Panola College Board of Trustees sworn in for new terms, elects new officers
The Panola College Board of Trustees held a called meeting on May 12 during which trustees were sworn in for new terms and new Board officers were elected, marking an important leadership transition for the College.
The meeting began with three trustees being sworn in and taking their Oath of Office:
- Place 1, Mr. Josh Carter (unexpired term)
- Place 4, Mr. Mark Roberson
- Place 5, Mrs. Fatha Burchette
The terms for Mr. Roberson and Mrs. Burchette will expire in 2032. Mr. Carter, will fulfill an unexpired term through 2030.
Following the swearing in of trustees, the Board moved into the nomination and election of Board officers.
Mr. William Goolsby, who joined the board on May 11, 1992 and served 28 years as Board Chair, spoke about the importance of thoughtful planning and creating opportunities for the next generation of Board leadership, while also reflecting on his time serving the College and Board in this role.
“In that time, I have served under three impressive Presidents, Mr. Edmonson, Dr. Powell, and now Dr. Pace,” said Goolsby. “I have also served with incredible board members, all of whom put students first and took taxpayers, faculty, and staff into account with every decision we made. I believe this Board, going forward, will continue to do the same.”
Upon receiving nominations and a vote of the Board, the following officers were elected:
- Mr. Kevin Smith, Chair of the Board
- Mr. William Goolsby, Vice Chair
- Mrs. Fatha Burchette, Secretary
Newly elected Board Chair Mr. Kevin Smith, who joined the Board on October 19, 2009, also shared remarks following the vote.
“I have served on this Board for 17 years, and I deeply respect this Board and the values it represents,” said Smith. “Our Board aligns with the values of the College, and I believe we will continue to lead with those values at the forefront. I also want to thank Mr. Goolsby for his years of dedicated service as Board Chair.”
Throughout their combined years of service, both Mr. Goolsby and Mr. Smith have demonstrated consistent leadership and dedication, maintaining strong attendance and active involvement in Board governance and institutional advancement.
Dr. Jessica Pace, President of Panola College, expressed appreciation for the Board’s leadership and service.
“The strength of Panola College has always been rooted in leaders who care deeply about students, employees, and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Pace. “We are incredibly grateful for Mr. Goolsby’s decades of leadership and service as Board Chair, and we look forward to working alongside Mr. Smith and the entire Board as we move the College forward and continue reimagining opportunities for our students and region.”