Students in Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Welding Technology program at the George County Center recently helped fabricate the aluminum crown of thorns that now encircles the 120-foot South Mississippi Cross of Christ near the Greene County-George County line.

The landmark cross, installed this summer along U.S. Highway 98, was the vision of the nonprofit South Mississippi Cross of Christ and has become a recognizable symbol for travelers entering the region.

Under the direction of Welding Technology instructor and department chair Joshua Pierce, MGCCC students fabricated and welded the three-foot aluminum thorns that form the crown surrounding the cross.

“The project gave our students an opportunity to work on something they won’t soon forget,” Pierce said. “They applied the aluminum welding skills they’ve learned in class while contributing to a project that will stand for many years. It was a great learning experience, and I’m proud of the craftsmanship they demonstrated.”

Fabricating the crown required students to measure, fit and weld the aluminum pieces using Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG), one of the more challenging welding processes because of aluminum’s unique properties and the precision required to produce quality welds.

Student Drew Miller said the project strengthened both his technical skills and his relationships with classmates. “It was a great team-building experience for me and my peers under the supervision of instructor Josh Pierce,” Miller said. “For me, it’s a beacon of faith that will be around for generations for all to see.”

Fellow welding student Leoundus “Leo” M. Garrett said the opportunity was especially meaningful to him personally. “Being a devoted believer in Christ, I was ecstatic and beyond blessed to have taken part in assisting with the South Mississippi Cross of Christ project,” Garrett said. “As my fellow students and I built the thorns, it was an honor.”

Beyond strengthening their technical skills, the project allowed students to experience the teamwork, communication and attention to detail expected in the welding industry while working on a project with lasting significance for the community.

“Our goal is always to provide students with opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom,” Pierce said. “Projects like this help prepare them for the workforce while showing them the impact skilled trades can have in their communities.”

MGCCC’s Welding Technology program prepares students for careers in welding, fabrication, shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction and other skilled trades through hands-on instruction and industry partnerships across the Gulf Coast.

For more information about the Welding Technology program, contact joshua.pierce@mgccc.edu or (601) 766-5885.