LMC to offer classes for the fall semester

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Katie Snyder, forrmer employee of Lon Morris College was interviewed by Janna Chancey, executive director of enrollment management services for TJC, at the job fair on Wednesday. Progress photo by Marivel Resendiz

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July 12, 2012

LMC to offer classes for the fall semester

TJC hosts job fair for LMC former employees

Marivel Resendiz Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Thu Jul 12, 2012, 11:39 AM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — A few hours after Tyler Junior College hosted a job fair for Lon Morris College employees on Wednesday, the Lon Morris College restructuring firm announced the institution would offer classes in the fall.

However, Dr. Homer Hayes, TJC provost, said although the college is planning to offer classes "LMC doesn't have the structure to re-open.”

“We don't want to steal any faculty if they are opening, but it's still skeptic,” he said. “I hope then can re-open but they have accreditation to deal with before they can.”

A press release stated LMC would offer a complete core curriculum of on-campus and online classes for the fall, but Dawn Ragan, chief restructuring officer with Bridgepoint Consulting, said the number of faculty and staff hired is the dependent on student enrollment.

Hayes said the TJC wanted to help LMC employees until a decision was made.

“The employees need a plan,” he said. “They can't place their life on hold until a decision is made. So we interviewed people (yesterday) and potentially offering them an interim or permanent position.”

Hayes said it was ideal to help the employees because TJC offers classes at East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville and at Rusk State Hospital for its LVN program.

“Jacksonville is part of our TJC family,” he said. “It pulls on our heart strings when you see someone work hard and involve themselves with an institution and put forth all their dedication and to see it come apart. We hope we can help in anyway we can.”

Bridgepoint Consulting, LMC's restructuring firm, hired Capstone Partners at the beginning of July to facilitate a transaction with another education institution or strategic partner. Hayes said there are some restrictions on TJC's part to do the partnering.

“It would be difficult for a public school to partner with a private school,” he said. “We can offer classes and help in that way.”

Kay and Michael Queen, former employees of LMC, attended the job fair and said they liked the job fair.

“Here, we've been able to see people actually doing something new instead of asking, 'what's next?'” Michael said.

Applicants played musical chair interviews with two academic deans and with student services.

Janna Chancey, executive director of enrollment management services for TJC, said the applicants strength determined who they would interview with.

The Lon Morris College press release stated LMC officials are working with students on enrollment for the fall semester.

The school has reduced its tuition by 33 percent and will still offer financial aid and scholarships for certain programs, Dawn Ragan, chief restructuring officer with Brigepoint, said in the press release.

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LMC to offer classes for the fall semester

TJC hosts job fair for LMC former employees

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