PANOLA COLLEGE HONORS RETIREES

On May 10, 2002, faculty, staff and friends of Panola College met to wish a fond farewell to three of its finest, Mrs. Dorothy Bramblett, Mrs. Mary Nell King and Mrs. Phyllis Reed.  

Mr. Freddy Mason opened the ceremony with prayer followed by opening comments from Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College and then a delicious luncheon.  

Following the meal, Dean Lillian Cook took to the stage to introduce Mrs. Dorothy Bramblett. Mrs. Bramblett dedicated over 24 years of her life to Panola College. She began her career as a counselor but soon began teaching Psychology and Sociology courses. “Her passion for the subject matter was very evident and many students chose to pursue careers in the field of Psychology because of her courses,” said friend and fellow retiree Twink Ross. Dean Cook described Mrs. Bramblett as “a stabilizing force… respected by both the faculty and administration”. Dean Cook went on to say, “students flocked to Dorothy’s classes and that she was always there to help students in need”.  Mrs. Bramblett’s contributions to the college are many. She was instrumental in creating Panola College’s Honors Program and taught several Honors courses. She also sponsored numerous clubs and organizations.  

Fellow Panola College retiree, Mr. Charles Hughes, then introduced Mrs. Mary Nell King. He presented her with a “Wally Jug.” The jug, a Charles Hughes original, was filled with strips of paper on which were written accolades and good tidings from her friends at Panola College.  Mr. Hughes said that Mrs. King was one of the first students to take his composition and rhetoric course back in 1977, and that he considered her a dedicated and outstanding individual. Mary Nell King taught Composition and Rhetoric and British Literature from 1989 until her retirement in December of this year.  She worked hard to bring art and culture to the campus. She sponsored trips to Europe and was an advisor to the annual Panola College literary and art magazine, INTAGLIO.   

The final retiree, Mrs. Phyllis Reed, was introduced by Mrs. Cristi Ferguson. Mrs. Ferguson commented, “Phyllis added 20,000 titles to the collection, 100 serial subscriptions, electronic indexing and research databases, 25,000 Electronic Books through NetLibrary, over 3,000 Audio/visual materials, and that she worked to make sure that Panola College was an initial member of TexShare— a system that is rapidly becoming the Library Of Texas”. Mrs. Ferguson said, “Phyllis was recognized as a Tall Texan—the highest honor any librarian can receive in Texas and she has garnered an admirable reputation amongst her colleagues.” 

Following the retirement ceremony, service awards were presented: for 10 Years of Service – Soloman Ali, William Goolsby, Dwayne Ferguson, Donna Yates, Evelyn Sharp, Chris Blair, Mary Homer and Thresa Ridgeway; for 15 Years of Service – Becky Gullette, Judy Dunn, Lillian Cook and Donnette Parks; for 20 Years of Service – Larry Brumley, Charlcye Robertson, Dazell Hicks and Bob Wilkins; for 25 Years of Service – Bruce Richmond, and for 30 Years of Service – Joe Hough and Norma Lawless.