SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOLDS COMMENCEMENT

By: Shondae Brown

Southern Union State Community College held its spring commencement on May 8 at the Arena on the Wadley Campus.  One hundred eighty two students participated in the ceremony.

Congratulatory remarks were offered to the graduates by Betty Peters, member of the state board of education, district 2, and Gary Fuller, mayor of Opelika.  Fuller, who has served as Opelika’s mayor since 2004, received an associate’s degree from Southern Union in 2002. Degrees were then bestowed by Southern Union President Susan Salatto.

“Graduation is the most important day on our annual calendar because we recognize our students for their commitment and hard work in reaching their goals,” commented President Salatto.  “We have a lot of good things going on at Southern Union, and this is a day that we can celebrate not only the accomplishments of the students, but of the college as well.”

Receiving the James B. Allen Award for the Most Outstanding Student in the academic division was Amberlee Green of Woodland.  While at Southern Union Green served as a Southern Union Dancer, Southern Union Ambassador, Vice-President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a member of the Student Government Association, and was named to the President’s List.

Named Most Outstanding Student in the technical division was Mirandy Britton of Cullman. Britton earned an Associate in Occupational Technologies degree in cosmetology.  She maintained a 4.0 grade point average while enrolled in the cosmetology program. Britton is a 2005 graduate from Cullman High School. She presently serves on the Southern Union Cosmetology Advisory Board.

Ashley Johnson of Phenix City was named the Most Outstanding Student in the health sciences division. Johnson received an Associate of Applied Science in Radiology.  In addition to being named to the Deans’ List, Johnson served as a Southern Union Ambassador, was a member of ARTS (Association of Radiologic Students) and was one of four people chosen to present a paper in an essay contest sponsored by the Alabama Society of Radiologic Technologists.

With campuses in Wadley, Opelika and Valley, Southern Union is one of the oldest two-year colleges in the state of Alabama.

Shown (l-r) are Ashley Johnson, Amberlee Green and Mirandy Britton.  These students were named Most Outstanding Students in their respective academic divisions at SU.