TJC South, Rusk location growing thanks to Perkins Family Foundation gift

Rusk, Texas — Educational opportunities in Rusk, Cherokee County, and surrounding communities are expanding as Tyler Junior College officially broke ground on the new TJC South: Perkins Family Education Center in Rusk, Texas, on Friday (Oct. 30).

“Today, we’re here to celebrate Margaret, Jim, Laura, and James Perkins; the Perkins Family Foundation, and everyone from Citizens 1st Bank; these are champions who lead by paying it forward, and they truly do it so very well,” said Dr. Juan E. Mejia, president and CEO of TJC. “We’re so very grateful to you for making this facility a reality and for making it available to this beautiful community; this is so very important.”

The new TJC South: Perkins Family Education Center will be located on the southeast corner of the courthouse square in Rusk, at 175 S. Henderson St. It will serve Rusk and surrounding communities with healthcare courses in the College’s LVN and ADN nursing programs. Construction of the new facility is being underwritten by a special line-item appropriation from the State of Texas and through private contributions.

East Texas philanthropist Margaret Perkins thanked TJC for working with the Perkins Family Foundation more than a decade ago to create the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise Scholarship — the first of its kind in Texas — which has paid for more than 500 Rusk students to attend the College for two years.

“We’ve been confident in TJC since the Promise program began in 2014,” Perkins said. “And we are proud to be part of TJC’s future because the nursing courses offered in this building will be a segue for students interested in pursuing careers in the medical industry. We know this partnership will be a rewarding one.”

The new Perkins Family Education Center will be part of the TJC South facility, which originated when the Perkins Family donated a 6,700-square-foot building on S. Henderson Street in March of 2025. That building is known by many as “the train building,” as it features a mural of the historic Texas State Railroad, a 25-mile heritage railroad that runs between Rusk and Palestine.

Mitch Andrews, TJC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and Chief Advancement Officer, praised the Perkins family for their vision in support of the College.

“Margaret and Jim Perkins and their family are, once again, leading the way, bringing higher education opportunities to the citizens of Rusk and Cherokee County,” Andrews said. “Their contributions have helped Rusk High School graduates achieve their educational goals for more than a decade. We are truly blessed by their generosity and leadership.”

Andrews added that the new facility will make it even easier for regional students to take advantage of the scholarship opportunity without needing to travel to complete their education.

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Photo 1

Representatives of TJC and the Perkins Family Foundation at Friday’s groundbreaking for the new TJC South: Perkins Family Education Center, (L to R): David Hudson, TJC Trustee; Paul Latta, TJC Board of Trustees Second Vice President; Peggy Smith, TJC Trustee; Margaret Perkins; Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC President & CEO; Laura Perkins; Lonny Uzzell, TJC Board of Trustees President; and Clint Roxburgh, TJC Board of Trustees First Vice President.

About TJC

 

Tyler Junior College is a comprehensive public community college located in East Texas. It was founded in 1926 and is celebrating its 100^th anniversary, offering a wide range of programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificates, and workforce or vocational training. TJC offers more than 140 programs of study in areas including arts, sciences, health professions, business, technology and trades, and it helps both traditional students and adult learners.

TJC serves almost 23,000 students annually across its credit and non-credit programs, with more than 19,000 in credit programs and nearly 4,000 in continuing studies. TJC strives to provide an outstanding educational experience that prepares students for success in their careers and communities.

Throughout its 145-acre central campus and multiple sites, TJC features rigorous academics, 70 national athletic championships, stellar fine and performing arts programs, modern residential facilities, along with organizations and clubs that promote student engagement and diversity.

For more information visit: TJC.edu.