Texarkana College

Texarkana College was formed in 1927, as a branch of the Texarkana Independent School District, which voted to proceed with plans for establishment of a community college. Its first building was located at the corner of 16th and Pine Streets, and contained classrooms, laboratories, and a gymnasium, the latter two of which were used by both the college and the high school.

In 1941, the citizens of Texarkana voted to create a separate Texarkana College District, complete with approval of a $20 mill property tax to fund the District. However, the local school board and the district's Board of Regents would comprise the same individuals until 1957, when the two boards voted to separate. After a successful bond issue in 1948, the college purchased 20 acres (81,000 m²) at its present location, and moved there in October 1951.

In 1971, Texarkana College and East Texas State University joined to offer upper-level and graduate courses on the Texarkana College campus, whereby Texarkana College students could obtain Bachelor's and Master's degrees without leaving Texarkana. In 1976, Texarkana College deeded 3.8 acres (15,000 m²) to ETSU to build an administration building. The ETSU-Texarkana campus would later become a separately accredited institution and is today's Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and would later relocate to a separate facility.

The Seal of Texarkana College was designed by former instructor Richmond White. Encircling the star of Texas is the live oak branch symbolizing strength and grandeur and the laurel branch representing honor and peace. The year of 1927 is written above the star of Texas to represent the year that Texarkana College was established.

Texarkana College is located in the northeast border of Texarkana, Texas, at the junction of Robison and Tucker streets, which is approximately one mile south of Interstate 30.

The Texas Legislature states that the college's service area is:[1]

• All of Bowie County
• The majority of Cass County (sections not in the Texarkana College service area: Avinger ISD, Hughes Springs ISD, and Pewitt ISD)
• Avery Independent School District

Of that area, only Bowie County is in the college's taxation zone.[1]

Past presidents of Texarkana College include Dr. Henry W. Stilwell, Dr. W.H. Hinton, William P. Akin, Dr. J.W. Cady, Dr. Carl M. Nelson, Frank Coleman, Dr. Alan Rasco and Dr. James Henry Russell.[2]

A notable alumnus of Texarkana College is businessman and politician H. Ross Perot, also serving as President of the Student Council.[4] Hunter Pence is a baseball player for the San Francisco Giants and formerly the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Tracy Lawrence, a famous country singer, also attended TC.

• Official website

33°26′38″N 94°4′39″W