Alumni of the Year

2025

- Olin Joffrion, Jr.

Olin Joffrion, Jr., originally from Paincourtville, La., and raised in Carthage, is being honored as the Panola College Alumnus of the Year. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1975 and earned his associate degree from Panola College in 1977. After marrying his high school sweetheart, the former Tresa Woods, he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1979.

After beginning his career in insurance adjusting, Joffrion returned to Carthage in 1982 to open an insurance agency and later began selling real estate. Following the death of his father in 1987, he took on the management of his father’s oil and gas investments, which ultimately led to his own involvement in the oil and gas industry. In 2004, he co-founded Fairplay Exploration Company, which focuses on leasing and developing mineral acreage in Panola County.

Joffrion has been a dedicated community leader, serving on numerous church, civic, regional, and state boards. Notably, he was elected to the Carthage City Commission in 1987 at the age of 29, and has since held roles as Commissioner, Mayor Pro Tem, and currently, Mayor.

Joffrion and his wife have two children and seven grandchildren, and they are looking forward to spending time with their family in the years ahead.