Snead State Hosts Annual Career Expo

Snead State Community College will be hosting a free Marshall County Career Expo on Tuesday, April 10, from 1-4 p.m. at the Plunkett-Wallace Gymnasium.

The Career Expo is open to anyone seeking employment, educational options, or career advice. Attendees are encouraged to dress for success and bring a current resume.

Spots are also still available for companies wishing to be a sponsor/exhibitor for the event. Sponsors need to send a logo and completed sponsor form by March 28 to Director of Community Education Teresa Walker at twalker@snead.edu.  

As an event sponsor for a $250 fee, companies receive company’s literature/promotional material in the attendees’ bags, company’s name displayed in newspaper ads and company’s logo on the Career Expo handout for attendees.

For more information, visit www.snead.edu or contact the Workforce Development Division at (256) 840-4211. 

Benefit Honors Nursing Student’s Memory





Larry Gatlin with Ari Hallmark and Anna Claire Garmany



The memory of a Snead State Community College nursing student was honored during an evening full of laughter, tears and classic country music.

Less than a year after the devastating tornados that took the life of Jennifer Garmany Hallmark, friends, family, and supporters of the College joined together to raise money for the endowed scholarship fund established in her name.  

Country music singer/songwriter Larry Gatlin headlined the benefit held Wednesday, March 14, at the Bevill Center Concert Hall. Gatlin shared much of the music that he and his brothers made popular, but the highlight of his show was a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” performed by him, Jennifer’s daughter Ari, and her niece Anna Claire Garmany.

Hosted by the Snead State Foundation, the benefit raised more than $10,000 for the scholarship that will aid a future nursing student in following the dream Jennifer shared.

“The benefit was more than just an opportunity to raise scholarship money. It was an evening to remember and honor the life of an extraordinary young mother. Jennifer is not the first student we’ve lost at Snead, but she is an example of how deeply we’re affected when a promising life is cut short. She was part of the Snead family, and we were honored to pay tribute to her in this way,” said President Dr. Robert Exley.

Ari Hallmark presents a plaque
of appreciation from the Hallmark
family to Larry Gatlin.

Just as her mother was a part of the Snead State family, Ari was reminded during the benefit that she, too, is included in the circle.

“Ari, as you get older, should you decide to come to Snead, the Foundation is prepared to present to you a scholarship that will pay for your tuition,” Dr. Exley told the little girl during the benefit.

In addition to a slide show depicting photos of Jennifer’s life, Gatlin dedicated a song to Jennifer and her family – “Help Me,” a song he performed at the funeral of June Carter Cash, the beloved wife of country music legend Johnny Cash.

A supporter of community colleges, Gatlin spent much of the day March 14 visiting with Snead State students. He gave a performance in the SUB earlier in the day and led a Master Class for aspiring song writers and musicians that afternoon.

“Take the time to enjoy being here,” Gatlin urged the students. “Cherish every minute of this place.”

The benefit began with Snead’s own College Street Singers performing a selection of music, including one written by Gatlin, “Alleluia.” Later in the show, once he took the stage, Gatlin welcomed the College Street Singers back to join him in singing his hit song, “All the Gold in California.” As he performed the songs, Gatlin also described how he came to write the lyrics and the music.

The benefit drew an audience of about 400 people. Support for the benefit came through ticket sales and corporate sponsors, including Progress Rail, BPI Media, The Sand Mountain Reporter, Peoples Independent Bank, Syncro Corporation, Citizens Bank and Trust, Marshall Urology, and Team TSI.

The College is continuing to raise money for the Jennifer Garmany Hallmark Scholarship Fund. A 5K Run will be held Saturday, April 28, at Snead State Community College with all proceeds going to the scholarship. The registration fee is $32 per person. For students, the fee is $10. For more information, contact Race Director Dr. Amy Langley at alangley@snead.edu or (256) 840-4185.

Contributions to the Jennifer Garmany Hallmark Scholarship Fund may be sent to the Snead State Foundation, Snead State Community College, P.O. Box 734, Boaz, AL 35957.

Snead State PR Professionals Claim Bronze Paragon Award

Snead State Community College was recognized during the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations National Conference in San Francisco, Calif., on March 11-14.

The SSCC Public Relations Office entered for the first time the national awards competition sponsored by NCMPR and received a Bronze Paragon Award in the category Original Photography.

The Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges. It's the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and PR professionals at two-year colleges. Snead State competed against colleges from New Jersey, Iowa, Florida, Illinois and Missouri.

Snead State is a past winner of the NCMPR District 2 Medallion Awards and the Alabama Community College System Pyramid Awards. The Paragon Award was presented March 14 during a special banquet.

“It certainly is an honor to earn this recognition. Excellence is a daily goal we strive for at Snead State, not just in the classroom but in all areas of the College. Our affiliation with an organization like NCMPR has not only strengthened the caliber of the marketing products we produce but has also opened opportunities to promote Snead State throughout the country,” said Director of Marketing and Public Relations Shelley Smith.

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is the only organization of its kind that represents marketing and PR professionals at community and technical colleges. NCMPR is an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Top Academic Students Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa

The Theta Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is celebrating its 60^th year, and the milestone kicked off Thursday, March 1, with an induction into the honor society at Snead State Community College.

Judge Tim Riley

Student success was the focus of the very special ceremony as President Dr. Robert Exley and Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Tim Riley addressed the inductees and their families.

“I want to commend the family and friends here tonight. The students could not have the success they have without your support. Support is critical. Education can change lives. Anything’s possible,” said Dr. Exley, who also shared his own experience as a self-proclaimed “mediocre” student and the positive influence Phi Theta Kappa had on his own education and professional career.

“Whatever your background, don’t limit your future. I am proud of each one of you. You can now be considered a scholar,” Dr. Exley added.

Judge Riley also described his time as a student as “average.” He stayed involved in high school through athletics, but once he graduated from Albertville High School in 1974, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy because he was “not ready for college.”

“Growing up, my family owned a feed mill in Boaz, and after working in the feed mill, I knew I didn’t want to do that the rest of my life. After I served my time in the Navy, I went into the reserves and came to Snead along with my best friend. My wife also attended.”

While at Snead, Judge Riley was inducted into PTK, and the ceremony took place then in the same building in which the current induction took place, a building now known as the McCain Student Success and Career Center. After completing his Associate degree, he received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama. Doors of opportunity continued to open for him until he eventually completed law school and began his career as a lawyer and a judge.

Judge Riley described to the inductees about the different types of dreams they would have in their lives, but to achieve any dream would take hard work.

“I never knew how hard studying would be. I knew it would not be easy, but hard work pays off. College will get harder the farther you go, but it’s more fun. And you’ll have a chance to change your life and your community for the better,” said Judge Riley.



As part of the ceremony, Director of Campus Engagement Brittany Wilborn presented a Good As Gold Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship on behalf of Athens State University. The scholarship was awarded to Wynn Dunn.

Leading the induction ceremony were this year’s PTK Officers, President Hannah Jimmerson of Boaz, Vice President of Leadership Colton Campbell of Albertville, Vice President of Service Heather Duren of Crossville, Vice President of Scholarship Zach Fraiser of Crossville, Vice President of Fellowship Seth Harbison of Arab, Recording Officer Katie Campbell of Sardis, and Public Relations Officer Jacie Scott of Boaz.

The March inductees into Phi Theta Kappa included:

Albertville

Delia Guevara, Logan Jolley, Emannuel Morales-Ramirez, Yadira Patino, Jennifer Sewell, Torrea Talton, and Andrea Woodham.

Arab

Lindsey Elrod, Erin Kelley, and Brittany Fritz.

Attalla

Kayla Baker.

Blountsville

Amanda Stewart.

Boaz

Lenze Alexander, Wynn Dunn, Dawanna Hudgins, Brady Keel, Jonathon Walden Jr.,  Brooke Word, and Erica Benefield.

Collinsville

Johnathan Bradford.

Crossville

Kayla Centers, Martin Howard, and Sojila Francisco.

Cullman

Kayla Shaddix.

Douglas

Jessica Goss.

Florence

Elizabeth Humphrey.

Fort Payne

Katie Bobo.

Geraldine

Jordan Luther.

Grant

Miriam Cooper and Jennifer Thomas.

Guntersville

Christopher Raynor and Chera Whitney.

Holly Pond

Kelsey Hawkins.

Horton

Leah Miller.

Moulton
Jacy Williams.

Oakman

Morgan Walton.

Oneonta

Cinthia Zavala.

Rainsville

Alexandria Poole.

Sardis

Brianna Pullen.

Sheffield

Kara Kerr.

Susan Moore

Kayla Waddle.

Snead, Athens Collaborate on Reverse Transfer Program

Snead State Community College and Athens State University have partnered to develop a Reverse Transfer Agreement that benefits students who attend both institutions.

Dr. Robert Glenn, president of Athens State and Dr. Robert Exley, president of Snead State Community College finalized the preparations for the agreement on March 20, 2012.  It became effective upon its signing and will remain in effect unless terminated by either institution.

“This agreement makes for closer ties between our two institutions,” said Dr. Glenn.  “It also helps us meet the overall goal of President Obama’s College Completion Goral which encourages all higher education institutions to increase the number of college graduates.”

The Reverse Transfer Agreement will give students who attended Snead State but transferred to Athens State prior to completing their associate’s degree an opportunity to earn that community college degree. While attending Athens State, university credits can be transferred back to Snead State allowing these students to complete their degree requirements without losing any university credit.  Students are eligible for the program when they have earned at least 15 semester credits at Snead State, have earned at least 3 semester credits at Athens State, and are in good standing at both institutions.

“Today more than ever before, it is important to possess a college degree,” said Dr. Exley.  “I personally believe the more the merrier. But, then I loved being a college student.  I possess AA, BS, MA and PhD degrees.  My dream is that every single student who attends Snead State Community College leave with a Snead degree.  However, the reality is that many transfer without the degree.  This reverse transfer agreement will now make it possible for significantly more Snead alumni to be awarded their Snead degrees even as they complete their Bachelor’s level studies with Athens State University. This is a win-win-win!”