Panola College, SFA and TJC form agriculture partnership 

            Panola College, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) and Tyler Junior College (TJC) have developed a partnership that will enable Panola College students to earn an associate’s degree here and then enroll with SFASU and complete a bachelor’s degree in agriculture through distance learning classes offered in our service area.

Beginning this fall, Panola College will offer lower level courses in general education to participating students. TJC will offer through distance education the lower-level courses in agriculture to three Panola College sites in Marshall, Carthage and Center TX. SFASU will deliver distance learning and face-to-face upper level courses, including two on the graduate level, to both Panola and TJC.

            TJC courses include computers in agriculture, plant propagation, agricultural construction, livestock evaluation and introduction to forestry. SFASU courses available to Panola students include soil science, agriculture development, farm management, greenhouse management, ornamental horticulture, integrated pest management and agricultural ecology.

            Discussions began this spring among Dr. Joe Shannon and Dr. Bob Peters of TJC, Dr. Dale Parrott of SFASU and Dr. Lillian Cook and Ann Morris of Panola College. All the institutional representatives were interested in creating more opportunities for East Texans to access higher education. Panola’s new rodeo program triggered the need for more agriculture offerings for students.

“Distance learning technology has greatly expanded educational opportunities, and agriculture is no exception. We are pleased to be able to form this partnership that will benefit students throughout our service area and the East Texas region,” says Dr. Cook, Dean of Instruction at Panola College.

Classes will begin in the fall 2004 semester, and registration is currently under way for existing and transfer students. New student registration for Panola College will begin August 10. Find out more by calling Dr. Cook at 903-693-2028 or go to the Panola College website at www.panola.edu.