In the week before the fall semester began, seven NE Campus alumni received Distinguished Alumni recognition.

To qualify for the award, nominees had to either graduate from the college or finish 45 credit hours no less than five years ago.

Each alumnus has achieved different successes in life. Of the group, two individuals, Michael Badejo and Keith Kohutek, have pursued careers in the health fields. Brina Palencia is working as the director for the cartoon show Dragonball Z Kai.

Kohutek received his Associate in Applied Science in respiratory care in 1988. After completing his degree at TCC, he attended Midwestern State University and received a bachelor’s in respiratory care, graduating with honors. Currently, he works for Bunnell Inc. doing in-service training and support.

Palencia attended TCC from 2000 to 2002 completing almost 100 hours of coursework in general studies and music. She went on to get her bachelor’s in music from the University of North Texas.

Frankie MacMurray Rosencrantz, a former TCC adjunct instructor, received her AAS degree in child development. During her time enrolled at TCC, her husband, a fireman, was also taking classes at the school. After TCC, she and her husband both went on to pursue bachelor’s degrees.

“My husband and I both felt really comfortable starting school here at the community college,” she said. “It was a good place to start for both of us.” 

Current adjunct instructor Richard Hutchison received his AAS degree in management development.

Hutchison said that he “enjoyed his years at TCC as a student” and that his degree from the school has helped him with a career at Bell Helicopter, where he is a senior estimator.

Nacheska Gentry-Combs received her AAS degree in business in 1988. After TCC, Gentry-Combs went on to Texas Woman’s University, where she studied dance and then went to study at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Gentry-Combs also has extensive experience in teaching dance. One person in particular that she taught was NE Campus President Larry Darlage. She taught him how to belly-dance.

Badejo received his associate degree in radiologic technology in 1996 and now operates and owns the Wisdom Healthcare clinic in Lewisville.

Badejo said TCC “became the foundation for the man I am today.”

A former editor of The Collegian, Arlan Ponder received his Associate of Arts degree in general studies in 1999 and went on to Tarleton State University graduating with a bachelor’s in communications.

Ponder said his time at TCC catapulted his life into a positive direction.

“TCC gave me the ability to move on to Tarleton State University, where I was able to work with their public information department as a writer and public relations specialist,” he said. “Today, I work with the media and serve as an editor on stories produced about the Air Force. If I hadn’t received my ‘old school’ journalism training at TCC, then I doubt I would be as successful as I am today.”