The Bank First Ranger Hour for Thursday, January 15 spotlights two big pieces of Northwest Mississippi Community College life: Ranger Athletics and world-class entertainment at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts. Host Gary Darby previews what’s ahead for Northwest Softball, shares key updates on Rangers and Lady Rangers basketball, and then walks listeners through the Heindl Center’s exciting Spring 2026 lineup, including major touring productions, legendary guests, and can’t-miss concerts—plus the easiest ways to grab tickets and season packages.

Coach Chelsea Bramlett (Northwest Softball) joins the show as she enters year seven leading the program, reflecting on a 44-win season and another trip to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. Coach Bramlett breaks down the 2026 roster with key returners—Caitlin Brown, Carly Calarco, Lindsey Gillis, Emma Jennings, and Aubrey Bassing—and explains how a 12-player freshman class is adding depth, competition, speed, and power. She also talks scheduling philosophy, including fall matchups against top programs, early-season tournaments, and how Northwest prepares for the grind of JUCO softball and Mississippi conference play.

Dr. Blake Bostick (Heindl Center for the Performing Arts) delivers a full preview of the Spring 2026 season in Senatobia—starting with Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan on the “Grits & Glamour” tour (a Sunday afternoon show built around collaboration and hits), followed by the national Broadway tour of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Dr. Bostick also highlights an evening with Archie Manning, the arrival of Blue Man Group, comedy night with Larry the Cable Guy, the Northwest Foundation Soirée featuring Dave Barnes, the 30th Anniversary Tour of Riverdance, and a season finale concert with The Bacon Brothers featuring Kevin Bacon. He wraps with clear ticket info: purchase online at heindlcenter.org, visit the box office weekdays 12:00–4:30, or choose packages (Season, Six-Pack, or Pick-Three) for discounts and reserved seats.

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Northwest Mississippi Community College is gearing up for the Spring 2026 semester on this episode of the Bank First Ranger Hour. Host Gary Darby visits with Aaron Payne, NWCC eLearning Support Specialist, for a practical breakdown of how online learning works at Northwest—along with key start dates for the term (in-person classes begin Monday, Jan. 12; online courses begin Tuesday, Jan. 20) and important add/drop and late registration details. Payne highlights NWCC’s wide selection of online academic core courses, as well as fully online career-technical pathways including Business Management Technology, Marketing Management Technology, and Paralegal Technology, and explains how the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MVCC) consortium allows students to access courses offered by other Mississippi community colleges when needed.

The program also features Dr. Craig Lafferty, Dean of Health Sciences, who shares updates on NWCC’s expanding healthcare programs, continued growth at the Ranger Center on the DeSoto Campus, and upcoming developments at the Oxford Health Science location. Dr. Lafferty outlines NWCC’s nursing pathways—including Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, and the LPN-to-RN bridge program—while discussing workforce demand, clinical rotations, job placement, and exploration of a potential nursing apprenticeship partnership with Baptist DeSoto.

The episode concludes with Ranger athletics updates, including men’s and women’s basketball results against Lawson State, the start of MACCC conference play, the hiring of new men’s soccer head coach Wyndham Whatley, and upcoming baseball and softball season openers.

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Tune in to the Bank First Ranger Hour as host Gary Darby spotlights what’s happening across Northwest Mississippi Community College. This episode features Kristin Davis, Associate Vice President of Academic Instruction, sharing an inside look at Northwest’s student-focused classroom experience, academic pathways, and the benefits of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)—including eligibility (12+ transferable hours and a 3.5 GPA) and scholarship opportunities that can make a four-year transfer more affordable.

Next, Dr. Suzanne Strehle, District Director of Early College Programs, breaks down dual enrollment at Northwest—how qualified high school students can earn college credit while still in school, save time and money, and build the study and time-management skills needed for college success. Dr. Straley also highlights a major milestone: Northwest has seen a 63% increase in dual enrollment students over the last five years, and explains how families can get started through their high school counselor or by contacting the early college office.

The show wraps with Northwest athletics updates, including a spotlight on NWCC Rodeo Coach Will Lummis (spelled Lummis) and a quick rundown of Ranger basketball heading into the holiday break—plus what’s ahead when play resumes in early January.

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