Friend Perspective

Barbara Sias Chinn, D.D.S., Retired Colonel, United States Army and Retired General Dentist, Harker Heights, TX

Special Giving Areas of Interest

Mildred Sias Shepherd and Erma Sias Bien-Aime Endowed Scholarship, Deborah J. Mitchell Endowed Scholarship, Pioneer Hall of Fame and Preeminence Awards Gala, Jarvis Strong, and the Alumni Bus Drive

Jarvis has proven over 60 years to be a major educational dynasty in the Sias family. It started with my two oldest sisters who were invited to attend Jarvis after their college, Southern Christian Institute closed its doors in 1954. Mildred Sias Shepherd the oldest received her degree in 1956 and my other sister, Erma Sias Bien-Aime attended for two years. Every year they catch the train or plane and come back for Founders/Homecoming at the ages of 85 and 87 years old. Mildred has a son Winfred, daughter-in-law Pamela, and granddaughter Crystal who are graduates. My sister Lillian Mitchell has three children, Robert, Deborah, who is a faithful volunteer for Jarvis and a former Miss Jarvis Christian University, and Shirley, who was a former national Miss UNCF who graduated and received their Bachelor of Science degrees from Jarvis Christian University. There are other family members who attended including David Westerfield, Lewis Jackson, III, Ledell Shepherd, and Cheryl Shepherd Sykes. Presently, my great-niece, Dasia Westerfield is a Senior Honors student and has been afforded many academic and experimental learning opportunities. Three years ago, I was inspired to establish the Mildred Sias Shepherd and Erma Sias Bien-Aime Endowed Scholarship and the Deborah J. Mitchell Endowed Scholarship in honor of my family members’ love for Jarvis Christian University. JCU has given much to our family, and we are giving back to Jarvis to help make Jarvis Strong. for the next generation of other deserving students. God bless the institution’s transition to Jarvis Christian University.