New Mexico Junior College - Thunderbird Yearbook (Hobbs, NM)

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V X I In 'I A . Pannell Is The First President The New Mexico junior College President is the chief executive officer of the college board, and the administra- tive head of all divisions and departments. He may delegate responsibility for the operation of the various segments ofthe college, but he shall bc responsible to the board for the results achieved. Dr. H. C. Pannell, retired public school superintendent of Lovington, New Mexico, is the first president of the first junior college in the Land of Enchantment-Home of the Thunderbirds.

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New Mexico Junior College is a unique development in education. The junior college came into existence july 1, 1965. The establishment ofthe school culminated more than twelve years of effort from the people ofLea County, New Mexico. With the passage and enactment of the 1963 junior College Act by the New Mexico Legislature, the people of Lea County began to immediately carry out the pro- visions of the legislation. This action provided an unusual and unique experience for the people of New Mexico. It gave them the opportunity to voluntarily tax themselves to support two years of education beyond high school. October 28, 1964 saw the first election to establish a junior college district in Lea County. It was necessary, under enabling legislation, for each of the five districts within the junior college district to approve the school by at least 15 per cent majority. On januaiy 20, 1965-in a second election-Hobbs, Lovington, Eunice, and Tatum overwhelmingly approved the creation of New Mexico junior College. The beautifully landscaped college is located on a 252 acre campus three miles northwest ofllobbs, New Mexico and Sixteen miles southeast ofLovington, New Mexico on state highway 18. This first edition of the NMIC Thun- derbird has attempted to capture a year ofbuilding.

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