Large crowd gathers for Southern Union celebration
Southern Union State Community College officially opened the Wadley Campus Administration Building Thursday to a crowd of more than 300 people.
SU President Susan Salatto presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where students and faculty, past and present, reminisced about the impact of the college on individuals and the community.
Huey Barrett, a member of the Southern Union faculty from 1970 to 2000, spoke about the many changes at the college in recent years. Eddie Pigg, a current mathematics instructor at Southern Union, told of his memories as he entered the college as a freshman in 1981. He commented that it was because the administrators and faculty were committed to excellence and because they chose to make a difference, that he is where he is today.
“I stand here today, honored to be a part of the current faculty at this college. Our faculty is one that strives every day to follow the examples set by those who served before us and to carry forth the ideals of this great institution,” said Pigg.
State Board of Education member Betty Peters was on hand to offer congratulatory remarks. Joanna Stewart, Miss Southern Union, Donna King, a 1984 Southern Union graduate, and the Rev. John Mann of First United Methodist Church, Roanoke, also took part in the ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a reception in the rotunda of the new building and entertainment by the Southern Union Sound II, the college’s elite traveling performance group.
“This was a special day for Southern Union,” commented Salatto. “We are proud to be able to celebrate our tradition of excellence and our bright future.”
Southern Union President Susan Salatto and State Board of Education member Betty Peters cut the ribbon to officially open the Wadley Campus Administration Building as elected officials and Southern Union personnel look on. Guests included (first row, from left) Sen. Ted Little, Sen. Gerald Dial, Salatto, Betty Peters, SU adjunct faculty member Donna King, (second row) Rep. Richard Larid, Sen. Jim Prueitt, retired SU faculty member Huey Barrett, (third row) Roanoke City Schools Superintendent Chuck Marcum, Rep. Randy Wood, Wadley Mayor Bruce Albright, SU math instructor Eddie Pigg, Miss SU 2002 Jamie Langley, Miss SU 2006 Joanna Stewart, (fourth row) Rona Prueitt, Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Ginger East, (fifth row) Randolph County Schools Superintendent Wayne Wortham, Charles Stephens of the Clay County School System, George McCollough of the Chambers County School System, SU faculty member Robin Brown, Valley Campus Director Colleen Britt, dean of academics Rod Britt, interim dean of student development Gary Branch Gary Branch, (sixth row) dean of health sciences Linda North, Randolph County Chamber of Commerce executive director Steve Dean, SU interim Vice President Rickey Huffstutler, director of Institutional research, planning and development Steve Spratlin, assistant dean Susan Pitts, coordinator of college relations Shondae Brown, director of dance Sonja Fincher, dean of students Pat Salatto, (seventh row) dean of technology Mary Jean White, director of adult education and skills training division Claude McCartney, Tammy Spratlin of the college’s financial aid department and Roanoke First United Methodist Church pastor Rev. John Mann./flipflopfoto
