Congrats to Lawson State Community College! From: Sandra L. Henderson [mailto:shenderson@lawsonstate.edu] Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 6:17 PM To: Sandra Phoenix Subject: Lawson State Community College is a Champion of Change Sandra, Please share this news release with the members of the HBCU Library Alliance. September 21, 2011 White House Recognizes Dr. Perry W. Ward and Lawson State Community College as 'Champions of Change' BIRMINGHAM, AL - Dr. Perry W. Ward, president of Lawson State Community College, received recognition today at the White House as a "Champion of Change," which is part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative. He and other college presidents, as 'Champions of Change,' were selected because of the impact they have had on their communities, and their approaches and solutions in advancing educational and workforce opportunities. "This was an outstanding honor for the College to be recognized by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education for our workforce development programs and services," said Dr. Perry W. Ward, president of Lawson State Community College. "I was excited about the acknowledgement it brings to the College and to the Alabama Community College System, especially since Lawson State was the only two-year college from Alabama." With an emphasis on President Obama's plan to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world, Dr. Ward participated in a roundtable discussion with other invited community college leaders who are doing innovative work in their communities to raise the standards of having the best educated and most competitive workforce in the world. Dr. Jill Biden, a community college instructor and wife of Vice President Joe Biden, was present to meet the group and recognize their successes. "The roundtable brought forth ideas and exchanges on workforce development and the pathway to creating continued discussion and dialogues with the Department of Education and initiatives that can be considered around the country," Ward said. Lawson State was noted for its various partnerships and training initiatives, chiefly among them the automotive industry in Alabama. The College's Corporate Services Division and the Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence (ACAE) take a lead role in alternative fuels training. Last year, ACAE recently unveiled its new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station to provide training for current and future CNG automobile technicians. The College has partnerships with General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and college faculty have participated in a number of alternative fuels training sessions offered locally and at West Virginia University through the College's partnership in the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC). Thanks, Sandra L. Henderson Director of Libraries and Media Services Lawson State Community College 3060-Wilson Road Birmingham,Alabama 35221 Office (205) 929-6333 shenderson@lawsonstate.edu<mailto:shenderson@lawsonstate.edu> Error! Filename not specified.