Over the past few years, officials from Pearl River Community College in Hattiesburg have undergone the task of securing $11 million for much-needed renovations and expansions at the campus on U.S. 49.
Those efforts have been bolstered over 15 years by a total of $2.6 million in donations from the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, which continues to help the growth of the college’s Allied Health and Nursing programs. That accomplishment was celebrated during an August 28 news conference at the Hattiesburg campus, which was attended by officials from Forrest General Hospital, college administration and three members of the board of supervisors: David Hogan, Burkett Ross and Rod Woullard.
“Our Forrest County Board of Supervisors have been some of our biggest supporters, if not honestly our biggest supporter,” PRCC president Adam Breerwood said. “Every time we have gone to them and asked them for an investment – not only in our college, but in the people they represent – they have been more than willing to do so.
“Today is just another sign of that support they have provided us.”
To help with healthcare shortages, PRCC has expanded Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Radiology Technology. In 2022, the campus saw the addition of associate degree Nursing and Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs.
This year, the college has added Advanced Emergency Medical Training and Paramedic and aims to expand the associate degree Nursing program to 200 students.
“The Forrest County Board of Supervisors is so proud of all the advancements we’ve seen in recent years here at the Forrest County campus,” board president David Hogan said. “We have tried to be strong supporters of everything that they’ve asked for, and we thank the Forrest County taxpayers for allowing us to expand and advance.
“(With this investment), we can now teach 200 nurses at the Forrest County campus, and that … with the other opportunities here at the PRCC campus, will service the more than 11,000 employees that work in health care here in the Pine Belt. We hope, with this partnership, we’ll be able to bring health care back to its fullest potential in the Pine Belt.”
Earlier this year, during the annual session of the Mississippi Legislature, legislators allocated $8 million to PRCC, above and over all other appropriations, for an extension to the Allied Health and Nursing building. That building, which will feature more than 13,000 square feet, is another step toward helping resolve the current nursing shortage throughout the state.
“I know our friends from Forrest General are happy to hear that, because there is a tremendous need in this area, and we are doing everything that we can,” Breerwood said.
“But I want to be perfectly clear – today is not only about a success for this campus, but a ‘thank you’ and a sign of gratitude to these outstanding men and women, these supervisors, who continue to support us. We are grateful for all the support.”
That support includes $120,000 each year in tuition assistance programs, which allow any Forrest County student to come to PRCC tuition-free. Supervisors also helped to build the large parking lot to make parking on campus more convenient for students, staff and visitors.
County assistance also extends to renovations at the Dr. J. Cecil Burt Events Room and the student services building.
“Without (PRCC), and without this county growing, we wouldn’t be sitting here; this investment is about you, not about us,” said Woullard, who represents District 4 on the board of supervisors. “I thank each and every one of you for being here, but better than that, tell each and every one of your friends what a great institution this is, right in the heart of our community.
“I am so proud of this institution, I don’t know what to do. It does more with less than any other institution in this state.”
