East Texas Press (Timpson, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 16, 2016 Page: 1 of 16
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Thursday, June 16,20161 Vol. 36 No. 24 | 1 Section, 16 Pages | A1
Center I Garrison I Gary I Joaauin I MountlEnternrise I Tenaha I TimDson I L Blm
Tenaha Businessmens Luncheon
Panola College continues to thrive despite economic hardships
Tenaha Businessmen’s Luncheon was held on Thursday, June 9, 2016,
with special guest speaker, Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Ser-
vices at Panola College. Clinton spoke about Panola College’s 8-year,
record-breaking, continuous growth spurt and its impact in the community.
Don Clinton, a native Carthaginian, began his career with Panola College
29-years ago as a coach. After 20 years of coaching, Clinton joined the
administration as Vice President.
Clinton credits the leadership of President, Dr. Gregory Powell, for the
success. In 2000, Panola College had 1,400 students enrolled. Today, over
2,700 students are enrolled, and each semester.
Panola College is recognized as one of the top three community colleges
in Texas that has experienced continuous growth over the last 8 years. The
student body is comprised of 26% of students from Panola County, 23%
from Shelby County, 16% from Harrison and Marshall, 6% from Rusk and
Nacogdoches, 5% from Gregg County, and 4% from the Jefferson area.
Clinton recognizes the importance of the school’s relationship with Shelby
County. Last year, Panola College awarded $253,000 in scholarships to
Shelby County recipients. Panola College also hosts several games for the
Tenaha ISD’s Holiday Hoops Tournament each December.
Don Clinton says Panola College’s mission has changed in the last eight
years, and expanded from mostly producing students who could obtain
their academic transfer classes, basic core, and then transfer to a four-year
university, to a school which is producing nearly 48% of its’ students in
the career and technical held. Today, Panola College offers 17 technical
programs, with more programs to come, that are producing students ready
to join the workforce. In 2000, 80% of students were transferring to four-
year universities.
In addition to the growth of the student body and programs offered, the
campus has seen continuous renovation and new construction since 2005.
In 2005, dormitories could house a maximum of 150 students. Today,
the campus has 250 beds for students. In 2015, a $35,000,000 bond was
passed by 84% of registered voters. Clinton believes that having over 700
nursing majors enrolled probably helped to push the bond issue. With the
bond, Panola College has been able to add to new buildings, the Health and
Natural Science Building and the Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student
Center along with several other renovation projects that have completely
transformed our campus.
The nursing program at Panola College historically has been the larg-
est school in the college. In the last hve years, the school of energy has
surpassed the school of nursing. The Rodeo program, started in 2005, is
receiving national attention as student bull rider, Fulton Rutland, of Stil-
well, Okla., prepares to ride in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, June 10,2016.
Rutland is one of the top bull riders in college, across the nation. Today
the program has an average of 35-39 students, offers 10 partial and four
full scholarships. Clinton says this is one of the best programs because it
pays for itself. On September 23 and 24, 2016, Panola College will host a
college competition rodeo.
Clinton is also the Athletic Director at Panola College. Clinton says the
girls’ volleyball program continues to be one of the top programs in the
nation for the last 10 years. The volleyball season kicks back off in August.
Clinton states, “The basketball program is in a building process.”
Two years ago, a change in coaches was made. Since then, the men’s
team went from last to second. The women’s team is climbing. The baseball
program is still one of the best teams in the nation since 1956.
Panola College funding is comprised of 37% from local taxes, 36% from
tuition and fees, 25% from state appropriations, and 2% from gifts and
donations. Clinton states that some experts across the state have projected
as much as a 26% drop in local taxes due to the oilheld crisis. Many others
schools have increased tuition and fees by 30%. Clinton says all possible
steps are being taken to protect students from higher tuition rates, and
personnel from layoffs. The school is not buying new equipment at this
time, have cut professional development courses for staff, and have made
cuts to the amount of traveling, along with other cuts to produce a lean
but manageable budget for the College. Clinton stated, “The oilheld crisis
is something that we are used to just like everyone else in East Texas and
expect it to turnaround soon. However, we believe we are taking the steps
to protect our students and personnel until the industry recovers. We will
make up with a lean budget and recruit students for continued increase in
enrollment.”
The state’s appropriations are also affected by the oil and gas industry.
In 1988, 66% of funding came from the state. In the past year, that amount
dropped to 25%. Clinton stated, “That is how much the state is pushing
back on the community tax payers.”
Among the effects of a struggling oil and gas industry on a community
and college that has heavily relied on for funding, Panola College continues
to thrive under the leadership of President Powell and Vice President Don
Cont’d on Page A2
Soaring on angel wings:
"Life will spring from death"
Life...is it not the most priceless and precious gift? Sadly, that gift was
taken at such a young age for a precious little girl. Addison was a bright
8 year old little girl. I was only her school nurse for a short time, but dur-
ing which we dehnitely bonded. Whether it be simple scrapes and cuts or
more serious "ouchies" she remained that well mannered, polite little girl,
so brave. She was full of life and always had a smile on that sweet little
face. I noticed something about Addison, about the way she was with her
little brother. She was almost mother like, protective, always looking out
for him. Many time her scrapes and cuts would come from their adventures
together. Addison had love for everyone she met. She was a special little girl
that I will miss very much, but she leaves behind a legacy. Parents of very
sick children received a phone call the day Addison passed away. A phone
call they have desperately been praying for. A phone call that would say, “
We have a donor.” There are children that are alive today because of this
angel. They are alive because her heart beats for them or her lungs breathe
for them. Addison was an organ donor. She saved the lives of 8 children.
That is a true angel. To Addison’s family: God bless you all! It’s because
of your decision that life will spring from death, sorrow turns to hope, and
a terrible loss becomes a gift. It takes an incredible person to nurture seeds
of hope amongst the ruins of a tragedy. The most precious and priceless
gift was taken, but was given back through an act of love.
Composed by Brittany Kimbro
TIMPSON FRONTIER DAYS
II14 DAYS AID COUNTING
THURSDAY, JUNE 30 - GOSPEL CONCERT
FRIDAY, JULY 1 - FAITH'S JOURNEY / CURTIS DANIEL / CARNIVAL KICKS OFF AT 6PM
SATURDAY, JULY 2 - PARADES, ANTIQUE CAR SHOW, PET SHOW, OTHER EVENTS,
ENTERTAINMENT, CLOWNS, PIG CATCHING, SHEEP RIDING AND A CARNIVAL FULL DAY
With food Vendors and What knots all day long, please make sure You at-
tend OUR FAMOUS CAKE AUCTION BEFORE THE ENTERTAINMENT SATURDAY EVENING
SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAW ATTRACTION - STREET DANCE WITH LEAVIN’ SUNDOWN (THE
STEVE MURRAY BAND)
SUNDAY, JULY 3 - CHURCH SERVICE, UNDER THE TENT, COMPLETE WITH GOSPEL MUSIC
SUNDAY EVENING BEGINNING AROUND 6>PMf
COME JOIN US FOE TIMPSON FfiONTIER DAYS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MARILYN CGRBER # 936-254-4146 CELL 930-254-2003 HOME 930-254-2900 LIBRARY
CM K
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Rhodes, Carol. East Texas Press (Timpson, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 16, 2016, newspaper, June 16, 2016; Timpson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth899196/m1/1/: accessed June 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Timpson Public Library.