Panola College
February 20, 2018 - Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering ”Cardio Fitness”. This is a new high-intensity dance workout that teaches modern moves to tone and strengthen the body. Changing your workout keeps your fitness program fresh and challenging. This new class will begin March 20 - April 26, 2018. Meeting times will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. at the Shelby College Center. For more information and to register, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu.
February 20, 2018 - Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education Department is offering a new Art class called “Paint with Kate”. It will be led by our own Katy Chance. The first class will be Tuesday evening, April 24th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Students under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Our spring Healthcare programs will be starting soon. Session two of Phlebotomy meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. each week from April 23 through August 1st.
CPR certification courses will be offered on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call our CPR coordinator, Douglas Snodgrass, at 903-693-1192 for more information. He offers flexible scheduling for healthcare professionals who need to keep their CPR certification current.
Pharmacy Technician classes begin March 20th through May 22nd. Meeting times for this program are Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Our CNA program will begin at the Center campus starting May 14th through June 1st. Class meeting times will be Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. We will have a second Center campus CNA class beginning June 4th through June 27th. These meeting times will be from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Our Carthage CNA program will start June 4th through June 27th. Class meeting times are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. We will also offer the CNA program at our Marshall location beginning June 4th through June 27th, Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
If you’ve thought about getting your CDL certification, we offer professional truck driver training at our Marshall location. Call Tammy Hicks at 903-578-0525.
We offer many internet courses including QuickBooks, Paraprofessional (teacher’s aide), and a Medication Aide update course for licensed CNA’s. This update course will be offered March 3rd through the 20th.
We also offer Real Estate as an online program. Panola College has partnered with VanEd to provide a unique education program for students wishing to become a licensed Texas real estate salesperson.
Panola Workforce and Continuing Education also offers free GED (High School Equivalency) and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs.
To register or to find out more, contact Panola College Workforce & Continuing Education, 903-603-2067, email ce@panola.edu, or stop by the office in the W. C. Smith Building on West Panola.
February 19, 2018 - A national nonprofit nursing advocacy group has ranked Panola College in the top 10 nursing programs in Texas. Panola’s Associate Degree Nursing program, ranked #10, is ahead of UT Medical Branch, UT Austin, Texas Tech, UT Tyler, and Texas Christian University, among others.
RegisteredNursing.org analyzed 114 state nursing programs at universities and community colleges. Fifty programs were ranked based on the NCLEX-RN exam pass rate. The NCLEX-RN exam is used by all state boards in the United States to assess students’ competency. Students must pass the exam upon completion of their nursing course work in order to obtain a license. RegisteredNursing.org looked at the past five years of data, averaging the scores together. The scores were weighted, so that a pass rate in 2015 counts higher than a score from 2012.
Panola’s nursing program has seen steady growth since its inception in the fall semester of 1995. Students choose from two academic tracks. The first is a traditional 24-month program with summers off. A second option is the LVN to RN Hybrid Transition track that allows Licensed Vocational Nurses a flexible format to complete the registered nursing curriculum in 12 months. This track offers online courses and weekend and evening clinicals within a 70-mile radius of Carthage.
When the courses are completed, nursing graduates take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed registered nurses in Texas and other states in the 25-state Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
“It takes a special person to become a nurse,” said Annissa Jackson, chair of the ADN and VN programs at Panola College. “The course work in nursing is not easy. Prerequisites for the program include anatomy and physiology, and biology courses. Once admitted into the program, nursing students take leveled nursing courses that are structured in a concept-based curriculum to promote critical thinking in an ever-changing healthcare environment.”
In 2017, Panola College ADN students achieved a pass rate of 98.15%, up from 94.12% in 2016. The school also has a 100% placement rate for nursing graduates in Spring 2017, according to Jackson. “We encourage our students to continue study toward advanced degrees, and we are working to help them in that area by creating articulation agreements with universities that offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing,” Jackson added.
Currently, Panola has articulation agreements with the University of Texas at Tyler, the University of Houston in Victoria, the University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Midwestern University, and Chamberlain University in Illinois. The nursing department is working to add more options through articulation agreements with other universities in the future.
“Panola College is extremely pleased with the consistently high NCLEX pass rate of our Associate Degree Nursing students,” said Dr. Greg Powell, President. “Registered Nurses are in high demand, and we are excited that students can study, learn, and train in our national award-winning, state-of-the-art Health and Natural Sciences Building that opened in 2015.”
The complete rankings are available at www.registerednursing.org/state/texas/#rankings
February 12, 2018 Carthage – Due to travel arrangements, Panola College men’s basketball game against DFW Prep been moved to Thursday, February 15th. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on the campus of Panola College’s AJ Gym.
The ponies are currently 16-8 and have won four straight games.
Submitted by Adam Blaylock
February 12, 2018 Carthage, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team defeated 18th ranked Paris Junior College this past Wednesday and Navarro College over the weekend. With the two wins, Panola elevates their conference record to 9-5 and overall record to 16-8. “This was two good wins for our ball team. On Wednesday we never gave up and on Saturday we executed really well all game long.” Head Coach Grant McMillan stated.
On Wednesday, both Paris and Panola came out scorching hot from the field as Paris took a 47-45 halftime lead. Paris gradually took control in the second half taking a 10 point lead 73-63 with just under 7:00 minutes remaining. Panola chipped away and took a 82-81 lead with 1:15 remaining on a Marlon Taylor three-pointer. A Shandon Goldman dunk with 30 seconds remaining all but sealed the victory as Panola won 87-83.
Against Navarro, Panola held a steady lead most of the half taking a 37-34 halftime lead. Navarro tied the ball game up at 41 before eight straight points by TJ Killings helped separate Panola lead midway through the second half. Panola gradually increased the lead the rest of the way to the 87-83 victory.
Submitted by Adam Blaylock
February 8, 2018 - Panola College is offering Zumba ® Gold and beginning Yoga classes.
Zumba ® Gold
Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering Zumba ® Gold. This class takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the older participant. The class will meet Monday and Wednesday: February 19 – April 4, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, at the Shelby College Center. The cost of the class is $45, and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu.
Beginning Yoga Classes
Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering Beginning Yoga classes February 19 – April 4. The class will meet Monday and Wednesday from 5:05 pm – 6:05 pm. The cost of the class is $45.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email tmccann@panola.edu
Panola College is an Equal Opportunity Institution that provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.
An Exhibit by Vickie Lacy
February 7, 2018 - The M.P. Baker Library of Panola College will host fiber artist Vickie Lacy in a selected exhibit “Stepping on to My Straighter Path” (wearable art) from February 26, 2018-April 5, 2018 in the Fay Allison Gallery. In addition, a reception will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 3:00pm in the Library. This artist has an extensive listing of awards, shows, workshops and lectures over the past 21 years. Her most recent honor was a showing in the 2016 Fiber Arts Show of the Sacramento, California Fine Arts Museum.
Ms. Lacy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, with an emphasis in clothing design and fashion merchandising. She has also furthered her studies with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration/Business Management from Texas A&M University, College Station. Since earning her Ph.D. she has achieved a M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Texas at Tyler and a certification as a Law of Attraction Life Coach from the Quantum Success Coaching Academy.
The exhibit is free and open to the public during the Library’s operating hours Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 9:00 pm, Friday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm, and Sunday 4:00 – 9:00 pm. For additional information please call 903-693-2052 or email sherri.baker@panola.edu
February 1, 2018 - The Health & Natural Sciences Building at Panola College has been recognized for design excellence in a national competition sponsored by American School & University magazine. David Zatopek of Corgan Architects, the Dallas architecture and design firm who designed and built the structure, presented the award to the Panola College Board of Trustees at the board meeting on Monday, January 29, 2018. Clint Binkley and Cody Stonger, both of Hunt Construction, were also present at the award presentation.
Announced in the Architectural Portfolio 2017 issue of American School & University magazine, the winning projects are also displayed online at SchoolDesigns.com. The Panola College project is featured in the online portfolio of 2017 winners that includes, among others, the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, Washington University in St. Louis, Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, the University of Hawaii Ka ‘lmi ‘lke Education Building, Edgecombe Community College in North Carolina, and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Center for Oral Health Care.
The building’s design required careful planning to accommodate laboratories, classroom, study areas, and office space for the structure that anchors the southwest quadrant of the Carthage campus. Encompassing 64,000 square feet, the building was completed in August 2015.
In addition to the Health & Natural Sciences Building, Corgan designed and built the expansion to the M.P. Baker Library, and the Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center.
“It’s gratifying to learn that the Health & Natural Sciences Building has received this design award,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “Working with Corgan and Hunt Construction on this project was a pleasure. Our faculty, staff and students reap the benefits of their design expertise every day as we educate future health care professionals.”
January 23, 2018 - Panola College will honor longtime theatre professor Elizabeth Hedges by formally naming the campus Studio Theatre in her honor. Former students, friends and the public are invited to a reception scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 16 in the Elizabeth R. Hedges Studio Theatre.
Hedges retired from Panola College in 2007 after a 30-year career as a theatre and speech professor. During her tenure, she directed hundreds of student performers in countless plays, winning awards and accolades in state and national venues.
“Liz Hedges grew the theatre department from three to thirty-five students,” said Karen King, current Panola College Theatre Professor. “Students such as Linda Davis crossed the stage and went on to careers in show business. She also inspired generations of teachers and college professors.”
The Studio Theatre was Hedges’ inspiration. Originally slated to be a storage area for the Q.M. Martin Auditorium, she lobbied for the space to house a studio theatre. She helped design the new addition, creating an intimate theatre option that proved to be the drama department’s most popular venue.
Upon completion of construction in 1987, Hedges inaugurated the dinner theatre, which continues today as the major fundraising program for the drama department. Students convert the open space into a tiered dining area, and serve dinner to patrons prior to the show. In 2017, Hedges came back to Panola to guest direct the dinner theatre’s three performances of “Steel Magnolias” to sold-out audiences.
Hedges remains active in educational theatre in Texas and was named the Texas Educational Theatre Association’s College-University Teacher of the Year in 2005. The Texas Community College Speech/Theatre Association gave her the Founder’s Award in 2007. She travels throughout the state adjudicating performances, as well as judging and coordinating University Interscholastic League one-act play events.
A sixth-generation native Texan, Hedges chairs the Panola County Historical Commission, and is the Historian General for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She is now working on producing and directing an original film about Texas history that will be given free to every middle-school classroom in the state.
She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler, where she also completed post-graduate work. She began her career teaching high school theatre in Houston before coming to Carthage and joining the Panola College faculty in 1978.
Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President, invites the public to the reception on February 16. “We are pleased to honor Liz Hedges for the three decades of devotion she has shown to theatre and the fine arts by formally creating the Elizabeth R. Hedges Studio Theatre,” he said.
January 22, 2018 Corsicana, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team lost to Navarro College here Saturday afternoon, 100-78. The loss snaps Panola’s six game winning streak. Panola sits 5-3 in Region 14 play and 12-6 overall. “A combination of their hot shooting and our struggles really hurt us today.” Head Coach Grant McMillan stated. “We just have to play better on the road.” He added.
Panola was up 8-5 early in the first half before Navarro took a 13-10 lead with 13:25 remaining in the frame. Navarro capitalized on back-to-back turnovers late in the half to extend their lead to 41-24 heading into the locker rooms. Panola hovered around the 17 point deficit most of the second half but could not gain any ground.
Panola continues Region 14 play this upcoming Wednesday January, 24th when they host nationally ranked Trinity Valley Community College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on the campus of Panola College.
Submitted by Adam Blaylock
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