Panola College Update: Academic Awards, New Nursing Grant, Basketball Success, Tech Building Progress, and SFA Transfer Alliance

Good morning, Panola College! It's Monday, September 1, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus. First up, congratulations to our Academic Excellence Award recipients for the 2024-2025 academic year. These awards, established by former math professor Charles Moore, honor students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. Each department nominated students who have completed at least 30 hours of coursework and are enrolled in relevant courses within their field of study. Some of this year's honorees include Savannah Bertolis in Criminal Justice, William Boyd in Vocal Music, and Nevaeh Burns in Medical Assisting. A full list of recipients is available on the Panola College website. In other news, Panola College has been awarded a $255,633 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Nursing Shortage Reduction Program. This funding will enhance our Associate Degree Nursing program by introducing a second spring entry point for students applying to the LVN-RN one-year transition track. This addition aims to increase the number of nursing graduates in East Texas, addressing the region's healthcare needs. Our men's basketball team has made us proud by advancing to the quarterfinals in the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The Ponies secured a 60-53 victory over Frank Phillips College, with standout performances from CJ Worsham, who scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. The team is set to face Vincennes in the quarterfinals. In campus development, construction continues on our new technology building at the Carthage campus. The $14.9 million project will feature 32,000 square feet of indoor space and a 25,000 square foot working yard, housing facilities for our technical and trades programs. Despite some weather-related delays, the project is progressing, with completion now expected in June 2024. Additionally, Panola College has partnered with Stephen F. Austin State University through the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance. This alliance offers our students guaranteed admission, scholarships, and enhanced services at SFA, facilitating a smoother transition for those pursuing four-year degrees. Benefits include automatic consideration for SFA’s Purple Promise program, increased transferable hours, and opportunities to connect with other transfer students. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening at Panola College. Have a great day!