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Author John Grisham, center, greets attendants of Blue Mountain College’s 138th anniversary celebration dinner. Grisham
was the guest speaker during an event honoring the college and outlining its future goals. Visiting with Grisham
are, from left, Bobby Martin, Johnnie Gillespie, seated, Emily Newcomb, seated, Brenda Owen and Don Newcomb. (C. TODD SHERMAN | DAILY JOURNAL)
Blue Mountain College owns this former
bank building, top, and has plans to develop
it into a bookstore, gift shop, print shop, and
other facilities. The school also owns this house on campus and hopes to convert it into an alumni house and welcome center. (C. TODD SHERMAN | DAILY JOURNAL)
"I'm impressed with the energy, the enthusiasm and the big plans for the future," Grisham told about 250 people at the Ray Dining Hall.
When he was 11 years old, the author of "The Firm," "The Pelican Brief" and more than 20 other best-selling novels moved to Ripley. He was part of a basketball team that practiced at BMC in 1966.
"The first time I played basketball in a uniform was at the Blue Mountain gymnasium," he said.
On Monday, he developed new memories of the school, as he visited with faculty and students. He said he was impressed by the spirit of the Christian, liberal arts school.
amp"I urge you to invest to make this place even better,amp" said Grisham, who credited James Nunnally, a friend from the Mississippi Legislature, for inviting him to take part in the event.
Opportunities
The college, which was founded Sept. 12, 1873, experienced a 37 percent increase in enrollment between 2001 and 2011. More than 550 students are currently enrolled, and part of that increase was due to the decision to go co-educational in 2005.
"Our success has created some unanticipated and exciting new opportunities," said President Bettye Rogers Coward.
Several plans are in the works to expand the school's offerings. The college owns a former bank building in Blue Mountain, and the administration hopes to convert it into a bookstore, gift shop, print shop, coffee shop and conference room.
The school also owns a Victorian house that is in disrepair. It would take an estimated $228,750 to turn it into an alumni house and welcome center.
There is an opportunity to develop a sportsplex that would provide space for baseball and softball fields, a golf driving range, a running track and more.
Another building, the former site of Grisham Lumber Co., is for sale, and it could be used for classrooms and office space.
There's a chance the previous owners of the lumber company building could've been related to Grisham. He said his family moved around a lot when he was a child, and Ripley was the first town where he'd met other Grishams.
When "The Firm" hit the best-seller lists, he heard from quite a few possible kinsmen from about a 40-mile radius of Tupelo.
"At first, it was fun to realize I had this extended family,amp" he said. "Then it became depressing that so many of them needed money."
Investment
BMC isn't in a depressing position. The school has no debt, but Coward said it will require support from the community to ensure the college's 138-year-old mission can continue into the 21st century.
"We have tried to let you know that your investment in Blue Mountain College means so much," she said
In addition to donations, the administration is seeking in-kind services that can help make its vision a reality.
Bobby P. Martin, a former chairman of the board of trustees, said Northeast Mississippi needs the influence of BMC alumni.
"It's a Christian School," he said. "It's always had leadership that believed in God and eternity. That's so important, more so today than it's ever been."
scott.morris@journalinc.com
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