’45 seconds’ that made a difference

By Victoria Marshall
The TC News reporter

Within the wood paneled walls of the conference room next to the President’s Office, President James Henry Russell sits back in a cushioned chair and reminisces on his first year at Texarkana College.

“I had just arrived at the college a few months earlier, and it really had uncovered the situation we were in,” said President Russell. “The future of the college was very uncertain. We were under severe financial stress. There were a lot of things going wrong at the college.”
President Russell first met H. Ross Perot while he was superintendent of the Texarkana Independent School District and decided to ask him for help. At first, Russell said he was told he could not receive any help at that time.

“We got another opportunity where we could go and actually meet him, February 14, 2012, to give him an update on the college,” said President Russell. “We had a big election we had to pass and knew that we had to get private donations. We asked him for a $5 million gift. He said he would think about it and let us know. We were driving home from Dallas, probably twenty minutes from Mr. Perot’s office when he called. It was a quick call. He said, ‘If I give you a million a year for five years, will you make it?’ I said ‘Mr. Perot, we’ll do everything we can.’ He said, ‘I didn’t ask you that. I asked will you make it?’ I said, “Mr. Perot, we’ll try.”
The phone call ended in 45 seconds and the first check was in the mail. After four years, the community has matched his donation.

President Russell’s personal relationship with Perot has changed since that 45 second phone call.

“He called to say thank you for a cup we sent for Christmas,” President Russell says with a smile as he plays the voice mail still on his phone.
Mr. Perot has done more than simply donate money to the college. He gave his time and put a name to the funding. Last year, a group of students traveled to Dallas and met Mr. Perot in his office. They had the opportunity to sit and have lunch with him.

“Texarkana College is 90 years old,” President Russell said. “When we are used to something being there for so long, we take it for granted. We become complacent.”

Mr. Perot did not grow up with money; he had nothing handed to him. Through hard work, he achieved his success and he continues to give back generously. His perseverance leadership made President Russell more determined to build a better college and bring the best possible resources for students.

“It put a huge responsibility on me knowing that the next Texas billionaire may be sitting in one of our classrooms today and that we better have the best professors, the best technology, and be pushing all of you to be that next Ross Perot.”

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