Frank Phillips College: A Legacy of Education and Workforce Development in the Texas Panhandle
Introduction
Frank Phillips College, located in Borger, Texas, has a rich history rooted in the post-World War II era. Formerly known as Borger City Junior College, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive community college serving the educational and workforce needs of the Texas Panhandle. From its humble beginnings with an inaugural class in 1948 to its current status as a vital regional educational hub, Frank Phillips College has remained committed to providing accessible and relevant educational opportunities.
The Genesis of Frank Phillips College
The story of Frank Phillips College begins in the aftermath of World War II, a period of significant growth and change in the United States. Recognizing the need for expanded educational opportunities in the oil-rich Texas Panhandle, the Borger Independent School District took the initiative to establish a local junior college. In September 1948, Borger City Junior College opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the region's educational landscape. C.A. Cryer served as first president of the college and as superintendent of the Borger schools. During that year 250 students enrolled in the college, and its faculty numbered ten.
Early Growth and Development
Following its establishment, Borger City Junior College experienced steady growth, mirroring the economic prosperity of the region fueled by the oil industry. By the mid-1950s, enrollment had doubled to 450 students, and the faculty had grown to twenty-nine members under the leadership of President J. W. Dillard, who had previously served as dean during the planning stages of the school. In 1955 the college bought thirty acres in the southwestern part of the city for a new campus, and facilities were ready for classes by the fall semester of 1956. In 1960 a fine-arts building was completed, with an auditorium, a cafeteria, a student lounge, and a bookstore, as well as classrooms and offices.
The board requested and received permission from Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum Company, which had extensive holdings in the Borger area, to rename the college in his honor.
Expansion and Accreditation
The college continued to expand its facilities and academic offerings to meet the evolving needs of the community. A $450,000 library opened in 1966, and by 1970 it had more than 21,000 volumes. The college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969. With the addition of twenty acres to the campus, the college physical plant was valued at $3 million.
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Focus on Vocational Training
In 1973, the Texas Education Agency approved vocational training programs to begin at the college, marking a significant step in aligning the college's offerings with the workforce demands of the region. Because of the growth of the vocational programs, and with the help of a grant from Phillips Petroleum, a new vocational campus began operation in 1976. This campus, three miles west on State Highway 136, housed the agriculture, drafting, and welding schools and an expanded adult continuing-education department until a new building for vocational education was completed on the main campus in 1983.
Frank Phillips College Today
Today, Frank Phillips College stands as a comprehensive community college offering a wide range of academic and vocational programs.
Academic Programs
Frank Phillips College offers Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions. These degrees cover general education core curricula in subjects including business, humanities, mathematics, and sciences. Specific AA programs include options in education, fine arts, and social sciences, while AS degrees focus on STEM fields like biology, chemistry, and physics.
The college also awards Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees tailored to career-oriented training, such as in nursing, radiologic technology, and computer information systems.
Vocational Training
Vocational training constitutes a significant portion of Frank Phillips College's offerings, with certificate programs in high-demand trades. Key areas include process technology for petrochemical operations, instrumentation for industrial automation, and emergency medical services. Welding programs, certified by the American Welding Society, offer multi-process training from basic to advanced levels, often completed in one to two semesters. Healthcare vocational tracks, such as vocational nursing and certified nursing assistant, integrate clinical rotations at local facilities.
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Workforce Development
The institution emphasizes hands-on training through its Workforce Development division, which provides short-term certifications and apprenticeships in areas like welding, oil and gas production, and industrial maintenance.
Student Life
On-campus housing emphasizes full-time student residency, requiring 12 credit hours per semester and a meal plan. In recent years, Frank Phillips College has pursued infrastructure expansions to enhance student housing and campus appeal, including groundbreaking for new student dormitories in September 2025, with construction progress streamed live on YouTube to engage the community. Key academic and event facilities include the James W.
Student Demographics
For full-time students in the 2023-2024 academic year, women outnumbered men across most racial/ethnic categories, with a total of approximately 660 full-time enrollees showing higher female representation among Hispanic/Latino (180 women vs. 100 men) and White non-Hispanic (148 women vs.
Leadership and Governance
The administration of Frank Phillips College is overseen by a Board of Regents, consisting of nine members elected by voters in the college district to set policy, approve budgets, and appoint the president. Current board members include Marlene McKinney (chair), Dr. Shad Goldston, David Speed, Colin Archer, Jesse Heredia, Dr. Jud Hicks, Kenny Morrison, Patrick Nonhof, and Dr. Dr. Glendon Forgey has served as president since January 2021, succeeding Dr. Key executive positions report directly to the president, including Jackie Brand as Vice President of Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for budgeting and operations.
A Look Back
In 1984 Andrew Hicks was president of the college, which that year had ten buildings on a sixty-acre campus valued at more than $12 million. That year the administration, faculty, and staff totaled eighty-one; academic and vocational student enrollment totaled more than 1,000; and continuing-education students totaled about 1,700. In 1997 total enrollment was 3,194 students, with 1,268 in academic programs and 1,926 in workforce education, and there were ninety-four faculty members. Herbert J. Thomas T.
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