PICTURED RIGHT: PRESIDENT DWIGHT J. FENNELL DELIVERS THE FOUNDERS’ CONVOCATION ADDRESS
Texas College formally commemorated the 131st Anniversary of the College's founding in 1894. With alumni, students, faculty, staff, and members of the community gathered in the Gus F. Taylor Gymnasium, the convocation rightfully paid homage to Texas College's history.
"As we sit and experience today’s program, I want us for a moment to reflect about what it may have been like 131 years ago," noted President Dwight J. Fennell. "...when people came to this property for an education, because they felt it was a safe place to pray; it provided for a safe and comfortable environment to socialize; it was a place that inspired hope and vision; and, it offered an environment for preparing for a better and bright future with receipt of an education."
Founded in 1894, the emergence of Texas College was amid an era where education was reserved for a select population and even dangerous to pursue for those restricted. Despite this climate, visionary ministers of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), sought differently and selflessly founded Texas College on the very grounds that it stands today.
While Founders' Convocation focused on the College's rich history, it also featured the College in the modern era. To portray the evolution and growth of Texas College, a video presentation was shown. Contrasting the historical campus against its current modernized facilities, the historical montage illustrated the colossal enhancements the College has experienced.
President Fennell served as the speaker for Founders’ Convocation, in which he delivered a powerful and insightful message to commemorate the occasion. President Fennell’s delivery began with a historical backdrop, which set the contextual stage to fully grasp the gravity of the College’s founding in 1894, and congruently its perseverance through 2025. Recounting a multitude of historical events that Texas College has persevered through and experienced over the past 131 years, President Fennell then transitioned into a notable excerpt of his message. With a passionate spirit, he emphatically noted that there is an undeniable and unmatched sense of pride that comes with each audience member’s association with the College.
“Students, you should pride yourself on the fact that you are enrolled here,” said President Fennell. “Alumni, you should be proud that you graduated from Texas College. Faculty and staff, you should be proud to be employed by Texas College.”
As President Fennell concluded his remarks, he noted that the current students, alumni, faculty, and staff all stand on the shoulders of giants. “We are now all stewards to this institutions. We hold the responsibility of ensuring that Texas College continues to endure for the next 131 years and that we continue to give the people light,” paraphrasing the Texas College motto.
Additional remarks were provided by Dr. Shirley McKellar, City of Tyler District 3-Northwest Councilmember, Ms. Gwendolyn Collins, Texas College Alumni Association Immediate Past President, Ms. Millicent Rickenbacker, Vice President for Business and Finance, Dr. Cynthia Marshall-Biggins, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Jan Duncan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Miss Asia Brown, Miss Texas College, and others, as well as multiple outstanding performances by the Texas College Choir
