TJC Alumni Association

09/18/2026

A proud TJC alum, Byron Tunnell served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1957 to 1965 and became Speaker of the Texas House from 1963–1965. He later served on the Texas Railroad Commission from 1965 to 1973, playing a role in Texas energy policy during a pivotal time in the state’s history.

His path to public service began with education. After graduating from TJC, Tunnell served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II. In 1952, he earned his law degree from Baylor Law School and returned to Tyler, where he worked as an assistant district attorney before entering private practice.

His commitment to Texas continued throughout his life. In 1995, Governor George W. Bush appointed Tunnell to the State Conservatorship Board, where he helped oversee efforts to reorganize the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

09/17/2026

🎉 TODAY’S THE DAY! 🎉

TJC is 100 years old! 🖤💛

For a century, Tyler Junior College has been changing lives, strengthening our community and helping students soar.

Today, we celebrate 100 years of TJC AND TJC Giving Day! 🎓

With record enrollment, it's even more important to raise money for scholarships. Our goal is to raise $19,260 for the TJC Impact Scholarship Fund, helping make a TJC education more accessible for students.

Help us make a big impact during this big celebration by giving today!

🎂 100 years. 1 legacy. $19,260 goal.

👉 Give today: https://spearhead.tjc.edu/TJCGivingDay

09/17/2026

In today's special episode of TJC Talks 1926, we sit down with Dr. Juan E. Mejia, President of Tyler Junior College, to discuss leadership, legacy, and the power of community colleges to transform lives. Since becoming TJC’s seventh president in 2019, Dr. Mejia has championed a culture of excellence, access, and authentic caring — guiding one of Texas’s premier institutions into a bold new era.

Join us as Dr. Mejia shares his journey from first-generation college student to visionary college president, his philosophy on leadership and empowerment, and how TJC is preparing the next generation of leaders for East Texas and beyond.

09/16/2026

Join us tomorrow night at True Vine!

We’re thrilled to welcome TJC alumnus Rafael Espinoza and The Rockabilly Railroad to our Centennial Community Celebration this Thursday! Mark your calendars!

09/16/2026

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY of TJC Giving Day! Join us tomorrow night as we celebrate 100 years of TJC and come together to make an impact for the next generation of Apaches! Give $19.26 or more to the TJC Impact Scholarship Fund and help students reach their educational goals. Make an impact today: http://tjc.edu/givingday

09/15/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome TJC alumnus Rafael Espinoza and The Rockabilly Railroad to our Centennial Community Celebration this Thursday! Mark your calendars!

09/15/2026

From walking home with friends after class to studying abroad in Mexico as one of the first participants in a Good Neighbor student exchange program, Helen Tedford Emison '27 embraced every opportunity TJC offered. A Spanish major, Helen credited TJC's outstanding faculty with shaping her future and giving her the confidence to find her voice. Whether working on the Alcalde yearbook, supporting Las Mas drama productions behind the scenes, or pursuing a career in education, Helen lived by her mother's advice: "Anything worth doing is worth doing well."

After receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and graduate studies at Southern Methodist University, she taught in the Irving school district.

09/11/2026

Dr. Earl Gaston exemplified a lifetime of service that began at Tyler Junior College. A member of TJC's first graduating class in 1927, he played on the basketball team in the old high school gymnasium and served as vice president of Las Mascaras before continuing his education at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

After marrying his lifelong partner, Mattie Tadlock, in 1937, the two opened a medical practice in Falfurrias, where Mattie worked alongside him as nurse, medical technologist, bookkeeper, and receptionist. During World War II, Dr. Gaston served aboard the USS Baltimore in the Pacific Theater before settling in Kingsville, where he spent more than four decades with the Kingsville Clinic as part of a remarkable 63-year medical career.

A proud TJC alumnus, Dr. Gaston returned to campus in 2001 for the unveiling of the historical marker beside Jenkins Hall during the College's 75th Founders Day observance.

09/10/2026

TJC had a visit from alumna and local celebrity, Katie Vossler KLTV today. She explained to the STEM club about her journey through meteorology and broadcasting.

One of our favorite stories was when she worked for a news station in Tulsa and was following a tornado on the ground. Except she was in a helicopter. The pilot turned to her and asked “Are you ok if we go in a different direction now? We are starting to get pulled into the tornado.” Of course she said yes!

09/10/2026

TJC had a visit from alumna and local celebrity, Katie Vossler KLTV today. She explained to the STEM club about her journey through meteorology and broadcasting.

One of our favorite stories was when she worked for a new station in Tulsa and was following a tornado on the ground. Except she was in a helicopter. The pilot turned to her and asked “Are you ok if we go in a different direction now? We are starting to get pulled into the tornado.” Of course she said yes!