THOMASVILLE- The Thomasville community lost a visionary and lifelong learner in Homer Pankey, Ed. D., when he passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. 

The 10th President of Thomas University, Pankey wanted to grow Thomasville by attracting talent far and wide to develop their minds at a local college. 

With a career in education spanning over four decades, Pankey saw beyond the region, seeking students globally, while interacting with foreign dignitaries. 

From 1965 to 1992, Pankey served at California University of Pennsylvania in various leadership roles, including associate professor, full professor, associate dean, dean of graduate studies and research, and ultimately Senior Vice President for Economic Development and External Relations. 

During his time at California University of Pennsylvania, Pankey took a one-year sabbatical in 1989-1990. In the midst of his sabbatical, he was invited by the French Ministry of Education to be a visiting professor at the University of Paris VIII (part of the Sorbonne) and the Ecole Nationale de Commerce in Paris. 

Pankey would go on to address the Russian Congress at the Kremlin in 1990, speaking on the values of the free enterprise system. In recognition of his contributions to economic development in Russia, he was awarded the Russian Educators’ Medal in 1994 in a ceremony conducted by Colonel Venumen Zavuloff on behalf of the Russian government. 

Pankey would take his interactions with Russia and put them to good use when he was appointed the 10th president of Thomas College in Thomasville in 1992. 

At the time of his appointment, the institution was in difficult financial condition. But, under his leadership, he secured financial support from the Southwest Georgia community, stabilizing the institution and setting it on a remarkable path of growth. 

In order to help secure support, Pankey involved himself in a number of community organizations, including the Executive Board at the Chamber of Commerce. 

Past Chamber President Don Sims recalled Pankey’s involvement and the impact he had on both the business sector and education sector, as well as his life. 

“He was not only a good ambassador for Thomas College, but the City of Thomasville,” Sims said. “He was involved in higher education throughout the state and even internationally.” 

With Pankey’s connections, Sims said Thomasville had exchange students from France and Russia. 

Sims was able to visit Russia with Pankey in 1993, where Thomasville once had a sister city. 

“Not only did he involve the Chamber of Commerce, but we had leadership students from Thomas University with us,” Sims said. “The whole thing was a terrific opportunity to present Thomasville as a different kind of community.” 

Sims explained many Russians were dubious of Americans and what their intentions were, believing Americans were barbaric and overbearing. 

Sims recalled some of the Russians they met still wearing Communist pins, but Pankey showed them the Southern hospitality Thomasville was known for, proving he and his guests were not those people. 

“Thomasville was not a typical South Georgia place, we are unique,” Sims said. “Our story really got out because of Homer Pankey and what he was doing.” 

Russians got to experience Thomasville for themselves when Russian humanitarian Theodore Kosloff visited Thomasville, Sims said. 

The visit was part of the Friendship Games, hosted by Ted Turner, involving individuals from across the globe during alternate years of the Olympic Games. 

“We met people from all over,” Sims said. “To have someone come into the community at a small college here and involve so many people and get people interested in the community left a really, really big impact.”

Sims said prior to Pankey’s appointment as Thomas College president, the community was aware of the school, but no one had a vision of how the two entities could work together, especially when it came to non-traditional students. 

But, by the time Pankey retired in 2001, he had transitioned the college to a university, increased enrollment from 300 students in 1992 to over 700 in 2001, expanded from one degree program to 22 undergraduate and four graduate programs, all accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, increased faculty doctoral degrees from 20% to 60%, raised the university’s endowment from $30,000 in 1992 to over $9.5 million in 2001, and increased annual giving by 650%. 

Pankey’s contribution to the education sector played a large role in the business sector as well. 

Sims said that through Pankey’s international connections and vision for the school, the city was able to apply for grants, where they often stood out among other applicants. 

“People’s perception of Thomasville and Thomas County was that we had a good vision and a solid base of organizations,” Sims said.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Pankey. 

“He helped us a lot,” Sims said. “He was a terrific guy not only as a team player on the Chamber of Commerce Board but he was President of Rotary Club, and was very well thought of.” 

Sims admitted Pankey’s success was in part due to the welcoming arms of Thomasville, noting many people come into a tight-knit community with big visions but are blocked due to fear of change, but Thomasville accepted his bright ideas to take the city into the future. 

“As an ambassador for Thomasville in his professional education, in his civic work, and internationally, he attracted people and convinced them a good, local college and university was in the best interest of the community,” Sims said. 

His enthusiasm for civic development was not lost on Sims, who said he will forever remember Pankey’s zest for life and patriotism. 

“Everything he did was done with infectious enthusiasm,” Sims concluded. “Anybody who worked with him thought the world of him.” 

Even in his passing, Pankey hoped to continue developing and supporting the young minds of Thomasville. 

Memorial donations are being accepted to the Dr. And Mrs. Homer R. Pankey Institutional Endowment at Thomas University. This endowment will continue to benefit the University and non-traditional students, who Pankey helped mold.