Panola College held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new
Health and Natural Sciences building on August 31, 2015. Panola County
Chamber of Commerce, Panola College Board of Trustees and community members
gathered to enjoy refreshments and tour the new state-of-the-art
facilities. Among the community members gathered to celebrate Panola
College’s newest facility was Max LeCompte, Executive Director of the
Coordinating and Development Corporation, Lynn Vincent, Mayor of Carthage,
and Bill O’Neal, Texas State Historian.



The College’s enrollment has almost doubled in the last 15 years to over
2,700 students. The added space and technology brought by the 64,000 square
feet Health and Natural Sciences building will be a valuable resource to
Panola College. The new building includes a tiered lecture hall,
classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, research rooms, study
rooms, and offices. Laboratories include space for Occupational Therapy
Assistant (OTA), Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Vocational Nursing (LVN),
and Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Lab, and
Health Information Technology. There are also several simulation labs that
include an ambulance, hospital rooms, and are equipped with
state-of-the-art mannequins that can be programmed to give birth, have a
heart attack, or any numerous other medical situations.  Students will also
have access to a conference room, reception area, vending machines, and
restrooms on both floors.



“This project came from a strategic planning meeting from the Board of
Trustees, who saw fit to call a bond election that was held in May of 2013.
Eighty-four percent of those who voted approved the $35 million dollar
bond. We have several projects through the bond and this is the largest
one,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “We are grateful to
the voters and taxpayers of Panola County. This would not have been
possible without their 35 million dollar investment in Panola College.”





*Photos attached*

*Powell –Powell thanks the voters and taxpayers of Panola County for their
continued support of Panola College. *



*Ribbon Cutting - Panola College Board of Trustees perform the ribbon
cutting to officially open the Health and Natural Sciences building.*