The September 10 edition of the Ranger Hour celebrates an exciting week at Northwest Mississippi Community College as the College officially begins its Centennial year. Host Gary Darby visits with Northwest student and Pathfinder Owen Cooper and Dr. Andrew Dale, Associate Vice President for Community Relations, before providing updates from Ranger Athletics and a look ahead at upcoming events at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts.
Owen Cooper – Northwest Student and Pathfinder
Northwest freshman Owen Cooper shares his journey from Florence, Mississippi, to the Senatobia campus and explains why Northwest has quickly become home. Cooper discusses his involvement as a Northwest Pathfinder and member of the Baptist Student Union leadership team, along with his plans to pursue youth ministry. He also talks about the personal attention he receives from Northwest instructors, the advantages of smaller class sizes and the sense of family he tries to share with prospective students while giving campus tours. Cooper says the relationships and opportunities he has found at Northwest have made his first semester a meaningful start to his college experience.
Dr. Andrew Dale – Northwest Centennial Celebration
Dr. Andrew Dale, Northwest's Associate Vice President for Community Relations, recaps the kickoff of the College's 100th anniversary celebration and reflects on a historic week that included a visit from Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, recognition of Northwest's Centennial in the U.S. Senate and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the College. Dale also discusses Northwest's role in economic and workforce development across North Mississippi, the College's continued growth and plans for new programs, including efforts to develop aviation training to serve workforce needs in the greater Memphis region. He emphasizes that the Centennial kickoff is only the beginning of a yearlong celebration featuring education, career-technical programs, the arts, leadership and the people and communities Northwest has served throughout its first century.
Ranger Athletics & Upcoming Events
Gary wraps up the show with a packed Northwest Rangers athletics update. Northwest men's golf celebrates its first tournament victory since 2005 after winning the Ranger Invitational at Tunica National, while Ranger Volleyball remains undefeated at 12-0 without dropping a set. The No. 1 Northwest women's soccer team, the two-time defending NJCAA Division II national champions, continues its strong start, while men's soccer prepares for its final tune-up before conference play. In football, the No. 6 Rangers travel to Wesson to face Co-Lin before beginning North Division play. The show also looks ahead to Lonestar, coming to the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts in Senatobia on September 25.
Keywords: Northwest Mississippi Community College, NWCC, Bank First Ranger Hour, Ranger Hour, Northwest Rangers, Northwest Centennial, Northwest Mississippi Community College Centennial, 100th anniversary, Owen Cooper, Andrew Dale, Gary Darby, Northwest Pathfinder, Northwest student life, Baptist Student Union, Northwest workforce development, North Mississippi economic development, Northwest aviation program, Ranger Athletics, Northwest football, Northwest volleyball, Northwest women's soccer, Northwest men's soccer, Northwest golf, Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, Lonestar concert, Senatobia Mississippi, Mississippi community colleges, SuperTalk Mississippi
