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Forrester Hall renovations underway at ESCC

Forrester Hall renovations underway at ESCC

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/forrester-hall-renovations-underway-at-escc/article_7641ea72-96b4-11e9-aef8-1fc8d097af44.html

Enterprise State Community College’s beloved Fine Arts Division Chair Ken Thomas is saying goodbye to his former classroom, but saying hello to something much better.

In April of 2019, renovations began on Forrester Hall, which had not been updated since it was originally built in 1977.

With the updates, ESCC’s Fine Arts Department will now have the latest classroom technology and all the essential needs for a fine arts building. Forrester Hall will also have proper lighting for the gallery space, a new dark room for traditional photography development, and a new light room for experimenting with photo shoots. A new Music Theory Room, a new Keyboard/ Piano Lab, and a modified Black Box Theater are also in the works.

The music rehearsal space will be redesigned and will include updated audio/ visual and recording equipment to allow students to receive instant feedback of their rehearsals as they strive for perfection and in their quest of learning.

“Having updated facilities, the latest classroom technology, and the essential needs of a fine arts building is going to enhance the outstanding instruction our students are already receiving,” Thomas said.

“With the updated facilities, it allows you to grow more as a fine arts student and also allows the instructors to have the ability to grow the programs,” said Fine Arts student Samuel Elijuan Brown of Elba.

Enterprise State plans for Forrester Hall to be completed by the beginning of the fall semester.

Registration opens for ESCC basketball camp

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/registration-opens-for-escc-basketball-camp/article_514aecc0-9392-11e9-9a4c-1f4f2f0bccfe.html

Enterprise State Community College Athletic Director and head basketball coach Jeremaine Williams this week announced dates and registration information for the college’s annual basketball camp.

Open to boys and girls ages 13-16, the camp is slated for July 15-18. Girls will participate in camp activities each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon, while boys will participate from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Williams said there is an additional camp — scheduled for July 8-11 — for children ages seven through 12. Activities for that camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. until noon each day.

Registration is $75 and is available until the first day of camp. The cost includes a t-shirt and lunch. 

Parents wishing to register more than one child should contact Williams due to pricing differences for multiple children.

Coaches and players will cover all aspects of becoming a better basketball player, according to Williams.

“We’ll go over the fundamentals of basketball,” Williams said. “We’ll look at ball handling, passing, shooting the proper way and playing good team defense and individual defense, and we’re going to focus a lot on teamwork, as well. I want to encourage everyone to come have fun, because this is going to be a very fun camp.”

After last year’s basketball camp, Williams said the most important thing is getting young players to realize basketball is about teamwork and family.

Williams can be reached at 334-347-2623, extension 2303, or by emailing jlwilliams@escc.edu.

ESCC offers ‘STEM Forward’ program for incoming students

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/escc-offers-stem-forward-program-for-incoming-students/article_1ca699b4-8d49-11e9-b780-dbd7be4b3198.html

Though summer has officially arrived for 2019 high school graduates, a number of incoming freshmen at Enterprise State Community College are getting a jump start on preparing for their collegiate careers.

Beginning June 3 and running through June 20, ESCC is offering a free “STEM Forward” program for its incoming students majoring in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. According to information provided by the school, the program “assists students who are underrepresented in the STEM fields with academic preparedness, college readiness, and career awareness activities.” Students who complete the program “will be eligible to apply for enrollment” into the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge to Baccalaureate Program, which “provides renewable yearly stipends valued at $3,000 per year.”
Students in the “STEM Forward” program complete non-credit mini-courses in chemistry, pre-calculus and English to better prepare them for what college has in store. They can also participate in field trips to “local and regional industries that utilize STEM techniques” and learn more about time management and study skills from specialized workshops on the ESCC campus.

Boll Weevils’ pitcher drafted by Texas Rangers

Enterprise State Community College pitcher Jamarcus Lang, a right-hander, was drafted by the Texas Rangers Wednesday in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

Lang did not play that much for ESCC and did not finish out the year due to having a blister on his finger. Listed at 6-foot, 2-inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, Lang is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He played his freshman season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi, where he compiled a 3-1 record with a 4.88 earned run average.

Through his contacts, Enterprise State baseball coach Bubba Frichter recruited the transfer to the Boll Weevils during Frichter’s third year at the helm of the program. Frichter once coached at Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as Troy University, Pensacola State and Elba High School.
ESCC has had several players drafted in the past, the most successful as a professional being Newnan, Georgia native Jerome Walton. Walton, drafted in the 36th round in 1986 by the Chicago Cubs, would become the National League Rookie of the Year in 1989. That season he batted .293 with 24 stolen bases and he had a 30-game hitting streak.
During his 10-year Major League career, Walton batted .269 with 25 home runs, 132 RBI and 58 stolen bases while playing centerfield with the Cubs, Angels, Reds, Braves, Orioles and Devil Rays.
Williams chosen as new ESCC athletic director

Williams chosen as new ESCC athletic director

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/williams-chosen-as-new-escc-athletic-director/article_d3649dd0-8313-11e9-89df-0f6da1f0f359.html

Enterprise State Community College has found a new athletic director in a familiar face.

Head Basketball Coach Jermaine Williams was announced to be the school’s new athletic director Thursday morning. According to ESCC President Matt Rodgers, former athletic director and current Associate Dean of Students Kevin Ammons will be taking on additional administrative duties as Williams steps up into the role.

“I am extremely excited about Coach Jermaine Williams taking on the new role of Athletics Director at ESCC,” Rodgers said following the announcement. “I have watched Coach Williams over the last year and a half and I continue to be impressed with his work ethic and passion for the college.  He is an outstanding man, coach, and mentor to our student-athletes.  He cares greatly about all of our athletes and coaches.  I believe in him and have no doubt he will shine as our AD.

“I also want to thank Dr. Ammons for his hard work and commitment to our athletic programs.  Dr. Ammons will be taking on additional duties for the College.  We have made tremendous progress under Kevin’s leadership.  We have updated our facilities, added scholarships and always remained in compliance with the ACCS.  I can’t thank him enough for his leadership over the last few years.  Coach Williams and Dr. Ammons will continue to work closely together as we advance our athletics program.”

Williams has served as ESCC’s head basketball coach for 7 years but first came to the school as an assistant coach under David James following his graduation from Troy University. Williams later returned to the school and worked with Coach Charles Cole; he was selected as ESCC’s head coach following Cole’s retirement.

Williams said he was “flabbergasted” by the announcement but excited about the future of the athletics program.

“It feels great — it’s a blessing,” Williams said. “You work hard and it shows what hard work does pays off in the long run. Just be patient and humble, do your best. You get rewarded for it.”

Williams said that his primary focus as athletic director will be to build off of the work Ammons began.

“Dr. Ammons has done a great job, and I want to build off what he’s already put in motion,” Williams said. “Facilities are our number one priority, and we have plans for that. We will finish renovating the gym, which we’ve already begun, and we have plans for a new website that will be launched this year; it’ll allow the community to watch games via live stream and it will help with recruitment. We want to try to recruit the best athletes we can locally and keep them home.”

Ammons said he has complete confidence in Williams and his ability to bring ESCC’s athletics into the spotlight.

“I’m honored that Coach Williams is going to be the new director; I couldn’t think of a finer individual to come in and take the program to new heights,” Ammons said. “I’ve never seen a man have this much ability to work with kids, not only on the court but also in making sure they’re successful in the classroom. He’ll be involved in other sports now and I think we’ll see graduation rates continue to increase while keeping students competitive on the field. Coach Williams will do a good job — he’s always been successful and I have no reservations when his name came up for AD. I’ll continue to support the program under his leadership.”

Williams said that ESCC Athletics have come a long way, even with more work to be done on the horizon.

“Administration has increased our scholarships, which is great for all our sports — that’ll help us next year with building the teams,” Williams said. “The administration is doing everything to help us improve, and I want to thank them for that. Mr. Rodgers has great leadership, and anything we can come up with to improve the program he will support.”

Despite the change in administration, Williams said he will remain in his position as head basketball coach and still “be the same coach” the community knows so well.

“I’m still the same Coach Williams — nothing will change there,” Williams laughed. “Nothing will change me as a person. I’ll continue helping the community, because without community, we can’t do anything.”

ESCC renovations moving forward

ESCC renovations moving forward

Josh Richards

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/escc-renovations-moving-forward/article_f26ac89c-8185-11e9-b258-57e86b2b5d0d.html

Renovations at Enterprise State Community College are moving along as scheduled according to ESCC Public Relations Director Stephen Schmidt.

They are focused on “student spaces.”

“All the remodeling and renovations we’re doing, they’re focused on benefiting our academic programs and creating spaces for our students,” Schmidt said. “Students want to have places to go to study or to be with like-minded people, and we want to help with that.”

Current areas being renovated at the Enterprise campus include the library, Forrester Hall, Wallace Hall and the Ray Lolley Gymnasium and Health Building.

Schmidt said workers are finishing up a project to turn the space into Boll Weevil Central — an area that will house a smaller library, faculty offices, tutoring rooms and study rooms.

“We weren’t getting a lot of foot traffic (in the library),” said Schmidt. “Students would come to get books their professors wanted them to get, but other than that it wasn’t being used. People weren’t hanging out. That’s why this space was chosen for this effort.”

The addition of tutoring and advising rooms will open tutoring services up to more students. DaNean Pound, who will serve as tutoring director at Boll Weevil Central, said it is a service that students need.

“We finally have another means of student success at ESCC,” Pound said. “We have student support services, but now more students can get tutoring. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

Schmidt said student support services, a grant-funded program, has been offered in the past but required students to meet eligibility requirements. The additions will help ESCC offer tutoring to other students.

Meanwhile, renovations at Forrester Hall continue and are slated to be completed in the fall of 2019. The building houses fine arts programs, and it is being gutted and completely renovated to “make better use of space.”

Schmidt said the program, under the direction of Dr. Ken Thomas, has been growing in recent years and the new building will accommodate more students and give those students lounge spaces.

At the Ray Lolley Gymnasium and Health Building, a classroom has been renovated to serve as a lab space for students enrolled in ESCC’s Medical Assistant Technology program. Old furniture was updated and a sink, which took about six months to complete, was added to the classroom.

Schmidt said the timing of the renovations is “perfect” because the program — created in Fall 2018 — is entering a point where more advanced equipment is required.

Director of the MAT program, Melissa Rosenthal, said convenience has been a major bright spot of the renovations.

“Last semester we actually had to go the science building all the way across campus to do labs,” Rosenthal said. “No we have a theory room that we do our theory in, and this will be our lab. We’ll have phlebotomy, a doctor’s office and microscopes and other additions.”

In Wallace, three rooms are being converted into classrooms, two of which will house adult education programs and one that will serve as a computer information sciences classroom, equipped with computers.

ESCC Dean of Students Olivier Charles said the renovations are part of a larger plan to give the school more of a “college-feel” and be more welcoming for faculty and students.

Upcoming projects include updated bathrooms at Wallace Hall and a $1.9 million renovation of Sessions Hall, which will close in fall 2019. Sessions will be equipped with new lounge spaces, nooks and other areas.

“There are a lot of upgrades in terms of student friendliness,” Charles said. “We’re excited — a lot of updates and a lot of things happening. We plan to have the small updates we’re doing here completed before fall classes start, but we’re asking for our students to be patient with us because we’re going to close another building (Sessions) and get it updated.”

Charles also said ESCC is “on the brink” of starting a quad project.

“We’re looking at designs next week,” he said. “Our goal is to make the quad more of a central focus of our campus. We want it to be a little bit more attractive to our students, so we’re looking at a centerpiece with a clock tower possibly and doing some seating around it and having our sidewalks congregate to that spot. The long term vision is there, but we have to take the steps to add one piece at a time.”

Quisenberry retires after 35 years at ESCC

Quisenberry retires after 35 years at ESCC

By Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_c3183048-719a-11e9-adc9-03c1a9f82290.html 

Dr. Henry “Chip” Quisenberry, director of student financial aid at Enterprise State Community College is retiring after 35 years at the college and 40 years in the Alabama Community College System.

“Dr. Quisenberry is one of the finest men I know,” said ESCC President Matt Rodgers. “He has helped thousands of students through the financial aid process. He is really what makes ESCC special. Dr. Q has always put the students and the college first.  He has remained loyal and true. I can’t think of a better ambassador for Enterprise State than Chip Quisenberry. He will always be a huge part of the ESCC family.  Congratulations to Chip on a job well done.”

Quisenberry holds the distinction of working under every president of ESCC in some capacity.

He first attended Enterprise State Junior College, ESCC’s original name, in 1972 and would return as an intern under President Benjamin Abb Forrester. The next president, Dr. Joseph Talmadge, asked Quisenberry to come to the school in 1984 where he has stayed for 35 years.

Quisenberry is best known for his role in the financial aid field, but he actually graduated Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in forestry.

He worked in the forestry field in Macon, Ga., and in the Auburn area after graduating from college.

“I worked in forestry for a while, but I just missed being around people,” Quisenberry said.

“I wasn’t satisfied—I wasn’t really happy with my situation so I did a lot of praying about it, and I talked to a lot of people that knew me and sought advice from trusted friends. I was thinking about going into counseling and they encouraged me.”

Quisenberry returned to Auburn to earn his master’s in counseling. While working as a graduate assistant in the financial aid office at Auburn, Quisenberry feel in love with what he does now.

“I really enjoyed that and enjoyed that work, it’s what led me down this path,” Quisenberry said.

He earned his master’s degree in college student development at Auburn with his work in the financial aid office leading to a job at Bessemer State Technical College. After several years at Bessemer, Talmadge asked him to come to ESCC, still known as ESJC, which he happily accepted.

“Enterprise is home to me,” Quisenberry said. “I graduated from Enterprise High School, then went here (ESCC). After ten years I was fortunate enough to be able to come back home to work at Enterprise State Junior College.”

Working at ESCC convinced Quisenberry to pursue his doctorate in education, which he obtained from the University of Alabama.

“I saw Dr. Talmadge go out after he was hired here on his time and his nickel earn a doctorate in administration,” Quisenberry said. “I saw Dr. Tommy Guthrie—who was the dean of the college—go to Mississippi State and earn his doctorate, I saw Dr. (David) Chalker and Dr. Joan Newman and others do the same thing. I saw all these folks go out and earn terminal degrees because if you’re at Enterprise (State Community College) that’s just what you do. We’re leaders so we want to have the credentials to back up that mentality. So I did that because that’s what was modeled for me and I have tried to model that for others.”

One portion of his tenure at ESCC that sticks out to him is the time from 2007-2010 when the campus hosted EHS after the tornado struck the school.

“It was a special time—a historic time,” Quisenberry said. “I am so thankful that I was able be here at that time. I can always point back and say, ‘I was there when that happened and I helped the high school and the college get through that time.’”

The entirety of Quisenberry’s son’s, Jonathan, high school career took place at ESCC during this time. It was also during this time that current president Matt Rodgers was assistant principal at EHS. Quisenberry and Rodgers’ offices were adjoined, which is how the two first got to know each other.

Over the years, Quisenberry has seen the effect financial aid can have on students and families.

“We’ve—it’s not just me, it’s the team we have here—been able to help a lot of students. Working together, we’ve been able to change lives. If you take a student who has little hope—they’ve never had anything, their family’s never had anything and maybe they’re a first generation college student—and you help them get a degree, it not only changes their lives but it can change the trajectory of an entire family for generations,” Quisenberry said.

He said that he’s been working so long that he’s actually giving out scholarships to the kids of students he has helped in the past.

“I was in Geneva County last year presenting scholarships and saw a former student. I said, “I know you,’” Quisenberry said. “She gave me her name and I said, ‘I remember when you were a student at college,’ and she said, ‘Yeah, well I’m teaching here now.’ Well, her daughter is one of the students that’s getting a scholarship this year so if you live long enough and stick with it long enough those kinds of things happen.”

He said that seeing the fruits of his—and the team’s—labor is always a great feeling.

“It just gives me a good feeling in my heart to know that the work that you did was important to somebody,” Quisenberry said.

He discussed the moment that he realized he wanted to retire.

“I was not interesting in retiring, I could have retired a while ago,” Quisenberry said. “But something in me said, ‘Wait.’ Maybe it’s just hesitance—just a resistance to change—I don’t know, but I feel like now that I can retire and feel like I’m leaving the work and the college in as good shape or better than when I got here.”

The original plan was to retire on June 1, at the end of the school year, but Quisenberry said that the administrators at the Teachers Retirement System told him that if he waited until Aug. 1, he would have 40 years in the system.

Quisenberry decided to wait until Aug. 1 to officially retire, but says he will return to ESCC in a part-time contract-work capacity.

He said that out of all the work he’s done for the college over the years wouldn’t have been possible without his wife, Cindy Quisenberry.

“I also have to say how thankful I am to have had the loving support of my wife, Cindy,” Quisenberry said. “She has always encouraged me, supported me, and modeled for me what hard work looks like. Much of the credit for what I have accomplished should go to her.”

He said that he’s excited for the future of the college.

“The future for Enterprise State Community College is very bright,” Quisenberry said. “We have a committed leadership team who is passionate about taking this place just as far as we can possibly go. The faculty and staff are following that leadership, and I’m just thankful that I have been able to play a part in the life of the College.”

ESCC celebrates Founder’s Day

ESCC celebrates Founder’s Day

By Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_63e77c72-719b-11e9-89cd-d7df84f328ab.html

Enterprise State Community College celebrated its Founder’s Day on April 17.

The day is set aside to bring together the students and faculty in celebration of the school’s founding in 1963, when it was known as Enterprise State Junior College.

“Our institution was founded by people who love this community and cared enough to go the extra mile and do the things it took to really start this college,” said ESCC President Matt Rodgers. “For our students, it’s a great day for them to take a peek back in time, through our history and really appreciate our past as well as a beautiful day on campus.”

This year’s Founder’s Day celebration featured multiple inflatables, tug-of-war, music, corn hole and catered food.

“It’s a time of togetherness and a time to remember ESCC here at the end of the school year, especially for our sophomores who will transferring or graduating and going out into the career field,” said ESCC Coordinator of Student Programs Jennifer Olsen. “Our students look forward to the event every year.”

Former Daleville star earns four-year scholarship offers

Former Daleville star earns four-year scholarship offers

By Josh Boutwell sports@southeastsun.com

http://www.southeastsun.com/daleville/article_69d7d9e0-6c2a-11e9-bbe5-979844fee294.html 

Former Daleville football and basketball star Kainan Pouncy’s Enterprise State basketball career came to a close earlier this year, but his college career is only beginning.

Pouncy received four scholarship offers from four-year basketball programs last week including the University of Montevallo, Georgia Southwestern State University, University of Arkansas at Monticello and Florida A&M University.

Montevallo, Georgia Southwestern and Arkansas-Monticello are all Division II schools, while Florida A&M is a Division I school and part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which is made up primarily of historically black colleges and universities. Montevallo is also historically a Division II power having reached the Division II Sweet 16 eight times since 2004 and the Elite 8 three times during that span, including an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012.

“I was really excited (to receive the offers) and the chance to play at the next level is always a blessing,” Pouncy said. “I just want to choose the school that best fits me with great coaches that I can get along with and a nice, safe campus. I want to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be and win a championship.”

Before coming to ESCC, Pouncy was an all-state athlete in both basketball and football at Daleville High School. Pouncy had a massive senior season despite coming off of an ACL tear during his junior season. He averaged 18 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.1 steals, 5.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in his senior campaign at Daleville.

Pouncy earned Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) All-Region 22 second team honors in both his freshman and sophomore seasons at ESCC. He also earned All-South Division first team honors in both seasons.

Pouncy averaged 20.3 points per game as a sophomore, which was fourth in the entire conference, and 19.7 points per game as a freshman. Pouncy’s 47 total steals during the season was also 10th in the conference and his 8.1 rebounds per game as fourth in the ACCC.

Pouncy said that he thoroughly enjoyed his time at ESCC and learned a lot there.

“It was great and I definitely would recommend ESCC to future players,” Pouny said. “I really learned about what it takes and to thrive and work hard on and off the court on a daily basis.”

Dr. Joseph Talmadge receives commendation

Dr. Joseph Talmadge receives commendation

By Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_7cb8f8d2-6c16-11e9-ad29-431af102f041.html

Over 100 people filled Enterprise State Community College’s multipurpose room for the commendation ceremony of former president and dean of instruction Dr. Joseph Talmadge on April 26.

Alabama Education Policy Advisor and Coordinator and Enterprise State Community College alumnus Nick Moore thanked Talmadge for the things he had done as president.

“As a freshman student that entered into this college on a Pell Grant, if it wasn’t for the (ESCC) Foundation scholarship that I received—that you established as president—I wouldn’t be standing here today in this role,” Moore said. “There’s no doubt that many people in this room today are standing on the shoulders of giants and you are chief among those giants.”

He also spoke on Talmadge’s role in the creation of the Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (STARS).

“A lot of folks don’t recognize that Dr. Talmadge was a visionary leader of the Alabama Articulation Agreement Committee in 1984 and 1985,” Moore said. “Due to your leadership and help from the good Senator Jimmy Holley, you were able to develop the Alabama Statewide Transfer and Articulation Agreement. Right now because of that agreement, so many of our college students are able to finish their four-year degree at universities and colleges across Alabama. And because of that, they’re able to save money, finish their degree early and get into college.”

Moore presented Talmadge with a commendation from Gov. Kay Ivey.

“Now therefore, Kay Ivey, governor of Alabama does hereby commend Dr. Joseph Talmadge for his many contributions to the state of Alabama in both his career at Enterprise State Community College and in providing state-wide leadership through his work to improve transfer and articulation throughout the state of Alabama,” Moore read.

Director of Student Financial Aid Henry Quisenberry was originally hired by Talmadge and took to the podium to say a few words about the man.

“Thank you for your faith in us, thank you for your hope for what our beloved school could become and thank you for your unabashed love for this college and for everybody that’s served here,” Quisenberry said. “God bless you and God bless Enterprise State for the years to come.”

Current ESCC President Matt Rodgers revealed that April 26 would officially be recognized as Joseph Talmadge Day at ESCC and said a few words about Tamladge’s legacy.

“At the end of the day, we’re not judged by wins or losses, we’re not judged by the number of books we sell, we’re not judged by the money we have in our bank account, we’re judged by the effect and impact and difference we make to other people,” Rodgers said. “I am just honored today to say, Dr. Joe you’ve been successful on a job well done.”

Talmadge took an opportunity to speak to the crowd gathered in the ESCC MPR.

“I can’t turn down a podium,” Talmadge said to a room full of laughter. “I’m just proud of the college and I’m proud of Matt (Rodgers). I hope he’s going to stay out here for the next 25 or 30 years and that he keeps building off what we started. I thank all of you for coming and it just means so much to me to see all of you. That’s the greatest treasure of all is to be able to see all of you. I’m proud of this school and I know you are, too.”

After the ceremony in the MPR, the group moved to the newly renovated Talmadge Hall on campus where the building was rededicated with a new portrait of Talmadge hanging in the lobby.

Talmadge took the time after the rededication to explore the newly renovated building event giving a history lecture to his grandson.

Enterprise State Community College

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