Phi Theta Kappa’s 40 Stories for 40 Years project is now complete, and the full video series is ready for the NTCC community to enjoy. Over the past several months, PTK students have worked diligently to collect, film, and edit 40 heartfelt stories from individuals whose lives have been touched by NTCC. This conversational series beautifully reflects what so many already know to be true — that NTCC feels like a family, and its impact extends far beyond the classroom.
Dr. Melissa Fulgham, NTCC's lead PTK advisor, expressed her appreciation for the many people who contributed to this anniversary project and praised the students who brought it to life. “Happy 40th Anniversary NTCC! Please enjoy this conversational collection of stories gathered by Phi Theta Kappa students, who filmed and edited the series,” she said. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, and I’m incredibly proud of the students whose hard work and dedication resulted in a project that will become a meaningful part of NTCC’s historical record.”
You can view the YouTube Channel at www.ntcc.edu/40stories or clink one of the links below to go directly to individual stories:
Dr. Ron Clinton – College President Emeritus. Original faculty member in music excited at the opportunity to build up a new music program. Interviewed while in Greece. Noted the growth of the college with more students and more faculty. Impact of the college on the region and strong community support has made working there very rewarding.
https://youtu.be/h_bTcuWjJcQ
Dr. Kevin Rose – College President. Dual credit enrolled NTCC student. Faculty member in computer science. Administrator. Newest college president. Students at NTCC have made it a joy and what kept bringing him back. Mentions “arena registration” and how that has shifted. Grateful for the college and its impact on students.
https://youtu.be/O6Cc0zZ423M
Dr. Jon McCullough – Executive Vice President for Advancement. Liaison with Shelby International in Las Vegas and the Shelby Automotive Program at NTCC. Shares stories about Mrs. Whatley’s donation (largest unrestricted gift to a community college at the time), the Biggers mural restoration, and the largest intact local collection of Caddo pottery in the world.
https://youtu.be/hCxlpgAHu7I
Dr. Anna Ingram – Vice President of Instruction. Started as an adjunct. First Director of Dual Credit before moving into other roles. Notes significant dual credit enrollment growth. Enjoys working with NTCC faculty and students.
https://youtu.be/ybebPjFqcZo
Dr. Doug Richey – Original math faculty member, still teaches here. Loves working with students. Found a place where he can make a difference.
https://youtu.be/2rM0J1sJKUU
Jimmy Smith – Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Training. Former NTCC dual credit high school student and graduation speaker. Returned to work close to family and community; describes NTCC as “one big family.” Works to keep the college engaged in the community.
https://youtu.be/lk0Ca0pfiVI
Dr. Shirley Clay and Dr. Karyn Skaar – Department Chairs, Psychology. One original faculty member and one current. Share stories of NTCC making things possible, including putting chairs together the night before classes began. Originally had no offices—just open spaces.
https://youtu.be/G6o6ZrYDPt8
Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner Fulgham – Department Chair, Humanities & Social Sciences. Big Sandy native who left a tenure track university job, became a stay-at-home mom, and later returned to teaching near home. Notes that NTCC truly demonstrates care for students.
https://youtu.be/DojwlEY3kGo
José Fuentes and Andrew Higgins – PTK Texas Region District III Vice President and Chapter Vice President of Honors in Action. Current students who explain why they chose NTCC. Share great classroom experiences and strong connections with faculty.
https://youtu.be/k2aB9_S9C2c
Tony Whitworth – Instructor, Carroll Shelby Automotive Program. Previously worked for Carroll Shelby. Shares story of a car built for racing in Mexico. Notes that no other institution bears Shelby’s signature. Students stay industry-current and attend SEMA.
https://youtu.be/lWqXsx6TFx4
Jim Swann – Retired Professor of Spanish. Winnsboro graduate who taught Spanish after a decade in Mexico. Started as adjunct, later full-time. Proud of helping grow the program and hiring great people like Anna Ingram and Sergio Sanchez.
https://youtu.be/EjM_THFCHMM
Dr. Miles Young and Ryan Rose Young – Dean of Workforce. Former home-schooled and former dual credit students who met years later and married. Share amusing stories including a personalized license plate.
https://youtu.be/aDBeY1Uulso
Dr. Tom Seabourne – Professor of Health & Physical Education. Shares story of NTCC’s Guinness World Record for stationary biking. Mentions martial arts, tennis, pickleball, and a former student who signed with the UFC.
https://youtu.be/HKckYxXahjc
Chad Elledge – NTCC Board of Trustees. Former student and PTK member who later earned a Computer Science degree from Texas A&M. Experienced faculty who emphasized learning how to learn and lifelong learning.
https://youtu.be/K5nwM1lm_vU
Jeffrey Gardzina – Director of Plant Services. Came as a volunteer Workamper after working in the corporate sector. Loves working with NTCC faculty and students. Notes the unique family atmosphere.
https://youtu.be/vzEoDYxAvM0
Gaylon Barrett – Dean of Health Sciences. Came from the corporate world into NTCC’s Medical Lab Technology program. Inspired by student success. Excited about equipment gained through grants. Notes need for more space as programs grow. NTCC feels like one big family.
https://youtu.be/7qwA7DTph2A
Naomi Stanford – Director of College Store. Former dual credit student who loved theatre and honors. Returned to work at NTCC because of her positive student experience.
https://youtu.be/_rwXceADUXE
Mallory Isham – Director, MLT Program. Came to NTCC as a student and later returned as an instructor after working in a hospital. Appreciates the close-knit rural college environment.
https://youtu.be/URf0k_JfzEI
Athena Hayes – Title V Grant Director. Came to NTCC as a student. Describes NTCC’s community, welcoming environment, and how faculty/staff go above and beyond.
https://youtu.be/T3vlUmUKOIg
Dr. Andrew Daniel – Department Chair, Performing & Creative Arts. Began teaching adjunct while visiting family. After a decade touring as a classical guitarist, found NTCC a great place to teach. Plays a requested guitar piece at the end.
https://youtu.be/8C_9fAUmabg
JaQuacy Minter and Zachariah Branham – Director of Student Development and Community Engagement & Care Center Coordinator. Share family ties to the area and growth in SGA and the Care Center. Emphasize NTCC’s kindness and compassion.
https://youtu.be/DkaJz99CeuI
Dr. Jerry Wesson – Original Dean of Student Services. One of four founders before construction began. Previously helped found El Centro College in Dallas. Author of Miracle on FM 1735.
https://youtu.be/7w4rXgUV3VQ
Kaye Brison – NTCC Foundation Board of Directors. Calls NTCC a “diamond” and the place students should choose. Praises Work4College and scholarships.
https://youtu.be/dJUfQpC9a4E
Brenda Godoy – Fourth-year medical student at UNTHSC Fort Worth. Former NTCC Honors student and Jack Kent Cooke Scholar. Appreciated mentorship and strong faculty relationships.
https://youtu.be/wEKJmqeNOHQ
Mandy Smith – Department Chair, Communications. Journalism & English professor. Former non-traditional student. Joined NTCC at age 50. Says NTCC cares deeply about student success regardless of background.
https://youtu.be/IhZu7CNyWmQ
Dr. Andrew Yox – Honors Director. Drawn to the area’s stability. Discusses the beginnings of NTCC Honors under Dr. Charles Florio. Notes strong faculty-student relationships.
https://youtu.be/pPEFTMMdHFo
Daniel Landaverde Marsh – Cybersecurity. Graduate student at UT Dallas. Jack Kent Cooke Scholar. NTCC helped him come out of his shell and prepared him well to transfer and work.
https://youtu.be/T0YlytiaULY
Dr. Page Petrucka and Jill Bradley – Theatre Director and Technical Theatre Coordinator. Describe returning after the program struggled during COVID. Rebuilt it with community support.
https://youtu.be/NhbPPcoq9GQ
Jodi Pack – Director of Marketing and Public Information. Originally from Mount Pleasant. Returned home after college. Discusses NTCC branding and the bond election.
https://youtu.be/GOpu7zMiBPY
Rebecca Gardner – Director of Funeral Services. Felt welcomed during her interview; NTCC immediately felt like family.
https://youtu.be/gLl1xnXJKbc
Brandi Cave – Vice President for Administrative Services. Former NTCC student who valued having a local college while raising a young child.
https://youtu.be/ppyx0EFiT9U
Matt Homer – Government Instructor. Worked in politics for 20 years before returning home.
https://youtu.be/jnDtTVNNTjg
Mason May – Work4College Director / Alumni Relations Coordinator. Former NTCC student. Returned after working elsewhere. Discusses Work4College.
https://youtu.be/NE_bg2aq1nM
John Russo – Visually impaired history professor. Started as a tutor and now teaches. Introduces Joey, his guide dog. Loves seeing student transformation.
https://youtu.be/9RPdfBKz8Cc
Alan Carter – Original accounting faculty member, still teaching. NTCC recruited him. Notes shift from older to younger student demographics.
https://youtu.be/C7MTrTqdblI
Billi Jo Thomas – Associate Dean of Outreach Services / Executive Director of CIS. Former high school NTCC student. Says the family feel persists even as people change.
https://youtu.be/2owPT0fiJxU
Stacy Ratliff – NTCC Foundation Board of Directors. Second-year NTCC student originally. Appreciated a strong academic foundation and is impressed by growth.
https://youtu.be/aCvQrqEtrZ0
Cindy Stansell – Director of Counseling Services. Former NTCC non-traditional student, school counselor, and therapist. Appreciates genuine care across campus.
https://youtu.be/-ZhMuUx8sHY
Chief Russell Radke – NTCC Police Chief. Shares decades of law enforcement experience and describes building a true police department rather than just campus security.
https://youtu.be/0gZ4JpsWGBU
Dr. Maryna Svirska Otero – Professor of Spanish / Director of Education. Came to NTCC as a student months after immigrating to the U.S. Loves coming to NTCC every day.
https://youtu.be/jJHUSkGKEBM
Stephani Calderon – Consultant, Accenture. Former NTCC student. Jack Kent Cooke Scholar. Grateful for opportunities at NTCC.
https://youtu.be/lVJeOnaZQL8
Rex Allen – Retired Professor of Government. Notes major dual credit growth and travel program expansion. Says NTCC’s best feature is its people.
https://youtu.be/Og8CC19pVB8
A PTK Student Conversation – A dozen Phi Theta Kappa members share why they chose NTCC, the friendships they formed, and how NTCC helped them gain confidence and leadership skills.
https://youtu.be/6_7amX7LDio
