Above: Pictured with the grant check are, from left, Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president; Dr. Jonathan Woodward, vice president of MGCCC’s Jefferson Davis Campus; Sheila Grogan, executive director of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation; and MGCCC Board of Trustees members Jimmy Estes and Bobby Spayde.
In support of a healthy learning environment for students, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has awarded nearly $400,000 to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jefferson Davis Campus. The grant, which extends from the Foundation’s Healthy Campus/Community Initiative developed in partnership with Delta State University, will provide for MGCCC’s C3 project that focuses on cooking healthy, cardiovascular exercise and care.
“We believe the focus areas proposed for action by the C3 project are currently the most relevant, impactful and sustainable activities that we can undertake at our campus as part of the college’s Strategic Plan 2020,” said Dr. Jonathan Woodward, vice president of MGCCC’s Jefferson Davis Campus. “With Mississippi once again nationally ranked as the most obese state in the nation, the college recognizes its responsibility to the health of our students and citizens and desires to use the current project as a catalyst for improving the health of those groups.”
The campus will offer several classes on healthy cooking to at least 240 college employees, at-risk students and community members with health issues. Additionally, renovation of the existing fitness center on the Jefferson Davis Campus, combined with expanded hours of operation, will allow individuals more opportunities to use the facility. The newly opened Medical Analysis Clinic at the campus will be used to provide pre- and post-test assessments to encourage regular check-ups to individuals participating in the program. The campus will also host community and wellness events, including a 5K run, and work with several local elementary schools to promote healthy activities for the campus.
“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation focuses on creating a healthier future for all Mississippians by empowering lasting change in communities across our state,” said Sheila Grogan, executive director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. “We applaud MGCCC for its efforts in promoting health and wellness throughout its campus and the community.”
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provides targeted funding throughout the state of Mississippi, focusing on interests related to health programs for schools, colleges and universities, and communities. You can learn more at www.healthiermississippi.org.