Thursday, November 12, 2026

Belhaven Booms!

College enrollment is supposed to be circling the drain. Apparently nobody told Belhaven. The Mississippi institution, founded in 1883, is seeing record enrollment while plenty of universities are scrambling to fill seats.
Belhaven President Roger Parrott joins Grant Callen on The Empower Podcast to talk about how the school grew while sticking to its Christian mission, when a college degree is worth the debt, and what happens when ChatGPT can crank out your term paper before you’ve finished your coffee.
Parrott also explains why he ditched long-range strategic planning. After three decades on the job, he’d rather talk about sailboats than sit around a conference table pretending to know what God has in mind for 2035. Somewhere, a consultant just lost a billable hour.

And yes, Belhaven football games are free. There’s your one college expense you can quit complaining about. 


This post is sponsored by Empower Mississippi. 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! Although the neighborhood has a lot of libtards, Belhaven is so beautiful and the best of Jackson. The 1% commission has done a great job repaving lots of streets, there are NEW houses being built, and lots being restored. Riverside Dr. is the most beautiful stretch in the city. Plus Manship St. alone has more culinary talent than most any other town! Great to see this.

And thank Capitol PD for making it so much safer!

Anonymous said...

Belhaven is a good little college that is nice and offers a good education. The neighborhood around it is beautiful and now that Cap PD exists it’s safe to live there and attend. Hope they continue to grow.

Anonymous said...

Belhaven has a real board. Wish MC would take a lesson.

Anonymous said...

Belhaven has really done well with its online programs.

I wish JPS would have sold Newell Field to them. Belhaven offered to buy it, fix it up and allow JPS to use it on Friday nights and they declined. Instead, they built a nice little 2000 seat stadium on their campus (all chairbacks, beautiful press box and big video board) and Newell Field is a blight on Riverside Drive.

What could have been.

Anonymous said...

"good little college" That sounds a little condescending. Its a great college. Glad it continues to see growth.

Anonymous said...

@12:37 p.m., you just keep yourself from turning this into something political, could you? Crawl back into your hole and stay there.

Anonymous said...

Refreshing that many have awakened to the pervasive and relentless anti-Christian and anti-white racism taught in the majority of U.S. colleges and universities. Many are also very well aware that the professors who instill such beliefs in impressionable young students either have really big noses, extremely kinky hair or burning sexual desires for members of the same sex.

Anonymous said...

The capital police need to be moved to the zoo area. The zoo area needs to be cleaned up Why do you have to be a rich white liberal to have a good police department. Poor blacks deserve better

Anonymous said...

1:55 don’t you understand that it’s ALL political? Everything is downstream of your local politics. Had the CCID not been created and Cap PD expanded, Belhaven U would have certainly suffered as people continued to get robbed and carjacked in the neighborhood. Parents don’t want to send their kids to a school in a dangerous, run down area. The Belhaven revival has been great and 100% of it has been due to POLITICAL decisions.

Anonymous said...

2:01 - Eww

Anonymous said...

2:05 I wholeheartedly agree!

Anonymous said...

All these little Jackson-area post-secondary bus stops are nothing but grooming grounds and indoctrination centers that recruit the ultra liberal professors.

Anonymous said...

It will be refreshing when discussions of a topic don’t immediately turn to politics. It will happen. All it takes is a vision.

Anonymous said...

The online programs are terrible! I tried teaching there in the graduate school. I quickly realized most of their students couldn’t read or write at a basic 8th grade level and some of them were getting a second graduate degree. When I brought the issue to the attention of the dean, I was told to pass them. When I told them I couldn’t because it devalues the education for all, they suggested I let the program chair step in and pass them. After that happened, I stopped teaching there. It was shocking to me that a school that prides itself on Christian values had, in my experience, very few. I don’t know about the on campus programs. I can only speak to the graduate online and accelerated program. It’s sad. So, if you meet a belhaven grad who can’t write, that’s why.

Anonymous said...

2:05 seems to have selective memory.

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2024/03/29/residents-oppose-expansion-of-capitol-police-jurisdiction-in-jackson-ms/73128893007/

Stokes hosted the town hall, along with Earl Banks, who represents parts of Ward 3 in the Mississippi House of Representatives and Jackson's Chief of Police Joseph Wade.

Banks told the crowd he did not vote for HB 1020, as did all of the Hinds County, Jackson and Democratic lawmakers in the Mississippi House. But those votes didn't matter as Republicans, who wrote and support the bill, have a super-majority.

One resident in attendance who garnered much support after Stokes invited him to speak was Tariq Abdul-Tawwab, director of the health center with the People's Advocacy Institute. The institute "is a non-profit community resource, training and capacity-building incubator for transformation justice in the South," according to its website. It is lead by Rukia Lumumba, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's older sister.

In an impassioned speech, Abdul-Tawwab, who lives in Ward 1, compared the Capitol Police and the Capitol Complex Improvement District to Jim Crow-era laws, saying it is only helping to kill and arrest young Black men. He also compared the Capitol Complex Improvement District to other attempts from the state to "takeover" Jackson, such as Senate Bill 2628, which would put the City of Jackson's water and sewer infrastructure into the hands of the state after Henifin steps down. Senators in the Mississippi Senate recently approved SB 2628 in early March.

Anonymous said...

9:19pm is tellin the truth folks. Former professor here who retired for this very reason. Over one-third of "college" enrollment is dual-credit classes for kids STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL taking those classes online....which yes, are complete bullshit. You are threatened with your job if you in any way try to hold a student accountable for their lack of effort. They are to be passed. Period. It's because the amount of Federal Financial Aid that funds these classes is tied to the billions that keep Mississippi's "highe ed" system afloat. Total scam of the taxpayers and crippling young people into thinking they've achieved something they have not. It's all about appearances, and reported numbers....which by the way - The "Mississippi Miracle" is a laughable lie. Ask anyone who works in education. There is zero discipline, and the admin will report whatever they are terrorized into reporting to keep those numbers up.

Anonymous said...

Got news for you, more and more students across the nation can’t read at grade level. With technology, do people really need to understand what they are reading? Ai will let them know what it means.

Anonymous said...

@1:45 it is in fact a little college, and it is great. But it is small


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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