Apr 28th, 2014
Jones Companies, Ltd. of Humboldt, Tenn. received The Chancellor's Award for Philanthropy Friday, April 25 from Jackson State Community College and the Tennessee Board of Regents. This award was created to honor the individuals, companies, and organizations that continue to donate their resources, finances, and personal time to TBR institutions.
A formal ceremony was held at the Humboldt Center for Higher Education. Dr. Warren Nichols, Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges, presented the award to Ralph Jones III and Richard Ayers of Jones Companies on behalf of TBR. Dr. Bruce Blanding, President of Jackson State Community College, and Mr. Randy McKinnon, Chairman of Jackson State Community College Foundation, represented JSCC and the Foundation.
'Jones Companies exemplifies dedication to education. We can truly say that Jones Companies, Ltd., is a supporter of Jackson State Community College and the Foundation,' stated Nichols. Jones Companies was recognized as an instrumental part of the success of the Humboldt Center for Higher Education through their financial support and community initiatives.
Jones Companies have been supporters of non-traditional student scholarships at JSCC and the scholarship banquet. They make scholarship support available to their employees and their families. Their chief financial officer has served on the JSCC Foundation board of trustees for over six years and also serves on the business, investment and finance subcommittee.
Since 1936, Jones Companies, Ltd., has been a leading employer in Humboldt and West Tennessee. The company continually supports the local economy and encourages leadership roles of their associates in the community. The company was formed through a partnership between two brothers and today is lead by a third generation with the same commitment. From the early days of operation, Jones has been one of the industry's largest processors of recycled textile by-products. Yarns for wet mopping, dry mopping and specialty cleaning applications constitute their primary focus.
The Jackson State Community College Foundation is an independent fundraising organization that has been making scholarships and additional operating funds available for JSCC and its students for a number of years. The Foundation is instrumental in providing necessary funding to assist students with educational expenses, but it also provides much needed assistance to the college. The Foundation helps in raising funds for equipment and projects for which there is not adequate funding from state funds. 'We have some generous benefactors from the community who understand the importance of Jackson State's role in the community,' states Dee Henderson, executive director of the Foundation. 'Many projects would not be possible without the help of benefactors such as Jones Companies.'