Ribbon-cutting Held for New Entrance to Wallace State Campus

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College celebrated the completion of its north entrance on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting and flag raising.  The U.S. Flag, flag of the State of Alabama and a new Wallace State flag greet visitors approaching campus from the north.  The new entrance marks the northern gateway to the college and is located at the newest stop light in Hanceville, at the intersection of Highway 31 and Francis Dodd Drive, which leads to the college’s School of Nursing and Center for Science.
“This entrance represents the gateway not only to our campus, but a gateway to opportunity, to a career, and to new life for our students.,” said Dr. Vicki Karolewics, Wallace State President. Karolewics added that since the light was installed, accidents from students entering and exiting campus from the north so far had been all but eliminated.  The new road ties campus together, connecting to College Drive and the south entrance to campus, also off Highway 31.
The ribbon-cutting for the new entrance was sponsored by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, and president Leah Bolin kicked off the event. “This entrance is so fantastic, it makes me want to come in this entrance,” she said. “We are so glad to be part of the event today because it is another celebration of all the major achievements at the college. These things could not have been accomplished without Wallace State’s leader, Dr. Vicki Karolewics.”
Sen. Paul Bussman, Rep. Randall Shedd, and mayors Kenneth Nail and Woody Jacobs also offered remarks.
“Congratulations on another stepping stone to greatness,” said Sen. Bussman. “You are a gem compared to colleges across the country, and our industries, business and citizens are better for it.”
Rep. Shedd said: “I commend you for the economic impact you have on our community and on one life, one individual at a time. What a difference you make.”
“People don’t realize what a college means to an area,” said Mayor Jacobs, referencing jobs that come from recruiting new business and industry to the area. “You don’t recruit industry without a college like this.”
Mayor Nail added that Wallace State means business for Hanceville store and restaurant owners.
Dr. Karolewics said that the next ribbon cutting is expected to be for a new welding facility, with hopes to add an additional academic building and student housing in the future.
The U.S. and Alabama flags had been raised prior to the event. The event concluded with the raising of the Wallace State flag. These are up just in time for Wallace State’s largest ever commencement, which will take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, May 11) in Tom Drake Coliseum. The public is invited to attend.

Vicki Karolewics, Wallace State President, offered remarks during the celebration.

Wallace State officials and community members gather for the ribbon-cutting to celebrate completion of the north entrance to Wallace State’s campus.

Vicki Karolewics, Wallace State President, Sen. Paul Bussman and others at the ribbon-cutting.