May 14, 2019 - On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Panola College conducted its 83rd commencement in the Arthur Johnson Gymnasium. The first ceremony took place at 5:00 p.m. followed by a second ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Panola College had more than 362 degree and certificate candidates and over 233 of those students participated in the commencement ceremonies.
At the start of both ceremonies, Mr. Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Services, presented each graduating class of spring 2019 as Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College led the processional of board members, faculty, staff, and students in to be seated while “Pomp and Circumstance” was played in the background.
The Panola College Chorale, directed by Mrs. Sandra Bauer, then sang the Alma Mater which was followed by the invocation given by Mr. Earnest Spencer, Professor of School of Energy and Chemistry. Dr. Powell then welcomed the assembled and gave opening remarks to the graduates.
At the 7:30 pm ceremony, Mrs. Jessica Pace, Director of Institutional Advancement, recognized Mr. David Glynn Russell as the 2019 Panola College Alumnus of the Year. Russell attended Panola College in 1972-73 then went on to obtain a degree from Texas A&M University. After returning to East Texas in 1985, he opened a flooring store, Russell’s Floors, which he still owns and manages today. He is also the owner of the Peach Shed, serves on the Flatfork Water System board, and volunteers at his local church, Center Christian Fellowship.
Before the awards ceremony, Dr. Billy Adams, Vice President of Instruction, certified to Dr. Powell and members of the Panola College Board of Trustees that the graduating students had completed all work necessary to graduate from Panola College.
Dr. Kathy Watlington, Professor of Foreign Languages, then began the reading of graduates and Powell awarded diplomas to all graduating students.
For the closing of both ceremonies, the Panola College Choir sang the benediction, followed by Dr. Powell leading the recessional to the closing instrumentals.
Panola College is proud to announce the following Spring 2019 Honor Graduates:
Summa Cum Laude (3.90 – 4.00)
Katie Melinda Alexander - Longview, TX
Vanessa Renee Cox - Waskom, TX
Kelan James Foster - Carthage, TX
Elizabeth Carolyn Holloway - Henderson, TX
Rebecca Edith-Lynn Mathis - Tenaha, TX 75974
Michael Camden Mize - Beckville, TX
Gregory Waylon Murdock - Carthage, TX
Julia Prewitt - Joaquin, TX
Emily Michelle Smith - Jasper, TX
Waldina Soto - Lufkin, TX
Nicole Tarpley - Carthage, TX
Darian Wood - Nacogdoches, TX
Magna Cum Laude (3.75 – 3.89)
Maria Adashchyk - Minsk, Belarus
James Baker - Marshall, TX
Alishia Bammel - Henderson, TX
Yvonne Combs - Keithville, LA
Erica DeLaine Booth - Marshall, TX
Keith A. Coleman - Carthage, TX
Drew James Diverdi - Center, TX
William Christopher Edwards - Garrison , TX
Jessica Nicole Fernandez - Wallis, TX
Jenna Campbell Grover - Purvis, MS
Cum Laude (3.50 – 3.74)
Cindy Baldazo - Overton, TX
Maelbi G. Calderon - Seagoville, TX
Crystal Rose Ann Carbajal - Longview, TX
Dalayna Daw - Joaquin, TX
Davina Leigh Eddy - Longview, TX
Caitlin Paige Elliott - Long Branch, TX
Dominique Espinoza - Marshall, TX
Kallie Marie Forman - Buna, TX
Maricruz Gonzalez - Center,TX
Savana Renee Hanaway - DeBerry, TX
Samantha Highfield - Marshall, TX
Jonathan Jenkins - Center, TX
LaToya Johnson - Marshall, TX
Kase Alan Hooper - Center, TX
Randall Aaron Jackson - Gary, TX
Shelby Kay Kite - Carthage, TX
Kirsten Mayfield - Garrison , TX
Leah Marie Montandon - Overton, TX
Pamela Nichole Painter - Marshall, TX
Addison Paige Pope - Carthage, TX
Whitney Ramsey - Marshall, TX
William Patterson Tomlin - Center, TX
Graciela Villanueva - Henderson, TX
Tyler D. Johnson - Tyler, TX
Kristen Faye LeBlanc - Marshall, TX
Lacy Rose Miles - Marshall, TX
Trista LeAnne Mustard - Joaquin, TX
Keather Nichols - Buna, TX
Lara Beth Padgett - Jefferson, TX
Hunter Smith - Marshall, TX
Breanne Symone Pereles - Laneville, TX
Rialie Jo Taylor - Garrison, TX
Mary Cassie Tinkle - Carthage, TX
Rocio Venegas - Timpson, TX
Stacy Leann Youngblood - Carthage, TX
