Contact: Melissa Reifert
June 13, 2007

MECC to Begin Funeral Services Program with Help of John Tyler Community College

Soon, area students will have the opportunity to enroll in a new Funeral Services program at Mountain Empire Community College.  Students may earn general studies credits at MECC, while pursuing an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Funeral Services through distance education courses offered by John Tyler Community College.  JTCC and Tidewater Community College are the only two colleges in the Commonwealth that offer this type of academic program.  MECC is the first college to partner with JTCC in bringing the program to its campus. 

With the rapid growth of the funeral services industry, more trained personnel are needed to meet the demand, according to a JTCC informational packet.  The Funeral Services program is designed to provide the necessary technical skills, academic background, hands-on experience, and professional attitudes that will help the student become a fully-licensed funeral director and embalmer. 

Graduates of the Funeral Services program will be able to perform technical skills such as embalming with minimum supervision; implement and direct all aspects of funeral arrangements with minimum supervision; demonstrate an understanding of how to write a pre-need contract; set up and maintain an OSHA-approved preparation room; follow all regulations pertaining to funeral services; and understand all aspects of funeral services including preparation, restorative arts, cremation, at-need arrangements, pre-need arrangements, and providing funeral services.

Graduates will also be able to understand the impact of modern day funeral service practitioners, the importance of the history of funeral services and the impact on modern society with encouragement to conduct research along with faculty, and the high standards of ethical conduct as set forth by the funeral services industry.

Representatives from both colleges, along with special guests from Richmond, met on June 13 to announce the new program at MECC.  MECC President Terrance Suarez and JTCC President Marshall Smith signed the official partnership agreement for Funeral Services.  Also in attendance for the signing, which took place on the MECC campus, was Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Bettye Miller, incoming President of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, attended the event with her husband, Ty.  The Millers work with Gate City Funeral Home.  Martin Hagy from Hagy and Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton also attended in support of the program.

“Coming from within the industry, I am very appreciative of MECC and John Tyler for beginning this program,” said B. Miller at the signing.  “I just hope you realize what you are doing for this area.  Funeral directors and embalmers are in high demand.  You are giving young people a chance to pursue a career in this field without giving up their homes in the area.”

In addition to Miller’s comments about the Funeral Services program, Ronnie Shortt, Chair of the Wise County Board of Supervisors, and Doug Mullins, Chair of the MECC Advisory Board, spoke of the positive effects they believe the new program will have on the community.  Attendees joined for lunch following the signing.

For more information about the Funeral Services program, contact Kim Dorton, MECC Health Sciences Trainer and Instructor, at (276) 523-2400, extension 356 or kdorton@me.vccs.edu.

Picture Caption:  Representatives from Mountain Empire and John Tyler Community Colleges met on June 13 to sign an agreement to bring JTCC’s Funeral Services program to the MECC campus.  The program has already garnered support from professionals in the local funeral services industry.

(Front row, left to right) Terrance Suarez, MECC President, and Marshall Smith, JTCC President

(Back row, left to right)  Rhonda Pleasants, JTCC Faculty of Funeral Services; Rick Sikon, JTCC Program Head of Funeral Services; Bettye Miller, incoming President of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association; Martin Hagy, Owner of Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home; Ty Miller, Gate City Funeral Home

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