FALL 2005

the

HOMECOMING2005

Cardette Alumni Honored

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WELCOME TO THE VALLEY!

It’s that time of year again! Summer drawsto a close, school starts and we all settleinto a demanding schedule of fall activities.A new tradition was started last year withthe first issue of “The Valley”……and aftermany congratulatory messages and positivecomments, we continue the tradition withour Fall 2005 issue. On the followingpages, you will find articles regardingrecent happenings on our campuses as wellas opportunities to take that trip downmemory lane. At any event, our intent isfor you to enjoy! We look forward to yourcomments and suggestions for future publi-cations.

Dave Hubbard Assistant to the President Office of Development & Alumni Relations Class of ‘71

P.S. Our alumni association needs you!New ideas, planning for the future and yourcreative thoughts are solicited. If youwould like more information, please con-tact our office at 903-670-2620 or e-mailme at dhubbard@tvcc.edu. Do not missHomecoming 2005—October 1 andremember to visit our Alumni web page atwww.tvcc.edu/alumni.

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The Cardettes have been a source of greatpride for HCJC-TVCC since the first 13members stepped out on the field in 1960.

For 45 years, these young ladies haveserved as valuable ambassadors for theCollege and East Texas. They representTVCC with a smile and have entertainedaudiences of all ages across the U.S. andabroad.

This year TVCC will honor the Cardettesduring Homecoming 2005 on October 1.The Cardettes will be featured at the

Alumni Luncheon scheduled for 11:30a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Student UnionBuilding Ballroom.

In the past TVCC has organized separateluncheons for its honored groups, alumniand alumni award winners. This year thethree have been combined. All alumni areinvited to the luncheon. The cost is $8.00.

“Having the different luncheons just spliteverybody up,” TVCC Assistant to thePresident David Hubbard said. “Eventhough we’re trying to get the Cardettestogether, we know they’ll want time tovisit with other friends who weren’t inCardettes. This way we bring everybodytogether.”

The luncheon will feature memorabiliaand photos throughout Cardette history.This year’s alumni award winners will alsobe announced. Among the 2005 honoreesare former Cardette directors Jean andDebbie Baker, whose combined reignspanned 17 years.

“I’m so excited about getting all the for-mer Cardettes together again,” Cardettedirector Darla Mansfield said. “The sister-hood of Cardettes is something that lastsforever and goes across generations. It’s sogood not only to get the past memberstogether, but for our current Cardettes toget to meet them and learn from them.”

In the past few years, Mansfield hasworked to develop a stronger tie withCardette alumni. She instituted an annual

“Meet at the Tree” mini reunion forCardettes who come to Homecoming.Following the half time show, current andformer Cardettes meet by the tree besidethe practice field across from Bruce Fieldfor fellowship and photos. She has alsodeveloped a Cardette alumni newsletter.

For more information about the luncheonor homecoming events, or if you wouldlike to help, contact Hubbard at 903-670-2620 or Mansfield at 903-675-6225.

CALLING ALL CARDETTESTVCC to honor former Cardettes at Homecoming 2005

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TOMPKINS GYM COMES DOWNHistorical building carries many memories

The Alton Tompkins Gym was an auditori-um and the student union building in theearly days of the College.

Students danced there, performed there andplayed there. After it was renovated into agym, it hosted fans who cheered on theCardinals and later the HCJC Chicks.

It holds many memories for studentsthrough the years, and memories are near-ly all that’s left of the “women’s gym”.

The gym came down this summer to makeroom for a new three-story technology cen-ter, part of the College’s master buildingplan. With the gym gone, only one buildingremains from the College’s past.

The first classes in 1946 were held in “TheCotton Palace,” a building used as an exhib-it hall for the fairgrounds. Renovated intoclassroom space, the building later becameknown as the Science Hall, and is now theLiberal Arts Building. It was the first build-ing on campus, and now the only structureremaining from HCJC’s first years.

HCJC Gets a GymIn 1948, the College moved a large armysurplus building from Camp Howze nearGainesville onto the campus. It was reno-vated into an auditorium and used as a stu-dent activity center.

The college built a new administrationbuilding, which included an auditorium onone end, in 1951, and the former auditoriumwas renovated into a spectator gymnasium.

The stage continued to be used howeveruntil the building’s last days. Boarded from

view from the gym, the Cardettes hadaccess to the space through the CardetteDirector’s Office. It was used for storageand a small dance studio.

The college made renovations to the gym in1964 as part of the college’s building mas-ter plan at the time, adding ceiling tiles, afalse ceiling over the gym floor and panel-ing to cover the bare boards on the walls.

The College completed Cardinal Gym in1966, at which time the old gym becameknown as the Women’s Gym.

The last team to play conference games inthe gym was the 1965-66 CardinalBasketball team under first-year headcoach Leon Spencer. The team won theTexas Eastern Conference championship,but was unable to compete in post-seasonplay. Earlier that year, the football team,under head coach Bob Baccarini, wentundefeated in the conference and competed

in the 20th Annual Junior Rose BowlClassic, violating a bowl agreement withNJCAA and resulting in a one-year proba-tion for both football and basketball.

The gym was renamed the Alton TompkinsGym in 1991 following Tompkin’s deathearlier that year. Tompkins was the col-lege’s first basketball coach and athleticdirector and was instrumental in the organ-ization of HCJC in 1946.

The Tompkins Gym has been the traininggrounds for many champions. The LadyCardinals got their start there as the HCJCChicks under coach Connie Russell wholed the charge to develop a conferenceleague for the women and later coached theCardinal Cheerleaders to five nationalchampionships.

The Chicks changed their name and blos-somed into the team to beat under GaryAshlock, who coached the Lady Cards to

The HCJC Chicks began conference play in 1975 undercoach Connie Russell

The 1966 Cardinals, under first-year head coach Leon Spencer, were the last team to play in a conference game inTompkins Gym.

A view of the gym in its early years (above), and thegym with its new name (right).

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GYM …continued

five conference championships in his 12years as coach. Joe Curl followed suit, win-ning two conference titles in his three sea-sons as head coach.

Kurt Budke’s Lady Cards, however, tookthe game to a new level, winning fournational championships and earning sixconsecutive trips to the NJCAA NationalTournament.

The Lady Cards won their fifth nationaltitle in 2004 under current coach MichaelLanders.

The gym was also the staging area for thewell-traveled Cardettes for many years, asthey prepared for performances at homeand abroad.

The Master Building PlanThe new classroom building that willreplace Tompkins Gym is the third con-struction project of the current masterbuilding plan. TVCC has completed con-struction of the M.L. Risinger LearningResource Center at TVCC–Terrell and theFootball Field House in Athens.

The classroom building project will likelychange the face of the Athens campus morethan any other single project. Along withthe building, the project includes a newplaza to replace parking now in the heart ofthe campus.

The plaza will provide students a place togather and provide a more convenient andsafer route between the various academicbuildings and Learning Resource Center.

The building itself will house computerand drafting labs, classrooms, and facultyoffices. The plaza is designed to compli-

ment the building architecture, making it anew focal point for the campus.

Other construction plans for the futureinclude expansion of the Fine ArtsBuilding, renovation of the currentTechnical Building, renovation of CardinalGym for use as a student activity center,and construction of a new spectator gym-nasium.

Alton Leon (A.L.) TompkinsAlton Tompkins was born near KickapooCreek, just outside of Brownsboro in 1904.He attended school in Edom andBrownsboro and entered Lon MorrisCollege in Jacksonville to get an educationand play basketball.

He worked his way through college feed-ing pigs and washing dishes for 25 cents anhour. He taught and coached inBrownsboro and later Cross Roads untilWorld War II interrupted his career. He andhis wife Jewell moved to Las Vegas towork in defense plants before returning toCross Roads.

Tompkins was instrumental in the organi-zation of Henderson County JuniorCollege, and served as a teacher, coach andathletic director until 1952, when hebecame vice president.

Jewell joined him at HCJC later as his sec-retary and continued to work for him untilhe retired as vice-president and academicdean in 1971. Jewell continued to work forthe College in the bookstore and postoffice.

Throughout his life, he remained an avidfan of Brownsboro and HCJC sports,attending every home game and many out-of-state games until his health no longerallowed him to do so. He and Jewell alsoheld an annual fish fry for the college bas-ketball players.

Tompkins was dedicated to his students,and to help keep them in school, wouldassist them in finding jobs, help financiallyor even help clothe them. All this was doneconfidentially. He served not only as ateacher, but he and Jewell served as secondparents to many students even after theirretirement.

Tompkins and Jewell were namedHenderson County’s 1984 Senior Citizensof the Year. He served as president of theHenderson County Fair Board, theHenderson County Parks and RecreationBoard, the Athens Kiwanis Club and theAthens Fish and Game Club, and was afounder and president of the TexasBasketball Hall of Fame. He was an activemember of the First Baptist Church ofAthens.

He was cited by the Texas Legislature sev-eral times for his community service andhis contributions to young people.

Tompkins died March 6, 1991 at the age of86. The Women’s Gym was renamed AltonTompkins Gym later that year.

The HCJC campus in 1960 shows the women’s dorm (roof visible on lower left), the first administration building,Cardinal Gym, Engineering Building and Band Hall behind the gym, the men’s dorm and the Science Hall.

An architectural sketch of the new classroom building and plaza to be built on the site of Tompkins Gym.

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CARDINAL FOOTBALLNew home, high hopes greet 2005 Cardinals

With two full recruiting classes for thefirst time in his tenure as head coach,Mark Sartain is the first to express a “noexcuses” approach to the 2005 season. Hehas high expectations for the season with32 returning lettermen, including 12starters, and what appears to be anotherstrong signing class.

The season is starting off well with a new11,000 square-foot football complex thatwill greet players when they arrive on theAthens campus. The facility includes animpressive weight room as well as spa-cious training, locker and classroom facil-ities. Coaches’ offices have also been relo-cated to the new facility.

The Cardinal offense returns several keyperformers, including passing yardageleader, quarterback Thomas Cook, All-Conference performers wide receiverTorey Degrat, and fullback ThurmanBlake. Also returning is tailback AnthonyCarter, who finished the season as thethird leading rusher in the conference.

Recruiting efforts focused on protectionup front, and the Cardinals expect at least12 offensive linemen to report this fall.The Cards may also receive some addi-tional help at quarterback with 24-4APlayer of the Year Ben McMahan ofAustin.

All-Conference defensive tackle FreddieBarnett will anchor the Cardinal defense.He is one of only three returning starters,but Sartain is confident in his remainingreturning sophomores and what he calls a“physical” freshman class.

Although there have been some newcoaches added to the staff, it’s hard to saythey are new faces. Most of the staff willbe familiar to fans of TVCC and AthensHigh School sports.

Sartain is beginning his third season ashead coach. He was offensive coordinatorat TVCC in the 1990s and helped lead theCards to the school’s first national title in1994. He spent eight years as head coachand athletic director for the White OakISD before returning to TVCC.

Others with TVCC and Athens tiesinclude defensive coordinator CoreyChancellor, who played for TVCC in 1987and 88; offensive line coach Bob Majeski,who coached the Cards under CarlAndress, linebacker coach CodyRobinson, who was the leading tackler forthe 2004 Cardinals, and Chris Gillert, astandout athlete at Athens High School inthe early 1990s. Now in his third seasonwith the Cardinals Nick Jones is movingfrom special teams coordinator and run-ning backs coach into the role of offensivecoordinator.

*Southwest Junior College Football Conference Games

2005 CARDINAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT TIME

Aug. 27 @ Butler County College 7:00 p.m.Sept. 3 Tyler 7:00 p.m.Sept. 10 @ Ranger 3:00 p.m.Sept. 17* NEO (FAMILY DAY) 7:00 p.m.Sept. 24* @ Cisco 7:00 p.m.Oct. 1* Navarro (HOMECOMING) 3:00 p.m.Oct. 8* @ Blinn 3:00 p.m.Oct. 15* Kilgore 3:00 p.m.Oct. 22* @ Tyler 1:00 p.m.Oct. 29 OpenNov. 5 Conference Playoffs TBANov. 12 SWJCFC Championship TBADec. 3 Conference Bowl Game TBA

Quarterback Thomas Cook led the conference in pass-ing yardage last season and returns in 2005.

A new state-of-the-art weight training room in the Football Field House is a proud addition to TVCC athletics.

Can’t make a game? Catch it on KYYK 98.3 FM

or www.kyyk.com

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ON TOP AGAINCardinal Cheerleaders win eighth national title

The Trinity Valley Community CollegeCardinal Cheerleaders are back on top.

The team won the National CheerleadersAssociation Junior College DivisionChampionship April 8 in Daytona Beach,Fla., the college’s eighth NCA title. The wingives TVCC the most national champi-onships of any college in any NCA division.The win is Cheerleader Coach LucyStrom’s first national championship. Sheassumed responsibility for the team in thefall of 2002, following back-to-backchampionships in 2001 and 2002 underthen cheer coach Shannon Davidson.

The Cardinal Cheerleaders advanced tothe final round after posting the highestscore of the division in the preliminarycompetition.

“They cleaned up a couple of baubles theyhad on Thursday, so it was a very cleanperformance,” Strom said following thefinal round. “It was a great performance,and they definitely earned the champi-onship trophy.”

TVCC scored a 9.04 in the finals, finishingahead of defending national champsNavarro College, who scored an 8.87.TVCC and Navarro have now tradedplaces at the top of the NCA JuniorCollege Division three times since 2000.

Navarro won the championship in 2000,then TVCC won in 2001 and 2002, fol-lowed by back-to-back Navarro champi-onships in 2003 and 2004.

The division is now dominated by Texasschools, with four of the five teams in thefinals coming from Northeast Texas.Kilgore College finished third with 8.11,and Weatherford – new to the NCA cham-pionships this year – finished fifth with7.66. The only non-Texan in the bunchwas Barton County Community College(Kans.), who finished fourth with 8.03.

Choreographer Tyson Thomas fromCougars’ All Star Gym in Dallas designedTVCC’s winning routine. This is Thomas’second year as choreographer for the team.

“I’m just so proud of all of them,” Stromsaid. “They were a really great group, andthat was easy to see from the beginning.We’ll have several back next year, and fromwhat I’ve seen so far, we’re going to bevery strong again, especially in tumbling.”

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THE TRAVEL PAGETVCC plans educational and cultural trips abroad

Trinity Valley Community College haspartnered with an experienced world trav-eler and antique dealer to offer a uniqueeducational and shopping experience inLondon, England this winter.

In fact, the new partnership may take trav-elers to interesting destinations all over theglobe.

“London is just an easy first trip,” TomPage, who will serve as expert guide andantique advisor for the trip, said. “Wespeak the same language, and the timingof this is convenient for people who wantto do some Christmas shopping.”

Page is the key feature to TVCC CommunityServices’ new venture which even bears hisname, The TVCC Travel Page.

The TVCC Travel Page, will emphasizeeducation, with opportunities to visitmuseums and historical sites, but will alsoafford travelers time to venture out ontheir own as well.

“This isn’t a guided tour,” Page is quick topoint out. “There is plenty of free time todo what ever you want.”

Page has covered the globe in search ofantiques. He has developed contacts every-where he has traveled, and is making thesetrips to offer his expertise and help thoseunfamiliar with the cities they will visit.

His experience and knowledge of historyhas helped him gain access to museum

curators and sites not normally viewed bythe public.

“That’s the kind of thing I’d like to do onthese trips,” Page said. “I can make somecalls and arrange some interesting thingsto do that you may not have the opportuni-ty to do traveling on your own.”The trip is scheduled for Nov. 30-Dec. 7.The cost, including airfare, hotels andinsurance, is $3,500. Those interestedshould contact TVCC prior to September14. An information session for this trip isscheduled for September 7.

Page will be along to share his consider-able knowledge of both the area and ofantiques. He can help to authenticateitems, make sure buyers get what they payfor, and help arrange to have the itemsshipped home.

“I hope we can arrange about four trips ayear like this,” Page said. “There are somany places that are interesting to go. Ithink there would be interest in a photog-raphy trip to Africa, and I would love toarrange something like that.”

TVCC Dean of Community ServicesGayla Roberts said they are in on-goingdiscussions about future trips. They arecurrently working on a trip to CopperCanyon, Mexico for the spring, but otherpossible trips include Italy, a garden tourof England, canal cruises in Germany andFrance, and Kenya.

“We’re fortunate to have come acrosssomeone like Tom,” Roberts said. “I don’tknow that we could have ever been able tooffer something like this without someonewith his knowledge and his willingness toshare it.”

Page is a recognized antique expert andhas been featured in many publications,including Veranda, Traditional Homes andSouthern Accents. He has also testifiednumerous times as an expert witness incourt cases involving antiquities and hasconducted antique appraisal events, simi-lar to the popular Antiques Road Show.

Page was working as a banker in Houstonwhen he decided to combine his love fortravel and history and purchase an antiqueshop in Dallas. For the next 23 years, heran the Heirloom House and traveled theworld in search of unique items, some-times accompanied by customers lookingto furnish their homes.

Although he has a keen interest in 17thand 19th century items, his personal col-lection includes items from many periods,even ancient Egyptian artifacts and a fos-silized nest of dinosaur eggs.

Page moved to Corsicana and made thecommute back and forth to Dallas foryears before retiring about three years ago.Then he sold his home and moved toAthens in 2003.

But Page isn’t one to sit still for long, so hecontacted the college about arranging edu-cational, cultural and shopping trips. Itwasn’t long before he was sitting withRoberts at Athens Travel Store to plantheir first trip.

“We’re really excited about being able tooffer this,” Roberts said. “This is unlikeanything we’ve done before, and once weknow what people are interested in, wecan arrange trips to other places. The bestthing is Tom has been just about every-where, so wherever we go, he knows peo-ple there and knows the area.”

An orientation including an overview ofevents, and possible side trips that will beavailable, will be scheduled prior to eachtrip. To enroll, contact the TVCCCommunity Services Office at 903-675-6212.

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FOUNDATION SCHOLARSFund to help 18 more students attend TVCC this fall

The Trinity Valley Community CollegeEndowed Foundation Scholarships willreach more deserving students this year.

This is the second year TVCC has beenable to award scholarships from the fundafter beginning the EnhancingOpportunity and Excellence throughEndowment capital campaign in 2002.The five year goal of Phase One of thecampaign is $3 million.

Using the interest from the scholarshipfund, TVCC awarded the first 12 scholar-ships last fall. This fall 18 students willreceive scholarships, and the College hasadded two new named scholarships – theCain Endowed Academic Scholarship andthe Hubert and Audrey Wilbur EndowedFine Arts Scholarship.

Other scholarships made available throughthe Foundation are the Ginger MurchisonEndowed Academic Scholarship, Archieand June Dennis Endowed Math &Science Scholarship, Willard and SarahGeorge Endowed Business Scholarship,and the Opportunity and ExcellenceEndowed Academic Scholarship.

Recipients of the 2005 scholarships are:

Ginger Murchison Endowed AcademicScholarship (four scholarships):• Barton Cameron Routt of Malakoff is agraduate of Malakoff High School andplans a career in agricultural education.• Robert Louis Russ of Eustace is a gradu-ate of Eustace High School and plans acareer in law. • Stacy Lee Walker of Kaufman is a grad-uate of Kaufman High School and plans acareer in photography.• Misty Dawn Woodruff of TennesseeColony is a graduate of Cayuga HighSchool and plans a career in nursing.

Archie and June Dennis Endowed Math &Science Scholarship (four scholarships):• Jessica Diane Haynes of Eustace is agraduate of Eustace High School andplans to study animal biology and litera-ture at TVCC.• Sara Marie Bell of Tool is a graduate ofMalakoff High School and plans a careerin forensic anthropology. • Emily Ann Camp of Palestine is a gradu-ate of Palestine High School and plans acareer as a mathematics teacher.• Dashiel Evan Hinds of Athens is a grad-uate of Athens High School and a pre-engineering major at TVCC.

Cain Endowed Academic Scholarship(two scholarships):• Andre Joseph Reyes of Palestine is a grad-uate of Westwood High School and plans topursue a career as an anesthesiologist.• Jessica Ann Lowe of Athens is a graduateof Kemp High School and plans a career asa physical therapist and personal trainer.

Willard and Sarah George EndowedBusiness Scholarship (one scholarship):• Elaine Kayla Pearson of Palestine is agraduate of Neches High School and plansto study business at TVCC.

Hubert and Audrey Wilbur Endowed FineArts Scholarship (one scholarship):• Jessica Nicole Wilson of Emory is agraduate of Rains High School and plansto study theatre arts at TVCC.

Opportunity and Excellence EndowedAcademic Scholarship (six scholarships):• Natalie Ann Brown of Malakoff is agraduate of Malakoff High School andplans to study psychology at TVCC. • Alyssa Marie Courson of LaRue is agraduate of LaPoynor High School andplans to enter the medical office manage-ment program at TVCC.• Ashley Hannan Dorado of Brownsboro isa graduate of Brownsboro High School andplans a career as a clinical psychologist.• Lisa Elaine Ferguson of Palestine is agraduate of Cayuga High School and plansa career as an X-ray technician. • Lorna Ashley Jumper of Athens is agraduate of Athens High School and plansa career as a pediatric nurse.

• Amber Marie Twyman of Trinidad is agraduate of Trinidad High School andplans a career in business management.

The money for these scholarships has beenprovided by faculty and staff of TVCC,individual members of the community,and various organizations and businesses.The names of those who have given atlease $1,000 are engraved on leaves of theTree of Opportunity and Excellence, onpermanent display in the Orval PirtleAdministration Building. Those who havedonated $10,000 or more have their namesengraved on stones at the base of the tree.

With a two years left in the first phase ofthe capital campaign, the Foundation hasraised $1.25 million.

TVCC Assistant to the President DavidHubbard said the Foundation is develop-ing plans to expand fund-raising eventsinto Anderson County and to more active-ly pursue outside Foundation participationin the campaign.

Events held this year helped raise $13,000for scholarships. Events included the sec-ond annual golf tournament and a TexasAloha Luau wine and cheese event. TheAthens Central Business Association, forthe second consecutive year, also donatedproceeds from the Uncle FletchHamburger Cook-Off to the scholarshipfund.

The TVCC team, by the way, is now thethree-time hamburger cook-off champion.

Leaves on the Tree of Opportunity and Excellence identify donors in the College’s capital campaign to raise funds forstudent scholarships.

CARDINAL ACHIEVEMENTS

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TVCC SUPERIOR AT PLAY FESTIVAL

The Trinity Valley Community Collegetheatre students captured top honors at thestate play festival, earning a superior ratingand numerous individual awards for theirproduction of “Edward II”.

The students took the play to the TexasCommunity College Speech and TheatreAssociation Play Festival, held atWeatherford College.

Chase Wooldridge of Georgetownplayed the lead part, portraying Edward IIand also took the lead in gathering both act-ing and technical awards. Wooldridge wonthe Bill Morton Memorial Award forOutstanding Achievement in Acting for aChallenging Role (Edward II); Greg

Schnieder Memorial Award for OutstandingTechnical Contribution in a show (sounddesign); Critic’s Choice Superior ActingAward; and the Critic’s Choice SuperiorTechnical Award (sound design).

But Wooldridge wasn’t alone. Severalmembers of the cast and crew also earnedsuperior or excellent ratings. Other winnersincluded Sal Garcia of Denver City, B.K.Goodman of Denison, Eddie Guajardo ofEdinburg, Kesha Christian of Big Spring ,Josh Koviak of Athens, Bradley Gaul ofHempstead, Blanca Gomez of GrandPrairie, Wesley Raitt of Wills Point, ChrisPiper of Dallas, Daly Powers of Spring,Landry Gideon of Longview, Micah Lyonsof Hallsville, Jesse Garcia of Elsa, JoshSingleton of Texas City and DraytonHoffman of Neches.

HENSARLING HONORS TVCCCHEERLEADERS

U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarlingwanted to make sure the eight-time nationalchampion Cardinal Cheerleaders receiveddue recognition for their accomplishments.

So their success is now a part of theCongressional Record. Hensarling entered astatement congratulating the team on its winon April 28, naming the individual mem-bers and team coach Lucy Strom.

The Cardinal Cheerleaders won theNational Cheerleaders Association JuniorCollege Division Championship in DaytonaBeach, Fla. on April 8. It was TVCC’seighth since 1989 and third since 2001.They now hold more national titles than anyother cheer team in any division.

Richard Sanders, regional director forthe Fifth Congressional District, readHensarling’s statement and gave eachcheerleader a copy during a brief ceremonyat TVCC.

TVCC PHI THETA KAPPA CHAPTER RANKS HIGH INTERNATIONALLY

The Trinity Valley Community Collegechapter of Phi Theta Kappa was againnamed among the top chapters in the regionand internationally.

Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society fortwo-year colleges, held its Texas Region andinternational conventions concurrently inGrapevine this past spring. The TVCCchapter, Iota Alpha, ranked among the top12 chapters in the state and in the top 25among some 1,200 chapters internationally.

Iota Alpha also garnered several awardsat both conventions, receiving special recog-nition for its service projects. The chapterwas represented at the conventions by 26members from all four TVCC campuses inAthens, Kaufman, Palestine, and Terrell.Chapter President Kim Fellner of Mabankwon the Outstanding Chapter PresidentAward at the regional convention and wasrecognized as one of 20 students to win theGuistwhite Scholarship and as one of 60students named to the All-USA Two-YearCollege Academic Team during the interna-tional convention.

TVCC President Ron Baugh won theShirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction.This award recognizes college presidentsfor their support of Phi Theta Kappa mem-bers, scholarships, advisors and functions.Iota Alpha advisor Dale Cates won theRobert Giles Distinguished Advisor Award.This award is based on an advisor’s serviceand leadership and is reserved for advisorswho have served at least five years. Cates isa science instructor at TVCC.

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CARDINAL ACHIEVEMENTS

TVCC INSTRUCTOR NAMED TOGREAT 100 NURSES LIST

TVCC nursing instructor JudyCallicoatt has been named among the Great100 Nurses of Dallas/Fort Worth by theTexas Nurses Association.

Callicoatt is the Freshman Team Leaderat the TVCC Health Science Center inKaufman and has worked many years forDoctor’s Hospital in Dallas.

A 26-year veteran of nursing, Callicoattis a licensed clinical nurse specialist whohas worked in many areas in hospital set-tings and continued to work part-time forDoctor’s Hospital for most of her 10-yearteaching career at TVCC. She still volun-teers at a health-based clinic.

The Great 100 Nurses are selected frommore than 600 nominated registered nursesconsidered role models and who make a sig-nificant difference in nursing, their hospitaland the lives of patients, peers and theircommunity, according to the TNA.

Those selected for the honor were rec-ognized at a gala held at the Morton H.Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

TVCC GROUPS PART OF SHOWBROADCAST FOR TROOPS INIRAQ

The Trinity Valley Community CollegeCardettes and Cardinal Regiment band enter-tained troops in Iraq on Veteran’s Day 2004.

Their performance was a part ofBranson’s city-wide Veteran’s Week celebra-tion. The Regiment, Cardettes and the WildCard Jazz Ensemble had performances sched-uled everyday through the celebration.

Their big day was Veteran’s Day whenthe Cardettes and Cardinal Regiment openedthe show at Mansion America Theatre. Theshow featured Tony Orlando and military dig-nitaries and was broadcast to troops overseas.

This marks the fourth appearance ofTVCC groups in Branson’s heralded week-long celebration of service men and women.The choir made two trips there in the 1990sand the band and Cardettes performed therein 2002.

TVCC SHOW TEAM EARNS TOP HONORS AT HOUSTONLIVESTOCK SHOW

The Trinity Valley Community CollegeBeef Cattle Show Team earned the GoodHerdsman Award for the fifth consecutiveyear during the Houston Livestock Showthis past spring.

The team competes in the Charolaisdivision and earned numerous ribbons thisspring in Houston and an earlier show at the2005 Southwestern Exposition andLivestock Show in Fort Worth.

The Good Herdsman Award is a presti-gious honor and difficult to win since ittakes constant vigilance. For the award, stu-dents are judged on how well they keep thelivestock and exhibits throughout the show.

During the fall semester, the team com-peted in the State Fair of Louisiana and theEast Texas State Fair in Tyler, where theyalso won numerous awards, including tworeserve grand champion awards inLouisiana, and a grand champion award andthe Herdsman Award in Tyler.

TVCC STUDENTS WIN ATNATIONAL SPEECH TOURNAMENT

TVCC Forensics Team members SalGarcia and Theresa Baldwin were among thewinners in the Phi Rho Pi NationalTournament held recently in Philadelphia, Pa.

Phi Rho Pi is the honor society forspeech competitors in two-year colleges.The organization comprises 130 memberschools across the United States.

Garcia, a freshman theatre major fromDenver City, won a silver award in proseinterpretation and a bronze in program oralinterpretation.

Baldwin, a freshman theatre major fromHempstead, won a bronze in poetry inter-pretation.

Garcia is a graduate of Seminole HighSchool, and Baldwin is a graduate ofHempstead High School. The two advancedto the national competition along with fel-low team members Matt Ontiveros ofRichmond, Jake Flores of Richmond, ChaseWooldridge of Georgetown, B.K. Goodmanof Denison and Daly Powers of Spring.

During the fall semester, the TVCCForensics Team finished second overall inthe Texas Community College Speech andTheatre Association Tournament.

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ALUMNI AWARDSTVCC to honor former students, friends at Homecoming

MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMJack Holland

Judge Jack Holland didn’t let any mossgrow under his feet. Shortly after retiringas 173rd District Judge after 36 years ofservice, he was sworn in as municipaljudge in Gun Barrel City.

Holland holds the record for the longestsitting district judge in Henderson County,and retirement wasn’t even his idea. At 75,he had reached the age limit set by statelaw for a judge in active court.

Holland grew up in Athens, played foot-ball in high school and attended HCJCbefore enrolling at the University of NorthTexas in 1947. At the age of 19, he enlist-ed in the U.S. Air Force, where he servedone year on active duty and six in thereserves.

He graduated in 1952 with a degree insocial sciences and worked a few monthswith an auto finance company in Houstonbefore deciding to attend law school at theUniversity of Texas.

He graduated from UT in 1955, passed thebar and got a job as a trust officer for FrostNational Bank in San Antonio. He and hiswife, Jean, moved back to Athens in 1959and he began to practice law. Over the next10 years, he also served as city judge andwas elected county attorney.

In 1969, he was appointed to the 173rdDistrict Court, which at that time coveredHenderson, Anderson and Houston coun-ties. As caseloads increased, the responsi-

bilities for these areas were divided, and inthe 1980s, the 173rd court covered onlyHenderson County.

The following year, he ran for the positionin the general election, won the race andhas held the seat uncontested since.

Holland is active in numerous area organ-izations including the Athens Rotary Club,Masonic Lodge, and Athens Chapter ofthe Sons of the American Revolution, andhe and his wife, Jean, are members of theFirst United Methodist Church.

RED AND WHITE AWARDPatrice Walker

Patrice Walker never thought of herself asan author, but she always loved to write. Ittook a $1.57 bottle of water and a familytragedy to inspire her to share her gift withothers.

The result is her first book, “When WaterWas Free”, a nostalgic and honest look ather life and how life in America haschanged since her childhood days growingup in Athens.

It began when she stopped at a conveniencestore and bought a bottle of water she“almost couldn’t afford.” Then her twodaughters where involved in a car accidentthat took the life of their father, Walker’sex-husband.

The experience left her pondering thethings that were most dear to her – her fam-ily and her faith – and drove her desire to

leave her children with something abouther life and the lessons she had learned.

What started as a “love letter” to her chil-dren became a wonderful gift to readerseverywhere. Self-published under herprinting imprint, SimDen Publishing, thebook takes the reader through highly per-sonal events in Walker’s life, some good,some tragic, some humorous. All held valu-able lessons for her.

Walker describes the book as “an afternoonconversation with the reader which takesplace on my mother’s front porch, inAthens.”

Walker graduated from Athens HighSchool, was in the band at TVCC andmarched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving DayParade.

She is working on other projects, includ-ing a companion journal for her book anda book to herald the stories on extraordi-nary women. She also travels for lecturesand book signings and was a guest speak-er at two cultural and literary events atTVCC last year.

CARDINAL AMBASSADORAWARDJean and Debbie Baker

For more than a decade, Jean and DebbieBaker guided the Cardettes not only inhalftime performances, but in performanc-es around the world.

Under the Bakers, the Cardettes traveledto France, Switzerland and Russia andperformed aboard the SS Emerald Seascruise ship to Nassau, Bahamas. They alsotraveled across the U.S., performing in

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New York, Philadelphia, Miami,Hollywood and New Orleans, as well asthe Sun Bowl in El Paso, State FarmNational Convention in Dallas andGovernor Ann Richards’ inaugurationparade in Austin.

Jean also designed the uniforms still inuse today, including the now trademarkred hats. She also instituted the well-known “thank you” Cardette response.

Jean came to TVCC in 1983 from QuinlanHigh School, where she was director ofthe Bluebells drill team. As part of thedeal, she brought her daughter, Debbie,along with her as choreographer.

Jean served as director for 12 years.Following her retirement, Debbie steppedin as director and remained at TVCCanother five years.

Since retirement, Jean said she has beenenjoying life, works part-time for a localdoctor, volunteers at East Texas MedicalCenter-Athens, and travels.

“All those years traveling with theCardettes really sticks with you,” she said.“Before we got on the plane, I had tocheck that everyone had their boardingpass.”

Of her time at TVCC, she said the trip toMoscow, Russia was the highlight. It wasstill early in Russia’s transition, and peo-ple were struggling with a new form ofgovernment and economy.

“Being in Red Square at that time wasalmost a surreal experience,” she said.“But even though it was a hard time forthem, they still loved their arts, and madetime for it.”

While Debbie worked as choreographer,she also attended classes. She graduatedfrom TVCC in 1986 and completed theAssociate Degree Nursing program in1990. As a sophomore, she received theNational Collegiate Nursing Award.

After leaving TVCC, she put her nursingskills to use for a while, working for alocal doctor. She earned her teaching cer-tificate from LeTourneau University in2002 and has taught fourth and fifth gradeclasses over the last four years. In 2005-06, she will teach at Athens MiddleSchool. She also served as advisor for theAthens High School Stingerettes for oneyear.

Last year, her fifth grade class nominatedher for the Disney Hand Teacher Award.

CARDINAL AMBASSADORAWARDRay and Ann Raymond

Ray and Ann Raymond are former HCJC-TVCC students and have long taken aactive role in promoting the College andits fund-raising efforts.

Ray was appointed to the TVCC Board ofTrustees in 2000, filling the unexpiredterm of the late George Becker, who hadoften suggested to Raymond that hewould make a good board member. Heserves as vice president of the board andserves on the Foundation Board.

He and Ann are eager to assist with anycollege event, especially if it involvesfundraising for scholarships.

Both Ray and Ann are graduates ofMabank High School and attended theCollege.

Ray finished his junior college work in1957 and attended Texas A&M-Commerce, working toward a degree inagriculture education. He worked withformer TVCC Board President AndrewGibbs as a bookkeeper at Tri-County Fordbefore going to work with the KaufmanCounty Electric Cooperative, where heserved in various positions, including 30years as general manager.

When a neighboring college district madeplans to move into Kaufman County, Rayworked with a committee of communityleaders to promote Kaufman Countybeing included in the TVCC district. Helater worked to help the KaufmanHospital become a satellite ofPresbyterian Hospital and bring theTVCC Health Science Center toKaufman.

He has helped bring about change in manyother ways in Kaufman County, as well.Ray organized the Kaufman County SolidWaste Cooperative in 1996, directed theconsolidation of New Era ElectricCooperative and Kaufman CountyElectric Cooperative to form TrinityValley Electric Cooperative in 1997, was afounder of the Kaufman CountyLeadership Council and helped organizethe Kaufman County Rural Fire DistrictNo. 1. Ray retired from the Electric Coopin 1997 and worked six years for Bank ofTexas and Wells Fargo Bank in publicrelations, and is now retired from ReMaxHomeland Realty in Kaufman.

In his 45 years in the Kaufman area, Rayhas served on numerous civic organiza-tions and was named the 1996 KaufmanChamber of Commerce Citizen of theYear. He currently serves as Chairman ofthe Kaufman County Veterans MemorialPark Committee. A park is being built inKaufman, and the dedication date is setfor November of this year.

Ann attended the College from 1957-1959and was active in band, choral club, KappaAlpha Pi, Phi Theta Kappa, Future Teachersof America and Student Council, and wasnamed to Who's Who, Miss Future Teacherand was a homecoming queen nominee.

She and Ray were married in 1959, andafter their children were born she attendedTexas A&M-Commerce and received aB.S. degree in 1969.

She taught in elementary grades andretired from Kaufman ISD in 1998 with21 years of teaching in Kaufman and fouryears at Kemp ISD. She served the lastthree years of her career as Dean ofStudents for J. W. Monday ElementarySchool in Kaufman.

While teaching at Kemp ISD, she wasselected Teacher of the Year. She is amember of the Presbyterian HospitalAuxiliary, where she has served asPresident and is now serving as Treasurer,and is a member of the Kaufman StudyClub, where she has served as Presidentand is currently Secretary and Reporter.

The Raymonds are members of the FirstBaptist Church of Kaufman. They have ason, Tommy Jack Raymond, daughter inlaw, Stephani, a grandson, Kyle Ray, 8,and a granddaughter, Jordan, 14.

ALUMNI AWARDS …continued

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MEMORIESRecent thoughts and updates from alumniFor other memories, visit our website: www.tvcc.edu/alumni

40’sOdell “Legs” Jordan, Class of ‘49,passed away on January 24, 2005 inGroveton, Texas. He was a 4 sport letter-man at HCJC and was voted “Best AllAround Boy” in 1949. His many accom-plishments over the years included: bas-ketball and football coach at Graham HighSchool. He had lived the past twenty threeyears in Trinity County, Texas, where heowned and operated his own business.

60’sH. James Hill, Class of ‘64, after leavingHCJC, received his BS degree from theUniversity of Nevada-Reno and his M Edfrom the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.From 1967-1977, he taught high schoolgovernment, history, business and was abasketball coach. From 1970-1977, hetaught on a part time basis at Clark CountyCommunity College. Since 1977, he hasserved as special education teacher, athlet-ic director, principal of Pioche ElementarySchool and director of Special EducationServices of Lincoln County SchoolDistrict. He is now retired and works as apart time educational consultant for thesame school district. He is married toEdith and they have 9 children. Theyreside in Panaca, NV.

C. L. Hocker, Class of ‘63, lives inGeorgetown, Texas.

70’sThomas Ray Brown, Jr., Class of ‘77,lives in Metairie, LA. His address is 704Melody Drive, Metairie, LA 70002.

Rod Dickerson, Class of ‘73, was in theCardinal Band and Student Senate. Henow lives in Little Rock, AR .

Grady Ellis, Class of ‘72, who had livedwith his family in Jacksonville, Texas formany years and owned and operatedJacksonville Animal Hospital, died onAugust 31, 2004 after a lengthy battle withcancer.

Jana Meyer, Class of ‘76, was a memberof Student Education Association and wasnominated for Who’s Who in AAJC. Shenow lives in Dallas, Texas.

Les Pepin, Class of ‘72, is retired from themilitary and he and his wife Brenda live inRusk, Texas. When he attended HCJC, hewas a two year member of the CardinalBand.

80’sKaren Adams Harrington, Class of ‘83,was a Cardette Officer and involved inspeech and drama. She was also a mem-ber of Phi Theta Kappa. After leavingHCJC, she graduated from WaylandBaptist University with a BS degree inBusiness Administration. Karen has beenmarried to Patrick Benton Harrington for17 years. They met while both were enlist-ed in the U.S. Air Force. Currently, theylive in Hawaii and will be there for thenext three years. They have a 16 year olddaughter and a 9 year old son.

Patti Rakestraw Lightfoot, Class of ‘84was a Cardette Officer in ‘83-‘84. Shegraduated from UT-Tyler with a degree inElementary Education. She has taught for17 years and currently teaches kindergartenfor the Murchison ISD, near Athens. Shehas a teenage son and daughter.

Cheryl Byrd Smitherman, Class of ‘86,remembers her days in Cardettes and serv-ing as co-captain. She is married with 3children. She is currently the manager forLabor and Delivery at Baylor MedicalCenter in Irving, Texas.

Patrice Kissentaner Walker, Class of‘86, now lives in Dallas.

90’sBecky Myers Alambar, Class of ‘91, wasa former Cardette and was a member ofStudent Senate. She is married to BertAlambar and they have been married tenyears. They have two children, Brody andBrittany. She has a photography studio inKrum, Texas.

Mark Brown, Class of ‘93, lives inCarthage, Texas. His address is 110 BirdDrive, 75633. He coaches and teaches atMarshall High School.

James Lawson, lives in Freeport, Texas.His address is 703 West 4th Street,Freeport, TX 77541.

Stephen Magee, Class of ‘98, who wasStudent Senate Freshman Exec. during the‘96-’97 year, Senate Vice President,Cardette Escort in ‘97-‘98 and receivedthe President’s Award, graduated fromTexas A& M in 2000. Employed at TVCCas the Assistant Registrar and SchoolRelations Officer for four years, he is nowworking for Halliburton-Security DBS asWarehouse Foreman in Tyler, Texas.

Henry McClendon, Class of ‘94, is serv-ing our country in Kuwait. He is a Captainin the Army and is currently deployed tosupport Operation Iraqi Freedom. He hasbeen away from the states for some timeand does not know when he will return. Helives in Japan with his wife and two chil-dren.

Michael Pierce, Class of ‘97, was a mem-ber of the Cardinal Regiment and theTVCC Choir. He now lives in Mesquite,Texas.

Roderick Shelby, Class of ‘94, was amember of the 1994 National ChampionCardinal Football team. His address is P.O.Box 4151, Shreveport, LA 71134.

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Our Association has the opportunity to grow and flourish…

but its going to take a lot of effort and enthusiasm to continue this growth.

For more information contact us atwww.tvcc.edu/alumni or call 903-670-2620

Join the HCJC-TVCC Alumni Association Today!

WE NEED YOU!

MEMORIES …continued

00’sStephanie Cooksey, was a member of theCardinal Regiment, TVCC Choir andPTK. She now attends Sam Houston StateUniversity.

John Douglas, was a member of theCardinal Regiment and the TVCC Choir.He now lives in Huntsville, Texas andattends Sam Houston State University.

Jeff “Smiley” Mallory, Class of ‘00,played football at TVCC and later attend-ed Texas Southern University and playedfootball there, received his Bachelors inDesign Technology degree in 2003. He iscurrently in the graduate program at TSUand is doing an internship with the Officeof Mobility in Houston.

Sheradon Robbins, Class of ‘03, is cur-rently attending The University of Texas atAustin. She is in the nursing school’s pro-fessional sequence program, workingtoward her BSN degree. She has beennamed to the University Honors List and amember of the UTNSA.

Jessica Shields, Class of ‘02, was a mem-ber of the Cardinal Regiment and nowlives in Dallas.

Christina Smith, Class of ‘01, and formerdrum major of the Cardinal RegimentBand & a member of the TVCC Choir,completed her degree at SFA-Nacogdoches in December 2002 and nowserves as seventh grade band director withthe Henderson, Texas ISD. She married inDecember 2003 and now resides inNacogdoches, Texas.

9"x2-1/2" flooring sections from the floor of Tompkins Gym are for sale

through the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

$25.00Call 903-670-2620 for details

or send email to dhubbard@tvcc.edu

CLAIM A BIT OF HCJC-TVCC HISTORYand help future students at the same time.

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTYLER, TX

PERMIT NO. 240

TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 100 Cardinal Drive Athens, Texas 75751

Return Service Requested

HOMECOMING 2005 SCHEDULEHonoring all former Cardettes

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2005

9:00 a.m. — HCJC-TVCC Alumni Association Breakfast(All are welcome to attend.)• TVCC Cafeteria Conference Room• Reservations Required*• Cost $6.00

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. — Alumni Luncheon• Student Union Ballroom• For all former students• Former Cardettes will be showcased• Distinguished alumni will be honored• Reservations required*• Cost $8.00

2:30 p.m. — Pre game Activities• Presentation of Homecoming finalists and crowning of queen

3:00 p.m.— Cardinal Football vs. Navarro• Alumni award winners and former cardettes honored at half-time

*For reservations, call 903-670-2620 or e-mail dhubbard@tvcc.edu