Howard College Press Release
August 5, 2026
Passing of Dr./Chair John Freeman
At its August 3, 2026, Board meeting, the Howard College Board of Trustees and college
family reflected on the recent passing of longtime Board member Dr./Chair John Freeman
on July 11, 2026, well-respected and loved by all. Dr. Freeman had served faithfully
as a Board member since 2000, after working as a faculty member earlier in his life
before embarking on a distinguished entrepreneurial career as an iconic member of
Howard County known for his industrial innovations. He had recently been deemed re-elected
to another six-year term on the Howard College Board of Trustees as an at-large Trustee
on February 23, 2026, due to an uncontested election and so noted at the June 1, 2026,
Board meeting for Oath of Office purposes. Due to failing health, he was unable to
remain at the meeting to complete the ceremony. Although striving to gain strength
to attend the next Board meeting with failing health impacting that goal, his commitment
to his role resulted in a special ceremony at his Parkview Rehab Center bedside for
the administration of the Oath of Office and signing of related documents to fulfill
his strong sense of duty to the community and college which was recorded at the August
3, 2026, Board meeting.
Trustees then addressed what process would be followed to fill his vacancy through appointment to his unexpired term for two years until an election can be held on May 6, 2028, as part of the regularly scheduled election cycle. The individual elected would then serve the remaining four years of the six-year term. Based on previous practice, the Board determined that seeking interest from community members willing to serve on the Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees would be followed.
Interested parties are reminded that certain requirements to serve must be followed based on law. In addition, interested parties must consider certain aspects of serving relative to nepotism and any conflicts of interest. The individual appointed must meet the qualifications required of any candidate seeking election to and/or serving on the Board of Trustees in at-large or by place positions. These qualifications include:
- A United States citizen
- A registered voter
- A resident of the State of Texas for at least 12 months preceding the appointment
- A resident of Howard County for at least six months preceding the appointment (as a member of Howard County at-large for this at-large vacancy)
- At least 18 years of age
- Not having been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities
- Not having been determined to be mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court
Prospective appointees should consider applicable nepotism laws, particularly if they have a family member employed by the district within a prohibited degree of consanguinity/blood relation in the third degree or affinity/marriage relation in the second degree and the limitations on advancement opportunities for affected relatives under the continuous employment exception. Prospective appointees must also understand the restrictions regarding the hiring of relatives after election or appointment.
Prohibited Degrees of Relationship
Consanguinity (Blood Relationship)
- Parent or child (including an adopted child) - First Degree
- Brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild - Second Degree
- Great-grandparent, great-grandchild, aunt or uncle (sibling of a parent), nephew, or niece (child of a brother or sister) - Third Degree
Affinity (Relationship by Marriage)
- Spouse, parent-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law - First Degree
- Spouse's siblings and their spouses, grandparents, or grandchildren - Second Degree
Prospective appointees should also understand legal and ethical restrictions related to potential business conflicts of interest if currently contracting with the college district or wishing to in the future both personally and/or through family connections.
For the appointment process, the Board of Trustees determined that interested parties should submit a letter of interest or similar type of document that outlines their background to serve in this role. The Board determined that the deadline for submission would be Thursday, August 13, by end of day. Documents can be delivered to the college at the reception area located in Old Main or can be submitted electronically to csparks@howardcollege.edu or sstuteville@howardcollege.edu. A Special Board meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, August 20, for interviews with interested parties and then selection of the appointee. Start time will be determined based on number of interested, qualified individuals. Interviews will take place in Executive Session and Board members will return to Open Session to vote and announce the decision for the appointment to fill the position. The appointment and related Oath of Office procedures will then be formalized in the regular Board meeting scheduled for Monday, August 24. After that time, the appointed Trustee will begin the training required to serve as a member of the Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees.
The Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees, college family and community are forever grateful to the devotion and service of Dr./Chair John Freeman and sadly moves forward knowing that John Freeman’s wishes would be for the business of the college to proceed in the best interest of the college district, and most importantly the students. His legacy of leadership and sense of duty will provide an example for generations to come.
Questions about the qualifications and/or process can be forwarded to the Office of the President acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees at this stage of the timeline via email
csparks@howardcollege.edu, sstuteville@howardcollege.edu, and/or 432-264-5030.