Six named to PJC Academic Hall of Honor

Published or Revised November 09, 2010

The Paris Junior College Academic Hall of Honor will induct six honorees for the Class of 2010 at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, in the McLemore Student Center Ballroom. These graduates and former students will be honored during a weekend of PJC Homecoming festivities. After a welcome by PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin, Vice President of Academics Dwight Chaney will deliver a history of the Hall of Honor. Then the honorees will be introduced. Kelly Baxley, Class of 1980, graduated from PJC with honors. At the age of 19, he was the youngest pneumatic application engineer hired by Johnson Controls in the company's history. Thirty years after graduation, he is entering his 20th year with Seimens USA as the Senior Account Executive for the world's fourth largest employer. With a unique set of skills, he is responsible for developing business opportunities with the Texas higher education marketplace. His drive earned him "Sales Professional of the Year" three times and he was twice nominated for the "President's Circle Award" for extraordinary and solid performance as recognized by colleagues and senior management. Mr. Baxley is being recognized in the field of heating and air conditioning. John Dickson "Dick" House, Class of 1939, was a long-time Paris businessman and former member of the PJC Board of Regents 1959-65, who also received the distinguished student award at graduation. He was editor of the [i]Galleon[/i], class officer, captain of the 1939 Dragons basketball team and lettered in three sports. He was involved in the 1961-62 expansion and building program for the Student Union Building, men's and women's dorms and PJC library and bookstore. A retired Navy captain, Mr. House was the founder, owner and manager of Dick House's Good Housekeeping Shoppe in the Williamsburg Shopping Center for more than 25 years. He is being recognized in the field of business. Mark Hudson, Class of 1969, is currently the Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Student Services for Paris ISD. Mr. Hudson has been involved in the PISD system since 1985 and began teaching and coaching in 1971. As a student he was Mr. PJC in 1969. He was twice named Coach of the Year in his respective districts. He was honored as the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) Outstanding High School Principal for District 8 in 1991 and honored by the TASSP for Middle School/Junior High Principal for District 8 in 1998. Mr. Hudson is being honored in the field of Education. Marva Joe, Class of 1957, is a strong advocate for education in Paris, Lamar County and the surrounding area. For over 11 years she served as a member of the Paris Independent School District Board. She is retired from Kimberly-Clark and for a time was a substitute teacher with PISD, as well as a member of the Facilities Committee for the planning and construction of the new Paris High School. In addition, Mrs. Joe was a member of the city charter re-write committee and is currently co-chair of the Diversity Task Force. She is being saluted for the field of social science. Michael D. Miesch Jr., Ph.D, Class of 1953, is a retired entomologist from National Chemsearch where he was head of the pesticide and agronomy section responsible for formulation and development of insecticides and other agents. He was born prematurely with severe hearing loss, which contributed to a severe speech impediment. Thanks to his older brother Pete, Dr. Miesch was able to attend school with his brother getting his assignments and helping him through the beginning of the education process. After two years at PJC, the Miesch brothers transferred to Texas A&M College where the honoree received his B.S. degree. He went on to earn his M.S. from Purdue University where he studied entomology and earned his Ph.D from Oklahoma State University where he won a fellowship sponsored by the national Pest Control Association. Dr. Miesch is being saluted for the field of science. DuWayne Wirta (Fall 1966-Spring 1968) retired in 2009 after a 36-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency as a Senior Intelligent Services Officer. He is President of Wirta Consulting, LLC and is working with Honeywell International. During the last 10 years of his career, he managed and led a unique organization and was responsible for all program and infrastructure management and funding. He is being honored for his work in the field of criminal justice. Call 903-782-0291 or 903-782-0267 for more information.