Three inducted into Academic Hall of Honor

Published or Revised December 02, 2011

Saturday afternoon saw three Paris Junior College graduates inducted into the Academic Hall of Honor on Saturday afternoon: Robert G. "Bob" White and his wife Dorothy Bailey White, Ed.D., and retired Navy Comdr. Thomas R. McCool. Dr. White was introduced by PJC journalism instructor Sharon Dennehy, who explained that White minored in journalism and was elected to serve as [i]The Bat[/i] editor while a freshman. Dennehy touched on her other student activities, including a member of the Eco Club (home economics), a cheerleader (or "Lungbuster" as they were known) and member of Future Homemakers of America. "I had really good instructors here," Dr. White said after accepting her award. "I really appreciate PJC. My mother went to nursing school before it was fashionable and rode the train to Quanah at age 18. She taught me to be independent and I have passed this to my girls and grandchildren." The Whites left PJC as firm believers in community colleges – their two daughters and grandchildren have attended them. PJC golf coach Dave Johnson introduced Bob White, telling the audience of White's desire to be the best educator he could be. He touched on his community and church service over the years, and on his numerous state and national senior golfing championships. White had been a member of the PJC golf team as a student, and Johnson drew a laugh from the crowd when he said if he had any eligibility left, he would have him play with today's team. "I got a $50 scholarship from the Rotary Club and I had no idea what to do," White said. "So I went to PJC. That money paid for my whole semester, including books. Times have changed. But this was what I needed; it really changed my life. I started refereeing for basketball games and it was amazing how far that $7.50 for two games went. I joined the Texas National Guard artillery unit and that helped me make it through the second year. I still had no earthly idea what I wanted to do, but PJC was good for eliminating some things, like trigonometry and chemistry classes – I knew I wasn't cut out for engineering. After working with the football team at East Paris Elementary, I knew what I wanted to do. "PJC and other community colleges give so many people an opportunity to just get started," White continued. "The $50 from Rotary and PJC gave me what I needed, so I hope all of us will do all we can to help PJC keep giving young people in this area a start. Let's keep giving that to them. Thank you PJC." Math and Sciences Associate Dean Ed McCraw introduced honoree Tom McCool. He described reaching out to McCool to get more information, and came away impressed with his humbleness: "He responded to my e-mail with the message, 'No need to get excited about me, I just did the best I could in my naval career.'" "I'm really fortunate to have my wife and family here today," McCool began. "I'm honored to accept this award for my career achievements in the U.S. Navy but I'm just one person and this includes all the people who have served, are serving or will serve, and their families. At the time I never realized the excellent education I received at Paris schools, culminating at Paris Junior College. The teachers' efforts to educate us provided a solid foundation for folks like me to achieve life's goals. Today will be one of the best memories of my life, thank you." At the close of the ceremony, Dr. Anglin said, "For those of us currently working in higher education it gives us hope and refuels us to go back on Monday morning with new energy to know that we've made a difference in the past and hopefully will continue making a difference for the future."