CC exes honor Selvidge, Treichel

The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association recognized one Distinguished Alumnus Award, and a CC legend was made an honorary alumnus when the 72nd CC Alumni Reunion was held last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.

President Phil Shirley conferred an honor Associate’s Degree on former dean of students Tex Selvidge, and CC Judging Coach Johnny Treichel was named the college’s newest Distinguished Alumnus.

Leonard “Tex” Selvidge grew up in the 40s and 50s in Stinnett, where he excelled in sports but faced some childhood adversities and dropped out of high school. He was adopted into the Worsham Family, who, along with mentoring from Coach Foster, helped him to earn his diploma from Stinnett High School. He received a football scholarship to Ranger Junior College. After playing just one year, he received a scholarship to play football at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for the next four years, which changed his life. In 1958, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and was hired as a coach at Spearman High School. He later coached at Hollis, Okla., before joining the Clarendon College family in 1965. He served several administrative positions, particularly Dean of Students, until his retirement in 1998.

Selvidge also served several terms as mayor of Clarendon and spent several years as the Donley County probation officer. Today, he continues to serve as a member of the CC Board of Regents.

Debra Eller Lamb, a graduate of the CC Class of 1982, praised Selvidge at the reunion and talked about what he taught her.

“I’ve learned it is ‘those small daily happenings’ that make life so spectacular, which is what Tex Selvidge has accomplished,” she said.

“Tex, you are an extraordinary man who has exemplified the term ‘pass it on’ or ‘pay it forward.’ We applaud you, for your dedication, personal sacrifices and the ‘thousands’ of contributions you have made towards the well-being and success of our youth. We love you, Tex.”

Several alumni and family members followed Lamb and also gave their praise or fond remembrances of Selvidge before Shirley was called on to confer his degree.

Selvidge told a few stories of his own but made it point to remind all CC alumni that they are part of one family and encouraged them to continue coming to college reunions.

A member of the Class of 1993, Triechel was a member of one of the winningest livestock judging teams in Clarendon College history under Jerry Hawkins and his photo hangs in the Judging Hall of Fame in the Bairfield Activity Center. After graduating from CC, he went on to attend West Texas A&M, Tarleton State University, and the University of Arizona. Before returning to CC as an instructor and livestock judging coach in 2003, he served as an instructor at both Tarleton and Arizona.

Triechel served as president of the Junior College Livestock Judging Coaches Association in 2006 and was named Clarendon College Employee of the Year in 2009. He has not only filled those shoes of his mentor but has also carved his own piece of history at Clarendon College. He organizes the FFA and 4H Judging Contest that doubles the population in town each spring and hosts an annual FFA leadership camp each summer. He has made the livestock judging program his own with continued success and in addition to all of his professional accomplishments he is known as a stand-up guy who is a straight talker and whose word is his bond.

In addition to honoring Selvidge and Triechel, the Association presented a Golden Diplomas to graduates celebrating their 50th class anniversaries and recognized the Classes of 1962, 1963, 1987, and 1988.

Earlier in the day, alumni spent time reminiscing with each other and former faculty and staff of the college. Association members expressed an interest in returning to an annual reunion schedule next year and possibly going to a fall reunion, which will be considered by the Association board.