Dateline: April 21, 2005

CC names three distinguished alumni

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its new Distinguished Alumnus Award on three former students during the 67th annual Alumni Reunion last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.

J. Royce Lummus, Roger Estlack, and the late R.E. Drennan were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing interest in Clarendon College.

Lummus graduated from CC in 1940, moved to Corpus Christi, and joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he worked as an engineer. During his career he was responsible for developing computer methods for equipment and trunking requirements. He retired in 1986 after 46 years with Southwestern Bell.

Throughout the years, Lummus, who now lives in San Antonio, has remained a strong supporter of Clarendon College and regularly attends the association’s annual reunion. He has also provided assistance and advice in keeping the ex-students’ database updated.

Roger Estlack graduated in 1991 and purchased what is now known as The Clarendon Enterprise in 1995. During the last nine years, he has led the newspaper to be recognized numerous times by regional and state press associations and has received one award from the National Newspaper Association.

Maintaining a family heritage of supporting Clarendon College, Estlack has worked to promote the college and served on various committees for CC. He has attended the annual reunions regularly since the 1970s, has served the ex-students board since 1991, and served as its president for several years.

R.E. Drennan attended Clarendon College in the 1920s and taught in the Jericho school before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He returned to Donley County where he taught in the Lelia Lake and Clarendon school systems and ultimately became the principal of Clarendon High School and dean of Clarendon College, which at that time were on the same campus.

Drennan became one of CC’s most admired administrators and was known for his love of music. He retired after some 30 years in education but continued to serve his community in the role of county judge and as a member of the CC Board of Regents. He passed away in 1985. His award was accepted Saturday by his daughter, Mrs. Ethelyn Grady.

Also during this year’s reunion, the Clarendon College Multicultural Club presented a memorial brick for the Alumni Courtyard to the family of the late Gwendolyn King Austin, who was one of the first black students to attend Clarendon College in the 1960s. Her award was accepted by her daughter, Robin Austin.

Other activities this weekend were the recognition of and presentation of Golden Diplomas to members of the Class of 1955; special remarks delivered by Class of 1955 members Johnny Brumley, Shirley Bulman, and Jack Moreman; recognition of current outstanding CC students; and remarks on the current thoughts about higher education by CC President Myles Shelton.

An estimated 200 alumni, students, parents, and faculty attended this year’s alumni banquet.

Ex-Student officers elected for the coming year during the Saturday morning business meeting include President Jewel Houston, Vice President Annis Stavenhagen, Secretary Hazel Guy, and directors Charla Crump, Neva Spier, and Mary Neil Risley. Also serving on the board are directors Ethelyn Grady and Frankie Henson and immediate past president Roger Estlack.