Harold and Rosemary Beaird in honor of Thomas "Tom" Mensch, III

Thomas H. “Tom” Mensch, III served as director of the Apache Band at TJC for 11 years. When he joined TJC in 2003, there were 35 students participating in the band. The next fall, there were 130 members. By 2009, the band had grown to 2016 members. He now serves as the Minister of Instrumental Music at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Mr. Mensch is an active performer on tenor trombone with the Rose City Brass Quintet, The Rose City Trombone Quartet, Lead Trombone with the Souled Out Jazz Orchestra and the East Texas Jazz Orchestra, is the Principal Trombonist with the Longview Symphony, is a freelance musician throughout the East Texas Area, and maintains a teaching studio of talented collegiate and high school trombone students.

In 2015, Harold and Rosemary Beaird established eight Presidential Honors Scholarships, including this one, funded in part from the estate of their late daughter, Beverly Ann Beaird, a former educator. Beverly graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a teaching degree and taught elementary school in Houston and Tyler for many years. Beaird’s Presidential Honors Scholarships honor individuals who have been influential in the continued success and growth of Tyler Junior College and the TJC Apache Band.