NCTC Centennial Foundation Gala honors supporters

Apr. 22—The North Central Texas College Foundation recently held its annual Starlite Gala, honoring individuals and organizations that have given their time and resources to further NCTC who have been pivotal in the college's success.

The Centennial Starlite Gala was held at the WinStar Convention Center with over 500 guests in attendance.

This year's F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Tim Sherry Sicking.

The Ed Wright Community Service Award for Cooke County was presented to Valley Creek Church Gainesville, represented by Pastor Brian Schoenhofer.

The award for Montague County was presented to Nancy Blackmon, the service award for the Graham campus went to Diane Cody and the award for Denton County was presented to Frank and Dorothy Knapp.

NCTC Foundation Board President Phil Neelley, along with NCTC Chancellor Dr. Brent Wallace and NCTC Board of Regents Chair Karla Metzler recognized inductees into the NCTC Foundation Honor Circle. These businesses, couples and individuals have greatly supported NCTC financially, allowing the college to keep its good work going.

Wallace thanked those in attendance for their support of the college, the NCTC Foundation and especially for the students. "The student stories you have heard this evening are the full reason that NCTC exists. We have always had a heart for our students."

The program was followed by entertainment which featured the dueling pianos group "Felix & Fingers" to finish out the night with music of all genres for everyone attending to sing along.

For more information about helping provide scholarships through donations to the NCTC Foundation or about membership in the NCTC Alumni Association, contact Debbie Sharp by email at dsharp@nctc.edu.

Tim and Sherry Sicking

In honor of the Centennial anniversary, NCTC elected to honor a couple, Tim and Sherry Sicking, with the F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award.

Tim Sicking entered the oilfield industry at Halliburton yard after graduation form NCTC. When it closed, he established his own oilfield service company with only one employee, who is still employed there today. The company has now expanded into three states and employs nearly three-hundred people. He serves as not only an employer but a true helping hand to each employee.

Sherry Sicking is a true educator, with over 30 years of teaching in the Gainesville Independent School District. Currently, she teaches a women's Sunday school class at Crossroads Baptist Church as well as Junior church bible lessons.

Both Tim and Sherry Sicking have been active members and supporters of the community. They have driven the church bus for 35 years, taken countless children to church and paid for them to summer church camp. The couple also supports the local youth and community through the Cooke County Livestock Show, donating to the new Cooke County Boys and Girls Club Center, hosting Medal of Honor recipients and Gold Star families in their home, providing funds and land to assist with the relocation of the Crossroads Baptist Church and donating to allow numerous student the opportunity to get their education.

The F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that can be granted to graduates and former students of NCTC. The NCTC Foundation established this award thirty years ago, named in honor of the college's distinguished president of the Class of 1926.

Valley Creek Church

Valley Creek Church has become a strong partner with NCTC, making it deserving of the Ed Wright Community Service Award.

Valley Creek continuously supports the college by providing financial resources, volunteers and expertise. It has also helped NCTC address food insecurity by outfitting the food pantry with food and organizing the shelving units to provide easy access to the food by students. The church also provides spiritual support for NCTC students and provided 300 goody bags for faculty and staff across three NCTC campuses. In addition, they provided welcome bags with food and products to over 135 dorm students and offer lunches to NCTC students on various occasions.

The NCTC Foundation established the Ed Wright Community Service Award to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses for meritorious service to the college and/or the community.

Nancy Blackmon

Nancy has dedicated her life to education; spending over 24 years helping educate the youth in the community to her own family's future by ensuring her four grandchildren successfully finished their college careers.

Nancy has been a North Central Texas College Montague County Foundation board member and supporter since 2014. "(Nancy) is a passionate, fun-loving person who has always put education at the forefront in life." Barbara Winingham said while presenting Nancy with the award.

She can be seen cheering on the Red River Promise program with her fellow Foundation board members, welcoming guests at Dancing with the Stars fundraiser, working with Retired Teachers Association, Amity Club and staying active in the community. It is her wish to help the youth have a better life through education and knowledge.

Diane Cody

Diane Cody has faithfully advocated for and supported education in the Graham community, from her time as a counselor with Graham ISD and her efforts in establishing an NCTC Campus in Graham in 2009 to her work on the NCTC Foundation Board.

Diane was an active member of the NCTC Graham Foundation Board from 2010 through 2021. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Shoot Out on the Prairie that raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for Graham students and she has provided leadership to the foundation board and campus to help students. She also serves as a UIL Contest Manager for one act play contests and workshop. Ellen Morris remarked "Her dedication to education, the Graham community and NCTC is inspiring."

Frank and Dorothy Knapp

Frank and Dorothy Knapp are a community focused couple that volunteer their time and resources to help their community and the college, providing funding to help NCTC students with scholarships and emergency funding.

When they moved to Texas in 1984, they worked as election judge and head clerk during early voting at the Corinth City Hall for 14 years. They have assisted with Federal, State, County and city elections over the past 34 years.

The couple have volunteered for the City of Corinth, helping out at the Annual Fishing Derby at Meadowview Pond, Meet Santa Claus at Christmas, Easter Egg Hunt and Pumpkin Palooza. They are volunteers in Police Service and drive the Citizens on Patrol police car helping with vacation watches, directing traffic at accident scenes, blocking streets during parades and patrolling parking lots during events.