University Classes Now at Wallace State

    Cullman County officials have worked long and hard to bring a university to the county, and while a full-fledged university is not yet a reality, a new development at Wallace State is said by officials to be a step in that direction.
    Athens State College opened a University Center at the Hanceville campus this week with newly erected signs announcing the partnership. Beginning this fall, WSC students will be able to attend university classes without leaving Cullman County.
    "Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. We hope this is the beginning of all the economic benefits a university brings to our community," said Cullman County Economic Development Director Randall Shedd of the new signs.
    Shedd was assigned the responsibility of coordinating the effort to make Wallace State a four-year college by the Cullman County Commission four years ago.

The new sign announcing the Athens University Center
at Wallace State was erected this week.

    I think this new Wallace State-Athens State University partnership has the potential of developing into a complete university at Hanceville," said Cullman County Commission Chairman Norman Tucker. "I'm really proud to see the sign go up."
    "Cullman County is in the center of a large population, and I believe if Athens State and Wallace State will adequately promote this thing, it will grow into a full university here," Cullman County Commissioner Wiley Kitchens said.
    Cullman County Commissioner Stanley Yarbrough said "I'm proud to see that now the students in this area who want one will have a better opportunity to get a college education. "
    "It has been a tough hard battle trying to convince the powers that be, those who control education in this state that our area of the state, that our area needed higher education opportunities and that the demand and need is here for it," Shedd added. "I think the county commissioners, both present and past, should be commended for recognizing the need and addressing it and never giving up."
    Shedd said his office will do everything possible to promote and support this new partnership but will also continue to look for ways for Wallace State to become a university itself either through adding the third and fourth year programs or by merging with another university system.
    "I'm pleased to learn that Athens State has committed resources to have a staff person at Hanceville to work with students and promote Athens State University here," Shedd continued. "The seven or eight counties surrounding Wallace State are an area that needs a university, and the students are coming to Wallace State for the first two years because of the first class facilities, good faculty and programs and because they feel safe on this campus."
    Wallace State has experienced at times an enrollment of over 7,000 students in the two-year programs, Shedd noted.

A university center sign graces the General Studies Building
at Wallace State's Hanceville campus.

    David Byers, state board of education member representing the Hanceville campus, supports the Wallace State-Athens State University partnership, which Shedd said may be a catalyst for its success.
    "David Byers told me he will fully support this university (Athens State) at Hanceville and so did Roy Johnson, chancellor of the Alabama College System," said Shedd. "If they do and Athens State is aggressive or offers enough programs and classes that students can graduate in a reasonable period of time, it will be a huge success," Shedd continued.
    Wallace State College-Hanceville and Athens State University are both governed by the Alabama College System and the state board of education.
    Shedd stated he hopes Athens State University will hire local educators to teach the new classes at Athens State University-Hanceville.
    "We have qualified professors and teachers in this area, and I hope Athens will use them," said Shedd. "There may be an occasional need to send someone from Athens to Hanceville to teach a class, but by and large, I think they will be surprised at how many qualified instructors live in this area. I hope they will use them."

    According to Athens State University's web site, Athens State's president Dr. Jerry Bartlett said of the partnership, "I am confident we can meet this need and work together to help Alabama students obtain a bachelor's degree with the value of the lowest tuition costs at any state university."
    Athens State Dean of Academic Affairs further stated that Athens "wants to be the university of choice for Wallace State students."
    To register for Athens State University classes at Wallace State, call 1-800-522-0272. To view a list of the Athens State classes being offered at WSC in the fall, click here.