Paris Junior College

Vision

An open-door community college meeting the educational and cultural needs of all students and citizens of the area.

Mission

Paris Junior College is an innovative and comprehensive community college that advances the life-long educational development of students consistent with their needs, interests, and abilities while strengthening the economic, social, and cultural life of its diverse community. The College provides high-quality, flexible academic transfer and career-focused educational programs and services through a commitment to teaching and learning excellence within an accessible and supportive environment.

History

Paris Junior College was established by the Paris Independent School District on June 16, 1924, in response to the community’s need for an institution of higher learning.

The Board of Education elected B.E. Masters, principal of Paris High School, as dean, and the college opened its downtown campus in the high school building in September 1924 with seven faculty members and 91 students. Later, 39 extension students were added to the roll, for a total of 130 students the first year.

The college moved into its own facility, the old U.S. Post Office building, during the summer before starting its second year. The building was donated to the Paris Independent School District by the federal government. In 1931 the college became an independent unit of the school system, and J.R. McLemore became the first president.

In 1934 Paris Junior College became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and in 1937 the board voted to establish the Paris Junior College District, independent yet coterminous with the Paris Independent School District.

The campus was moved to its present site of fifty-four acres in 1940, and in 1949 the first board of regents was elected and began meeting. J.R. McLemore served as president until 1961. Charles Clark took over the duties until Frank Grimes became president in 1963. Louis B. Williams succeeded Grimes in 1967 and served until 1983 when he was named president emeritus. Dennis Michaelis followed Williams and served as president until 1988. Bobby R. Walters became president in 1988 and served until his retirement in 2003. Dr. Pamela Anglin was appointed president in 2003 and continues to serve PJC.

The college began adding new facilities at its campus in 1963, and a building program continued until 1978 during which time the J.R. McLemore Student Center, dormitories, Natural Sciences and Mathematics Center, applied science annexes, Aikin Center for Applied Sciences, Center for Musical Arts, Lifelong Learning Center, married apartments, and the Mike Rheudasil Learning Center were built. Included in the Learning Center/Library is the Welma and A.M. Aikin Jr. Regional Archives, which contains the papers of the late Senator A.M. Aikin Jr., cosponsor of the Gilmer-Aikin Bill and member of the Texas legislature for forty-six years.

In 1988 the Hunt Physical Education Center was completed to provide additional space for kinesiology instruction and is the home of the PJC Dragon and Lady Dragon basketball teams. It includes classrooms and the Dragon Hall of Fame Room. The college acquired and completely remodeled a building on the north side of Clarksville Street adjacent to the campus that has become the Applied Technology Building. It houses the Health Occupations Programs, as well as the Social Science, Electronics, Electromechanical and Drafting Departments.

The campus of fourteen tree-shaded acres includes eighteen major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.

Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/vocational fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program, jewelry and watchmaking in 1942, the college has been aggressive in adding technical/vocational programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.