Commerce Journal
COMMERCE —
A former state champion coach, a pioneering philanthropist, a nationally renown MIT graduate and a tireless community volunteer have been selected as the first inductees into the Commerce Independent School District Hall of Honor.
Harry Champion, Dr. Jack Pirkey, Emmett Day Sr. and June Dunn will be recognized during a community luncheon and a special ceremony at Texas A&M University-Commerce’s Memorial Stadium on Oct. 1. Champion and Pirkey will be recognized for their positive impact on students as staff members and Day and Dunn will be recognized as students for their distinguished careers and contributions to the community.
Although Harry Champion is deceased, former students still refer to him as Coach and he is remembered for having led the eight-member Norris High School boys’ basketball team to a state championship, a feat unmatched since the 1964 win.
His leadership as a CISD administrator supported the smooth integration of Commerce and Norris schools.
The person who nominated Champion for the honor wrote, “Harry Glyn Champion is remembered in this community as a loving and kind man—a man who stood up for his beliefs and taught students not only academically but by example.”
After a successful career in education, culminating as director of Distance Education for Tarrant County Junior College, Dr. Jack Pirkey founded the Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation which provides financial support for CISD academic programs.
Dr. Pirkey, working with a committed group of CISD alumni as directors of the Foundation, has presented over $170,000 to teachers for specific projects to enhance student learning. The annual CSEEF Boots and Barbeque dinner showcases the results of grant projects and kicks off the Foundation’s annual fundraising.
His nominator wrote, “With great vision, deep commitment and Herculean efforts to afford all students in CISD the best possible education, Dr. Pirkey has successfully led the CSEE Foundation. His contributions to education are endless.”
The youngest son of former superintendent A.L. Day, Emmett Day Sr. left Commerce and East Texas State Teachers College in 1936 to teach industrial arts in San Antonio. However, his desire to become an engineer, led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received another bachelor’s degree and a master’s in mechanical engineering.
A visit to Seattle in 1947 led him to join the teaching faculty at the University of Washington going from instructor to full professor in a short, unprecedented seven years. His research in stress analysis, strain gauges, strength of materials and machine design led him to be called on by commercial companies such as Boeing, Chance Vought and others for his knowledge in the design of airplane skins.
Day was active and rose to the highest leadership position in national professional organizations. In 2008, he was awarded the F.G. Tatnall Award, at 93 years old, by the Society for Experimental Mechanics, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Society.
Day continues to visit Commerce yearly and rarely misses the CHS reunion.
Name any community activity where the hungry are fed or new leaders are led and you will find June Dunn an active participant. As a tireless volunteer in many different civic organizations, Dunn lends her steadfast commitment to excellence which is reflected in everything she does, according to a fellow alumna making her nomination.
As manager for the Commerce Chamber of Commerce for five years, Dunn served as a director for the Bois d’Arc Bash and also for the Commerce Leadership Institute.
In other service to the community, she has been a director of the Meals on Wheels board and a volunteer for the local food pantry. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church, serving in the choir and directing children’s choirs. Dunn is a Hunt County Master Gardener, donating time to lend her gardening expertise to benefit the area. She also serves on the South Sulphur Regional Development Association and is a Blue Grass Festival fundraiser.
She is also a board member of the Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation where she has assumed leadership of several committees.
A friend and CISD alumna wrote of Dunn, “June’s work has had a wonderful impact on many lives throughout her distinguished career. She is indeed a person of integrity and impeccable character.”
Hall of Honor inductees will be honored Oct. 1 during a luncheon, at a CHS pep rally and then introduced during pre-game activities during the Tiger homecoming game. Their photographs will be displayed in the new administration building (old A.C. Williams Elementary School) in a place of honor.
