Campus News

Circle of Honor Inducts Seven
Seven new members were inducted into the TJC Sports Circle of Honor in June. The 2008 inductees are: Billy Jack Doggett, basketball’53-’55/athletic director ’88-’00 (deceased); Ardie Dixon, basketball ’59-’60; Evelyn Jo Newman ’75-’77; C. L. Nix, basketball ’52-’54; Lloyd Pate, football ’58-’59; Bob Price, basketball ’60-’61; and Dessie Samuels, tennis ’73-’75.

Pictured at Sports Circle of Honor Barbecue are: Jimmy and Carolyn Murphy, Johnny and Beverly Linney, Betty Briggs, (standing). Gail and Don Keasler and Jackie and Charlie McGinty seated.

The Circle of Honor was established in 1995 to honor our former athletes and coaches. Recipients are selected for their contributions to intercollegiate athletics during and after TJC, service to the College and our athletic programs, professional achievement and service to the community.

 

Three Alumni Honored
This past year at the 2008 Homecoming Awards Dinner Dance, three former students were honored for the outstanding contributions to society, their lives’ work and/or education.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Dr. Kenneth Ragsdale, Class of ’39. After TJC, Ragsdale attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received a Bachelor’s, two Masters and his Ph.D. He has written several award winning novels on Texas history. He also has a long list of professional activities in the field of History, including working extensively with the Humanities Research Center at UT Austin, Texas historical societies and colleges. In his spare time he is a Big Band orchestra leader, a former pilot and real estate investor in Austin. He attributes his TJC experience as the foundation for whatever success he has achieved.

The Apache Spirit Award was presented to Nancy Duckett Lunceford, Class of ’54. While attending TJC, Nancy was an Apache Belle, a member of San Souci Sorority, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and met husband David (’53—All-American Lineman). Nancy has always been very supportive of Tyler Junior College and has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for over 16 years. She also does volunteer work in her community and church. She is a lifetime member of Belle Gold and serves as their treasurer. Nancy and Dave have generously established numerous scholarships at TJC.

The Valuable Young Alumnus Award was presented to Darren Kindred, Class of ’92. A graduate of our tennis tech program, Darren is the director of tennis and head teaching professional for Bucks County Racquet Club in Washington Crossing, Pa. Since 2005, he has served as director of tennis and advisory board member for Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund of American and developed OPAF’s First Volley, which conducts free adaptive tennis clinics for ambulatory players in cities all over the United States. Darren says that the tennis tech program instilled the value of giving back to the community.

 

A pache Belles Perform at Dallas Cowboys Game

Tyler Junior College Botanical Gardens