Faculty Voices

It starts as mild inattention, blank facial expressions, staring off into the distance, increased silliness, and restless movements.

Spring Fever has arrived.

I remember those days as a student — you just can’t wait to get out for spring break, and you are already looking ahead to summer.

Instructors suffer from this malady too, but usually instead of dreams of hitting the beach, we are thinking of having time at home!

Believe it or not, scientists have discovered that spring fever really exists. As spring brings increased daylight, relaxing melatonin secretions begin to taper off. The mood elevating neurotransmitter, serotonin, begins to rise, making us feel more energetic.

So, dig in — as instructors we may face an up-hill battle while keeping students on-task till May.

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Don't be ashamed

The first disc golf scamble was held at the Flying Eagle disc golf course on the Raymond Campus on Monday March 8th. There were 7 teams competing in the tournament of “best throw.”

The staff team of Barin von Foregger and Mark Palmer did nothing to be ashamed of with a finish of 3rd place shooting a 56 on the course.

Be sure to join up with the Staff Infection teams playing everything from volleyball, to the next big team sport Softball.

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PTK Officers Celebrate at MS/LA Regional Conference

Gamma Lambda Officers and Advisors went to the MGCCC – Gulfport Campus this last weekend for the Phi Theta Kappa MS/LA Regional Conference. While there many awards were presented to chapters throughout the Region. Gamma Lambda was recognized as Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team – Runner-up, Leadership Hallmark- runner up, and Honors Presentation 1st place. Nikki Hobby received the Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Award and Debbie McColllum received the Most Distiguished Advisor Award. The Vicksburg, Rankin and Raymond chapters were all recognized as 5* chapters (this is the highest ranking a chapter can receive) and the Jackson/ATC chapter was recognized as a 3* chapter.

3E Outstanding Students were recognized during the President’s and Deans’ Scholars Day held at Hogue Auditorium on the Raymond Campus. Twenty-one students from all over the district were selected based on their GPA, leadership and service activities. Look for their pictures in the next Hindsonian – soon to be distributed on our campuses.

Now is the time for freshmen to begin working on their May-Mini term, summer and fall schedules. For the first time ever – financial aid is available to students taking Mini-term or summer classes. Registration begins the end of March – so all should be ready to register and get in those classes you want.

Next time I come back we will talk about what students can do to be more competitive in the “new” job market.

Later,

KSS

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When you change your clocks this weekend, be sure to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and weather radios.

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If you didn’t know it, the Hinds CC Web site offers faculty | staff an online calendar for quick reference to upcoming events and school functions.

It even includes the academic calendar, with important dates for testing, drop/add, registration, etc.

If you haven’t seen it yet, take some time to get to know your Hinds CC Web site … visit the calendar today!

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Some of the most hilarious stories can develop from trivial conversations around the office. For example, you may have noticed there seems to be a lot of story-swapping going on at Barin von Foreggar’s table in the faculty dining room. I’m not sure what they talk about, but it sounds like they are having fun.

My department has enjoyed several great laughs over co-workers who misunderstand the lyrics or meaning of songs. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Right – Little Red Corvette?

Music is often an important part of our lives and takes us back to happy times or reminds us of significant events.

But…then there is the humorous side to music. For example, have you ever spent years singing along to a favorite song, only to learn that you had the words all wrong? Or, maybe you made a special or romantic connection with a song, but later learned the song writer had a shallow or negative meaning behind the song.

Many of us are surprised when we learn the true meanings behind our favorites.

So, just for fun, here are a few examples, in case you didn’t know:
•Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” is not really about a car.
• Alan Jackson’s song, “I’m a Country Boy” is not really about his truck, although most country songs can be taken literally.
• Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” is not really about patriotism. (That’s right — It is more of a cynical look at the working man’s struggles and touches on the hardships faced by Vietnam war vets)
• Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” is not really about the drink, it is about his dissatisfaction with the status quo – just kidding – it is really IS about margaritas.

There are also urban legends surrounding why artists wrote certain songs.

How about those of you who tried spinning a 33 rpm record backward on the turntable to see if it contained secret messages? We tried this in our church youth group when l when I was a teenager – maybe I wasn’t listening close enough, but I didn’t hear any secret messages…maybe you did.

Rascal Flatts has a popular song about what happens when you play a country song backwards:
“You get your house back
You get your dog back
You get your best friend back
You get your truck back, etc.”

And for you Tupac fans, you don’t even have to play his songs backward to hear the message that he may be coming back in 2014!

Anyway, next time you are singing along with the radio or your MP3 player while sitting at a red light…stop and think…does this song mean what I think it means…and before you sing really loud, make sure you know the words. Or…ditch all this advice and just enjoy the song.

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the number one genetic killer of children under two years old.  My daughter has Type 2 SMA which causes severe weakness in her body.  If you go vote for SMA at www.refresheverything.com/stopsma

We will receive $250,000 for Spinal Muscular Atrophy research.  This money could make a real difference in the fight against SMA and save many lives.  Thank you for your help!

Evie in her wheelchair

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