Wallace State’s Adult Education Department conducts commencement for 2020 & 2021 graduates
View pictures from the Adult Education commencement | https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallacestate/albums/72157719355364012
View the ceremony video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBKU8Nah6PA
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College’s Adult Education Department conducted
its commencement recently, recognizing graduates from both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021
classes at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre.
More than 30 graduates participated in the ceremony and more than 80 individuals earned
their GED (general education development) or high school diploma during the 2020-2021
academic year.
“This is one of the most special events this college or any community college hosts.
Life happens and sometimes our dreams get critically and severely deferred,” said
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “You didn’t give up. You held on to
that dream. I want to congratulate each of you for the job you have done of reaching
this momentous occasion and milestone.”
Roslee Matlock was among the graduates recognized at the commencement, and she addressed
her fellow graduates as the guest speaker. Matlock, of Hanceville, completed her specific
GED requirements in a month’s span in 2020 and has since earned her Medical Laboratory
Assistant (MLA) credentials. She has applied for admission into Wallace State’s Medical
Assistant program.
“I was honored to be chosen to speak to my fellow graduates. Those of us who completed
the program last year had to wait a year for graduation, but it’s worth it,” Matlock
said. “I believe in every individual who walked across the stage. I know they’ll go
far in life because they didn’t give up.”
Like many graduates wanting to set examples for their children, Johnny Crane, 49,
of Warrior, decided to pursue his GED to complement his professional career.
“I dropped out of high school when I was 16 and went straight to work. I started building
houses, got married, had children and continued to work. My hands-on experience provided
me with many opportunities, but not having my GED closed many doors,” Crane said.
“It doesn’t matter where you came from or what you do, nobody can take your education
from you. Someone may take your house, car or land from you, but you’ll always have
your knowledge and education.”
Added Ernesto Salazar, of Hartselle, who dropped out of high school at 16 and earned
his GED 13 years later: “I’ve always wanted to better myself and earning the GED is
among the first steps. It’s a huge relief off my shoulders. I can now pursue my dreams
of becoming an engineer.”
Suzanne Harbin, Wallace State’s Interim Director of Adult Education and Vice President
for Advancement and Innovation, opened the commencement by congratulating the graduates
and commending the program’s instructors.
Multiple scholarships were presented prior to the graduates receiving their diplomas.
Jocelyn Johnson and Matilda Gann were recipients of the Hope House scholarship.
Alabama Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden presented on behalf of the Oden Family
Scholarship, awarding it to Tonya Sanders. Oden also announced intentions to launch
the Carol Oden Scholarship through the college’s Future Foundation.
Earning scholarships through Wallace State’s Future Foundation were Matlock and Skylar
Bolton.
Jacob Gallups, Jeremiah Purcell and Seth Battaglia earned Wallace State scholarships,
presented by Wes Rakestraw, WSCC’s Dean of Applied Technologies.
Wallace State’s Adult Education’s instructors and staff serve hundreds of students
each year, spanning multiple sites across Blount, Cullman, Morgan and Winston Counties,
including the Alabama Career Center, Alabama Teen Challenge, Cullman County Detention
Center, Eva Town Hall, The Foundry, Lynn High School, the Hope House, Main Street
Ministries, Meek High School, Parkside School, Royal Pines Center and both of the
college’s campuses in Hanceville and Oneonta. The program also offers free ESL classes
and career pathways certifications.
Last year’s commencement was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about Wallace State’s Adult Education program, contact 256.352.8078,
email Jennifer.lambert@wallacestate.edu or visit https://www.wallacestate.edu/programs/adult-education.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
#####id="attachment_17874" align="alignnone" width="300"
Wallace State’s Adult Education Department recognized both 2020 and 2021 graduates
during its commencement ceremony.id="attachment_17875" align="alignnone" width="300"
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, left, is pictured with graduate Johnny
Crane.id="attachment_17876" align="alignnone" width="300"
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, left, is pictured with graduate Jocelyn
Johnson.id="attachment_17877" align="alignnone" width="300"
Roslee Matlock, left, accepts a Wallace State Future Foundation scholarship from Suzanne
Harbin.id="attachment_17878" align="alignnone" width="300"
Tonya Sanders, left, was the recipient of the Oden Family Scholarship. She is pictured
with Jeremy Oden.id="attachment_17879" align="alignnone" width="300"
Adult Education graduate Ernesto Salazar walks across the stage in preparation of
earning his diploma.______________________________
Russell Moore
Wallace State Community College
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
256.352.8443 | office
256.339.2422 | mobile
russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
Click here to submit a Marketing request.
______________________________
Kristen Holmes
Assistant to the President for External and Cultural Affairs
Communications | Marketing | Museum | International | Government Affairs
256.352.8118 | office
256.339.2519 | mobile
kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
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