Trinity Valley Community College Alumni Association Announces 2024 Hall of Distinguished Alumni Inductees

The Trinity Valley Community College Alumni Association is thrilled to announce the 2024 Hall of Distinguished Alumni honorees. On Saturday, Oct. 26, five exceptional Cardinal alumni will be celebrated for their significant contributions to TVCC and the surrounding communities at the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Awards Breakfast at the Athens Country Club.

In Spring 2024, TVCC faculty, staff, alumni, and community members were invited to nominate outstanding alumni whose achievements have made a lasting impact, culminating in the selection of this year’s honorees.

 

J.W. Lambright

J.W. Lambright attended Henderson County Junior College (HCJC) from 1968 to 1970, where he served as President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He later transferred to UT Arlington to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Following his bachelor's degree, Lambright earned a Master of Business Administration from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce). He went on to obtain his CPA license from the State of Texas in 1976.

Lambright’s career includes serving as an advisor at TVCC, working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and eventually rising through the ranks of an Athens accounting firm (now Smith Lambright and Associates PC) from staff member to partner, and ultimately, managing partner.

Lambright has been married to Cheryl Chipley Lambright for 49 years. Together, they had two children, Jason Lambright (deceased) and Chera Lambright Gandy, and four grandchildren: Jaxon and Steele Lambright, and Rowdy and Robby Gandy.

In a nomination letter for Lambright, it was noted:

"JW Lambright is very deserving of the TVCC Hall of Distinguished Alumni. He has served admirably in the challenging profession of Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He possesses genuine integrity, technical competence, excellent people skills, and has a winning personality. He is a great example of professional success that TVCC can be proud of."

 

Ed Royall

Many people take a winding path through the cheer industry, and Ed Royall’s journey is no exception. As the founder and co-owner of Woodlands Elite Cheer Company, Royall has built a remarkable career. A native of Athens, Royall began his higher education at Henderson County Junior College (now TVCC) from 1982 to 1984 on a full-ride cheer scholarship. He later transferred to Lamar University in Beaumont, where he earned a degree in Business Management.

After working in restaurant management and coaching on the side for five years, Royall was drawn to make a greater impact in the cheer industry. Today, Woodlands Elite Cheer boasts eight locations across the United States, including four in the Houston Metroplex, with 71 competitive teams and over 4,500 recreational athletes.

Royall and Woodlands Elite take pride in developing strong leaders and fostering a positive coaching environment where athletes are valued, while producing top-tier cheer talent.

In a nomination letter for Royall, it was noted:

"Royall’s cheer squad is always doing great things for the Woodlands area. He is continually recruiting cheerleaders to TVCC."

 

Markesha Luckett Tisby

Makesha Luckett Tisby attended TVCC from 2004 to 2006 as a proud member of the legendary Cardettes. Not only did she cherish her time as a student, but she also returned and served as the Cardette Assistant Director. She continues to support TVCC’s success.

Tisby graduated from TVCC in 2006 with an Associate of Arts degree. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Tyler and her Master of Education in Reading from Texas A&M Commerce.

A lover of all things literacy, Tisby began her career teaching kindergarten and first grade. She has also served as a Response to Intervention Specialist and Master Reading Teacher. Before transitioning into educational consulting, she worked as a Literacy Specialist/K-4 ELAR & Social Studies Teaching and Learning Coach. Tisby is passionate about empowering teachers with literacy best practices to enhance student achievement. During her career, she was named Teacher of the Year for 2014-2015 and is a two-time Teacher of the Month. She founded Tisby Educational Consulting to expand her reach beyond a single district. Tisby facilitates professional learning, designs curriculum, and provides instructional coaching. She also mentors new kindergarten through second-grade teachers. 

Tisby is an active member of the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA), where she currently serves as Vice President. She is proud to have served as a Campus Voices Fellow for Leadership ISD's 2020 Tarrant County Cohort, which focused on using policy to address institutional inequities related to race, language, and income.

Tisby’s dedication to the Cardettes extended well beyond her student years. For nearly two decades, she was a valued instructor and speaker at the Cardette "Dance Your Heart Out" Camp, a leadership presenter for Cardette freshman and sophomore camps, and assisted during the Cardettes' national and international travels. She is proud to have developed the Cardette Connection Alumni mentor program with her Cardette Sister, Chelsie Norris Baker. Tisby has been an audition judge, guest choreographer, coordinator of Cardette Spring Production alumni receptions, and member of the Cardette Connection Alumni mentor program.  

Tisby is married to James Tisby and together they have two children, Joshua and Mia.

In a nomination letter for Tisby, it was said:

"She is one of a kind and deserves the recognition that she so easily gives to others before herself. Her stories of her time and love for TVCC will give chills to anyone."

 

Roxie Williams Cluck

Roxie Williams Cluck attended Henderson County Junior College (HCJC) from 1965 to 1967 before transferring to Texas A&M University–Commerce, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and English in 1975. After completing her degree, she began her career as an English teacher.

Cluck transitioned to law and became board certified in Family Law in 1998. She achieved certification as a mediator in 1997 and later, in 2017, became a certified mediator for court appointments in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) cases. Notably, she was the first female attorney in Van Zandt County.

Throughout her career, Ms. Cluck has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Director of the Texas Family Law Foundation, Vice Chair of the State Bar of Texas Women in the Profession Committee, a Life Fellow and District 1 Nominating Chair for the Texas Bar Foundation. She has also served as a member of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Council and the State Bar Committee on Texas Pattern Jury Charges Family and Probate for several years. She is past President of the Van Zandt County Bar Association and the Canton Lions Club and has held many other prestigious positions in her field.

Ms. Cluck is married to Lonny Cluck, the City Manager of Canton, and is the proud mother of three: her oldest son Stephen is a software engineer; her son Jason is retired army, and her daughter, Loni has followed her mother’s footsteps in the field of education. She is also an even prouder grandmother of five and great grandmother of one.

 

Beth Rogers

Beth Rogers moved to Athens in 1965, shortly after marrying Jerry Rogers. She began her career at TVCC as a full-time Administrative Assistant to Dr. J.B. Simmons, Dean of the Technical and Vocational Department. After 15 years in that role, along with raising two children and earning her degree in 1980, she transitioned to serve as an Administrative Assistant to various Department Chairs. During this time, she supported leaders such as Vice President of HCJC Ray Williams, Chairperson for the Business and Occupational Department Paige Baker, and Chairperson of the Math and Science Department Nancy Long. She retired from TVCC in 2001 to take care of two grandchildren who were born that year, 11 days apart.

One of her most rewarding experiences was collaborating with TVCC Women’s Basketball Coach Gary Ashlock to create a Foster Parent Program for the team. After the program dissolved and Friends of the Cardinals was established, Rogers has continued to be a “foster parent” to many students.

Rogers has two children, Brad and Amy (both of whom attended TVCC), and four grandchildren. She cherishes the memories made at what she proudly calls “the very best community college.”