According to a†report released last week†on the†economic impact of higher education in the state of Texas, the colleges and universities in Texas†have a combined economic impact equivalent to nearly 11% of the state's gross state product.†The†study†combined†three sectors (Public Universities, Community and Technical Colleges, and Independent Universities) of higher education in Texas†and concluded they are highly significant†drivers of the state's growing economy.

"While this report looks at the the state as a whole, it confirms that communities and individuals benefit†greatly†from

Wright Patman, the Congressman from Hughes Springs from 1929-1976, served the interests of many Northeast Texans in Washington, representing our state?s first district.

The Northeast Texas Community College Foundation recently received a $500 gift to benefit a student majoring in fine arts. This scholarship, contributed by the Fine Arts Club of Mount Pleasant, is one of the longest running scholarships at NTCC (established 1985).†Pictured, Melba Spann (left) and Deloris O'Connor (right) present the gift to Dr. Jonathan McCullough, NTCC Vice President for Advancement. For more information about this or other scholarships at NTCC, please contact McCullough at 903-434-8115.

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Michael Brown (right) recently gave $500 to the Northeast Texas Community College Foundation on behalf of his organization, Team Arise. The funds will establish a scholarship to benefit NTCC students who are veterans or children of veterans. Dr. Jonathan McCullough, NTCC Vice President for Advancement, is pictured receiving the gift. To learn more about this and other scholarships at NTCC, please contact McCullough at 903-434-8115.†

Bestselling author and motivational speaker, Laura Schroff, spoke at the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts this week. The Northeast Texas Community College Foundation sponsored the event as part of its annual Distinguished Lecture Series. Schroff shared the inspirational true story behind her book,†An Invisible Thread, which shot to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List after its release in 2011.

Perhaps the most revered and controversial Northeast Texas legend of all time is the story of Harriet Potter Ames.† In 1959 it was immortalized in an international best-seller,†Love is a Wild Assault,†by Elithe Kirkland.† It is a tale with Shakespearean dimensions that plays out against the backdrop of the Texas Revolution, and Caddo Lake.

In a cinematic version of the story,†Northeast Texas Community College's Walter Webb Society under the auspices of Honors Northeast will re-present the story on Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.