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Paris Junior College alumni Ronnie and Nancy Rhodes have been selected to lead the 2016 Paris Junior College Annual Fund Campaign.
“We are so thankful for the leadership Ronnie and Nancy will provide for our fourth year of the Annual Fund Campaign,” said PJC President Pam Anglin. “The past three annual drives have raised funds for scholarships, greatest needs of the college, and the long-term master plan. I know with their leadership, we will again see generous support from alumni, friends, businesses and area foundations towards this much-needed effort.”
“Nancy and I are honored to serve as the co-chairs of the PJC Annual Fund Campaign,” Mr. Rhodes said. “As a young boy from West Lamar High School, Paris Junior College gave me the opportunity to learn from extremely competent professors and to make close friendships that have endured for a lifetime.”
Nancy Rhodes is a former public school educator who taught in the Paris ISD.
During his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Ronnie Rhodes served as the director of Special Nutrition Services for the five-state Southwest Region. He also taught at Paris High School in the early 1960s.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Ronnie and Nancy,” said Derald Bulls, director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs. “Ronnie continues to serve on the Alumni & Friends Association as past president and has served as a board member, vice president and president beginning his service in 2007. These two are such a constant encouragement to me personally because of their devotion to Paris Junior College.”
The couple both spoke of the value PJC provided to them personally and to the community. After PJC, Ronnie completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from then East Texas State University. Nancy received her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and later earned her masters of education at East Texas. They are active members of First United Methodist Church. Nancy is a member of the church’s Care Team Committee, and Ronnie teaches Sunday school and serves on the Little Ark Day Care board.
The Annual Fund Campaign has officially kicked off.
“We are grateful for each and every gift received through the campaign,” added Bulls. “If you would like to know more about the Annual Fund or how you can participate, I welcome your call, 903-782-0276.”
He noted during the course of the campaign, many donors share stories of the difference PJC made on them personally or for a member of their families.
“There are great stories to be told about the 92 years of shaping lives and generating exceptional students here at PJC,” Anglin added. “We ask the support of the families served by the college, both yesterday and today, to make a gift that will continue to serve students for years to come.”
Resources continually decline from the state, leaving more of the burden locally to provide quality, affordable education to students seeking academic study to advance to a four-year university or workforce education to enable students to secure a skilled job.
Again this year, the campaign is focused on greatest needs, scholarships and the master plan. For more information, email dbulls@parisjc.edu or go to parisjc.edu and click on the “Alumni and Visitors” tab.