Page 7 - Veterans' Issue

FL YING OUR FLAG
by the same name, because she felt Athens, Texas
could become the cultural center of Henderson
County. And just as she predicted, Athens high
School is now located in the exact spot on the
tree shaded hill where the original Averiette
home was built before the Civil War. This large
majestic rustic home was destroyed by a fire and
the Athens Public School System purchased that
site. It included about 30 acres that now has
several school buildings and athletic fields.
According to the Texas State Historical
Association, in 1946 a junior college for
Henderson County was authorized to start has been a faculty/staff member for over 40 years.
serving students in Athens, Texas “at the center He has truly had a major influence in both of
where seven paved roads met”. The majority of TVCC’s areas of uncommon achievement –
HCJC’s first students were military veterans academics and athletics.
seeking vocational training. Mrs. Averiette’s Immediately after Peek was awarded his M.B.A
dream had begun to be fulfilled. in 1974, he took a job with Dun & Bradstreet.
In September 1986, the Board of Trustees But since 1978, he has served at TVCC as the
approved a name change from Henderson Director of Student Activities, an adjunct
County Junior College (HCJC) to Trinity Valley instructor and a full time Economics Professor,
Community College (TVCC). And just like that, teaching dual credit courses given at high
the Hick-Jick-nick-name was left behind in a cloud schools and business courses offered at TVCC in
of dust. After the name change, TVCC expanded Athens. But, like TVCC, one of the outstanding
to include campuses in Kaufman, Terrell, qualities he possesses is the rare ability to excel
Palestine, the Trinity Prison Project and the Small in both academics and athletics. In addition to
Business Development Center in Athens. his academic duties, Peek is a Board Member of
As you can see, HCJC/TVCC has had an the TVCC Athletic Hall of Fame and a Referee
amazing history, while enjoying uncommon for JUCO Football, Division 1 Football and the
success in academics and athletics. Perhaps the NFL.
greatest most outstanding component to that Talk about making a difference! Peek and TVCC
success has been the quality of the college’s staff are more examples of how our community has
and instructors. One of those exemplary faculty influence far and wide, and punches far above its
members at TVCC is Professor Mike Peek who weight.

Longtime TVCC instructor and former director of student activities, Mike Peek (far left), was
selected as one of the replacement referees during the NFL Referees Association strike in 2012.

PB NOVEMBER 2017 FEATURE 7