Panola College
May 9, 2019 - Panola College has hired Aaron Smith as the new Men's Basketball Coach. Aaron Smith will be taking over a Panola program that has risen to the top of the Region XIV standings over the last 4 years under departed head coach Grant McMillan, with a 2017 Eastern Conference Championship and an appearance in the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament, and 4 straight NJCAA Regional playoff berths.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Panola College,” said Coach Smith. “Words cannot express how grateful I am to President Dr. Powell, athletic director, Mr. Don Clinton, and the entire Panola family. I look forward to building on this already wonderfully laid foundation and I cannot wait to get to work.”
Smith comes to Panola after spending 4 years at Jacksonville College where he led the Jaguars to back to back Region XIV South Zone Championships in 2018 and 2019. His teams have been known as some of the hardest teams to guard in Region XIV and they have averaged 93 points per game during his tenure. 3 out of 4 of Smith’s seasons have produced 20 or more wins and he has coached 6 members of the All-Region 1st or 2nd Team and 1 Honorable Mention All-American in Christian Barrett. In addition, each of the past two seasons he has earned Coach of the Year from texasjucobasketball.com.
Prior to his head coaching tenure at Jacksonville, Smith served briefly as an assistant coach under, then head coach, Jody Bailey prior to Bailey’s departure for the University of New Orleans. Before joining Jacksonville College, Smith spent 5 years in total in the AAU Summer Basketball ranks. He started the FV 5:17 program, which he grew into one of the premier summer programs in the ultra-competitive Dallas summer basketball circuit. While leading FV 5:17, he sent numerous players on to the Division 1 level and another player who is currently playing professionally in China.
Coach Smith is a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University (2008) where he was a standout scorer who had the privilege of earning Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Week his senior season. His playing career continued as he was the 4th Overall Pick in the 2008 CBA Draft and won the CBA Championship in 2009 as a member of the Lawton Fort Sill Cavalry coached by 4-Time NBA All Star Michael Ray Richardson. Smith also spent time playing in France and Bulgaria. He also earned his Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017.
Smith, and his wife Keri, have been married since June 2016 and they have a 19-year-old son, Cameron Carson, and a 2-year-old daughter, Nicole.
"We are excited to have Aaron as our new head basketball coach. He has proven he knows how to win on and off the court,” noted Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Services and Athletic Director at Panola College. “We feel confident that he will continue the winning tradition that has been established and will truly make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes."
From left, Darrell Hudson and Dwayne Ferguson were named as the 2018-2019 Faculty of the Year at Panola College.
May 8, 2019 - Dwayne Ferguson and Darrell Hudson were named 2018-2019 Panola College Faculty of the Year at an appreciation dinner on May 2.
Dwayne Ferguson was named Technical Faculty of the Year. In his 27-year career as an instructor at Panola College, he has taught business and computer courses. In addition, he produces the online Panola College Catalog, sponsors an organization for business students, has converted several courses to Open Education Resources, and has worked on the College’s reaffirmation process.
“To his peers, Mr. Ferguson is known as an instructor who goes out of his way to help the students he instructs and advises to ensure their paths to success,” said Natalie Oswalt, Dean of Arts, Sciences and Technology. “He knows the answer to any question other faculty members need help with.”
Darrell Hudson was named Academic Faculty of the Year. Hudson, who teaches biology at Panola, has worked at Panola College for 24 of his more than 30 years in education.
“Mr. Hudson is known as an instructor who always displays a pleasant demeanor, is confident and thorough, patient and kind-hearted, and goes the extra mile before and after class to be sure the students understand the material,” Oswalt said.
Panola College faculty members nominated their peers for the awards, and all faculty members had the opportunity to vote on the nominees.
“Both of these faculty members are passionate about teaching and spend numerous hours throughout the semester to ensure students are successful. Panola College is fortunate to have exceptional faculty members who are centered on student success,” Oswalt said.
May 7, 2019 - Panola College at our Shelby College location in Center, is offering Certified Nurse Aide Courses beginning June 3 – July 3, 2019. Classes will be held Monday - Friday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. For more information and to register, contact the Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu.
May 3, 2019 - The Pi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Panola College donated more than 400 boxes and packages of cereal to Mission Carthage on May 1.
“Our PTK group wanted to do a community service project this semester and chose to collect goods for Mission Carthage for the month of April. The students specifically chose to focus on the collection of cereal boxes,” said Emily Zabcik, mathematics professor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor.
PTK is a long standing club at Panola College. Members may attend monthly meetings, and participate in community service projects coordinated by the club. To be eligible for membership, Panola College students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above and have completed a minimum of 12 transferable hours through Panola College.
April 30, 2019 - Panola College is holding a Career Exploration Fair on Tuesday, April 30 from 11am to 1pm. The event will be held at the Shelby College Center at 3600 Loop 500.
We hope you will come and learn about various programs offered at Panola College, many available right here in Shelby County or completely online!
There will be door prizes, music, and games. Visit with admissions and financial aid representatives to answer any questions you may have to start on your new career path today.
April 22 , 2019 - Panola had a 3 game set before Easter Weekend against Angelina with hopes of a conference title still in play. Panola dropped the first game and needed to respond on Friday at Angelina. The Ponies rallied to take the final two games of the series and currently sit in second place behind Navarro who the Ponies play this week.
Game 1
Angelina jumped out to a 4-0 in the 4th inning and never looked back. Jarret Whorff (Winnsboro, TX) went 6 innings and only gave up 4 runs. Austin Bost (Groves, TX) led the way offensively with 2 hits but it was not enough for the home team. Ponies dropped game 1 by a score of 10-4.
Game 2
The middle game of the series was all Ponies from the start. The Ponies jumped out to a quick 3-0 and that was all starting pitcher Tyler Davis (Houston, TX) would need. Davis went a complete game giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and struck out 3. He was dominate. The Pony offense gave Roadrunner pitching no room to breather smacking 9 hits to a tune of 6 runs. Trent Touchet (Shreveport, LA) led the way with 3 hits and 2 RBI’s. Ponies win game 2 by a score of 6-2.
Game 3
The rubber match of the series was a good one. Back and forth all game trading runs. Trey Lindsay (Beckville, TX) got the start on the mound and gave the Ponies a solid 4 innings. Kade Clemens (Gilmer, TX) and Touchet both blasted homeruns in the game. Together they have combined for 20 HR. The game was tied in the 7th inning when Panola added 1 run to take the lead and then another insurance run in the top of the 9th inning. With 1 out and bases loaded in the 9 inning, Hayden Collins (Cypress, TX) got a strike out and a groundout to finish the game and the Ponies win by a score of 7-5.
Ponies are back at it Monday night with a midweek matchup against LeTourneau in Longview at 6pm. This week’s conference series has conference champion implications against Navarro.
Game 1 - Thursday at Navarro 3pm
Game 2 - Home 1pm
Game 3 - Home 3:30pm
Zariah Frierson, a Panola College student from East Chicago, Indiana, helped Hazell recite the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the show.
April 18, 2019 - Comedian Pat Hazell’s ride back in time in his show “The Wonder Bread Years” played to a packed house in the Q.M. Martin Auditorium at Panola College on Tuesday, April 16. The show was sponsored by the B.F. and Mary Payne Fund for the Preservation of Texas Culture.
From left: Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President, Pat Hazell, and David Murphy, representing the B.F. and Mary Payne Fund for the Preservation of Texas Culture.
The one-man show is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between stand-up and theater. Remembering pop rocks, milk snorts, sugar-highs and Atari, The Wonder Bread Years evolved from the realization that people have many more things in common than they have differences, many of which happen to be laugh-out-loud-funny.
Showtime declared Pat Hazell, “One of the Five Funniest People in America.” Hazell made his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1989 and has since made six more appearances with Jay Leno. Hazell served as Jerry Seinfeld’s opening act and became one of the original four writers for the NBC series “Seinfeld.” The Wonder Bread Years, a one-man show and tell, has been taped as a one-hour PBS special.
Hazell shared his memories of pop culture and vintage product advertising.
Art student Morgan Ray and Professor Amanda Clements look over Morgan’s paintings. The Fay Allison Gallery of the M.P. Baker Library will showcase the end-of-semester Panola College Student Visual Art Exhibit beginning Monday, April 22.
April 18, 2019 - The M.P. Baker Library will host the Panola College Student Visual Art Exhibit in the Allison Gallery starting Monday, April 22.
The exhibition is free and open to the public during the Library’s operating hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and Sunday 4 – 9 p.m. For additional information please call 903-693-2052 or email library@panola.edu.
Amanda Clements, art professor, said 16 students will display their work this spring. They include Sarah Allen, Omotayo Amidu, Sheli Caserta, Christy Corliss, Makayla Cortinas, Bethany Crowe, Maci McDaniel, Erin Phillips, Shirley Williams, Morgan Ray, Sarah Hooten, Kacie Caserta, Jade Allen, Emily Hannah, Hannah Humphries and Joel Martinez Gonzalez.
Photography students include Alexis Barlow, John Carter, Sheli Caserta, Lacy Dean, Paige Groce, Samantha Hay, Kristina Mayo, Julie Montgomery, Anthony Norwood, Weronika Nowakowska, Malaysha Peel, Camberly Smith, Kristye Wall, Sadie Wilson, Joshua Wood, Renata Malone, Sandra Olalde, Selena Pacheco, Phat Chung and LaToya Johnson.
“Be sure to stop by and see the wonderful photography and art work done by our talented students,” said Cristie Ferguson, Panola College Librarian.
April 8, 2019 - Panola Baseball started the second half conference play against the Paris Dragons. The Ponies took the series and are now 28-9 on the year and 13-5 in region 14 east play. Panola currently sits at the top of the conference in first place.
Game 1-
The series opener was dominated by the Ponies. The game was shortened to 7 innings due to run rule. Sophomore Jarret Whorff got the start on the mound and went a solid 6 innings giving up 3 earned runs and struck out 7. Garret Hermes threw the 7th inning and struck out one of his own. The offense was a group effort. 6 of the 9 starters had at least 1 rbi in the game and 8 of the 9 recorded at least 1 hit. Panola took the opener by a score of 12-4.
Game 2-
The first game of Friday’s double header was a struggle for the Ponies. RHP Tyler Davis went a complete game for Panola giving up 3 runs and striking out 11. The Panola offense struggled to score runs and dropped the second game of the series by a score of 3-0.
Game 3-
The rubber match of the series was back and forth early but the Ponies pulled out of reach from the Dragons. Trey Lindsay got the start and gave the Ponies a quality start giving up 3 earned runs and 5 strikeouts over 6.2 innings of work. Chris Edwards and Hayden Collins combined to finish the final 2.1 innings giving up only 1 hit and striking out 4. Cam Sibley and Ryan Snell lead the offense. Snell had a double and a 2 run homerun while Sibley added an rbi double of his own. Panola won the series finale by a score of 7-3.
The Ponies are back at home this Thursday against NTCC starting at 3pm
Area 8th graders spent the day on the Panola College campus recently to explore academic and career options.
April 5, 2019 - Eighth grade students from 11 area public schools visited Panola College recently to explore options for academic and career education opportunities.
“Even as students begin high school, they can make decisions that benefit their life after graduation,” said Angie Musgrove, Panola College Dual Credit Director. “Each student is on a unique path, whether preparing for a career choice, examining college credit opportunities, or examining the necessary skills for a technical trade.”
As these students enter public high school, they choose endorsements set up by The Texas Education Agency to help students stay on track for academics and careers. Endorsements group courses together by specific interests. The five endorsements include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), business and industry, public services, arts and humanities, and multi-disciplinary studies.
Panola College offered the area schools a chance to take a look at these options more closely. The 872 students participating in the fall and spring sessions at Panola visited science labs, welding and petroleum labs, and cosmetology. They also had sessions in academic areas, such as the arts and humanities.
During lunch, they explored different career pathways with the help of Texas Career Check, an online program offered by the Texas Workforce Commission. They completed an interest inventory and compared salaries and trends. The career check also identifies required training and degree requirements for each occupation.
High school counselors accompanied their students and were enthusiastic about the event. “The response from our students was very positive, and I feel this event had a great influence on what many of them will do in the future,” said Angie Bishop, counselor at Carthage Junior High School. “The Panola College students talking about what they had planned for their futures really helped our students to get a little perspective on what their future could be. Hopefully, Panola College will be able to continue this event because it has been a great asset.”
Daniel Hall, Petroleum Technology instructor, demonstrates a welding simulator in the lab.
The Waskom counselor agreed. “The 8th Grade Preview Day was wonderfully organized and executed by the faculty and staff. Our students loved the hands-on aspect of the tour, as well as lunch on campus. It was a fantastic event that provided a plethora of information about the many programs offered by Panola College. Waskom ISD will certainly be attending this event in the future,” said Melinda Bowden, middle and elementary school counselor.
Schools participating in the fall included Jefferson, Tatum, Woden, Waskom, Timpson and Harleton. In the spring session, Joaquin, Beckville, Carthage, Garrison and the Panola Early College High School brought students to campus.
Musgrove compiled results from the student survey, which revealed that the 8th Grade Preview Day helped students with decision-making. According to the survey results, before the visit, only 46.2 percent had a career plan. Almost 100 percent of those surveyed said the event helped them identify areas of interest, learn how to look for occupational salaries and trends, and helped them more clearly understand their options.
“We also charted responses from male and female students,” Musgrove added. “One of our objectives was to let students know that men and women can choose any occupation in the career and technical fields. Of the total students surveyed, the highest level of interest was in our health science programs, followed closely by business and welding.”
Cheri Lambert, Occupational Therapy Assistant chair, led students in a simulation of a therapy session.
She said in the career and technical fields, welding and business were the top favorites for male students, while the female students participating in the survey chose health science and cosmetology as their top picks.
“The preview day has proven to be a great way to introduce students to career options they may never have considered. The students really seemed enthusiastic about participating. They can now more carefully select the right endorsement based on their areas of interest. The next step is for them to sit down with their school counselors and make a plan before they enter high school,” Musgrove said.
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