| Sept 2nd, 1955 Arkansas Municipal Auditorium, Texarkana, Arkansas Elvis is late to the show because of an accident, |
TC chief Dr. Nelson dies at 61; Colleagues mourn
sudden death of college's "best friend'
By LORI DUNN of the Gazette Staff
Dr. Carl "Cheesie" Nelson, longtime president of
Texarkana College, died suddenly Monday afternoon.
He was 61.
Nelson's unexpected death shocked and saddened his
friends and colleagues who remember him for his
dedication to the college and his sense of humor.
"It's probably one of the greatest losses Texarkana College has ever experienced. He had true vision and took the college to new heights. He was truly loved by every employee," said Steve Mitchell, director of the college radio station KTXK.
Nelson was found in his car at the college. He was
taken to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health Center at
4:32 p.m. Efforts to revive him failed and he was
pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m., said Francine
Francis, hospital spokesman.
"We really don't know what happened at this
point," Francis said.
Nelson had been president of the college since
August 1975.
Carla Tallant, who teaches English and reading at
the college, grew up with Nelson and considered
him a close friend.
"We grew up in the same neighborhood and went to
Arkansas High together. He was a personal friend
and my boss. I will miss him terribly," she said. Tallant has worked at the college since 1989.
"He was a remarkable college president with amazing leadership abilities and a great sense of humor," Tallant said. "Even when he talked to us about serious issues at the college he always made us laugh. He had a lot of charisma mainly because of his sense of humor."
Jean Cotten, journalism instructor for 17 years,
remembered Nelson's constant support of the
school's newspaper and other organizations.
"I've always told my journalism students Dr.
Nelson was the best friend we had and now we've
lost our best friend. Texarkana College has also
lost its best friend," she said. Cotten said she received a handwritten letter of
congratulations from Nelson when she was TIPA
(Texas Intercollegiate Press Association) Advisor
of the Year. The letter touched Cotten deeply.
"I still carry it in my purse," she said.
Lauren Hehmeyer, chairman of the Social Science
Division, described Nelson as a wonderful person
and the best boss she ever had.
"He really was our captain and as a crew we were
confident when he was at the helm," she said.
Like many others, she also remembers Nelson for
his humor. "It was that sparkle in his eye," she said.
"We're saddened at the fact we lost a great friend as well as a friend of education," said Dr. Rolfe Wylie, former chairman of the Humanities Division.