February 18, 2025 – Paris Junior College was honored with the 2024 Community Investment Award from the Greenville Board of Development (GBOD) at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce/GBOD’s annual banquet held on Feb. 7, 2025.
PJC President, Dr. Stephen Benson, was joined at the awards dinner by PJC Board of Regents Secretary Berdie Gibson and Regents Josh Bray, Dr. Linda Kapp, Charles Lynch, Ginna Bowman, and Taylor Slagle.
Realtor Holly Gray, Greenville Board of Development Chair, presented the award to PJC.
“This award is given each year to at least one company who has made a huge impact in our community and is worthy of such an award,” Gray said. “I am very honored tonight to introduce your winner and that is Paris Junior College with their new workforce training center.”
“It’s my honor to accept this award for the community investment on behalf of the College,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, president of Paris Junior College. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to Greenville and Hunt County and the surrounding regions. This project became a reality thanks to the foresight of our Board of Regents and the leadership of former President Dr. Pam Anglin who all helped set the vision in motion by making this major investment in Greenville.
“As we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, this award carries even greater meaning,” Benson said. “It serves as both recognition of our past efforts and inspiration for our future growth. Together, with your support, we will continue to grow and meet the needs of this region. The future is bright in Greenville and Hunt County, and we are proud to be part of the journey.”
The new 23,000 square foot workforce training facility at the PJC-Greenville Center officially opened on September 30, 2024. Workforce programs housed in the new facility include mechatronics (with an industrial maintenance apprenticeship in partnership with the Greenville Board of Development); heating, air conditioning and refrigeration; electrician; and a new airframe maintenance program.
“Paris Junior College is a tremendous asset to the City of Greenville and Hunt County,” said Gray. “The investment in the Workforce Training Center is an investment in the future of our region. Paris Junior college has worked closely with GBOD and local industry to provide the highest quality of education programs and workforce certification classes that industry needs. The new Workforce Training Center is a regional catalyst for our young people to gain the knowledge and industry-based certifications to increase their employability and long-term career earnings in the Hunt County Region.”
Hunt County Judge Bobby Stovall also recognized John Dickson, GBOD Business Development Director, and Craig Driggers, L3Harris Director of Operations Management and member of the North Central Texas Workforce Development Board (and PJC alumnus), for their work on the PJC-Greenville Center project.
Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom’s annual wrap of city affairs also included PJC’s partnership with the Greenville Fire Department and the new fire training facility located south of the PJC-Greenville Center.
PJC is seeking the public’s input across the service area to help guide the College’s next strategic plan with projects such as this. To take the online survey, go to https://www.parisjc.edu/strategic-plan-survey.html.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce 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/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
