Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards

The Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association presents annual awards to Alumni who have established a level of achievement in their lives and careers that serve as inspirations to fellow alumni and current students. Also honored by the Richard E. Stroud Service Award, named for TJ’s first and exemplary principal are those administration and faculty members whose dedication and skills have inspired students and colleagues over the fifty year history of Thomas Jefferson High School. The Patriot Award is awarded selectively to those whose contributions to TJ’s tradition of success justify a unique award. The awards are presented in May of each year at a student assembly and following are the biographies of the 2011 awardees and a list of previous recipients.

Distinguished Alumni Awardees 2011

Jan Edgar Langbein, Class of 1967
Jan Langbein has served as the Executive Director of Genesis Women’s Shelter since 1991. She has served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women as a Chief Strategist. She serves as Chairwoman of the Dallas County Adult Intimate Partner Violence Fatality Review Team and a member of the Family Violence Prevention Council. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences, universities, civic groups, corporations and law enforcement and gives expert testimony in court. In partnership with the Dallas Police Department, the Genesis Women’s Shelter under Jan’s leadership created the nationally recognized Conference on Crimes Against Women, held annually in Dallas. Jan is the recipient of numerous national and local awards, including the Maura Award, SMU Profile’s in Leadership Award and the Liberty Bell Award of the Dallas Bar Association.

James S. Cole, D.D.S. Class of 1963
Jim Cole graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1967 and then served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy until 1971. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1975. After conducting a private dental practice, Dr. Cole joined the BCD faculty in 1977. After serving the BCD in numerous positions, he was appointed Dean of BCD in 2000. He served as interim president of Texas A & M Health Science Center from 2000 – 2001 and President and Treasurer of Baylor Oral Health Foundation from 1997-1999. Dr. Cole served BCD as COO, CFO and Vice Dean for 11 years. He has worked to see that people of all backgrounds receive proper dental care. In 2000, he was named Dentist of the Year by the Dallas County Dental Society for his service to facilitate dental education in Texas and the nation. Introduced by Brian Cree, TJHSAA Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, 2009.

Pam Woods Meyercord, Class of 1967
Pam Meyercord is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Special Education. She is a past President of the Texas State PTA , Women’s Council of Dallas County, TX, and Northwood Women’s Club and a former Vice President of the National PTA. In addition to numerous DISD PTA positions, she has served on the Boards of the League of Women Voters, Junior League of Dallas, Coalition for North Texas Children, Museum of Natural History and the 2002 and 2008 DISD School Board Election Steering Committees. Currently, Pam is Vice-Chair of Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Vice-Chair of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas, board member of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and of the Texas Parent PAC, and a reserve deacon at Highland Park Presbyterian Church

Richard E. Stroud Distinguished Service Award 2010

Edwina M. Brown, Ph.D
Edwina Brown is a well-known educator, a contributor to our community and to state educational efforts. She dedicated her career to the Dallas ISD, serving TJ for over 15 years as a principal, assistant principal and counselor. The TJ Library was named the Edwina M. Brown Library in her honor in 1991. Dr Brown was also served as principal at DeGolyer Elementary, Reinhardt Elementary and Gaston Middle School. She was a high-honor graduate with “departmental distinction” at SMU, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned a Master of Education from North Texas University and a Doctorate in Education from Texas A & M at Commerce. Her expertise led her to positions as Adjunct Professor at Dallas Baptist University and Texas Woman’s University. She is ranked among the top 10% of Texas Educators. Dr. Brown has served as Secretary-Treasurer of Spirit Line, Inc., is a Life Member of the Texas PTA and is an active member of Schreiber Memorial Methodist Church.

PAST RECIPIENTS – TJHSAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Class of 2009 Becky Ransdell Bright, TJ Class of 1960

• Andy Cargile, TJ Class of 1965
• Brian Cree, TJ Class of 1976
• Class of 2010 Jan Hart Black, TJ Class of 1965
• William Proctor, TJ Class of 1959
• Becky Russell Sykes, TJ Class of 1963

Past Recipients, Richard E. Stroud Distinguished Service Award

• 2009 Herman Cowley
• 2010 Donna Bohannon

Past Recipients, TJHSAA Patriot Award

• 2009 Martha Meyercord Wilson
• 2010 Mario De Santiago