Temple College's Tenth President, Dr. Glenda O. Barron
Dr. Glenda O. Barron became Temple College’s 10th president in August 2008. She is a native of Joaquin, Texas, and earned a certificate from Panola Junior College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, a master’s degree from McNeese State University, and a doctoral degree from The University of Texas. Dr. Barron held positions at Austin Community College, Lamar State College – Port Arthur, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board prior to becoming president of Temple College.
Highlights of Dr. Glenda O. Barron's presidency (2008-2018)
Fall: Enrollment at Temple College exceeded 5,000 students, and the college’s first LGBT student group, called “True Colors,” was formed.
Jan. 12: The newly constructed Science Lab Building was dedicated.
Spring: A $200,000 challenge grant was anonymously donated to Temple College for the construction of a new rehearsal hall. The grant required the college to raise $400,000 by December.
Fall: A new emphasis on student success begins as Temple College joins the nationwide Achieving the Dream program and creates the Student Success Division. The Division encompasses the Adult Assistance Center, TRIO program, Educational Assistance Center, Writing Lab and Developmental Courses.
Sept. 12: The newly renovated Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, including a new orchestra shell, new seating, lighting, carpet, air conditioning, and restrooms, was opened to the public.
April 24: The atrium in the Health Sciences Center was named after Scott and White Healthcare to honor the long-standing partnership between it and the college.
August: Enrollment at Temple College exceeded 6,000 students, and Zero Week was implemented as a student success initiative.
Sept. 27: The Temple College Board of Trustees voted to locate what would be called the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto, pending citizen approval of a maintenance tax.
Nov. 2: Voters approved a bond for a new classroom building, expansions to the Health Sciences Center and Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, as well as parking and street improvements.
Aug. 16: Temple College held a groundbreaking for the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Rehearsal Hall.
Dec. 7: The Temple Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class donated a Garden of Remembrance and Reflection, located in the Instructional Services Center courtyard.
November: Temple College was awarded Leader College status in the Achieving the Dream Program.
January: On the 16th, the newly constructed Academic Center was dedicated, and on the 31st, the Temple College golf course closed.
August: The Business and Community Education Division moved from its downtown location to Berry Hall on the Temple campus.
October: On the 13th, the new EWCHEC facility in Hutto was dedicated.
Aug. 18: Temple College dedicated its Texas Historical Marker.
April 23: Temple College and Baylor University sign the Baylor Bound transfer agreement.
May: Temple College and Texas A&M University-Central Texas partner to offer a bachelor’s degree with a music emphasis.
July: Temple College is one of the first community colleges in Texas selected to participate in a new student success initiative called the Texas Pathways Project.
A new Student Success Center is constructed on the south end of campus.
August: The college unveils a new logo.
May: The Temple College softball team won the NJCAA Division 1 softball championship.
July: Temple College and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor sign an articulation agreement that lays out a clear path for students to transfer from Temple College to UMHB.
August: Temple College unveils a new athletics logo.
December: Trustees announce plans to name the new Student Success Center after Dr. Barron.