Letter to the Editor – Matt Rodgers
The attendance of well over 500 people at the Enterprise State Community College Foundation’s most recent fundraiser for scholarships is just the latest of many, many opportunities I have had to thank our region for your support for our college. On Thursday, October 18, several teams of area community members and businesses partnered for Enterprise STARS Dancing for Scholarships. The excellence of this event, which was coordinated by ESCC Foundation Executive Director Chellye Stump, was wonderfully displayed. Thousands of dollars were raised. The countless hours spent on developing such a fun event for our community was evident in every detail. We are so thankful that because of you, more students will be able to take part in the Boll Weevil Experience. We are blessed with tremendous community support.
At ESCC, the word, “community,” is not just a part of our title. It is the core of our mission. This is why this year has been so full of significant announcements regarding programs and upgrades that best equip us to serve the needs of our region. One example of this is the fact that students on the ESCC campus, as well as dual enrollment students at our area high schools, are near completion of their first Medical Assistant Technology courses through ESCC. We started that program this fall. In addition, the first day of class for our first Commercial Driver’s License program for prospective truck drivers began on Monday, October 22. That is not nearly the end of great announcements for growth at ESCC: next fall, both an Industrial Maintenance and New Composites program are bound to continue to increase enrollment at the Enterprise and Ozark campuses.
In addition to positioning ourselves to equip our communities with the workforce and services needed from the collegiate level, teams of our outstanding faculty and staff members have traveled to every high school in our service area to let them know that we are here for them. We have received a warm welcome. Students are excited about what ESCC and AAC have to offer and they want to see themselves at our college. Our teams at both colleges are second to none and passionate about helping our students be successful.
Times in the communities of Andalusia, Enterprise and Ozark are outstanding, and we are so excited that our campuses are a part. A total of $2.5 million will be pumped into the local economy in Ozark as building renovations, campus beautification projects and a brand new composites lab take form. In Enterprise, renovations continue in Talmadge Hall as upgrades are also planned for Forrester Hall and Sessions Hall. We are thrilled, too, with improvements to our athletic facilities in Enterprise. When you get a chance, stop by the campus to take a look at the facelift to the Ray Lolley Gymnasium. Not far from the campus are our baseball and softball fields, which will see more than $150,000 in upgrades due to a commitment from our senator, Sen. Jimmy Holley.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank each student who has chosen ESCC to be a part of his or her future, as well as the students who are considering us as their next step after graduation from high school, or as their next opportunity for a career change or life change. It is our honor to serve our students and make a positive impact in all of the communities we serve. On behalf of the faculty and staff at ESCC and AAC, thank you! We look forward to continuing to create an institution that we all can be proud of. If I can ever be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to connect with me by calling 334-347-2623, or via email at mrodgers@escc.edu.
Boll Weevil Proud,
Matt Rodgers
President
Enterprise State Community College
(334) 347-2623