Speeker establishes first endowed scholarship of 2025

Hanceville, Ala. — The Wallace State Community College Future Foundation announces its first endowed scholarship of the year with the creation of the Dr. James Speeker and Donna Speeker Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will benefit students studying Diagnostic Imaging at Wallace State.

Donna Speeker, a former English and Spanish instructor at Wallace State, established the scholarship.

“I wanted to do something permanent in mine and my husband’s memory,” said Donna Speeker, whose husband James passed away Feb. 22, 2017.

“He was a family physician here in Cullman and he started as an X-ray tech in the Air Force,” Speeker said. That skillset, she said, supported them as they both went to college and started their family.

“His being an X-ray tech kept us afloat for years,” she said. “We moved quite a few times and everywhere we went he was able to work.”

When she began thinking about establishing a scholarship, his experience as an X-ray technician and her history with the college influenced her decision.

“I felt like this scholarship to the Diagnostic Imaging program would be an homage to his past,” she said.

The first scholarship is expected to be awarded in Fall 2026. Speeker has noted a preference that the scholarship be provided to a single parent when possible.

“I hate to think of how many students graduate from any kind of program in debt and I was thinking this would be a help,” she said.

As a former instructor, Speeker said she recalls students who struggled as they waited on funding or had to miss classes due to sick children or family commitments. “It hurt my heart to hear people struggle like that,” she said.

Speeker said her husband was very supportive of her during their life together and knows he would have supported her in this endeavor as well. She said she’s been blessed to be able to establish this scholarship and would encourage others to do the same.

"The establishment of the Dr. James Speeker and Donna Speeker Endowed Scholarship represents an incredible opportunity for our Diagnostic Imaging students. Many of our students face significant financial challenges while pursuing their education, and this scholarship will help alleviate some of that burden. It not only provides vital support but also reinforces the value of investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals. This kind of generosity inspires our students to excel academically and professionally, knowing their efforts are recognized and supported. We are deeply grateful for this meaningful contribution to our program and our students' futures.”

Dr. Jim Malone, Program Director and Associate Dean for Health Sciences

The Diagnostic Imaging program offers associate degrees in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy. Applications for Fall 2025 entry will be accepted from March 1 to June 1. Visit www.wallacestate.edu/Diagnostic-Imaging, call 256.352.8334 or email mindie.sandlin@wallacestate.edu.

The Wallace State Future Foundation is the steward of more than 200 scholarships that are provided to Wallace State students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Future Foundation awarded a record 251 scholarships totaling $465,000.

Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are being accepted through March 15 at www.wsccfuturefoundation.org/scholarships. For more information about scholarships, contact the Future Foundation at 256.352.7842 or carrie.jordan@wallacestate.edu.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.