Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce honors PJC

Published or Revised February 09, 2007

Paris Junior College received special recognition at the annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce membership banquet in Sulphur Springs Thursday night. PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin was presented the Vision Award for the colleges' work to broaden its commitment to higher education in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County through the PJC - Sulphur Springs Center. Freddie Taylor, Chamber Board chairman and mayor of Sulphur Springs, presented the award to Anglin, telling the audience of over 600 people that PJC — Sulphur Springs Center is developing plans to build a new campus. "PJC has had the vision to look into the future needs of the area and to carry out its vision for offering education opportunities for the people of Hopkins County," Taylor said. Paris Junior College has purchased 46 acres of land on West Loop 301 (Highway 19) across from the airport to supplement the existing campus so the college can meet the needs of a growing student population and curriculum needs. Architects are developing a master plan and designing the first building to go on the new Sulphur Springs campus site. Geo-technical testing and land surveying are under way. Upon accepting the award for PJC and the Sulphur Springs Center, Anglin said she is honored that the people of Hopkins County are recognizing the work and vision of the Sulphur Springs faculty and staff and the college administration. "It is gratifying that all of you value the need for the college being here to educate and train people of all ages for the workforce," she said. The present campus, located next to Sulphur Springs High School, was opened in the fall of 1996 with just over 200 students, and in the past 10 years has grown in enrollment to near 800 students. The campus is fully staffed with approximately 50 full- and part-time faculty and staff. The PJC — Sulphur Springs Center offers an opportunity for students to complete an associate degree on that campus, as well as earn certificates of completion in numerous technical/vocational programs.