Saturday February 4, 2023

Hello Bearcats,

As we reflect on the mission of Rust College, we are reminded of the continued focus around ensuring Rust College students are equipped and inspired for excellence and service in their communities and throughout the world.

During Black History Month, we encourage each of you to reflect on the men and women who established Rust College and the vision and courage required of them to facilitate opening the doors of opportunity for African Americans and other marginalized groups of people. By providing access to education, which was denied to them during slavery and segregation, these trailblazers provided a safe space for students of color to learn, discover and build community. Today, this institution continues to produce some of the most influential trailblazers, solidifying the need for continuing our mission critical work.

As we continue our season of T.R.A.N.S.I.T.I.O.N. into our Rustian Renaissance, we invite you to engage with us and join us as we celebrate the progress made thus far, and the achievements yet to come.

T - Transparency

R - Respect

A - Accountability

N - Nimble

S - Student - Centered

I - Integrity

T -Technology

I - Innovation

O - Optimistic

N - Nurturing

Paws Up,

The Advancement Team (Tiffani, Kim, Alice, and Rita)

Help Rust College win up to $150,000.00

Voting Period: February 27, 2023 - March 26, 2023

Alumni & Friends,

Get ready for the 2023 Home Depot Retool Your School Competition. This year Rust College will compete for a chance to win up to $150,000 toward Campus Improvements. Online voting will begin Monday, February 27, 2023, at midnight EST and end Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST. You can cast your vote via phone, tablet, computer, or better yet, we need you voting from all devices. Vote by going on to www.retoolyourschool.com and selecting Rust College in cluster 3.

Thank you for your participation, Every Vote Counts!

Golden & Silver

Class Reunion

Rust College 157th Commencement will be held on Saturday May 6, 2023. This year, the college will recognize the Golden Class of 1973 and Silver Class of 1998! Please be sure to update your contact information with the Office of Alumni Affairs to receive your registration packet in the upcoming week.

If you do not receive your packet, or if you have questions, please reach out to Kimberly Woods at [email protected] or at (662) 252-8000 ext. 4912.

Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach Programs (AROP)

Rust College Alumni,

Thanks for your continued support and efforts in recruiting future Bearcats.

The Office of Admissions, Recruitment, and Outreach Programs (AROP) goal is an incoming Fall 2023 class of at least 300 plus BEARCATS, and we need your support.

The Office of AROP is confirming our Spring 2023 recruitment event schedule. We will share the schedule with you, and are asking for support from local alumni clubs to attend these upcoming events, and help recruit future Bearcats. The upcoming list of recruitment events is below for your review.

4 Feb

2023 HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands Showcase (Atlanta, GA)
MSCS School Choice Showcase (Marshall County)
Mount Olive Virtual Fair (VA)

9 Feb

West Point, MS College Fair (Columbus High School)
Shreveport College Fair (First Annual HBCU College Fair) Shreveport, LA
Northside High School (Shelby, MS)
Dallas College Fair (Tarrant County College) Fort Worth, TX

10 Feb

Jemison High School HBCU College Fair (Huntsville, AL)

11 Feb

5^th Annual Greater Atlanta HBCU Fair (Atlanta, GA)

15 Feb

Hickory Flat Attendance Center College and Career Fair (Hickory Flat, MS)
HBCU Career Fair-Amazon (Byhalia, MS)

16 Feb

Byhalia High School College and Career (Byhalia, MS)

17 Feb

Jackson Public School Counselors Bruch (Jackson, MS)
Tupelo Career-Technical Center College Fair (Tupelo, MS)
Baldwyn High School (Baldwyn, MS)

18 Feb

National Coalition of 100 Black Women HBCU College Fair (Charlotte, NC)

22 Feb

Northeast Mississippi Community College – Spring Transfer College Day – (Booneville, MS)

24 Feb

Raleigh Library Black History College Fair Memphis Public Library – (Memphis, MS)
Mills High School College Fair (Little Rock, AR)
Columbus High School HBCU College Fair (Columbus, MS)
Leland School District College and Career Fair (Leland, MS)

4 Mar

HBCU Recruitment Showcase (Pontotoc, MS)
Houston HBCU Fair

6 Mar

HBCU Awareness Foundation College Fair (Little Rock, AR)

7 -10 Mar

Memphis HBCU Awareness Foundation College Fair (Memphis, TN)

9 Mar

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Inc. Southern Region HBCU College Fair (Orlando, FL)

24 Mar

Career and Technical EXPO (Memphis, TN)

29 Mar

Mississippi Delta CC College and Career Fair

If your local alumni club would like to assist in our recruiting efforts by attending any of these events, please reach out to the following:

Kimberly Woods - Email: [email protected] - Phone: (662) 252-8000 ext. 4912

Ashley Pirtle - Email: [email protected] - Phone: (662) 252-8000 ext. 4043

Recruitment Online Store

The AROP has developed an online store for alumni clubs/chapters who participate in recruitment events to purchase the same promotional items that our recruitment team is utilizing for consistency with our branding guidelines and recruitment initiatives.

Shipping is included in the fees and there's a minimum quantity that must be ordered. A percentage of all purchases goes toward supporting recruitment and enrollment event expenses.

In the event your alumni club needs promotional items to support an upcoming recruitment event, they can be purchased using this link.

Pre-Order Promotional Items for your next Recruitment Event

Support the Lady Bearcats Volleyball Fundraiser

Beyond Sports has selected four members of our Rust College Women's Volleyball Team to tour Italy this summer, and they need your support!

June 4-14, 2023, these lady Bearcats will enjoy a life-changing cross-cultural experience through sports, as they embark on a 10-day journey across Italy. The Lady Bearcats will:

Spend several days/nights in Rome, Montecatini Terme, Verona, and Lake Como.
Play four exhibition volleyball games.
Tour some of Italy's most beautiful and historic sites.
Connect with fellow college athletes and coaches from across the U.S.
Return home with remarkable memories of their adventure!

They need your support to cover trip cost and all international traveling expenses.

Click here to support the Volleyball Team Fundraiser

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Mrs. Willa Terry, ('80), was honored for 50 years of service to Rust College. College President, Dr. Ivy R. Taylor presented Mrs. Terry with the prestigious award during the first President's Cabinet meeting of 2023. Mrs. Terry considers it a privilege to have worked with three Rust College Presidents: Dr. W.A. McMillan, Dr. David L. Beckley and now Rust College's first woman and 12th President, Dr. Ivy R. Taylor.

"Her recognition is a testament to her lifelong commitment to serving Rust College and others. Her work over the years embodies the spirit and goals of the institution" -- President Ivy R. Taylor

Stronger Together with RCIAA Membership

RCIAA Annual Membership dues ($25) are designated to the operations account of the RCIAA to support meetings, communications, events, postage, and other operating activities of the Rust College International Alumni Association.

RCIAA Life Memberships and 1866 Club Memberships support student scholarships at Rust College – Where Tomorrow’s Leaders Are Students Today. Scan the QR code above to join today!

Pay Membership Dues online OR mail check to:

RCIAA Membership

c/o Kimberly Woods

Manager, Alumni Relations

150 Rust Avenue

Holly Springs, MS 38635

Staying Connected

Bearcat alumni, we want to remain connected with you! As part of the Rust College alumni body, your news matters and we want to ensure no one misses out on postal mail or email communications that are important to you.

Please provide us with the best mailing address and email address so we can share important news and information, including celebrations and highly anticipated events like Founders’ Week, the Golden & Silver Class Reunion and other key announcements.

We are also eager to know the latest developments in your personal and professional journey. Do you have a birth, anniversary or promotion to announce? Please share your news with us and thank you for keeping in touch.