WC NEWS

Weatherford College has announced J.C. Colton as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year. He will be honored during the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon on March 22, along with Distinguished Alumni Award honorees Judge Kirk Martin and former Parker County Sheriff Ben Whiteman.   

Colton recently retired from WC after 43 years of service. But he first stepped onto campus as a student in 1972.   

“To many people, J.C. embodies everything good about the school,” wrote David Rogers in his nomination of Colton. “Since his time as a student at WC in the early to mid-’70s, he has been a leader of people, particularly young people.”   

Colton was state vice president of the Texas FFA in 1973-74 and, shortly after that, completed his associate degree at WC and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University, where he graduated Cum Laude.   

At A&M, he was active in numerous student organizations and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta honor societies. While in graduate school, he served as a delegate to the Student Conference on National Affairs and was Student Body Vice President in 1978.   

Colton began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher at Poolville High School but returned to WC the following year as an ag instructor. He held several positions at the college, including dean of student development. He was named WC Faculty Member of the Year in 1983-84 and Staff Member of the Year in 1990-91 and is the only employee to receive both awards.   

“J.C.’s aim as an educator was to help students make the preparations necessary to reach their full potential,” wrote nominator Bruce Kongable.   

“The amount of time he spent during his career helping others be successful cannot be measured,” wrote nominator Lin Bearden.   

Outside of WC, Colton has been involved in several community and professional activities. He is a long-time member and current Palo Pinto Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 board chair. He is an elected trustee of the Palo Pinto County Hospital District-Palo Pinto General Hospital Board, was on the organizing committee for the first Parker County Peach Festival, and was a founding committee member of WC’s Jack Harvey Academy of Exemplary Teachers. 

A supporter of youth, Colton was the producer and host of the “Live from the Parker County Livestock Show” local radio program for two decades, served as an announcer for the Fort Worth Livestock Show for eight years, and has volunteered to judge countless local, area and state youth contests.   

Martin, a licensed attorney since 1993, currently serves as judge for Parker County Court at Law No. 1 and was justice of the peace for Precinct 4 from 2016 to 2023.   

He enrolled in WC in 1987 and completed his associate degree in business in 1989. He then attended the University of Texas at Arlington and the Baylor University School of Law, where he graduated in 1993.   

Martin’s law career includes cases in civil litigation, family law, criminal law, wills, probate, guardianship and real estate. In 2005, he served as an assistant district attorney/felony prosecutor for Palo Pinto County. He also served as the Parker County Bar Association president in 1998-99.   

He has served on the Parker County Child Protective Services Board, Parker County Crime Commission, Children’s Advocacy Center Board and the Parker County Historical Commission.   

Martin is a 39-year member of the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse and an active member of the Aledo Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Weatherford and Parker County Chambers of Commerce and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity projects.   

Whiteman grew up in Aledo and joined the Weatherford Police Department in 1978, where he served for ten years. In 1980, Cpl. Whiteman received the city’s Life Saving Award for helping to save a woman who suffered a heart attack while driving.   

During his time with WPD, Whiteman attended WC and completed his associate degree in 1983. He was instrumental in establishing the Parker County Rape Crisis Program that same year. In 1986, he became the first Crime Stoppers Coordinator for WPD.   

Whiteman continued his education at Tarleton State University, completing his bachelor’s degree in 1984 and master’s in 1987.   

He was elected Parker County Sheriff in 1988 and served two terms. While sheriff, Whiteman organized local telethon fundraisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Following his time in elected office, he became director of safety and security for Weatherford ISD.   

Whiteman has also served on the Parker County Committee on Aging, as associate municipal judge, Parker County Meals on Wheels volunteer, and as a transportation board member. He is one of the longest-standing members of the Aledo Ex-Student Association, where he served on the scholarship committee.   

The Alumni Awards Luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, in the third-floor community room of the Emerging Technologies and Workforce Building.     

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Purchase online here. For more information, contact Susan Sodek at ssodek@wc.edu or 817-598-8924.