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| Barbara Blair Harry Lawrence, Jr. |
Lawrence retired in May, ending a 53-year career at SWTJC, while Blair continued through the summer, giving SWTJC 43 years of service.
Blair, a Carrizo Springs native, earned her Associates of Arts from SWTJC in 1967 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in history from Southwest Texas State University.
She began her career at SWTJC in 1970, and in 1976 she became the advisor of Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, where she remained until her retirement.
“That’s what I’ve enjoyed so much, working with the honor students at SWTJC,” Blair said. “It has never been boring, it has always been a challenge.”
Blair has been highly involved with Phi Theta Kappa for over 30 years, winning numerous awards, but none more distinguished than the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Service to the Texas Region, which she was awarded earlier this year.
“Barbara Blair has been a great asset to SWTJC,” said Dr. Hector Gonzales, SWTJC President. “She has helped develop many students into future leaders, especially with her commitment to the success of PTK. She will be missed.”
Life after SWTJC for Blair will be simple, playing Bridge and traveling as much as possible.
“I’ll miss being on campus and being around young people the most,” Blair added.
Lawrence a Corpus Christi native retired after the spring semester, which ended May 8.
In 1957, he graduated with his Associate of Arts from Del Mar College and earned his Bachelor of Science in 1959 and Master of Education degree in 1960 from Southwest Texas State University.
Lawrence joined the faculty in 1961 where he taught History and Government until he retired. He served as the Division Chair for Social Studies & Kinesiology from 1973 until 2014.
During his career, Lawrence also taught at Sul Ross Rio Grande College and won numerous awards including Outstanding Faculty Member Award in 1984 and Faculty Association Teaching Excellence Award in 1993.
Lawrence served under seven presidents and seven deans, taught over 18,000 students and only missed one day of work due to a wisdom tooth.
“The thing I enjoyed the most was the classroom, being able to talk to students about events in history,” Lawrence said. “History is important, you can’t understand where we are today as a society unless you know where you’ve been.”
“Harry Lawrence was an icon at SWTJC, with over 50 years of teaching experience. Every semester students were amazed at his ability to recite all their names without looking,” said Gonzales. “Both faculty members had a love for history and for Southwest Texas Junior College, their presence on campus will be missed.”
Retirement for Lawrence will allow him to do what he loves most, read and keep up with national politics, maybe drop by SWTJC and say “hello” once in a while.
Southwest Texas Junior College will not be the same without them.
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