Jacksonville College invites the community to be our guests for the forty-sixth annual Manley Distinguished Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Norman Building on the College campus. This year our event will feature a program by Senator Robert Nichols entitled “The Boundaries of Texas”. This program was organized by the Barnwell Anderson chapter of the Walter Prescott Webb Historical Society.
Senator Robert Nichols was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2007 and represents 18 counties including the greater part of East and Southeast Texas. A native of Jacksonville, Nichols has served on the city council, was elected mayor, built four successful manufacturing facilities, and earned 32 U.S. and 128 foreign patents. His businesses created more than 900 jobs for East Texas families. Additionally, he served as transportation commissioner for eight years before running for Senate. During his nine sessions as a state senator, Nichols has authored and passed legislation to protect landowners’ rights, increase educational opportunities in East Texas, and reform transportation policies. He has been named a Top Legislator by Texas Insider, a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Texas Association of Business, a Courageous Conservative by the Texas Conservative Coalition, a Champion for Public Education by Raise Your Hand Texas, and a Top 10 Best Legislator for the 85th and 88th Legislative Sessions by Texas Monthly Magazine.
The Nora Belle Manley Lecture Series, renamed as the Manley Distinguished Lecture Series, is a tribute to a well-loved instructor at Jacksonville College whose tenure was characterized by an unwavering dedication to the academic and cultural development of the JC community.
Senator Robert Nichols