Convocation
Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
“The first kind… they bring out the best in you, they hold you accountable, they keep you
focused. Toxic relationships, they drain you. There are some people you will never be able to work with because they
know too much about you, and they can’t forget that, they can’t shake that.”
The women of Iota Gamma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated held their Founders’ Assembly on Thursday, January
13, 2011 in Morehouse Auditorium of the Doxey Alumni Fine Arts Communication Center on the campus of Rust College. The
speaker for the event was Mrs. Jacqueline R. Mason, a native of Chicago, IL, who moved to Greenwood, MS in the seventies.
Presently, Mrs. Mason is the President of Psi Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in Southaven, Mississippi, Sorority
State Public Relations chair and South Central Director of Zeta Male Network.
The theme for the occasion was “A Challenge for Rust Students in Today’s Society.” Mrs. Mason stated that we should be mindful of our ever-changing society. She also alluded to our pursuit of dignity and respect and stated that the students’ home base was
their freshman year of college and they should continue to prepare themselves for the ever-changing society.
(Octavia continued)
“Every student contributes in no small measure to the community we create together at Rust,” said Dr. Beckley said Tuesday
during the President’s Mid-Year Opening Convocation. “The loss of any student, particularly in so tragic and senseless a
manner, grievously wounds us all. I know that you join me in conveying the deepest sorrow and most sincere condolences
from the entire Rust community to Octavia’s family. I ask everyone in our community to volunteer support to anyone who
may need it as we turn to faith, hope, and love each other during this difficult time.”
The college has offered the Crumb family any assistance it can provide. As well, the institution is providing counseling to
students, faculty and staff through the C.O.P.E. Center and the Chapel. Those in need of service may contact Dr. Juanita
Seals-Jones, C.O.P.E. Center Director, or Mrs. Carolyn Hymon, Dean of Students; located on the 2nd floor of the McCoy
Administration Building.
“The Chapel is open for prayer”, said Rev. Magee. “I am available to anyone who needs assistance during this difficult time. You do not need an appointment.”
Octavia is survived by her sons, four-year-old Karrington and two-week-old Koran; her father, Mitchell
Freeman, and her brothers Nicholas (Debbie), Meshach, Jarvis, and Justin.
“I want to be happy. I want to be right— spiritually right. I want to be me.”
-Octavia R. Crumb, Class of 2011
Talley encouraged his peers to look at the people in their lives and examine if those people help to nurture, help you grow
mentally, spiritually, financially and intellectually.
“Be selective about your friends, because they have the opportunity to alter who you are. Be selective about yourself.
Have a positive attitude about you… love you more than anyone else. And be happy, if you can’t be anything else in life,
be happy, and that starts by being the best you.”
Talley has served in several Rust College organizations: Sigma Tau Alpha, Pre-Law Club, President’s Leaders Forum,
and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He says he plans to attend law school after graduation.
Awards Presented During President’s Mid-Year Opening Convocation
Dr. David L. Beckley presented awards to Dr. A.J. Stovall, Rust College Division of
Social Science Chairperson, and to Chief Robert Pearson of the Holly Springs Police
Department, during the President’s Mid-Year Opening Convocation. The Convocation
was held Tuesday, January 18, 2011 in the Doxey Alumni Fine Arts Communication
Center.
Dr. Beckley presented both men with the Eddie L. Smith Extra-Mile Award, honoring
Rust graduate and first black mayor of Holly Springs, Mr. Eddie Lee Smith,
Jr. Dr. Stovall received the Extra-Mile Award for his direction of the National African American Student Leadership Conference which was held on
the campus of Rust College and under Stovall’s leadership for 16 years.
Chief Pearson was presented with the Extra-Mile Award for the outstanding
service the Holly Springs Police Department has given to Rust College.
Joining Dr. Beckley in the presentation was City of Holly Springs Mayor
Andre DeBerry.
Also helping to present was Mrs. Luberta Smith, wife of Eddie L. Smith, Jr.