Six PJC retirees honored at two receptions
Published or Revised May 09, 2014
Two receptions were held on May 6 and 7 for retiring PJC employees. Top, DeDe Oxley, second from left, received a service award from PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin (left). Pictured with Oxley are her husband, Gary, second from right, and son Nathan.Retiring PJC English instructor Joan Mathis displays a bottle of whiteout (center) to make a point at the reception honoring her and four other PJC employees. Mathis is also shown, from left, with jewelry instructor Butch Munday, nursing instructor Randall Childres, print shop coordinator Tim Shelton, and English instructor Joan Mathis. Not pictured is Billie Hippensteel, retiring from the Continuing Education department.
Six longtime members of Paris Junior College faculty and staff were honored at two receptions - one on May 6 at the PJC-Greenville Center, the other on May 7 in the PJC Student Center ballroom.
The first reception honored DeDe Oxley, English instructor at PJC-Greenville Center, who retired after 15 years of service to the college.
The other five were honored at the reception in Paris on May 7.
Having come to PJC in 1997, Billie Hippensteel is retiring after working 17 years in the Continuing Education department.
Randall Childres is retiring from the nursing faculty after 13 years, having come to PJC in 2001.
“I came out here to work five years,” said Childres, “and had so much fun I stayed decades.”
Next to be recognized was print shop coordinator Tim Shelton, who was a staff member for 36 years, coming to PJC in 1978.
“He made sure that faculty tests were copied, publications put together and deadlines met,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Even when handed a short turnaround, miraculously, it happens.”
Jewelry faculty member Butch Munday has taught for 38 years, having come to PJC in 1976.
“He has trained countless jewelers who have gone throughout the world,” said Dr. Anglin.
English instructor Joan Mathis was a faculty member for 39 years, coming to PJC in 1975. She brought the house down with laughter.
“I brought with me a bottle of whiteout, as a symbol that there is nothing that has happened here, no student, no staff, not anyone, that I would like to whiteout,” Mathis said.
Both receptions were well-attended and followed with cake and punch as friends, family, and co-workers visited together.
