NCTC Centennial Gala
NCTC CENTENNIAL FOUNDATION GALA HONORS DONORS
GAINESVILLE – The North Central Texas College Foundation held its annual Starlite Gala Saturday, April 6th, 2024, honoring individuals and organizations that have given of their time and resources to further NCTC and their local communities. With this year being NCTC’s 100th Anniversary, the event honored donors, students, and community members who have been pivotal in the college’s success.
The Centennial Starlite Gala was held at the WinStar Convention Center with over 500 guests in attendance.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD— The F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni award was presented to Tim and Sherry Sicking. L to R: Karen Hauser, NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler, Sherry Sicking, Tim Sicking, NCTC Board of Regents member Dr. Lisa Bellows, NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace.
The F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that can be granted to graduates and former students of NCTC. The NCTC Foundation established this award thirty years ago, fittingly named in honor of the college’s distinguished president of the Class of 1926. In honor of the Centennial anniversary, NCTC elected to honor a couple with this award. This year’s F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Tim & Sherry Sicking.
Tim Sicking entered the oilfield industry at Halliburton yard after graduation form NCTC. When it closed, he established his own oilfield service company with only one employee, who is still employed there today. The company has now expanded into three states and employs nearly three-hundred people. He serves as not only an employer but a true helping hand to each employee.
Sherry Sicking is a true educator, with over 30 years of teaching in the Gainesville Independent School District. Currently, she teaches a womens Sunday school class at Crossroads Baptist Church as well as Junior church bible lessons.
Both Tim and Sherry Sicking have been active members and supporters of the community. They have driven the church bus for 35 years, taken countless children to church and paid for them to summer church camp. Sherry also serves with the Boys and Girls Club and is a member of the Morton Museum Board. The couple also supports the local youth and community through the Cooke County Livestock Show, donating to the new Cooke County Boys and Girls Club Center, hosting Medal of Honor recipients and Gold Star families in their home, providing funds and land to assist with the relocation of the Crossroads Baptist Church, and donating to allow numerous student the opportunity to get their education.
The NCTC Foundation established the Ed Wright Community Service Award to recognize individuals, organizations, and/or businesses for meritorious service to the college and/or the community.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD— Valley Creek Church, Pastor Brian Schoenhofer – Valley Creek Church Gainesville was presented the Ed Wright Community Service award for Cooke County at the NCTC Starlite Gala, Pastor Brian Schoenhofer represented the church in accepting this award. L TO R: NCTC Foundation Board President Phil Neelley, NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler, Pastor Brian Schoenhofer, NCTC Foundation Board member Karon Sullivant, NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace.
The Ed Wright Community Service Award for Cooke County was presented to Valley Creek Church Gainesville, represented by Pastor Brian Schoenhofer.
Valley Creek Church has become a strong partner with NCTC; supporting the college by providing financial resources, volunteers and expertise. They have made significant contributions to the beautification of the Gainesville Campus including cleaning, decorating and landscaping the Student Union lounge area with native plants. Planting native plants and applying cypress mulch along the front of the new Equine dorms. Adding outdoor seating and decorating the interior of the Equine Recreation Center.
Valley Creek Church has also helped NCTC address food insecurity by outfitting the food pantry with food and organizing the shelving units to provide easy access to the food by students. The church also provides spiritual support for NCTC students and provided 300 goody bags for faculty and staff across three NCTC campuses. In addition, they provided welcome bags with food and products to over 135 dorm students and offer lunches to NCTC students on various occasions.
In addition, the church has been instrumental throughout Gainesville helping with other community projects including the playground at BP Douglas Park, re-mulching playground at Leonard Park, cleanup at the Medal of Honor Trail, partnering with VISTO and make-over at several teacher’s lounges at local school districts.
The award for Montague County was presented to Nancy Blackmon.
Nancy has dedicated her life to education; spending over 24 years helping educate the youth in the community to her own family’s future by ensuring her four grandchildren successfully finished their college careers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD— Nancy Blackmon – Nancy Blackmon was presented the Ed Wright Community Service award for Montague County at the NCTC Starlite Gala. L TO R: David Blackmon, Foundation Board President Phil Neelley, Nancy Blackmon, NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler, Barbara Wingham, NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace.
As a Texas native born in Galveston, she completed her elementary teaching education at the University of Texas as her mother was also an alum. While her high school sweetheart, George, attended Texas A&M University they married shortly after graduation. Being back in Montague County was always her family’s ultimate goal after various agricultural projects took them to Costa Rica.
Together her and her late husband of 50 years have supported the Bowie and Montague County area schools, Montague County Youth livestock fair, the Bowie hospital, and today, her and her son remain involved in the ranching and farming industry.
Nancy has been a North Central Texas College Montague County Foundation board member and supporter since 2014. “(Nancy) is a passionate, fun-loving person who has always put education at the forefront in life.” Barbara Winingham said while presenting Nancy with the award.
She can be seen cheering on the Red River Promise program with her fellow Foundation board members, welcoming guests at Dancing to the Stars fundraiser, working with Retired Teachers Association, Amity Club, and staying active in the community. It is her wish to help the youth have a better life through education and knowledge.
The service award for the Graham campus went to Diane Cody.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD— Diane Cody – Diane Cody was presented the Ed Wright Community Service award for Graham at the NCTC Starlite Gala. L TO R: NCTC Foundation Board President Phil Neelley, NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler, Diane Cody, Ellen Morris, NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace.
Diane Cody has faithfully advocated for and supported education in the Graham community – from her time as a counselor with Graham ISD and her efforts in establishing an NCTC Campus in Graham in 2009 to her work on the NCTC Foundation Board.
Diane was an active member of the NCTC Graham Foundation Board from 2010 through 2021. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Shoot Out on the Prairie that raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for Graham students and she has provided leadership to the foundation board and campus to help students. She also serves as a UIL Contest Manager for one act play contests and workshop. Ellen Morris remarked “Her dedication to education, the Graham community, and NCTC is inspiring.”
The service award for Denton County was presented to Frank and Dorothy Knapp.
Frank and Dorothy Knapp are a community focused couple that volunteer their time and resources to help their community and the college.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD— Frank and Dorothy Knapp – Frank and Dorothy Knapp were presented the Ed Wright Community Service award for Denton County at the NCTC Starlite Gala. L TO R: NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace, Frank Knapp, Dorothy Knapp, Don McDaniel, Foundation Board President Phil Neelley. NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler.
When they moved to Texas in 1984, they worked as election judge and head clerk during early voting at the Corinth City Hall for 14 years. They have assisted with Federal, State, County and city elections over the past 34 years. The couple also volunteered at Denton Christian Preschool in Denton, riding the bus to pick up and drop off children, helping teachers in the classroom and during the lunch time.
Frank and Dorothy have also volunteered for nine years at University of North Texas in the Registrar’s Office during registration for the Spring and Fall Semesters helping new students navigate the campus and find their way. They also assisted in the computer, lab helping students register for classes and student loans.
The couple have volunteered for the City of Corinth helping out at the Annual Fishing Derby at Meadowview Pond, Meet Santa Claus at Christmas, Easter Egg Hunt and Pumpkin Palooza. They are volunteers in Police Service and drive the Citizens on Patrol police car helping with vacation watches, directing traffic at accident scenes, blocking streets during parades, and patroling parking lots during events.
This couple has also provided funding to help NCTC students with scholarships and emergency funding.
NCTC Foundation Board President Phil Neelley, along with NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace and NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler recognized inductees into the NCTC Foundation Honor Circle.
Members of the Patrons Honors Circle who have given between $1,000 and $4,999 included: ABBA Women’s Center, Ben and Shawna Hawkins, Bill and Debra Russell, Janis & Joe Crawley, Cathy Carney, Dr. Graham Cox, Dr. Jane Hickerson, Drs. Doug and Diana Elrod, Ellen Black, Herr Business Forms, Flower Mound Firefighters Foundation represented by Gregory Jungman, Jerry Rogers, Justin Hawkins, Karen and Eugene Marcotte, Katherine Jagoe Massey (honoring Dr. Ann S. Jagoe), Ken Blanton Insurance, Leslie and Jason Appling, Mary Martinson, Michael Gehrig, Mike and Sharon Murphree, Patricia A. Johnson, PHI Heating & Air, Plyler Construction, Rotary Club of Nocona Texas, Sara Merlene-Kluth, Shawna and Robby Ayers, St. Mary’s Church Father represented by John Pacheco, and WL Plastics.
Inductees into the Benefactors Honor Circle, who have given between $5,000 and $9,999, included: DATCU, Debbie and Larry Huffman, Denton County Farm Bureau, Dr. Magen Bunyard, Era Education Foundation, Quasar Energy Services, Inc., Strategic Technology Partners of Texas, and Thomsen Foundation.
The Founders Honors Circle, including inductees who have given between $10,000 and $19,999, included: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Frisco, Callisburg Independent School District, Janet McMurray, James Collier Cooksey, and Rod and Ramona Tyler.
Bronze Honors Circle inductees, who provided gifts between $20,000 and $29,999, included: Lindsay Independent School District and Lynn C. Peters.
Inducted into the Sterling Silver Honors Circle for gifts between $30,000 and $39,999 was Linda Truitt Creagh.
Pure Gold Honors Circle inductees, who provided gifts between $40,000 and $49,999, included: Gainesville Kiwanis Club and Pilot Point Educational Foundation.
Inducted into the Blue-Chip Honors Circle for gifts over $100,000 included: Bruce and Donna Street, Lewisville ISD Education Foundation, Inc., and Wm. A. “Bill” Adams.
Dr. Wallace thanked those in attendance for their support of the college, the NCTC Foundation, and especially for the students. “The student stories you have heard this evening are the full reason that NCTC exists. We have always had a heart for our students.”
The program was followed by entertainment which featured the dueling pianos group “Felix & Fingers” to finish out the night with music of all genres for everyone attending to sing along.
For more information about helping provide scholarships through donations to the NCTC Foundation or about membership in the NCTC Alumni Association, contact Debbie Sharp by email at dsharp@nctc.edu.