Students, faculty roll across The River

  POPLARVILLE – The Pearl River Community College cheer “Roll River Roll” took on new meaning Tuesday, April 12, with the unveiling of a bicyle/tricycle loan program.
  Through a $198,171 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation grant, the PRCC Wellness Center bought 50 Cruiser bikes, 10 fat tire bikes and 10 tricycles to be used by students, faculty and staff.
  “Health and wellness is an important part of what we do here at Pearl River Community College,” said Dr. William Lewis, president. “We’ve got the wonderful Wellness Center that allows you to participate in these programs.”
  The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has been supporting the Wellness Center since 2012 when it awarded $286,270 to PRCC to replace outdated equipment and construct an outdoor walking track. The grant was the first to be awarded to a community college by the foundation.
  In addition to the bicycle program, the most recent grant allows PRCC to offer two summer camps for elementary school children, help with the “Get Ready to Run” school program in Poplarville elementary schools and make numerous purchases, including outdoor exercise equipment and balance ball desk chairs.
  “Our foundation has a vision of a healthy Mississippi,” said Sheila Grogan, executive director of the foundation. “We have a stated focus on our schools, our communities, our universities and our colleges. We want to build campus cultures of health and wellness.”
  Students were able to check out bicycles at the Wildcat Den bookstore starting Wednesday, April 13. Each cycle comes with a helmet and a lock, and parking racks have been installed across campus, said Dr. Tara Rouse, director of the PRCC Wellness Center.
  “We hope all of y’all will take advantage of this,” Rouse said.


Sheila Grogan, executive director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missisisppi Foundation, speaks during the Wildcat Wellness Bike Kickoff on Tuesday, April 12, at Dobie Holden Stadium at Pearl River Community College.. Listening is Dr. Tara Rouse, PRCC Wellness Center director.
PRCC Public Relations photo


Pearl River Community College students try out the bicycles and tricycles during the Wildcat Wellness Bike Kickoff on Tuesday, April 12, at Dobie Holden Stadium.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.