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Snead State 2012-2013 Dance Team Tryouts Snead State Community College has announced the date for auditions for the 2012-2013 Snead State Dance Team. Tryouts will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Plunkett Wallace Gymnasium on the campus of the Snead State. Dancers should wear form fitting tops and dance pants or shorts. No t-shirts or baggy pants will be allowed. Dances should also wear dance shoes or sneakers and have their hair pulled back from their face. The Dance team performs at all men’s and women’s home basketball games and pep rallies and in local Christmas parades and other campus and community events. Tryout expectations include performing a short routine that will be taught at tryouts and the following required technical skills: double pirouette, right and left leaps, right and left splits, and high kicks. Dancers should bring a copy of their driver’s license and insurance card, along with a $20 registration fee (cash only). If the dancer is under 18 years old, a liability release form must be signed. For more information or a registration packet that includes both the registration form and the liability form, please e-mail Dance Team Coach Lindsey Beck at lbeck@snead.edu or call 256-571-0612. For a complete tryout packet, please click here. read more...

Snead State Basketball Recap BOAZ – The Lady Parsons defeated Cleveland State Tuesday night at Snead 72-64. The win propelled the Lady Parsons to a season record of 11-5. Sophomore Alicia Poole led the Lady Parsons with 19 points, followed by Diamon Elston with 14. Shakinah Haggins had seven rebounds, and sophomore Katie Williams recorded four assists and five steals. “We bounced back with a big win against non-conference, out-of-state Cleveland State from Tennessee. With a good team effort and a great execution both halves, we improved our record,” said Coach Jarrod Plummer. On Monday night, the Lady Parsons suffered a 91-55 loss against conference rival Shelton State. “We came out with a lot of intensity against a nationally-ranked team. Going into the half, the score was 38-30,” said Coach Plummer. “But, during the second half, we ran out of gas because of the lack of depth due to key players being out.” Poole once again led the Lady Parsons in scoring with 20 points. Destiny Ham collected 11 points for the Parsons. Haggins led in rebounds with 11, followed by Lekendra Harris and Bianca Bothwell with five rebounds each. Williams had four steals on the night. On Jan. 19, the Lady Parsons defeated Lawson State 69-51. Poole tied Haggins in scoring with 16 points each. Bothwell collected 12. Poole led in rebounds with 11, followed by Haggins with seven. Williams racked up four assists, and sophomores Symone Swaby and Lasharon Salahudin had three each. The men’s basketball team is off to a 1-1 conference play start and now faces a 3-10 record. In Monday night’s matchup against Shelton State, the Parsons were defeated 101-93. Sophomore Brad Yarbrough scored 20 points for the Parsons. Sandy Underwood and Desmond Raymond followed with 18 and 14 points, respectively. Brandon Graham had 12 points and six rebounds and four blocks. Austin Watkins had 10 points, four assists, and three steals. Underwood went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. “The Parsons came out on fire,” said Coach Rodney Hampton. “In the first half we shot 43 percent from the floor and 45 percent from the 3-point line. The energy was high, and the boys played with a great deal of heart.” The Parsons trailed by two points going into halftime. “We just came out slow in the second half and allowed Shelton to get a double-digit lead on us. We fought back and cut the lead to three and played that way throughout the rest of the game. Late in the game, we made a couple of crucial mistakes that put the game out of reach.” The Parsons defeated Lawson State on Jan. 19 by a score of 83-78. Underwood led the Parsons in scoring with 28 points and racked up four rebounds and three steals. Demarcus Robinson collected 16 points for the Parsons and three assists. Graham netted 15 points and four rebounds. Watkins also collected four rebounds, and Dominic Bass three. The Parsons will continue conference play at home on Saturday, Jan. 18, as they take on Southern Union. The Lady Parsons will tip-off at 1 p.m., and the men’s game begins at 3 p.m. read more...

2012 Homecoming Court Congratulations to the following students for being elected to the 2012 Homecoming Court at Snead State Community College. The Homecoming Court will be recognized and the sophomore King and Queen crowned between the men's and women's basketball games against Wallace Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 2. The women play at 5:30 p.m., and the men will play immediately following the crowning of the King and Queen. Sophomore Court Ashley Amberson Meghan King Meg Mooneyham Jacie Scott McKenzie Spurlin Caleb Brown Colton Campbell Zach Fraiser Jesse Reeves Will Tidmore Freshmen Court Katie Bobo McKenzie Hardin Ginny-Lynne Sexton Keelie Wilkes Brett George Lucas Jolley Brady Keel Stephen Starkey read more...

Snead Sees Results from College Complietion Campaign First with a larger number of graduates for Spring and Summer 2011 and now with student retention from Fall 2011 to the current Spring Semester, Snead State Community College is seeing the results of its College Completion Campaign. The initiative encourages students to “finish what they start” by enrolling at Snead State and remaining a student until they complete their Associate degree. Students armed with an Associate degree have the potential to earn $400,000 in their lifetime as compared to the earning potential for someone with a high school diploma. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the unemployment rate for community college graduates is typically 30 percent lower than for high school graduates. Since signing on to the College Completion Challenge in 2010, Snead State has shared information with current and potential students about the value of a community college education. As a result, the graduating classes for Spring and Summer 2011 were greater than previous classes in the College’s history. Now as the Spring 2012 semester is underway, Snead State has seen a growth with student retention. Typically, during the transition between semesters, the College sees a decrease in enrollment due to students attending in the fall but not the spring. The percent of loss ranges from 6-7 percent before this semester. This Spring, the loss of students between semesters has dropped to less than 4 percent. Enrollment stands at 2,212 with registration for the Spring Mini II Term still open. Credit hour production (based on the number of classes for which students register) for the semester is currently 23,753 credit hours. A student takes a minimum of 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. “Snead State was the first college in Alabama to embrace the national College Completion Agenda. Our faculty and staff worked over the last year to help record numbers of students become Snead graduates. More and more students are setting a goal to attain their Associate degree, and our faculty and staff are committed to helping them make their goal a reality. Our alumni have shared their own stories of how a Snead State education benefited them, and their stories have reaffirmed that we are accomplishing our mission to provide a quality education to our students. “If you attended Snead State or another college in the past but did not finish your Associate degree, I encourage you to give us a call and take the next step. Our staff can help you develop a plan to become a college graduate. Snead State has been changing lives for the better through education for more than 100 years. You can be our next success story,” said Snead State Interim Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jason Watts. Students can still register for spring classes. The Mini II term, which lasts eight weeks, begins March 5. For more information, visit Snead on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sneadstatecc. read more...

Former President Leaves a Legacy Courtesy of The Sand Mountain Reporter Steve Thrasher remembers his former colleague and friend Dr. William H. Osborn fondly as a compassionate and caring man who will leave an indelible mark in the history of Snead State Community College. Osborn, the president of Snead State Community College from 1977 to 1996, died Sunday and was laid to rest Monday. "I knew him personally as well as professionally," Thrasher said. "He was a very loving family-type person. He established a family atmosphere at the college where one did not exist before." Thrasher served as business manager at the college for a number of years. "I was there before and after he was," Thrasher said of Osborn. "He was a very caring person who believed in promoting from within. He cared about the employees and their family situations and life circumstances. "When economic times got tough, he did everything he could to keep employees instead of letting them go." Osborn, 78, holds the distinction of the longest serving president of Snead State in the school's history. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of our former president, Dr. William Osborn," said current President Robert Exley. "He served Snead State Community College faithfully for a number of years." During Osborn's administration, the campus grew to include the Tom Bevill Continuing Education Center, the Chalmus Weathers Business Building and the William H. Osborn English Building. Osborn established the Snead State Foundation and also guided the college in its journey from a junior college into a community college in 1992. From this, he was able to add several career and technical programs, all while keeping the traditional junior college mission alive, Exley said. Soon after his retirement, he was named President Emeritus of Snead State Community College and briefly served as Interim Dean of Instruction in 2000. "When Anita and I first arrived, (Osborn) and his wife Joan were so kind to us," Exley said. "They organized a reception at their home for us to meet many Snead State retirees. "The evening was simply great fun and gave us a wonderful opportunity to hear many anecdotes about the college. "We have a great college and Dr. Osborn certainly contributed much to what we are today." Thrasher said although Osborn came from "humble beginnings," he became a leading educator serving in primary and secondary education fields. "He was a very well-rounded person," Thrasher recalled. "He was a high school teacher, college instructor, dean of two colleges and director of the postsecondary division of the state Board of Education before the junior college system was separated. "He was very active in the community and participated in things like the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce and Civitan club. "He was a big gardener and loved fishing and all sports. "He was just a very generous and caring type person." Osborn is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Pam Osborn, of Boaz; daughters and sons-in-law, Mitzi and Mike McLaurine, of Montgomery, and Becky and Phillip Kinney, of Boaz; brother and sister-in-law, Clifton and Carol Osborn, of Southside; and eight grandchildren and one step-grandson. read more...

January GED Dates Snead State Community College recently announced its January GED registration and test dates for both the Boaz campus and the Arab Center. Registration will be held from 8-10 a.m. on Jan. 17 at the Arab Center and Jan. 20 and 27 at the Boaz campus in the McCain Student Success and Career Center. Test dates are Jan. 20 at 8 a.m. at the Arab Center, Jan. 23 and 24 at 5 p.m., and Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. If students choose the two-day test, they must attend both nights. The individual testing must be present for registration. Students must have their driver’s license or government issued ID, social security card, and $50 cash/credit card only. If you are 16, you must have withdrawn from high school prior to Aug. 1, 2009, and have a Certificate of Exception signed and notarized by the local superintendent. If you are 17 and withdrew prior to Aug. 1, 2009, you must have a withdrawal form and a notarized parent permission letter. If you withdrew from school on or after Aug. 1, 2009, you must be the age requirement of 17 and participated in a notarized Exit Interview with the school administration. Retests are $10 per section, and students should bring their old test scores. Due to limited space, registration is on a first come, first serve basis. If capacity has been met for that test date before 10 a.m., registration will close. read more...

Remembering Dr. Osborn Dr. William H. Osborn, the 13th president of Snead State Junior College, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. Dr. Osborn served Snead State from 1977-1996. In the fall of 1996, Dr. Osborn retired from Snead State with 18 years of service as President - the longest term in the history of Snead. During his administration, the campus grew to include the Tom Bevill Continuing Education Center, the Chalmus Weathers Business Building, and the William H. Osborn English Building. Dr. Osborn established the Snead State Foundation and also guided Snead during the transition from being a junior college into a community college in 1992. From this, Dr. Osborn was able to add several career and technical programs, all while keeping the traditional junior college mission alive. Soon after his retirement, he was named President Emeritus of Snead State Community College, and he briefly served as Interim Dean of Instruction for Snead State in 2000. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of our former president, Dr. William Osborn. He served Snead State Community College faithfully for a number of years,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley. “When Anita and I first arrived, he and his wife Joan were so kind to us. They organized a reception at their home for us to meet many Snead State retirees. The evening was simply great fun and gave us a wonderful opportunity to hear many anecdotes about the College. We have a great College, and Dr. Osborn certainly contributed much to what we are today." read more...

Lady Parsons Move to 8-2 The Lady Parsons defeated Georgia Northwestern Technical College Monday night 79-41 to move up to an 8-2 record on the season. Five Lady Parsons scored double figures in the game played at Plunkett Wallace Gymnasium. Freshman Destiny Ham led the Lady Parsons in scoring with 14 points, followed by sophomore Alicia Poole with 13. Katie Williams, Bianca Bothwell, and Ashunte Smith scored 10 points each. All five players also had four rebounds each. Sophomore Lasharon Salahud-Din had six assists and three steals. Brea Dupree also had three steals. “We started out slow, but we finished the first half on a 26-3 run to take a commanding lead. We were able to spread the scoring around tonight with five different players scoring in double figures,” said Lady Parsons Coach Jarrod Plummer. On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Lady Parsons also defeated Enterprise State 77-25. Fort Payne native Diamond Elston led the Parsons in scoring with 15 points. Ashunte Smith and Shakinah Haggins followed with 10 points each. Geraldine High School graduate Alanna Smith had eight rebounds, and Haggins and Ham both had seven. Williams recorded five steals and three assists. Salahud-Din finished with five steals and four assists. Freshman Bria Dupree had three assists. “We came out with a strong first half performance to take a commanding 20 point lead by halftime. They didn’t slow during the second half. It was another great job by the Lady Parsons,” said Coach Plummer. The Snead State men’s basketball team also defeated Enterprise State 93-70 on Dec. 3 to move to a 2-6 record on the season. Freshman guard Shamarae Watts led the Parsons in scording with 20 points and also had eight rebounds and four steals. Brandon Graham finished with 17 points and Demarcus Robinson with 16. Freshman Orlandis Hill netted 15 points for the Parsons. Freshman Austin Watkins scooped up 12 rebounds for the Parsons. In separate games over the Thanksgiving break, the men’s team suffered a 67-60 loss to Atlanta Metro and a 89-44 loss to Georgia Perimeter College. Both teams will travel to Chattahoochee Valley Thursday for their last games of 2011. The women’s game will begin 5 p.m. EST, and the men’s game will follow at 7 p.m. EST. The Parsons will kickoff conference play following the holiday break. For a complete and up-to-date schedule, please visit www.snead.edu. read more...

Administration Building Renovation on Schedule The renderings show what the Administration Building will look like from the front (above) and from the back (below) when the renovation is complete. Construction crews have made quick work of the renovation to Snead State Community College’s Administration Building to keep the $8 million project on schedule for completion by the beginning of Fall 2012. Built in 1921, the Administration Building has been vacant for over a year, during which extensive work has been done to ready the building for use as administrative and classroom space. “As the project progresses, excitement and curiosity has been building with people on and off campus. We’re all anxious to see the finished product, which promises to be a valuable showpiece for the College,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley. Renderings have been developed by Krebs Architectural Firm in Birmingham to give an idea of what the finished Administration Building will look like. A major component of the project has been the renovation of Fielder Auditorium, a beloved piece of the College’s heritage. The auditorium will have a 412-seat capacity to be used once again as a lecture/recital hall. A catering kitchen and commons/banquet room will be added to provide a gathering area for students and a place to support College events. The 29,519-square-foot building will also include nine classrooms, seven faculty offices, the President’s Office, Academic Administration office, and the Academic Planning and Research office. Math classes will move from the Elrod Science Building into the finished Administration Building. A Snead Heritage room and space for the college cyber-library is included in the plans as well. Once the project is complete, relocating faculty and staff offices will free up much-needed space in the McCain Student Success and Career Center and the Science Building. The Student Success Center will continue to be the location for key operations such as Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, Recruiting, Testing, and Campus Engagement. “As we moved forward with the Administration Building renovation, we’ve kept in mind the result of the renovation of the Norton Social Sciences Building. Norton was another historic building that over time had deteriorated until it could no longer be used. It was renovated to become a functional facility that also captures the charm and heritage that is Snead State Community College. We have the same expectations for the Administration Building,” said Dr. Exley. The Administration Building was evacuated in June 2010 due to electrical and safety concerns. The sudden move provided the College with an opportunity to move forward with the much-needed renovation and to establish the Student Success and Career Center in the former McCain Learning Resource Center. The Student Success Center was identified by the College Leadership Team as a major initiative to pursue to meet the needs of students. read more...

Snead Baseball Player Signs with West Alabama Courtesy of Sports Editor Shannon J. Allen The Sand Mountain Reporter Snead State baseball coach Gerry Ledbetter says sophomore Logan Colvin is "as hard working a kid as I've seen." A former Albertville standout, Colvin's work ethic made the difference for him in having an opportunity to continue his career beyond Snead. In late fall, Colvin signed with the University of West Alabama, which competes in the Gulf South Conference. Ledbetter said the 6-foot, 180-pound Colvin struggled as a freshman while trying to pitch, as well as play a position in the field. Following the 2011 season, the veteran coach determined Colvin would only pitch in 2012. "Logan worked with Coach (Jerry) Hallmark all summer long just about every day in the hot sun and really, really came on as a pitcher," Ledbetter said. Hallmark serves as the Parsons' pitching coach. "Logan is left-handed, and he's throwing around 86 to 87 (mph)," Ledbetter said. "He's really worked hard and made himself into a player, and it's paid off for him. "West Alabama saw him at Troy this fall. He pitched two innings and struck out five of the six batters he faced, and he really got their attention." Coached by Gary Rundles, West Alabama finished 19-22 overall and 5-15 in the Gulf South Conference in 2011. It was the Tigers' first losing season since 2002. "Logan is a very smart kid who had all A's this (fall) semester," Ledbetter said. "I'm most proud of the fact he makes really good grades. He's a wonderful kid. "I'm looking for good things out of Logan this season. He's better off now just playing one position so he can focus on that." Snead opens its 2012 season on Feb. 8 at Bryan (Tenn.) College. (You can also read the story at the Sand Mountain Reporter's website.) read more...

Alumni Associations accepts Alumni of the Year Nominations The Snead State Alumni Association is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 Alumni of the Year. The Alumni of the Year award recognizes the contribution made by a former Snead student to the College, the community or the country. The recipient is selected by the Alumni Association Board of Directors based on the information provided with the nomination form. To make a nomination, complete a nomination form and send it to the Alumni Office at P.O. Box 734, Boaz, AL 35957. Nominations may also be e-mailed to ssmith@snead.edu or bkilpatrick@snead.edu. For more information, contact Alumni Director Shelley Smith at ssmith@snead.edu or (256) 840-4128 or Alumni Assistant Barbara Kilpatrick at bkilpatrick@snead.edu or (256) 840-4103. The annual award will be presented during Alumni Homecoming festivities on Friday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building on the Boaz campus. In addition to the awards presentation, the event will feature a meal and entertainment. read more...

Snead State Appoints New Volleyball Coach Snead State Community College announces the appointment of a new head volleyball coach. Dee Ayres accepted the part-time coaching position and officially begins in January. The Southside High School Volleyball Coach takes the position left vacant by Lisa Murray Bright. After serving as Snead State’s volleyball and women’s softball coach for two years, Coach Bright will continue as the softball coach and the academic advisor for athletics. “I am really excited about taking over as the new volleyball coach, and I am looking forward to building on the success of the volleyball program and to cultivate young lives into professionals,” said Coach Ayres. Coach Ayres’ athletic career includes successes she achieved in high school when she lettered in volleyball, basketball and tennis at Southside. During her senior year, the Lady Panthers Volleyball Team placed second at the State tournament. After high school, she attended the University of North Alabama on an athletic and academic scholarship and played for the UNA Volleyball Team from 2003-2006. In addition to receiving her Bachelor’s degree from UNA, she was also a member of the 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship Volleyball Team at UNA and was team captain during the 2005 and 2006 volleyball seasons. In 2006, she helped to lead the team to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Over the course of her volleyball career, Coach Ayres’ team has won three Gulf South Conference Championships and one National Championship title and has made four NCAA Division II Regional appearances, two NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances, two Final Four appearances, and two National Championship games. “We are excited to have Coach Ayres join the Parson coaching staff. With her experience and knowledge, I believe she will be a great asset to the athletic department and will wholeheartedly join us in assisting our volleyball student-athletes to a promising future as college graduates,” said SSCC Athletic Director Mark Richard. For Snead State’s new coach, her job is an opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream. “It is always been a dream of mine to be a college coach, and I saw the position at Snead State to be a great opportunity,” she said. “I am excited about seeing where we are as a team, so that we can begin to prepare for the upcoming spring season. I am looking forward to becoming acquainted with the Snead family.” Coach Ayres already has a full to-do list prepared for the first few weeks as Snead’s volleyball coach. “There is a lot that I want to accomplish in the first few weeks. I am anxious to meet with the returning players and to contact the recruits.” In addition to coaching volleyball, Coach Ayres teaches biology at Southside High School and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was named the Etowah County Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011. read more...

Snead State Welcomes New Advisory Board From left, front row, Andrea Oliver, Lana Hawkins, Joan Noel, Dianne Prestridge; back row, Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley, Mark Brickey, Greg Price, Jeremy Hays, Scott Bobo, and Tammy Davis. Snead State Community College announces the new members to its nine-person Advisory Board. The purpose of the Advisory Board is to promote and serve the best interests of the College. The board will serve as advocates for the College and will participate in the Strategic Planning Process. The Advisory Board members include Scott Bobo of Aroney, Mark Brickey of Guntersville, Tammy Davis of Boaz, Lana Hawkins of Arab, Jeremy Hays of Boaz, Joan Noel of Boaz, Andrea Oliver of Guntersville, Dianne Prestridge of Arab, and Greg Price of Boaz. “I’m honored to be working with this group of professionals from our community who have pledged their support to Snead State Community College. I look for the Advisory Board to be our ‘eyes and ears’ in the community and guide Snead State in our pursuit of future endeavors,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley. Scott Bobo is a 1994 graduate of the University of West Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. He is currently the Loss Control and Communications Manager for Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative. Mr. Bobo is recognized as a Certified Loss Control Professional by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He is a coordinator for the Alabama Rural Electric Association Youth Tour, as well as the editor for the cooperatives monthly publication, “Alabama Living.” Mr. Bobo is a member of the Boaz Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He and his wife, Christie, have three daughters, Jaycie, Jayden and Jesslyn. Mark Brickey is a 1984 graduate of Harriman High School in Harriman, Tenn., and is a 1988 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. After 20 years in the banking industry, Mr. Brickey and his wife, Jeannie, moved to Guntersville in 2006 when he and his brother purchased Kilpatrick Toyota and changed the name to Sand Mountain Toyota. The Brickeys have three sons, Jeffrey (13), an eighth grader at Guntersville Middle School; Austin (10), a fourth grader at Cherokee Elementary; and Jackson (7), a first grader at Guntersville Elementary School. The Brickeys are members of the Church at Lake Guntersville where Mr. Brickey serves as a Life Group leader, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and is member of the Finance Committee. He also serves on the boards of Marshall County Leadership, Christian Women’s Job Corp. of Guntersville, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Marshall County Board, and the Apple Foundation. He and his brother, Joe, own Sand Mountain Toyota, where he serves as General Manager and President. Tammy Davis is married to Steve Davis, and they have three sons, Taylor, who is a freshman at the University of Alabama, and twins, Connor and Turner, who are juniors at Boaz High School. She attends First Baptist Church in Boaz where she teaches ninth and 10th grade girls. She is employed by BPI Media group where she sells specialty products. Ms. Davis graduated from Albertville High in 1988 and attended Snead State for two years. Lana Hawkins is the founding attorney for The Hawkins Law Firm with offices located in Albertville and Arab. Prior to returning to her hometown of Arab, she was a partner in the Birmingham law firm of Balch & Bingham. She also previously practiced law in Palo Alto, Calif., and Washington, D.C. She received her B.A. degree from University of Central Florida, summa cum laude, and her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, with honors. Lana has served on the Arab Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Industrial Development Board for the City of Arab, the Birmingham Venture Club Board of Directors and Marshall County Leadership Challenge. ?Jeremy Hays graduated in 1996 from Boaz High School. He is a 2000 graduate University of Alabama with Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration. He was a member of the UA Men’s Basketball Team from 1996-2000. He is currently employed with Alfa Insurance as a Claims Adjuster for the Blount County area. He is a deacon and member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church of Albertville. He and his wife, Dina Springfield Hays of Boaz, have one daughter, Bella, age 15 months. Joan Noel is a native of Boaz, and she attended Snead College from 1962-1964. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Bernard College and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama. She began her teaching career at Boaz Elementary and taught third grade for 17 years. She later served as assistant principal at Douglas Elementary School and Corley Elementary School. She served as principal of Boaz Elementary School. In 1998, Mrs. Noel was the first woman elected Superintendent of the Marshall County School System. She also served as the director of the county’s reading program and Boaz City School system’s special education program. Mrs. Noel remains active in the community and in 2009 received the Alumna of the Year award from Snead State Community College. Andrea Oliver is a native of Guntersville and graduated from Guntersville High School in 2004. She then went on to Auburn University where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008 with a dual degree in Political Science and Communication. While at Auburn, Mrs. Oliver was involved in a number of student organizations including the AU Honors College, the Student Government Association as Director of Aubie, Vice President of the Student Alumni Board, the Auburn University Singers, Cater Society and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. After graduation, she moved home to Guntersville and married her high school sweetheart, Michael Oliver, a 2006 Auburn graduate. Mrs. Oliver currently works as Foundation Director at Marshall Medical Centers and is involved in the community as a board member for the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, the Marshall County Auburn Club, the Auburn University Honors College Council and several non-profit organizations. The Olivers are active members of the Guntersville Church of Christ where they serve as mentors to the youth group and coordinate mission work in San Vicente, Mexico. Dianne Prestridge is a graduate of Arab High School, Snead State Junior College, and Alabama A&M University, from which she earned a Master’s degree. While teaching business education at Arab High School for 30 years, she served as Beta Club sponsor on both local and state levels, scholar’s bowl coach, dance line sponsor and was named Arab City Schools secondary teacher of the year. Since retiring, she has been a realtor with Century 21 The Premiere Agency in Arab, served as president of the Marshall County Board of Realtors and has consistently been recognized with achievement awards through the Century 21 system. Active in her community, Dianne is a member of the Arab Rotary Club, Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce and Arab First United Methodist Church. A graduate of Marshall County Leadership Class of 2010, she currently serves on their board of directors as well as on the boards for Marshall County PALS, Junior Achievement of Marshall County and is a patron of Arab Musical Theatre. Ms. Prestridge served on the Arab City Council from 2004 to 2008 and has announced plans to be a candidate for mayor in the August 2012 municipal election. She is married to retired Arab fire chief, Tommy Prestridge, and has two sons, Brandon and Brian, all three of whom attended SSCC. Greg Price attended Snead State Community College after completing high school and later graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Science and a minor in Law Enforcement. He has worked as a police officer with the Douglas and Albertville Police Departments and with the Etowah County Drugs and Major Crimes Task Force. He graduated from the Birmingham School of Law in 2002 and has practiced law in various courts throughout Marshall County and the State of Alabama on matters including criminal, domestic relations, probate, juvenile, business and civil litigation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, Marshall County Bar Association and has recently completed training and applied for registration as a mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution in Montgomery. He is also a member of the Albertville, Boaz, and Guntersville Chambers of Commerce and serves on the board of directors with Alzheimer’s Services of Marshall County, the City of Albertville Commercial Development Authority, and the Children’s Policy Council of Marshall County. Mr. Price has also volunteered with other organizations such as the Alabama State Bar “Wills for Heroes” project, the Marshall County Leadership Challenge, and Marshall County Volunteer Guardianship Program. He is married to Leslie Powell Price, who teaches for the Boaz City Schools. The Prices have two daughters, Kailey (age 7) and Kenedi (age 5). They are members of Mountainboro Missionary Baptist Church in Boaz. The Advisory Board visited Snead State on Wednesday, Dec. 14, for an orientation president by President Dr. Robert Exley and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Shelley Smith. Following the orientation, the board ate lunch with Snead State students, who shared their experiences at the College, and attended a reception where they met and spoke with Snead State faculty and staff. read more...

PTK Answers the Question: 'Where Are You Wearing?' Ever wonder who made the socks you’re wearing? Ever wonder how much it cost to make your favorite shirt? Snead State Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has not only researched the answers to those questions; they are also informing students about “Where Are You Wearing?” Each year the Phi Theta Kappa national organization selects a topic for a study project that’s referred to as the Honors in Action project. The purpose of the program is to encourage lifelong learning and allow members to explore real world issues. Members are given a topic, and it is their responsibility to research and create an event that brings attention to the topic. This year’s Honors in Action topic addresses the economy, so the PTK officers decided to develop a “Where Are You Wearing” project that sheds light on the origin of the clothing people wear such as where the clothing was made, how much was spent to make the clothing, and how much the worker was paid to make the clothing. The group presented the information to Snead students on Dec. 7. “The program is based off of economics relevant to our everyday economic standing,” said Director of Campus Engagement Brittany Wilborn, who also serves as the PTK sponsor. “The officers chose this particular program because they were curious to learn about the origin of their clothes. They were amazed with what they learned.” Phi Theta Kappa strives to maintain a five-star chapter status with the national organization, and completing an Honors in Action project is one requirement to meet the status. Last year, the group’s Honors in Action project was a political forum, which earned them an award at the PTK Regional Conference. Currently, the group is raising money to cover expenses to the regional and international conferences in the spring. They also plan to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in the spring. Phi Theta Kappa has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918 and has become the largest and the most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. To become a member of the Phi Theta Kappa one must have completed a minimum of 12 hours and have a 3.5 GPA. The 2011-2012 officers are President Hannah Jimmerson, Vice President of Leadership Zach Fraiser, Vice President of Scholarships Colton Campbell, and Vice President of Fellowship Seth Harbison. read more...

Snead Nominees Recognized at Chancellor's Awards Four employees at Snead State Community College were nominated to represent the College at the annual Alabama Community College System Chancellor’s Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Each college within the system is able to nominate an individual with the highest standards of professional performance and service in each of the following categories: administrators, academic and technical faculty, and support staff. One nominee is chosen from each area. Nursing Instructor Lisa Brock of Boaz, Science Instructor Matt Snyder of Albertville, Amy Holmes of Crossville and Randy Maltbie of Boaz represented Snead State as the 2011 Chancellor’s Awards Nominees. “In choosing our nominees for this prestigious honor each year, we look for employees whose contributions to Snead State are important, whose commitment to our students is second to none, and whose excellence in doing their jobs is an example to others. With the caliber of faculty and staff we have at Snead State, the choice of nominees is not an easy one because we have so many who meet those criteria,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley. “We are very proud of this year’s nominees.” Nominated in the Technical Faculty Category, Lisa Brock is an example of how teaching students to be the best nurses they can be involves as much one-on-one interaction as it does classroom lecturing. Since first coming to Snead State in 2006, Ms. Brock has coordinated labs associated with the RN and LPN curriculums, and this year, she began taking first level students into the community to interact with the geriatric population at assisted living facilities and senior centers and to provide a community service by giving blood pressure checks. Ms. Brock offers a voluntary INCLEX review time on a weekly basis in the spring for students needing preparation with the exam they will take following graduation. She introduces new technology into her classroom, such as the use of human patient simulators and the Turning Point system. She has served as the sponsor of the Student Nurses Association, during which she led students to participate in many community service projects including the Angel Tree program and the Hospice 5K Run. Matt Snyder serves as a biology instructor for Snead State, possessing 14 years of teaching experience at the two-year college level. Mr. Snyder’s experience with instruction and course development earned him the nomination in the Academic Faculty category. He has been nominated and subsequently listed in the Who’s Who Among American Teachers since 2002. During his tenure at Snead State, Mr. Snyder has served on numerous committees and has been involved in grant writing projects. He has also served as the sponsor for the student Science and Engineering Club, for which he organized learning opportunities for the members and supervised fundraising opportunities. He has also supported the Complete College Experience by joining students outside of the classroom in attending sporting events and participating in student activities such as S Day. A graduate of Snead State Community College, Amy Holmes began to work at the college in 2001. During her tenure, she has provided administrative assistance in three different offices, her experience earning her the nomination in the Support Staff category. As a scholarship clerk in the Admissions/Financial Aid office, she was responsible for inputting scholarship applications and awards. As assistant to the vice president, she worked in all areas of Student Services from housing, student activities, to financial aid. She returned to the Financial Aid office for a period of time as a financial aid officer. She now serves as the assistant to the Chief Academic/Student Services Officer. She continues to coordinate day-to-day operations and paperwork involving housing, and she provides assistance to the athletic program. She helps with student activities including the coordination of the SGA elections and the selection of the Homecoming Court. Ms. Holmes coordinates the College’s Awards Day program each year, and this year, she assisted with the College’s United Way Pacesetter campaign. Chief Information Technology Officer Randy Maltbie was nominated in the Administrator category. He has supervised significant projects for the College in the area of Informational Technology, including the College’s recent task of implementing a new administrative software. When important College offices had to be relocated from the Administration Building, currently under renovation, Mr. Maltbie supervised the relocation of phone and computer network access for the campus as well as all of the voice and data communication systems that were housed in the Administration Building. With 20 years of experience in Informational Technologies and Informational Systems, Mr. Maltbie’s knowledge and experience covers a diverse range of technologies. His constant attention to and investigation of emerging technologies has allowed SSCC to remain at the forefront of technology within the Alabama Community College System. The Chancellor’s Awards began 24 years ago as a way to reward and encourage outstanding performance, creativity, and dedicated service. Four employees at Snead State Community College were nominated to represent the College at the annual Alabama Community College System Chancellor’s Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Pictured with Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley are from left, Amy Holmes of Crossville, Lisa Brock of Boaz, and Matt Snyder of Albertville. Not pictured is Randy Maltbie of Boaz. read more...

Snead State Volleyball Finishes Fourth in State The Snead State Community College volleyball team wrapped up its 2011 season over the weekend at the Alabama Community College Conference State Championship at Gadsden State. The Lady Parsons finished fourth in the State. “I am incredibly proud of how my girls played during the tournament and how they finished the season,” said Coach Lisa Murray. “They played with so much heart and determination. We finished 21-12 – the current program best for Snead State. This was really a great group of girls, and they achieved a lot during this season.” During the tournament, the Lady Parsons defeated Faulkner State and Wallace Selma 3-0 but suffered a 3-0 loss to Wallace Hanceville during game two. The Lady Parsons were defeated 3-2 in a tight final match against Faulkner State. Snead State vs. Faulkner State (Snead 3-0) Match Scores: 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 Sophomore Kali Lake of Addison – 24 assists, 9 digs, and one ace Sophomore Katelin Gray of Guntersville – 16 digs Freshman Courtney Redington of Guntersville – 13 digs Sophomore Justina Craft of New Hope – eight kills, one block Freshman Bailey Gamble of Grant – eight kills, one block Freshman Adele Woodall of Guntersville – five kills, one block Sophomore Kirsten Croghan of Boaz – four blocks, five kills Snead State vs. Wallace Hanceville (Wallace Hanceville 3-0) Match Scores: 26-24, 25-17, 25-21 Kali Lake – 20 assists, six digs, and one ace Katelin Gray – 16 digs Courtney Redington – 18 digs Justina Craft – eight digs, five kills Bailey Gamble – 5 kills, 3 blocks Adele Woodall – 11 kills, 3 blocks Snead State vs. Wallace Selma (Snead 3-0) Match Scores: 25-16, 25-17, 25-15 Kali Lake – 27 assists, two digs Katelin Gray – eight digs Courtney Redington – five digs Justina Craft – three kills, four digs Bailey Gamble – six kills Adele Woodall – ten kills Kirsten Croghan – four kills Snead State vs. Faulkner State (Faulkner 3-2) Match Scores: Snead 25-16, 25-20 and Faulkner 25-21, 26-24, 15-11 Kali Lake – 33 assists, 11 digs, three blocks, three digs Katelin Gray – 29 digs Courtney Redington – 20 digs Freshman Jamie Blair of Addison – 10 digs Justina Craft – nine digs, six kills Bailey Gamble – eight kills, four digs, four blocks Adele Woodall – 13 kills, three blocks Sophomore Kaylea McGuire of Fayette – four kills, three blocks Freshman Lydia Vick of Moulton– six kills Kirsten Croghan – three kills, three blocks Following the tournament, four Lady Parsons were named to the All-Region First Team: Adele Woodall, Kali Lake, Bailey Gamble and Katelin Gray. Justina Craft was named to the All-Region Second Team. Kali Lake and Adele Woodall were also named to the All-Tournament Team. “Not only have these athletes excelled on the court, but they are also excelling in the classroom,” said Athletic Director Mark Richard. “On this year’s team, there are seven sophomores, and every one of them is on track to graduate this spring or this summer. They have a combined grade point average of 3.62. This not only shows their hard work and dedication to our volleyball program but to completing their degree as well.” read more...

Snead Receives Significant Contribution for Scholarships Snead State Community College recently received a significant contribution that will enhance two separate scholarship funds. The anonymous donor contributed $401,535 that will be applied toward the principle of two separate endowment funds. The interest built on the endowment funds will then be awarded as scholarships. “The donor wants to help students who cannot afford college by providing a way for them to attend. This is an extraordinary gift at this time with the struggling economy limiting students’ ability to pursue their education. The gift speaks to the donor’s love for and support of Snead State,” said President Dr. Robert Exley. The scholarship award will be distributed through the College’s application process. Scholarship applications will be available in January 2012, and the deadline for the applications will March 1, 2012. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to Snead State Community College should contact the Business Office at (256) 840-4104 or mrichard@snead.edu. read more...

Senator Joins Snead State Foundation Alabama District 9 Senator Clay Scofield was recently appointed to serve on the Snead State Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Sen. Scofield was elected to his position in 2010. He attended Arab City Schools and received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Business and Economics from Auburn University. He is a farmer and resides in Brown’s Valley. He serves on the following Legislative Committees: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Banking and Insurance; Business and Labor; Commerce, Transportation and Utilities, Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability; Job Creation and Economic Development; Local Legislation No. 4; Small Business, for which he serves as vice chairperson; and Tourism and Marketing, for which he serves as chairperson. “Since being elected to the State Senate, Sen. Scofield has been an avid supporter of the College. With his knowledge and experience, he will be an asset to the Foundation Board,” said President Dr. Exley. The Foundation Board consists of citizens of the College community. Members are nominated by the President for confirmation by the Foundation Board. The purpose of the Foundation Board is to raise funds for providing assistance to initiatives that support the College’s effort to achieve excellence in education. Other members of the Foundation Board include Frank McDaniel, Harold Chitwood, Pat Courington Jr., Craig Wilks, Minor "Buck" Woodall Jr., Jack Hancock, Dean Strickland, Sharon Ainsworth, Randy Jones, and Liz Moore. read more...

Arab Center Receives Expansion with Help from City When the City of Arab received a grant, the money was put to use in renovating a previously-unused section of one of the city’s valuable assets – the Snead State Community College Arab Center. Completed on Aug. 31, the project included the development of an approximately 3,000 square foot build-out as well as the asphalt pad for a 20-car parking lot. The $60,000 project took approximately two months to complete. “The build-out gives the Arab Center a functional location to host City or Chamber events, to hold large group study sessions for Arab and Brindlee Mountain High Schools, and to host College-related events,” said Arab Center Director Rick Cartegena. The renovation to the Center is just an indication of continued growth for the instructional site. Within the last year, the Arab Center has experienced a 30 percent growth in enrollment. A recent grant allowed the College to purchase a human simulator to enhance the RN Program offerings at the Center. “The Arab Center has tremendous potential to impact the surrounding area. We are continuing to identify ways to enhance the opportunities available at the Center, and we appreciate the support of the City of Arab in our endeavors,” said President Dr. Robert Exley. Anyone wanting to see the new expansion first-hand is invited to attend a fundraising event scheduled at the Arab Center on Thursday, Oct. 6. The Alumni Association is hosting an Arab Dinner and a Show with the proceeds benefiting the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Arab Center and at the Alumni House on the Boaz campus. For more information about the opportunity available at the Arab Center, call (256) 931-3790. read more...