Brownings Support Library Project - July 18, 2008

Dr. Gregory Powell stands with James and Jayne Browning in front of the, soon to be expanded and renovated, M. P. Baker Library. The Brownings recently purchased a granite paver that will be incorporated into a “Walkway of Honor” adjacent to the Library. Panola College is establishing the Walkway of Honor to pay tribute to alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College. Information about the Walkway of Honor is available online at www.panola.edu or by calling 903-693-2029.

Panola College Announces New Director of Choirs - July 16, 2008
Submitted by Van Patterson

Dr. John M. Petzet is the new Director of Choirs and Instructor of Vocal Music at Panola College. John has taught at the University of Texas at Tyler and Lincoln University. He received his Masters and Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas and Texas Tech University respectively. John is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he taught middle school and high school for five years. John has conducted multiple choral/orchestral works, including the Durufle Requiem, Bach Cantata 37, Vivaldi Gloria, Pachelbel Magnificat in C, Schubert’s Masses in C and G, and Mozart’s Mass in F.

Upcoming events for Panola vocal ensembles include the State Fair, Christmas in Carthage, and a Constitution Day Ceremony to be performed on campus, Wednesday, September 17th at 1pm in the Ballroom.

Students who would like to participate in the vocal music program should contact Dr. Petzet at 903-693-2061. Scholarships are still available for students who qualify.

The Panola College Video Game Club conducted its first Video Game Development Camp for Kids in June. The game camp, held in the computer science department’s new Video Game Development Lab launched in January, was led by club members Lynn Kinchloe and Arden Stone. The new lab, housed in the Gullette Technology Building, includes game development hardware and software along with Xbox 360, wii, and PS3 game consoles and a 37 inch flat screen monitor. Students learned to create maze and platform games, game level designs, and to make modifications to Xbox 360 games such as Halo 3. More game development classes are planned for adults and children in the coming school year. For more information contact Dr. Bob Wilkins at 903-693-2057 or email at bwilkins@panola.edu .

Photo: Left to right: Matt Sanford, Cameron Martin, Chloe Powell, J.J. Johnson, Jacob Cook, Johnathan Wilson, Arden Stone (instructor), Trenton Morris, Nathan Bueche, Dr. Bob Wilkins. In front: Lynn Kinchloe (Video Game Club president)

Panola College Foundation Establishes Endowment - June 26, 2008
Submitted by Van Patterson

At its April meeting the Panola College Foundation reached a milestone by voting unanimously to establish the Panola College Foundation Endowment. It also agreed that one of the long-term goals of the Foundation will be to grow this endowment so that it can be used in the future to assist the College in meeting its most pressing needs.

This year in addition to establishing the Foundation Endowment with an initial investment of $31,000, the Foundation has assisted the College by funding several scholarships, providing a $3,125 grant to the fine arts department and a $12,500 grant to the health sciences division.

Members of the 2007-2008 Foundation Board include Mrs. Carol Vincent, Chair, Mr. Philip Pool, Vice-Chair, Mr. Tate Barber, Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Bunyard, Mrs. Brenda Giles, Mr. Dave Gorrie, Mrs. Margie Hopkins, Mr. David Murphy, Mrs. Phoebe Sue Perlman, Mr. Bobby Phillips, Dr. Andy Nutt, Mrs. Patricia Smith, Mrs. Fannie Watson, Mr. Cliff Todd, and Mr. Kevin Smith. Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College, Mr. Steve Williams, Vice President of Finance and Business Services, and Mr. Van Patterson, Director of Institutional Advancement, also serve as ex-officio members of the Board.

“The Foundation is able to support the College because of the generosity of the citizens in the communities we serve,” said Mrs. Carol Vincent. “I am grateful to all those who have donated their time and financial support to the Foundation. Much of our funding has come from members of the Foundation Board, friends of the College, and the generosity of those who participated in one or more of the Foundation’s fundraisers.”

Mr. Van Patterson, added, “Additional funding has been given by donors who chose to designate the Panola College Foundation as a beneficiary in their wills. Designating the Foundation as a beneficiary is a relatively simple process that requires no upfront monetary gift to the institution.”

“Another option available to donors is to utilize a planned giving strategy. Proper planning can help donors reduce their tax burden, provide for their heirs, and still provide a gift to the College. Planned giving is more complicated than designating the Foundation as a beneficiary in one’s will and requires the expertise of a tax professional,” said Patterson.

Panola Announces Thurman Scholarship Established - June 19, 2008

(L to R) Erin Thurman Ivey, Dr. Gregory Powell, Sharon Thurman Ivey

Thurman Scholarship Established Panola College announces the establishment of the Mart B. and Nelwyn Parker Thurman Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Sharon and Erin Thurman Ivey.

Nelwyn Parker Thurman and Mart B. (M.B.) Thurman were the parents of Sharon Thurman Ivey and grandparents of Erin Thurman Ivey. Nelwyn married M.B. in 1947. They were married for 28 years and had two children.

Nelwyn graduated from Beckville High School and later earned an Associate degree from South Texas Community College. She worked as a legal secretary until her marriage. Shortly thereafter, she became a homemaker who valued education for her children, Marty and Sharon. One of her favorite sayings was, “education gives you choices in life.”

M.B. graduated from Carthage High School before going on to attend and graduate from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. When M.B. graduated from Southwestern, America was at war with the axis powers. M.B. answered his nation’s call and served in the US Navy as a Lt. J.G. in the Pacific theater. After the war he came back and worked for Panola County in the early 1950s. In 1953 M.B. began a career with Gulf Oil that lasted 22 years. M.B. emphasized education as the key to a successful life and would be very proud of his daughter and granddaughter who are both educators.

The Mart B. and Nelwyn Parker Thurman Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is starting their sophomore year at Panola College. The selection of the recipients will be made in the spring each year. Applicants should contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at Panola College, 903-693-2029.