Powell Completes First Decade - July 22, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

On July 19, 2010 Mr. William Goolsby, Chair of the Panola College Board of Trustees, presented Dr. Gregory S. Powell with a service award to commemorate his first ten years as President of Panola College. Mr. Goolsby thanked Dr. Powell for his 10 years of dedication, outstanding vision, and commitment to excellence. When asked for comment Dr. Powell responded, “Panola College is a fantastic place to work and study.  Our faculty and staff are truly dedicated to student success.  I appreciate the Board of Trustees for the confidence they have placed in me.”

Panola College Offers ServSafe© Course - July 21, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

The Panola College Workforce and Economic Department will be offering Food Safety Training through ServSafe© August 10 and 11, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. ServSafe© is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. ServSafe© is a course designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to provide food service operators, managers, and support personnel with the knowledge essential for food preparation and handling within their respective facilities to help reduce the risk of food borne illness breakouts.

This course will cost $150 and will include the 16-hour course, ServSafe© Essentials textbook, written exam and ServSafe© Food Protection Manager Certification (with a score of 75% or higher on exam). ServSafe© certification is accepted in all states (except CA) and is valid for five years. ServSafe© certification is recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Conference for Food Protection (CFP). This class will be held in the Merle Glass Building on the Panola College Carthage campus. Instructors will be Wayne Bounds, Training Coordinator, SYSCO & Marc Haines, SYSCO.

Enrollment will be limited and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, interested individuals should contact the Continuing Education office at 693-1193 or by e-mail at ce@panola.edu.

College Sponsors Photography Show - July 21, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College invites area photographers to submit entries for the Summer in East Texas Photography Show. Judges will choose 15 photographs for display in the Fay Cassity Allison Gallery in the M.P. Baker Library.

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, July 29. Entries should be 8”x10” or 11”x14” size prints, and do not need to be mounted. The photographs will remain on display throughout August.

“We invite photographers to submit their artistic expression of summer in East Texas,” said Teresa Beasley, communication instructor at Panola College. “The public is invited to view the photographs during August, and we’ll have a ballot box in the gallery so that people can vote for their favorite photograph.”

A public reception will be held in late August to recognize the photographers whose work was chosen for display. Ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place, best of show, and popular favorite.

Submit the photos to Teresa Beasley, Panola College, 1109 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633, or drop them off at the College Store or Business Office. For more information, call 903-693-1117 or send an email to tbeasley@panola.edu.

Panola College Offers Art Camp I - Drawing with Cauthen - July 20, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College will offer this camp to students ages eleven through sixteen. Students will learn the basics of shading, perspective, composition, and action-related techniques to provide them with a good foundation to ignite their appreciation and love for art. The camp will be held August 9 -12, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM at the Panola College Carthage campus. Cost of registration will be $50.00 and enrollment is limited. Students must be registered by August 5. For more information and to register, interested individuals should contact the Continuing Education office at 693-1193 or e-mail us at ce@panola.edu.

Panola College Summer ‘10 Video Game Development Camp II - July 19, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College will offer this camp to students who will be completing the 4th through the eleventh grades. Students will learn how to use Game Maker development software to create compelling and balanced video games. The camp will be held August 2 - 5, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the Panola College Carthage campus. Cost of registration will be $100.00 and enrollment is limited. Students must be registered by July 29. For more information and to register, interested individuals should contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-1193 or e-mail us at ce@panola.edu.

Panola College Offers Parents Huge Savings - July 15, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College is a comprehensive, accredited, two-year community college that is helping parents control the costs associated with educating their children. “Generations of students have begun their academic careers at Panola College,” said Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College. “Our graduates have gone on to earn degrees from prestigious institutions including Texas A&M, Baylor, ETBU, Rice, SFA, UT, SMU, and West Point. Their success is a testament to the quality of our faculty and staff.”

Panola College excels in preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions. It provides quality instruction, small class sizes, and is an affordable option for those who are just beginning their college careers.  “If you compare apples to apples you will find that Panola College is the right place for recent high school graduates to begin their college careers,” said Van Patterson, Director of Institutional Advancement. “During their first year a majority of students are expected to complete basic courses such as English, Psychology, Music Appreciation, Speech, and History. A freshman taking 15 hours per semester at Panola College can expect to pay close to $7,000 per year for tuition, fees, books, room and board. At a State College the cost to live on campus and take these same ‘basic courses’ increases to approximately $13,000 and at a private university parents should expect to pay $25,000 or more per year. The amount of money a family can save may vary from $6,000 to $20,000 or more depending on where the student chooses to transfer.”

Another way families can save money is by encouraging their children to enroll in dual-credit courses. Through Panola College’s dual credit program students can earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Theses courses are oriented towards students whose goal is to earn a Bachelor’s degree. All instructors have the credentials required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools which include a Master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in the discipline they are teaching. Students who start in their junior year can graduate from high school with as many as 30 hours of college credit. For those who choose this option, the savings are substantial. High school counselors can provide additional information about how to enroll in dual-credit courses.

Registration for the fall semester is currently underway. To schedule a time to meet with an academic advisor or for information about Panola College call 903-693-2000 or go online to www.panola.edu.

Panola College Offers Beginning Youth Guitar Class - July 15, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

The Office of Workforce and Economic Development announces a Beginning Youth Guitar class to be offered Monday through Thursday, July 19 - 22, in the Choir Room, of the Fine Arts Building, at the Panola College Carthage campus. Classes will be held from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. The cost is $55.00 and Kurt White will be the instructor. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, call 903-693-1193 or e-mail ce@panola.edu.

Panola College Professors Improve Quality of Life - July 6, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Two Panola College Nursing instructors recently spent a week of their summer providing medical care to people in Belize, Central America.  Dr. Barbara Cordell, Dean of Nursing, and Bobby Yarborough, instructor in the vocational nursing program, have participated in Project Belize, a medical mission, for a number of years. Each year they travel with a group of doctors, nurses, and others to the most remote villages in this developing country.  "The people we care for do not have medical care available in their villages, and they would have to walk over 50 miles in some cases to get to a doctor", said Mr. Yarborough.  The team spends a week camping without electricity or running water, and they often hike at least 2-3 hours each way to reach the villages.  Dr. Cordell reflects, "The work we do is incredibly rewarding because these beautiful people have so little.  Even giving out vitamins helps save lives."  Project Belize is a non-profit organization that purchases medications and supplies with donations received.  Each team member pays for his or her own travel expenses.  To find out more about Project Belize, visit the web site at www.projectbelize.org

Photo: Dr. Cordell administers a vaccination

Stephens Receives Karen Reader Memorial Scholarship - July 6, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

On July 1, 2010 Ms. Sharon Stump presented Ms. Crystal Stephens the Karen Reader Memorial Scholarship. Stephens is enrolled in Panola College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program and is studying to become a registered nurse. “The Karen Reader Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Ms. Stump’s sister who passed away from ovarian cancer,” said Van Patterson, Director of Institutional Advancement. “This is the second nursing scholarship awarded in memory of Karen Reader and I think she would be pleased that she could play some part in helping these young women take the first steps toward a nursing career.”

Photo: (L to R) Sharon Stump and Crystal Stephens

Panola College Professor Presents Findings at National Conference - July 1, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Dr. Barbara Cordell, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, was selected for a poster presentation at the recent annual conference of the American Holistic Nurses Association in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her presentation was on "Healing the Air: Essential Oils and Healing the Effects of Tobacco". Dr. Cordell's research was on the use of two essential oils, angelica archangelica and piper nigrum (black pepper), to help reduce cravings for tobacco and increase time between tobacco use. Both oils were found effective. Essential oils are pure plant essences distilled and used for their therapeutic properties. Often called "aromatherapy", essential oils may or may not smell good but have healing benefits.

Dr. Cordell's research was a launching pad for a committee to look at the negative effects of tobacco on the Panola College campus and make recommendations to College administration. She presented the Committee's work as part of her poster. The American Holistic Nurses Association conference proceedings can be found at www.ahna.org

Photo: Dr. Cordell (left) discussing her findings at the AHNA Conference

CNA Class at Panola - June 29, 2010
Submitted by Judy Lee

Panola College most recent CNA graduates passed their state exam on June 26 to become a Certified Nurse Aide. Congratulations to the following students! ( not in order) Alice Davenport, Kim Moore, Vanessa Pineda, Shikella Patton, Tanya Hernandez, Shakeika Horton, Alexius Wyatt, Daniel Duval, Jody Haley, and Judy Reynolds, LVN, CNA Instructor.

A BIG thank you to Holiday Nursing Home, residents and staff for allowing students to participate at their facility.

Shelby Regional Training Center Classes - June 25, 2010
Submitted by Dr. Joe Shannon

Summer II Classes: Shelby County Classes (SRTC)

BIOL 2406      Environmental Biology              On-Line           On-Line

BIOL 2404      Anatomy & Physiology             MTW               10:00-12:45P              

BIOL 2404L    Anatomy & Phys Lab               MTW               1:00-3:45P

ELPT 1345      Commercial Wiring                   MTWR            5:30-8:50P

HIST 1301       US History I                             MTWR            1:00-3:15P

HIST 1302       US History II                            MTWR            12:40-2:55P

MATH 0302    Fund of Algebra                       MTWR            10:20-12:35P

MATH 0302    Fund of Algebra                       MTW               3:30-6:15P

MATH 1342    Statistics                                   MTWR            8:00-10:15A

OSHT 1301     Intro Health/Safety                    On-Line           On-Line

PSYC 2301     General Psychology                  MTWR            8:00-10:15A

PSYC 2314     Lifespan Growth & Dev            MTWR            10:20-12:35P

PTRT 1301      Intro to Petroleum                     On-Line           On-Line

Please note registration continues for summer II classes that will begin on July 12 through August 9 at the Shelby Regional Training Center (SRTC) located at 678 Roughrider Drive, Center Texas.

For more information contact 936-591-9075.

Charles C. Matthews Memorial Scholarship Established - June 25, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Photo: ( L to R) – Dr. Greg Powell, President of Panola College, Jimmy Payne, Robert Underwood, Richard Ballenger, David Bush, John Conway, and Vern Reeder

Panola College announces the establishment of the Charles C. Matthews Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the Charles C. Matthews Foundation to aid students from Panola County.

Charles Carpenter Matthews was born on November 24, 1930, in Beckville to Samuel Ellis and Bennie Lucille Carpenter Matthews. He graduated from Carthage High School and attended Southern Methodist University and Stephen F. Austin State University. Mr. Matthews served his country in the United States Air Force in Germany and was honorably discharged. He was a local rancher, businessman, and was a longtime director of Shelby Panola Savings and Loan. He enjoyed bird hunting, raising cattle, the outdoors, and had a keen interest in firearms. Mr. Matthews lived most of his lifetime in Carthage and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

“We are grateful to the Charles C. Matthews Foundation for establishing this scholarship,” said Van Patterson, Director of Institutional Advancement. “I think Mr. Matthews would be pleased to know that his legacy will be one of helping students better their lives.”

The Charles C. Matthews Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s Trustees include Mr. Richard Ballenger, Mr. David Bush, Mr. John Conway, Mr. Jim Payne, Mr. Vern Reeder, and Mr. Robert Underwood. The Charles C. Matthews Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually. The selection of the recipients will be made in the spring each year. Applicants should contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at Panola College, 903-693-2029.

Paramedic Program Available at Panola College - June 24, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College’s Paramedic Technology Certificate program prepares students to take the National Registry Test and after passing to work in hospitals, for ambulance services, or fire departments as paramedics.

The College’s EMT courses are available for both basic and intermediate status. Students in these classes are prepared to take the National Registry Test and after passing gain employment as EMTs for ambulance services and fire departments.

All programs are approved by the Texas Department of States Services and focus on the pre-hospital emergency care of ill or injured people. These programs contain lecture, discussion and skills practice time, with emphasis on “hands-on” practice in and outside class time.

According to Dr. Lillian Cook, Vice President of Instruction, “I am excited about the possibilities for students who complete our Paramedic and EMT programs. Jobs are available for those trained. Students can within a short time prepare themselves to serve people in communities in the East Texas area, as well as in cities and towns across the state.”

For more information about the Paramedic and EMT programs, please call Ronnie Morton, EMS Program Director, at 903-693-1153 or check our website a www.panola.edu.

H & R Block Visits Panola College Cosmetology Class - June 23, 2010

Karla Vaughn, tax specialist with H & R Block, spoke to the cosmetology class today. They discussed information on preparing the class for their furture adventure in the world of making money and filing taxes.

Pictured (not in order) Whitnee Allen, Amanda Blackwell, Brandi Burdette, Mary Collier, Sarah Fox, Destini Fulbright, Angela Haessly, Kamille McCollister, Karla McCollister, Jamie Moore, LaShun Moore, Josi Soape, Stephanie Stiles, Cheyenne Vaught, Crystal White, instructor, Linda Vickery & Karla Vaughn, H & R Block Specialist

Grant to Lead Texas Government - June 22, 2010

This summer students will have a unique opportunity to study Texas Government with a professor who helped shape our State’s government. Panola College is pleased to announce that the honorable, Judge Ben Z. Grant, will be teaching Texas Government at the Carthage campus during its second summer session.

Grant graduated with honors from Panola College before going on to earn a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He served ten years in the Texas Legislature, six of those as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Grant sponsored one of the first laws in the nation that replaced the electric chair with lethal injection. He was also one of the DIRTY THIRTY, a coalition of 30 Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, who grouped against Texas officials charged in a bribery-conspiracy investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Later he became Judge Grant. He served four years as District Judge of the 71st District Court in Harrison County, before being appointed by the Governor to become a Justice of the 6th Court of Appeals in Texarkana. He served on that court for 17 years.

Judge Grant is very knowledgeable about inner workings of the State government, and this summer a select number of students will be able to benefit from his years of experience. Panola College’s second summer session begins July 12. Registration is going on now, and seating is limited. For additional information about the course or to register, please call 903-693-2038.

Panola College Summer ‘10 Video Game Development Camp - June 17, 2010
Submitted by Van Patterson

Panola College will offer this camp to students who will be completing the 4th through the 11th grades. Students will learn how to use Game Maker development software to create compelling and balanced video games. The camp will be held June 21 - 24, from 9:00 am until noon at the Panola College Carthage campus. Cost of registration will be $100, and enrollment is limited. For more information contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-1193 or e-mail us at ce@panola.edu.

Work Force Solutions Announces Scholarships - June 15, 2010

Panola College is pleased to announce that the Workforce Solutions East Texas Workforce Board has scholarships available for students up to age 24. Known as the “Earn, Learn, WIN Scholarship,” it is designed for recent high school graduates and those individuals who recently earned their GED who want to attend college this summer. Scholarship recipients will receive tuition for the summer session, employment for up to 10 weeks at 24 hours per week, and an incentive for successful completion. Scholarships will be awarded up to $3,000. Applications are available online at www.easttexasworkforce.org/497/Earn-Learn-Win-2010.htm . For additional information please call 903-746-0146.