PJC Honors 2013 Distinguished Alumnus
Published or Revised November 18, 2013
PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin presents the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Robert Abshire at a luncheon during PJC’s 89th Homecoming.
In an emotion-filled luncheon in his honor last weekend, Dr. Robert L. “Hotshot” Abshire received the 2013 Paris Junior College Distinguished Alumnus Award.
“He has a deep and abiding love for PJC,” said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin as she introduced him. “And committed himself to his career which in turn brings honor to his family, his friends, Paris, Texas, and Paris Junior College.”
Abshire was a student-athlete in 1950-52, then returned to PJC in 1962 as the athletic director, baseball and basketball coach, dorm manager and teacher of microbiology, general biology and botany. He later went on to a scientific career, highlighted by the patent of a type of antibiotic eye drop.
He relayed how as a high school senior, he was offered a PJC basketball scholarship and accepted it gratefully.
“That was my introduction to Paris Junior College,” Abshire said. “It has always been good to me and for me.”
Offered the job of athletic director in 1962, along with a free efficiency apartment, he accepted and moved in with his wife and soon after, a new baby. The audience broke up in laughter as he told of another free perk.
“The old gymnasium had a couple of old industrial size washers and dryers so I had a ready-made washateria 100 yards from the house 24/7,” Abshire said. “So anyway, the first batch of diapers and children’s cloths I took up there and washed and I guess there was some residual dye in the washing machine. The diapers came back green and yellow. I brought them home and Linda went ballistic. I said, ‘well honey you know it’s free, and the diapers are clean, and after all green and yellow are the school colors.’”
“I wanted to close with an old Irish blessing I would like to dedicate to each of you,” Abshire said, but was unable to continue due to emotion. “Come up here Bobby Ray, please.” And PJC President Emeritus Bobby Walters gave the verse, much to the audience’s enjoyment.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, Dr. Anglin announced creation of a scholarship created to honor Dr. Abshire in his name.
Donations to the Abshire scholarship fund may be made to the PJC Office of Institutional Advancement, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460, or for more information contact dbulls@parisjc.edu or 903-782-0276.
