[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2223-H2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SELMA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a
hidden jewel in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District: Wallace
Community College Selma. Wallace Community College Selma is a stellar
2-year institution that provides incredible educational opportunities
to the students of Dallas County and across the Black Belt of Alabama.
Now, more than ever, America needs greater innovation in our
educational system to meet the demanding needs of tomorrow. Outstanding
higher education institutes in the State of Alabama are producing some
of our State's and our Nation's best and brightest who will lead us
into the next era of American innovation.
Wallace Community College Selma is leading that charge in my district
through its dual enrollment program, which allows high school students
to complete college courses and graduate with a high school diploma as
well as an associate degree from this junior college.
In 2008, Wallace Community College Selma graduated 31 students from
the Selma Early College High School, which was the first of its kind on
a college campus in the State of Alabama. The 2016 graduating class
will include 22 dual enrollment students, including 20 students that
participated in a special partnership with Tuskegee University.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute program with Tuskegee allowed
Wallace Community College Selma to increase the participation of
underrepresented minority students from Alabama's Black Belt counties
in the important fields of science and research. This dual enrollment
program with Tuskegee offers high school students an opportunity to
take classes at Wallace Community College Selma as well as Tuskegee,
and to graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate
degree in science.
Mr. Speaker, the dual enrollment program at Wallace Community College
Selma is accomplishing what it set out to do: to give Dallas County
high school students a head start in college. The benefits of this
important opportunity are immeasurable: cutting the cost and the time
spent in college while providing high school students significant
exposure to the types of classes and fields of interest that will give
them an important advantage and jump start on their peers.
Collaborations like these are so critically important to our youth
gaining important and invaluable educational experience while obtaining
college credit through dual enrollment. America must encourage more of
these types of programs as we seek to lead the world in educating our
people and attracting new generations of high-tech and high-paying
jobs.
As a Member of Congress for the Seventh Congressional District, I
take great pride in working to offer solutions that will help lay the
foundation for creating better paying jobs and for our educational
system to thrive in the future. I am so proud to acknowledge today the
tremendous efforts and the outstanding programs offered at Wallace
Community College Selma which exemplify the invaluable role our 2-year
colleges play in our communities.
This college's leadership and innovation in creating a 21st century
learning environment is to be commended--what a jewel to have serving
the students of the Black Belt of Alabama. I am proud to represent them
in my district and also to help encourage more students to participate
in the dual enrollment program and Wallace Community College Selma.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Dr. James Mitchell for his tremendous
leadership as president of Wallace Community College Selma. I want to
commend the faculty, administrators, and students of Wallace Community
College Selma for being truly outstanding.
[[Page H2224]]
This Friday, May 13, 2016, is graduation day at Wallace Community
College Selma. I want to congratulate the entire class of 2016 and
especially acknowledge the academic achievement of the 22 dual
enrollment students who will receive a special congressional
commendation on Friday. The names of these students will be listed in
this Congressional Record.
I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts and the
tremendous achievements of the Wallace students who participated in
Alabama Skills USA:
Alabama Skill USA winner Jonniece Collins won first place in masonry
and, as such, was the first woman in the State of Alabama to win this
honor.
Other winners included Roderick Perkins, who won second place in
masonry; Terrence Campbell, who won third place in masonry; and Francis
Phillips, who won second place in cosmetology in the men's hair design
competition.
I want to also pay special tribute to the outstanding athletic
achievements of Ki'Onna Likely, who was the 2015-2016 Alabama Community
College Conference Player of the Year as well as NJCAA Second Team All-
American.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring all of the
accomplishments of the outstanding students and graduates of Wallace
Community College Selma and to praise the leadership of Dr. James
Mitchell and the hardworking staff and faculty of Wallace Community
College.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2016. I wish you all the
very best in all of your future endeavors. We are counting on you to
make a difference.
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