PJC honors three former students

Published or Revised November 19, 2013

At Paris Junior College’s 89th Homecoming last weekend, three former students were inducted into the Academic Hall of Honor: Kelsey Goodman, Robert K. Hall and Lanny “Hoss” Huggins. “I would have preferred to express my thanks in person to the people who had a hand in this award,” Goodman wrote in prepared comments, “as well as to acknowledge the positive and decisive influence PJC has had on my life. The Kelsey Goodman who left PJC was not the same Kelsey Goodman who showed up at the front door, and I will venture that hundreds if not thousands of previous PJC students would admit to this same thing.” Goodman wrote of how he became hooked on poetry thanks to English instructor Myra Fuller, and how small moments can lead to life-changing events. Without having dinner in the PJC cafeteria with a friend, he wouldn't have learned of an opening for assistant coach and so wouldn't have taken the steps to his career path that led to the Antarctic. Hall was introduced PJC chemistry instructor Don Kosterman, who spoke of teaching him in Chemistry I and II. “In Chemistry I there were 44 students and he was one of six 'As',” Kosterman said. “In Chemistry II there were 30 students and he was one of four 'A's'. You knew from his determination that he was a young man going places.” As Hall accepted his award, he spoke of the solid foundation of values and faith his parents Jimmy and Mary Hall had taught him, as well as the lessons of fairness learned and support received from David and Mark Buster. He also reflected on the quality of teachers, mentors, and staff he encountered at PJC, especially singling out John Brown, Don Kosterman and Lee Larue. “Through his hard work he motivates his employees to achieve more than they thought was possible,” said employee Josh Exum in submitted comments. “Robert has accomplished more than most people could ever imagine both personally and professionally. Despite all of that he is very humble and still focuses on treating people with respect and doing what is right.” Lanny “Hoss” Huggins came with the largest family contingent – his mother and brothers and their families. After accepting his award, Huggins talked of how he got his start with an afternoon teen “swap shop” radio show. He said he came home to find his father had listened in and asked him how he did. Huggins' father told him he had counted 27 “uhs” in the half hour show. “You learn from your mistakes,” he told the audience. On the evolution of the band he and his brothers were in, he said he originally wanted to call it something like “the Platters”, but Gary and Mickey overruled him and they went by “The Huggins Brothers.” He also shared how he learned to play the banjo while at PJC. Band director Frank Gore asked him to play at an event on campus that coming weekend and he agreed – and learned to play that instrument in less than a week. Afterward the ceremony honorees, their guests and other attendees were invited to share a nice spread of cookies and pastries.