The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHERN UNION STATE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
______
HON. MIKE ROGERS
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Southern Union State Community College.
Southern Union State Community College is the second oldest two-year college in Alabama, and is currently under the leadership of President Todd Shackett.
Southern Union has compiled a rich history throughout the years. Originally chartered by the Southern Christian Convention of Congregational Christian Churches, SUSCC was planned as a feeder school for Elon College in North Carolina. In 1922, 51 students stepped into a single building in Wadley, Alabama, that was then known as Bethlehem College; and the dream of a college in east Alabama was realized.
Southern Union remained church related until 1964, operating as Piedmont Junior College, Southern Union College and The Southern Union College. On October 1, 1964, the college was the first to be deeded to the State of Alabama to become part of the newly-created system of two-
year colleges. The name of the college became Southern Union State Junior College, and it achieved accreditation in 1970 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In response to requests from business and industry, Southern Union expanded its reach to an even wider area in the late 1960s and early 1970s, offering higher education opportunities in Lee and Chambers counties by holding classes at local high schools. The college continued its commitment to the citizens of the area with the construction of campuses in the cities of Opelika and Valley. In 1974, the Valley Campus was completed. And, in 1982, the college purchased land in Opelika and offered a full-range of course offerings at its Opelika Campus. On August 12, 1993, the college merged with the local technical college, thus expanding its technical education offerings. Upon merging, the college became Southern Union State Community College.
Today, Southern Union has three campus locations in Wadley, Opelika and Valley and boasts an enrollment of approximately 5,000 students. SUSCC serves residents of an eight county area of East and Central Alabama as well as neighboring Georgia counties. A three-faceted educational emphasis is on academic programs for transferability, technical programs for specialized career competencies and health sciences programs for specialized training in the health field.
Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Southern Union a happy 100th anniversary.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 25
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