[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E128-E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHERN UNION STATE 
                           COMMUNITY COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2022

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
100th Anniversary of Southern Union State Community College.
  Southern Union State Community College is the second oldest two-year 
college in Alabama, and is currently under the leadership of President 
Todd Shackett.
  Southern Union has compiled a rich history throughout the years. 
Originally chartered by the Southern Christian Convention of 
Congregational Christian Churches, SUSCC was planned as a feeder school 
for Elon College in North Carolina. In 1922, 51 students stepped into a 
single building in Wadley, Alabama, that was then known as Bethlehem 
College; and the dream of a college in east Alabama was realized.
  Southern Union remained church related until 1964, operating as 
Piedmont Junior College, Southern Union College and The Southern Union 
College. On October 1, 1964, the college was the first to be deeded to 
the State of Alabama to become part of the newly-created system of two-
year colleges. The name of the college became Southern Union State 
Junior College, and it achieved accreditation in 1970 from the Southern 
Association of Colleges and Schools.
  In response to requests from business and industry, Southern Union 
expanded its reach to an even wider area in the late 1960s and early 
1970s, offering higher education opportunities in Lee and Chambers 
counties by holding classes at local high schools. The college 
continued its commitment to the citizens of the area with the 
construction of campuses in the cities of Opelika and Valley. In 1974, 
the Valley Campus was completed. And, in 1982, the college purchased 
land in Opelika and offered a full-range of course offerings at its 
Opelika Campus. On August 12, 1993, the college merged with the local 
technical college, thus expanding its technical education offerings. 
Upon merging, the college became Southern Union State Community 
College.
  Today, Southern Union has three campus locations in Wadley, Opelika 
and Valley and boasts an enrollment of approximately 5,000 students. 
SUSCC serves residents of an eight county area of East and Central 
Alabama as

[[Page E129]]

well as neighboring Georgia counties. A three-faceted educational 
emphasis is on academic programs for transferability, technical 
programs for specialized career competencies and health sciences 
programs for specialized training in the health field.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Southern Union a happy 100th 
anniversary.

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