In 1992, Thomas College was at a literal and figurative crossroads.

Since 1950, Birdwood Junior College has existed under the umbrella of the Primitive Baptist Church on the grounds of the winter home of H. Cameron Forbes, former Governor General of the Philippines, Ambassador to Japan, and grandson of Ralph Waldo Emerson. In 1976, the church decided to step aside to allow the creation of Thomas County Community College. In 1986, the name was changed to Thomas College.

I started working at the college in 1991 as the public relations director. While the institution was coasting along okay overall, it was clear that a fresh shot of innovative, visionary energy was needed to help push it to new, uncharted heights.

Enter one Dr. Homer Pankey.

Appointed president of the college in 1992, Pankey came onto campus as just the guy for the job – from, of all places, California University of Pennsylvania. I’ll never forget the first time I met him. The West Virginia native shook my hand and said through a sly grin, “I’m Dr. Homer Pankey – you probably know my cousin, Hanky.”

I knew right then he and I were going to get along just fine.

A whirling dervish of energy, there was an ever-present gleam in his eye underpinning the fact that his brain was always working, analyzing things from every possible angle. He was a master of seeing potential in things that just about everybody else either didn’t or couldn’t see.

I was in his office one day when he got a phone call from a local contractor who had several dozen loads of dirt he needed to find a home for. “Dirt?”, Dr. Pankey exclaimed as his eyes lit up, “why as a matter of fact we need dirt!”

In reality, we didn’t need dirt, especially 20+ dump truck loads of it. But what it did was provide an opportunity for Dr. Pankey to establish a rapport with that contractor, whom he eventually leaned on to help build several new buildings on campus – some of which used said dirt as part of their foundations.

Under his direction, the college revamped its academic offerings, expanding from one degree program to over 20. Dr. Pankey also knew that for Thomas College to be on solid ground it had to become financially viable. It was through his experience in PR and development that he brought the little college squarely into the eye of the local public and benefactors who appreciated him doing things like bringing polo back to the campus where it had been a centerpiece during the Forbes years, bringing polo teams from Atlanta to play against local teams, and hosting outdoor concerts on the grounds of the college as well.

It was through the underpinning of those benefactors, people like Dr. Ben Grace and many other locals, and the guidance of a solid board of directors that Dr. Pankey was able to double the enrollment of the college in just a few short years and in fact get it on more than solid financial ground. Under his watch, it thrived.

It was through Dr. Pankey’s extensive international connections I was allowed to visit St. Petersburg, Russia, and Paris, France on a recruiting trip to attract exchange students for the college. Through that trip – the only one to this day I have ever taken overseas – I created friendships that still thrive today. I know that never would’ve happened without him.

When I was offered the job to teach audio/video production at Thomas County Central, Dr. Pankey was the first person I went to. I shared that I felt in my heart it was an opportunity to create something special and new in the place I considered home. “Randy,” he said through that trademark smile and glint in his eye, “as much as I hate the thought of losing you, the last thing I want is you to go through life with a big ‘what if?’ hanging over you.”

After I left Thomas College in 1994, Dr. Pankey and I remained in contact through the years. A proud member of our local Rotary Club, every single time I had a chance to attend a meeting he would come up, give me a handshake and a hug, and introduce me to his friends there as “a bright young man who helped him turn Thomas University around,” which even though not entirely accurate at least made me smile to hear.

If I wrote a particular newspaper column he enjoyed, it was almost guaranteed I would get a phone call from him, and we’d spend an hour or so chatting. Now and then I would run into him and his lovely wife, Pat, somewhere around town and we’d always enjoy catching up.

When word of his passing last week came to me, I was of course saddened at the news. But at the same time, I was thankful that this sport-model of a man found his way here and into my own life. Through his years here, Dr. Pankey became a proud Thomasvillian. He loved our community and was so proud to be a part of it.

And, there’s no doubt that without him the place that he grew proud to call home would not be what it is today – nor, would I.