BIG SPRING, Texas — Eighty years to the day after students first entered classrooms at Howard College, the college community gathered Wednesday, Sept. 30, to honor the people who laid its foundation, to celebrate eight decades of growth and to look toward the future.
After celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the November 17, 1945, creation of the college district by the taxpayers of the Howard County Junior College District on November 17, 2025, the last 10-months have led up to the First-Class Day Remembrance serving as a reminder of the 10-month effort the pioneering visionaries undertook to open the doors to students. The culmination of Howard College’s “8 Days for the 80th” celebration marked the anniversary of the college’s first day of classes on Sept. 30, 1946, as well as the eight decades of student success and progress of the Howard County Junior College District, now encompassing the campuses of the original campus located in Big Spring as well as the SouthWest College for the Deaf in Big Spring, Lamesa and San Angelo campuses.
After reflecting on last year’s Founder’s Tree ceremony when a live oak tree was planted in the center of the campus to symbolize the roots established by those early community members who envisioned a future for not only the current generation but those that would follow, the comments shared would then focus on what happened in the next ten months as people went to work and then over the eight decades that would follow. To enhance the planting of the Founder’s Tree, large landscaping rocks have been strategically placed in the center of the campus which will serve as anchors for the plaques to be placed that will tell the history of the college district. Rocks were selected based on shape and color to focus on the topography of the area that existed in 1945 and still exists today which represent the legacy of 80-years of history by the people of Howard County over eight decades to meet the original vision of the early pioneers.
A central part of Wednesday’s ceremony recognized the “Bedrock of the Howard County Junior College District” — the original seven Board members whose leadership helped establish the college as well as Board members who have served through the years. Last year family members from three of the original Board members participated in the planting of the Founder’s Tree, Leroy Echols, who served on the Board from 1945-1954, A. J. Stallings who served on the Board from 1945-1948 and L.H. Thomas, who served from 1945-1953. Family members returned this year for the First-Class Day remembrance representing the Echols and Thomas families with members of the R. T. Piner family joining them.
Mrs. Janie Echols Phinney attended in honor of her father, Leroy Echols, along with her daughter-in-law, Shelly Phinney and her grandson, Landon Wegner. Mrs. Sherry Newton attended in honor of our grandfather, L. H. Thomas. Mr. Rip Patterson represented his grandfather, R.T. Piner, the first Board President, who served from 1945–1952. Patterson was joined by his wife, Claudie; his son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Jennifer Patterson; and granddaughter, Spencer Patterson.
The commemorative plaque also recognizes original Board members Mrs. J.E. Brigham (1945-1948), Mr. Otis Grafa (1945-1952), and Dr. P.W. Malone who served for 53 years from 1945 until his death in 1998.
“It is incredibly meaningful to have the families of our original Board members here with us as we mark this anniversary,” said Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, Howard College President. “Their families were part of the beginning of Howard College, and their legacy is still very much a part of who we are today.”
Several additional ceremonial plaques were then presented to family members in attendance on Wednesday to preserve the stories of people and places that have helped shape Howard College. The finished plaques will later be placed in locations across the Big Spring campus along with two benches donated in the memory of Harold and Janell Davis and Dr. Mary Dudley.
The additional plaques and associated language were revealed throughout the ceremony to tell the historical story. The first was the “Working On It” Circle, honoring E.C. Dodd, Howard College’s first president who was famous for saying in those early days we are “working on it” and the original staff made up of Dean M.J. Fields and Registrar Margaret Crouch plus those who have followed over the decades who have continued to say the same phrase through the years.
Next, Faculty Grove, was revealed as the name for the area full of pine trees honoring the eight pioneering faculty members of 1946 and the educators who followed them teaching pathways since 1946. Attendees then envisioned the bench and plaque that will be placed in front of the Harold Davis Fitness Center, the original gym, located across the campus from this location honoring Harold and Janell Davis. In those early years, Mr. Davis served as the first coach and Mrs. Davis served as a faculty member. Mr. Davis eventually served as a college trustee from 1971 until his death in 2008. Their son, Alan Davis, attended the ceremony with his wife, Mary, and daughter, Rebecca Hunt.
Next, the legacy of Dr. Mary Dudley (1939-2024) as a master teacher in the classroom as well as of life was memorialized in the placement of a bench and plaque in Faculty Grove. Her husband, Jerry a retired faculty member who served 41 years, and their daughter, LeeAnn Napper were in attendance. Although Dr. Dudley served in some administrative roles, her heart was in the classroom. She was an avid reader, and the bench will be a place future generation of students can study and prepare for life.
Next, The Greenways Legacy of Dr. Charles D. Hays was unveiled in the center of the pathways intersecting the central area telling the story of the college district. Dr. Charles Hays who served as the fourth president for the college created a living legacy in the vision he had to transform the college campus landscape to a place of natural beauty with Vice President Mike Bruner at his side. That vision and effort have resulted in a place enjoyed by students and the entire community. A large rock chosen from one of the original berms was transported to this location symbolizing the accomplishment of that greenways legacy as well as the vision of a college district impacting the region and nation.
Finally, The Riley Green, honoring fifth president Dr. Bob Riley was revealed. Dr. Riley served at a time in the history of the college when major infrastructure changes were taking place to address an aging boiler system that would literally result in escaping steam rising from the ground which was a source of humor for Dr. Riley and the campus. A commemorative rock and plaque will be placed in that area which will detail that a new loop system replaced the aging infrastructure symbolic of the expansion of the college district through West Texas communities, extending educational opportunities throughout the region during his tenure as president.
The afternoon included a ribbon cutting for these locations of historical significance as well as for The Brand, Howard College’s newly transformed spirit store, formerly known as the college bookstore. The Brand provides students, employees, alumni, and community members a new way to celebrate their connection to Howard College through shopping for clothing and gift items branded with Howard College and SWCD logos as well as a section to look through old annuals to reflect on the rich history of the Howard County Junior College District. In a fitting connection between the college’s beginnings and its future, Mrs. Phinney cut the ribbon to officially open the space with Alan Davis and current Board members Adrian Calvio and Ben Ziechick assisting.
Wednesday’s remembrance capped eight days of anniversary activities across the district, including alumni gatherings by decade via Zoom, historical features, themed activities, the communitywide Rock Hunts in Big Spring, Lamesa and San Angelo, the encouragement of 80 Acts of Kindness, Meet the Hawks and the ribbon cutting for the new softball fieldhouse which brought back previous Coach Kelly Raines and Johnny Mize, son of Interim Coach Cotton Mize, and his wife Jill, as well as former assistants and players. Three picnic tables placed by the softball fieldhouse will have plaques on them with one celebrating the legacy of Coach Raines, Coach Mize and the original Coach, Andy Mace.
The Howard College Lamesa campus embraced the celebration throughout all eight days, taking the anniversary into its community through participation in the Rock Hunt while also hosting daily snacks and joining in decade-themed dress-up days. Their involvement reflected the districtwide spirit of the milestone and the role each Howard College location plays in carrying the college’s mission into the communities it serves.
While the anniversary provided an opportunity to remember the past, the week also placed a strong emphasis on Howard College’s future.
Community members and leaders from across the college’s service area gathered Monday for the launch of the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. State Representative Drew Darby attended and presented resolutions recognizing both the 80th anniversary of Howard College’s first day of classes and Howard College President Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks’ 50 years of service.
Mike Berry of High Ground Analysis, LLC presented the Summer 2026 Labor Market Report, a regional workforce study examining Howard College’s 13-county service area. Dr. Amber Kelly then presented the college’s new strategic plan, built around four priorities: Student Success & Completion Pathways; Bridging Education to Employment & Workforce Alignment; Access & Community Impact; and Institutional Innovation & Operational Excellence.
The launch also recognized retiring Permian Basin Workforce Development Board CEO Willie Taylor, introduced incoming CEO Arlett Toliver and expressed appreciation to the economic development partners who work alongside the college in serving the region.
“Celebrating 80 years gives us an opportunity to honor our history, but it also challenges us to think about what comes next,” Sparks said. “Our strategic plan gives us a clear direction as we continue responding to the needs of our students, our workforce and the communities we serve.”
The anniversary celebration reached the state level Tuesday when Dr. Sparks attended a special meeting with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and State Senator Kevin Sparks which was held on campus, providing an opportunity to share the successes of Howard College and the SouthWest College for the Deaf and the many ways Howard College has been bridging dreams for 80 years. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick donned a sweater item from The Brand displaying the SWCD Rattler logo, and State Senator Kevin Sparks joined in the celebratory excitement of 80 years of community college success in this rural area.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick was given 2026 National Men’s Basketball Championship t-shirts for both he and President Donald Trump.
Howard College began with a group of community leaders who believed education could transform lives and strengthen West Texas. Eight decades later, that foundation remains evident in the students, employees, alumni, families and communities who continue to carry the institution forward.
“When you look back at 80 years, you realize Howard College has never been about one person or one moment,” Sparks said. “It is the story of generations of people who believed in this college, invested in its students and cared deeply about the communities we serve. That is the legacy we celebrate today, and it is the legacy we will continue to carry forward.”
As Howard College closes its 80th anniversary celebration, the milestone serves not only as a remembrance of where the college has been, but as a reminder of the responsibility carried into its next chapter — honoring the bedrock laid in 1945 while continuing to serve as a bridging change leader so that the dreams for generations yet to come can become real.