17 July 2006

Wallace State Ceremony Recognizes GED Graduates

HANCEVILLE, AL-- During a recent ceremony, Wallace State Community College in Hanceville formally recognized 236 students who successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) exam. Wallace State President Dr. Vicki P. Hawsey conferred diplomas on the candidates.

Dr. Sylvia Morris served as the commencement speaker at the GED graduation ceremony.

   These students participated in the Wallace State Adult Education program, which provides GED classes free of charge in preparation for the GED test, a high school diploma equivalency exam, which covers five subject areas including Reading, Writing, Social Sciences, Science, and Mathematics.

   Cullman’s own Dr. Sylvia Morris, physician and author, served as commencement speaker for the event.

   Wallace State Adult Education Coordinator Kelley Blackwood recognized the many special achievements witnessed by the program.

   “One statement came to mind as we were preparing for the commencement exercises… ‘reaching higher for a higher purpose.’ The instructors and staff have gone beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions. Students have pushed forward despite all obstacles. They have all beaten the odds to reach higher and I am very proud of everyone,” she said.

   “A lot of students enter the doors of the adult education program, each with their own set of circumstances, hopes, and dreams. Some have huge obstacles to overcome just to enter the program, and then fight an uphill battle to finish. And some students tug at our heartstrings,” said Blackwood.

   Brent McDonald was one of those students.

   “Brent came to us in August of 2004 with a desire to overcome the low expectations that some people had for him and a desire to ‘make something of himself,’” said Blackwood.

   “He was always eager to help others and possessed an infectious sense of humor that endeared him to the entire staff. He conquered a learning disability that had all of us dreaming of fractions some nights,” she said.

   McDonald fulfilled one dream by passing his GED exam. He plans to pursue another by beginning classes at Wallace State this fall and applying to the nursing program.

Elizabeth Martin is congratulated by Dr. Vicki Hawsey, President of Wallace State.

   Ron Moon, Dean of Workforce Education and Neal Morrison, Assistant to the President for Workforce Development, also participated in the celebratory event. Music was provided by Mike Sparks, Director of Wallace State Concert Choir and Singers, and Amber Henry, who performed “Go Light Your World.” Adult Education Computer Lab Coordinator Virginia Barber provided the invocation for the program and Wallace State student Earline Leeth, the benediction.

   The Wallace State Adult Education program served 357 students through GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes over the past year.

   Each GED graduate is eligible to receive one college-credit course free of charge at Wallace State or any public two-year college in Alabama. According to recent reports, approximately 80 percent of those earning the GED have gone on to enroll in a college course.

   To qualify for Adult Education, students must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in a K-12 program. Students may enter the program throughout the year. Registration is completed at the first class. All Wallace State Adult Education classes and materials are offered free of charge.

   Through Wallace State Adult Education, individuals may prepare for the GED, get career readiness training and computer instruction, WorkKeys certification and testing, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Classes are offered free of charge on the Wallace State campus, at affiliate sites and, increasingly, in the workplace.

   A partnership with Wallace State allows employers to offer employees Adult Education classes that include not only basic education but also targeted skills that are specific to a particular workplace. Under state law, employers may be eligible to earn tax credits or receive federal, state and/or local funding for implementing workplace education programs.

   Today, many jobs and postsecondary education programs require either a high school diploma or its equivalency. Helping adults to earn the GED is one of the key areas served by Adult Education. Classes prepare students to pass the five subject areas of the exam. Online classes are available to those committed to study at home with necessary computer and internet capabilities. GED practice tests are available to indicate levels of readiness for the test in each subject area. The official GED test is also offered at Wallace State for a fee but assistance may be available to those unable to afford the cost of the test.

Brent McDonald and Tonya Wingo were among the graduates conferred diplomas at the Wallace State commencement exercises.

   Adult Job skills training provides pre-employment and on-the-job skills training through Wallace State’s Work-Based Project Learner Initiative. Students in this program enhance their listening, speaking, and writing skills and learn how to understand charts, forms, documents, manuals, and math in the workplace.

   Computer skills training is individualized, self-paced instruction on the basic computer skills required for most employers.

   Adult Education students work with instructors at their own pace on the specific skills they need to improve. All instructors are experienced, certified professionals who are dedicated to seeing learners achieve their goals.

   Wallace State uses up-to-date high quality and high-tech study materials. Labs are equipped with state-of-the-art computers and learning software to help students achieve their goals.

   For more information about the Adult Education program at Wallace State, or to find a nearby orientation center and classes call 352-8078 or 1-866-350-9722.

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  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu