Dr. Cornell Thomas will be inaugurated as Jarvis Christian College’s 11th president in the Earl W. Rand Center on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The Jarvis Inauguration weekend of activities is scheduled for November 12-15, 2009. The Investiture Ceremony will take place at 11:00 a. m. following the Inaugural Prayer/Meditation Service in the Smith-Howard Chapel. Dr. Mike Sacken, Professor of Educational Administration at Texas Christian University, will deliver the presidential address at the Investiture Ceremony.



Special features of the Inaugural events include “Evening for the President” and the Inaugural Ball. On Friday, November 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Smith-Howard Chapel attendees will gather to enjoy a live performance by actress and professor, Dr. Tonea (Tommie) Stewart. A reception will follow the performance. The Inaugural Ball will be held at the Holiday Inn Select in Tyler, Texas on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. The ball will feature the George Faber Band of Tyler.



Dr. Thomas formerly began his service to Jarvis on January 1, 2009. Before joining the Jarvis family, he served as the System Vice President for Institutional Diversity at Oklahoma State University. Prior to his work at Oklahoma State University, he joined the Texas Christian University faculty in 1990 to serve as the Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations and Administration. He spent four years as a principal with the Dallas Independent School District. He spent two years as an assistant principal and six years as a teacher within the DISD as well.



Jarvis Christian College, a private, liberal-arts college, offers coursework in various disciplines leading to the baccalaureate degree. Located in Hawkins, Texas and founded in 1912, the College has been providing higher education opportunities for 97 years.