Gerstenberger to receive honorary degree from SPC
by Courtney Bullard, staff writer
Thousands of
students pass through the halls of South Plains College on
their path to success, and one man will be recognized during
this 50th anniversary year as a major contributor
in paving that path and building an institution dedicated to
those students.
Earl
Gerstenberger will be receiving an honorary degree from SPC
during the 50th annual Commencement Exercises on
May 9. An honorary degree is bestowed to someone who may
not have attended SPC, but has made a contribution to the
college. Gerstenberger was nominated by Dr. Kelvin Sharp,
president of SPC in February for this year’s degree. The
nomination was then brought to the SPC Board of Regents to
vote on. The Regents unanimously agreed to support the
nomination.
“I think
it’s very important to recognize Earl on the 50th
anniversary, because he is one of the original faculty,”
said Dr. Sharp. “It is most appropriate.”
Gerstenberger, along with his wife June, has lived in
Levelland for 50 years after moving from Brenham when the
college first opened. He was among the college’s first
faculty members, along with 18 other people. He was asked
by the college to consider starting the Agriculture
Department, and he left his position at Blinn College at
the age of 24 to be SPC’s first agriculture instructor.
Gerstenberger had many duties at SPC when it was first
beginning. Not only was he an agriculture instructor, he
also taught freshman biology. He also designed the landscape
of the college, turning what was once a cornfield into a
beautiful and inviting campus. He started the college farm
and was the sponsor for the original rodeo team as well.
“I am truly
honored, and I appreciate that very much,” said
Gerstenberger. “It’s really more than earning a degree
academically. It’s an honor.”
Gerstenberger was originally from Rockdale, Texas. He
attended Blinn Community College and went on to receive his
master’s degree at Sam Houston State University in
agricultural education. He has two children, Sharon and
Brian.
When
speaking of SPC’s 50th anniversary last semester,
Greenberger remarked, “I’m just so proud, and I feel
extremely honored to have worked at the institution at the
beginning,” he said. “It was 33 years at my dream job, and I
always looked forward to going to work.”
He went on
to talk about how SPC has impacted his life.
“Except for
three years, my whole career was here,” Gerstenberger said.
“This is where my family was born and raised.”
SPC has
grown immensely since its establishment in 1957. Then only
500 students registered, and now there are more than 9,000
students on the Levelland campus. When there once was only
five buildings, there are now 40.
“We are
very proud of SPC and what it has become,” Gerstenberger
said. “I am proud of being there at the very beginning. When
it started, we didn’t have many students, and now there is
much more. It is well known and respected throughout the
South Plains and the state. Having a part of that is really
a satisfying feeling.”
Photo by
Brenda Cuellar/Plainsman Press
