Thankfulness for Frank Phillips’ Founders
As Frank Phillips College celebrates its 75th year of operation, the college is honoring, remembering, and giving thanks for its history and the founders of the college who made academic and workforce opportunities available to so many residents in the Texas panhandle.
In 1946, through the leadership, foresight and vision of the Borger ISD Board of Regents and other community leaders, a petition was initiated and signed by 167 citizens for the purpose of calling an election to issue bonds to support the creation of the Borger Junior College District. Because Phillips Petroleum Company had extensive holdings in the Borger area, the board requested and received permission from Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum, to nickname the college Frank Phillips College.
Under the guidance of Borger ISD Board President, L. J. Roberts, and Borger ISD Superintendent C. A. Cryer, an election was held on June 15, 1946, with 96% of voters supporting the proposition. But the work to officially open the college doors was just beginning.
In March 1948, recognizing the importance of college classes, leaders from the Spring Creek Common School District petitioned to be annexed into the college district. The petition was approved, and Spring Creek became the first non-Borger district to join the college.
The Board understood the need to organize and develop all the functions of a local community college and authorized the hiring of J. W. Dillard as the first dean of the college. Mr. Dillard served under the direction of Superintendent Cryer who also functioned as the first president of the college until July 1, 1955, when Mr. Dillard was named as the second president of the college.
One of the first decisions of the new college was to determine the amount of tuition to be charged. Full time students enrolled in 12 hours were charged $45 per semester. After obtaining the necessary approvals and accreditations from governing boards, the college began offering classes in September 1948 in a shared facility with the Borger High School. The college continued sharing the high school facilities until moving to its current location in 1956.
Seeing the benefits of a local college in Borger, residents in Perryton voted to become a tax maintenance district. A 25,000 square foot facility, the FPC – Allen Campus (funded with the assistance from Mr. and Mrs. Jack Allen) was built to provide academic and workforce opportunities for residents of Ochiltree County and the surrounding area. Not to be outdone, and with the generous support of Gene and Louise Rahll, Dalhart opened the FPC Dalhart-Rahll campus in 2012 for residents of Dallam and Hartley counties.
Additional buildings have been constructed over the years and new programs added to the curriculum as the needs of the community, industry, and technology changed. Many of these facilities and programs would not have been possible without the support of Phillips 66, Chevron Phillips, Nutrien, Solvay, Hilmar, Representative Warren Chisum, the economic development organizations of Borger, Perryton, and Dalhart, the Amarillo Area Foundation, and many others.
The college is thankful for all our wonderful students who see the value of Frank Phillips College. But the college is even more thankful for all the leaders and organizations who had the vision to provide future benefits for our students and inspiring the remarkable since 1948.
