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Patrick Smallwood, TJC alumnus and former executive president of the College’s Student Senate, recently presented Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC president for branch locations and district provost, with a special recognition that included a flag which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol and signed by Congressman Louie Gohmert, U.S. representative from Texas Congressional District 1 since 2005.
In addition to his leadership role on the TJC Student Senate, Smallwood served as an Apache Chief. He graduated from TJC in May 2018 and transferred to Texas Tech University. During his time at TJC, Smallwood, a Tyler native, distinguished himself by completing internships with both Congressman Gohmert and with Senator John Cornyn, senior U.S. senator from Texas since 2002.
Smallwood said, “Dr. Mejia, a dear friend of mine, is a man who has been an instrumental person in my life and the culture of Tyler Junior College. He wrote a number of letters of recommendation on my behalf and has been one of my biggest believers on campus. I thought it was only fitting to express my gratitude with a piece of American history flown over the very halls I had the privilege of walking while I was representing TJC in Washington, D.C.”
Mejia said, “I am very honored by this very special recognition, and I am very proud of Patrick Smallwood for his leadership approach to bringing students together for the betterment of our institution. Patrick provided a servant leadership approach that resulted in ongoing win/wins for all. He represented the College well at the local, state, and national levels, and we continue to wish him the very best through this next step of his educational journey.”