Valley Street Campus receives additional funding
Gadsden State Community College’s Valley Street Campus has the area’s only Historically Black Colleges or Universities designation. As a result, additional funding was provided in 2022 to benefit the campus and its students.
In May, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., donated $5,000 to Gadsden State to fund a scholarship for a Valley Street student. Alondra Aquilar, a student from Gadsden studying Diagnostic Medical Sonography, received the scholarship designated for a minority student with at least a 2.5 GPA. Aquilar received $2,500 for the 2022 fall semester and $2,500 for the 2023 spring semester. Funds could be applied toward tuition, books or fees.
In September, Terry Smiley, the vice president of the Eastern Division of Alabama Power Co., and Spencer Williams, community relations manager for the company, presented a $50,000 donation to Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State.
Right: Alabama Power executives Terry Smiley, left, and Spencer Williams, right, presented a $50,000 check to Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State.
The money is designated for building upgrades at Prater Hall and construction of an outdoor classroom for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program at the Valley Street Campus.
During the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Microsoft made a $10,000 donation to the Valley Street Campus. The money was designated to students enrolled in programs on the Valley Street Campus, including Construction Technology, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Certified Nursing Assistant, Dental Assisting, Licensed Practical Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Medication Assistant.
Recipients of the Spring 2023 Microsoft Scholarships included:
- Dawson Irvin from Munford – Construction Technology
- Christopher Lett from Talladega – LPN Program
- Kiesha Lee from Oxford – Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Jherimaya Ellis from Gadsden – Dental Assisting
- Jennifer Nhi Le from Weaver – Dental Assisting
Funds will also be used for Valley Street Campus student scholarships in the 2023 summer and fall semesters.
The Valley Street Campus received the HBCU designation in 1997. The doors opened in 1960 as the Gadsden Vocational Trade School that was founded by Eugene N. Prater, the director of the Veterans Continuation Program for Negroes. The private vocational training school was founded for the exclusive education and training of Black Americans. It merged with Gadsden State community College in 1985.