History
Panola College was established June 14, 1947, and began operations in January 19, 1948 at the corner of State Highway 315 and U.S. Highway 79, where it continues to operate today. The first permanent buildings were erected in 1949.
In 1995, the adjacent counties of Harrison (excluding parts as noted above), Marion, and Shelby were added by law to Panola's designated service area. Panola operates branch locations in Marshall and Center.
The college also serves residents of nearby Louisiana parishes (as Panola County is on the state border) and United States Air Force members stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Panola's retired history professor Bill O'Neal, among his more than thirty published books, is the author of Panola Junior College: The First Twenty-Five Years (1973). He updated the volume as Panola College, 1947-1997 for the fiftieth anniversary of the institution.
The first president of Panola County Junior College was B. W. Musgraves (1948–50). He was succeeded by Floyd Boze (1950-51), M. P. Baker (1951–67), former Carthage school superintendent Q. M. Martin (1967–73), Dr. Charles Hays (1973–74), longtime PJC basketball coach Arthur M. Johnson (1974–81), Dr. Gary McDaniel (1981-92), Charles Hughes (1992-93), Dr. William Edmonson (1993-2000), and Dr. Gregory Powell, (2000-Present).
In the spring of 1948 fifty-five charter students enrolled in the initial courses. In the fall of 2012 Panola College enrollment reached 2,584 students.
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