EPPICH

Tyler Junior College is set to begin training future anthropologists.

Dr. Keith Eppich recently joined the full-time faculty at TJC, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in anthropology and archaeology to the classroom. He holds multiple degrees from Louisiana State University and San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University.

Eppich joined his first archaeological project at age 8 at Bedico Creek, Louisiana. Since then, he has excavated Tchefuncte shell mounds, Pleistocene bone beds, antebellum plantations, California missions, Chumash campsites and ancient Maya cities.

With his co-directors, he heads the Proyecto Arqueolgico Waka’, a large-scale and long-term archaeological project in northwestern Guatemala, at the ruined city of El Peru-Waka’.

There he excavated one of the seven great tombs from the site and is involved in planning a major presentation of these materials in North Texas.

Eppich holds bachelor’s degrees in history and anthropology as well as a master’s in education from Louisiana State University, a master’s in anthropology from San Diego State University and a master’s and doctorate in anthropology from Southern Methodist University.

He specializes in the study of the Classic Maya ceramic arts, Native American urbanism and the Mesoamerican economy. He has recently published on all three.

He is the author of the forthcoming volume “Lineage and State at El Peru-Waka’: Ceramics and the Social History of the Classic Maya City-State” and the co-editor of “Breath and Smoke: Tobacco Among the Maya.”

“We are excited to add anthropology to our curriculum, and with Dr. Eppich’s experience, these classes will be fascinating to the students,” History/Geography Department Chair Dr. Jeffrey Owens said. “We’re always looking to build the credentials, abilities and breadth of our faculty.”

— TJC Communications

TJC announces new leadership roles for Renfro, Drain

Tyler Junior College has named two associate vice provosts for the college. Dr. Bryan Renfro, formerly dean of the TJC School of Professional and Technical Programs, has been named associate vice provost for academic and workforce affairs; and Dr. Tim Drain, formerly assistant vice president for athletics and student life, has been named associate vice provost for student affairs.

Renfro joined TJC in August of 2016 as dean of the School of Professional and Technical Programs.

He had previously served as dean of business and public services at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa; instructional chair/assistant dean at Colorado Mountain College-Timberline Campus; forensic science and law enforcement instructor at Ben Barber Career and Technical Academy in Mansfield; public safety academy specialist at Tarrant County College; and criminal justice department chair at Northwest Arkansas Community College.

He has completed his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University and doctoral coursework in Environmental Dynamics from the University of Arkansas.

He holds a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Arkansas; has completed additional graduate work in criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati; and earned his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Tennessee.

As associate vice provost for academic and workforce affairs, Renfro will provide leadership in a broader scope for all instructional programs.

Drain, a 20-year TJC athletics administrator, has served as assistant vice president for athletics and student life since 2015. He has also been the College’s athletic director since 2002.

TJC has won a total of 60 NJCAA National Championships since 1946, with 33 of those during Drain’s tenure.

Since 2011, the TJC athletics program has finished second four times and third twice in the NATYCAA (National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators) Cup Standings.

He is also a voting member in the football, women’s basketball, softball and women’s soccer NJCAA National Polls and in 2018, Region XIV selected Drain as their representative to the newly created NJCAA Board of Regents, and he was elected as Vice Chair by the Board.

He has been honored as an Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year three times (2012, 2015 and 2018). Drain earned his bachelor’s and master’s in kinesiology from Texas A&M, and also earned his doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M.

As associate vice provost for student affairs, Drain’s duties will be expanded to promote student success for the entire student body at the College.

Through the transition, the college has named TJC Associate Director of Athletics Chuck Smith to serve as interim athletic director while the search for a permanent AD takes place. Smith joined TJC in 2006.

“I am proud of the commitment of these leaders at the College, and I am confident they will be instrumental in the continued recognition of the College at the national level,” TJC President for Branch Locations and District Provost Dr. Juan E. Mejia said.

— TJC Communications

200 expected to speak in new success conference at UT Tyler

Jerry Ashworth wasn’t always interested in a career in the health care industry, but now after 25 years in health care administration, the senior vice president and chief executive officer of TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital can’t imagine doing anything else.

Ashworth will share his success story on Thursday, Sept. 6 as one of 200 speakers featured at The University of Texas at Tyler Career Success Conference.

Student success is a pillar of UT Tyler’s new strategic plan, and the conference is a part of the university’s student success initiatives.

Other speakers include John Soules, founder of John Soules Foods Inc.; Dr. Debra Herd, director of talent management and learning, Comerica Bank; and Jonathan Jones, owner, Jonathan Jones Speaks.

The conference is designed to provide a forum for students to learn success strate gies from top leaders across the nation.

Ashworth, who holds a Master of Business Administration from UT Tyler, spent the majority of his career in the Tyler area, working his way up into a number of leadership roles for Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System.

“UT Tyler is a big part of my educational journey, and I am honored to be included in this conference and excited to share a bit of my journey with students in hopes that it inspires them in their careers,” he said.

Almost four years ago, Ashworth left his comfort zone of Christus Trinity Mother Frances and Tyler and embarked on a new path in the health care industry — a leadership position at one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.

While Ashworth admitted he was nervous to leave an environment in which he was very comfortable and move to a new place and a new area of the health care industry, he says it has been the best career decision he’s ever made.

“I think a valuable lesson is that you need to be willing to take a chance, explore new opportunities and not be afraid of failing if you want to be successful,” he said.

“Growing up in Whitehouse, it never crossed my mind that I would be in the role that I am today. I never even thought about it when I started my career in health care. I want to continue to help TIRR grow and evolve the industry. So, in my mind, I still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do before I achieve my definition of success.”

For more information about the Career Success Conference, contact careersuccess@uttyler.edu or visit uttyler.edu/conference18.

— UT Tyler Communications