Board of Regents recognizes retiring employees

Published or Revised April 24, 2007

The Paris Junior College Board of Regents Monday night recognized several retiring faculty members and approved a recommendation to increase the room and board rates for dormitory students. PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin recognized retirees nurse instructor Donna Gatlin, speech instructor Mel Price, math instructor Betty Swasko, and Social Studies Division Chair and sociology instructor Robert Thornburrow. Also retiring, but unable to attend the meeting, was Spanish instructor Ursula Lowenthal. Board President Paul Gene Roden presented each of the retirees with a service plaque and expressed his appreciation for their dedication to teaching and long service to Paris Junior College. The five teachers spent a total of 120 years at PJC. Mrs. Lowenthal, with 36 years, and Thornburrow, with 34 years, held the longest tenure of all the retirees. Regents approved an increase of just over $100 in room and board rates for students using both the 12-meal plan and the 19-meal plan. The rate for room and 12-meal plan increased from $1,573 to $1,688 per semester. Students using the room and 19-meal plan will see an increase from $1,822 to $1,948 per semester. A recommendation by the administration to make curriculum changes in some Applied Science programs was given approval, and regents set their annual budget workshop for July 27 in the PJC Founder’s Room. Dr. Anglin, in her report to the board, announced that PJC has entered into an articulation agreement with Texas A&M University - Texarkana to teach elementary education classes on the PJC campus. This, she said, will allow students to receive a bachelor’s degree in education without leaving Paris. Dr. Anglin also reported that work on the air conditioning/heating pipes installation on campus is approximately a week ahead of schedule and that construction should be completed by Aug. 1. In other business, regents approved the promotion of Allen Williams to division chair of Social Sciences, replacing the retiring Robert Thornburrow. Williams taught history at PJC as an adjunct until 2002 when he became a full-time member of the faculty. His new assignment will become effective in the fall. The board employed Marla Elliott as instructor of psychology effective Aug. 20. She is currently employed as a career counselor and advisor at PJC. Also employed was Jaci Chaney as tracking specialist in the Educational Talent Search Program. Chaney has worked part-time in the PJC financial aid office and as a tutor in Talent Search. Resignations approved by the board included those of women’s basketball coach Scott Hyland and Radiology Program Coordinator Beverly Mock. The upcoming graduation and nurse pinning schedules for PJC students were also announced. The LVN pinning program will be held at 7 p.m. May 9 at North Lamar High School. Graduation for GED students will be held at 7 p.m. May 10 in the Ray Karrer Theater. The pinning ceremony for the RN program graduates will be held at 5 p.m. May 11 at First Baptist Church in Paris. Commencement exercises for all graduates of PJC will be held at 8 p.m. on May 11 in Noyse Stadium.