PANOLA COLLEGE IS THE PLACE TO BE
“It is an exciting time to be at Panola College,” said Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College, as he walked toward three new student apartments being constructed on the east side of campus. “We are growing; we are offering students courses that are relevant and providing services to our constituents in ways that were not possible just a few years ago.”
“Panola College continues to attract students from all walks of life who are seeking a quality education at an affordable price,” commented Powell. “Last year, we had record enrollment in both the fall and the spring semesters. We are pleased with this growth and plan to continue to work towards making Panola College the college of choice for those wishing to acquire a degree or seeking technical training.”
When asked to explain the reason for the College’s growth, Powell responded, “We have a lot of good people working for us. I sincerely believe that Panola College students benefit from having access to our large contingent of full-time faculty members, a caring and competent staff, creative administrators who are constantly seeking out new and better ways to serve our students, and a committed Board of Trustees.”
“Our faculty are continually assuming leadership roles and being recognized for their achievements,” Powell stated. “Good examples include Professor James Hallmark, who was recently named “East Texas Educator of the Year,” by the Ottis Lock Endowment Committee of the East Texas Historical Association, Professor Larry Allen who assumed the office of president of the Texas Community College Teachers Association this spring; our Women’s Basketball Coach Tracey Stellato, who led the Fillies to the Region XIV championship before going on to participate in the NJCAA National Women's Basketball Tournament, the Fillies first national competition in nearly 30 years; and Coach Jeb Barney who did a yeomen’s job as he brought our fledgling rodeo team together to compete against some of the best schools in intercollegiate rodeo. The rodeo team performed exceptionally well. Coach Barney and team members also organized the College’s first intercollegiate rodeo which was well received by our community.”
“We really had an outstanding year,” acknowledged Powell. “In August 2004, our Associate Degree Nursing program gained national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., in April Panola College was selected as ‘One of the Nation’s Top 10 Digital Community Colleges’ for 2005, and for the eleventh consecutive year, our Business Office was awarded a Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.”
“We are constantly striving to offer students the courses they need in a format that is most convenient for them. A good example of this philosophy is our new Online Flex Delivery Registered Nursing Program. It is designed to give students an opportunity to earn an associate degree in nursing through a non-traditional, flexible format with online classes and flexible clinical experiences. This innovative delivery system enables students to continue working while pursuing a degree in nursing. A program of this kind would not be possible without high caliber people who are constantly pushing the edge of the envelope,” said Powell.
Panola College has also entered into an agreement with the International University of Nursing (IUON) on the island of St. Kitts in the British Virgin Islands. Panola College expects to receive transfer nursing students from IUON through an agreement that is part of a response to the global nursing shortage. Students who transfer to Panola College will meet the same rigorous standards as students who begin at Panola College and will live and attend classes in Carthage, Texas for the last year of their nursing training before sitting for their licensing examination.
Panola College continues to expand its course offerings. This fall, students will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in General Forestry and Wildlife Management, General Agriculture and Agricultural Mechanization or a one year certificate that will provide them with the skills necessary to become a welding, electrical, or refrigeration specialist.
Visitors to Panola College will notice a lot of activity on campus. Construction of three new student apartment buildings are currently in progress and are scheduled to be completed prior to the start of fall classes. The two-story structures will contain eight individual apartments. Each apartment will include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a central living area, a cable TV hookup, and numerous telephone and high speed internet access points. “I am very proud of these facilities,” said Powell. “We are committed to offering our students a clean, modern, and secure living environment. I am confident that our students will be very happy with the new apartments when they return in the fall.”
A substantial number of new parking spots will also be in place before the fall semester begins. They are being added at various locations around campus to accommodate the new apartment complex and the growing student population. Numerous landscaping projects are scheduled for the fall and a capital campaign to raise money to expand and renovate the M. P. Baker Library will be concluded in time to begin construction in 2006.
For additional information about all the exciting activities going on at Panola College visit their website at www.panola.edu. The main campus in Carthage, Texas can be reach at 903-693-2000. Information about the Marshall Learning Center is available at 903-935-5039 and Panola College – Center at 936-591-9075.