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January 28, 2008

Calhoun's Beck Marks 5th Anniversary as College's President

Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck marks her fifth anniversary at the college this week.  Dr. Beck made history in December 2002 when she was appointed through a national search as the fourth president and first woman to lead the college in its 60 year history. She officially took the helm of the institution on January 27, 2003.

An Alabama native, Beck came to Calhoun after serving over 15 years as president of Lord Fairfax Community College in Winchester, Virginia. Prior to becoming president of Lord Fairfax, she served as dean of academic affairs at Lurleen B. Wallace (LBW) State Community College in Andalusia, Al., and as a math professor at LBW and Abraham Baldwin College.  She also served as adjunct professor at Auburn and Troy State universities.

As president of Alabama’s largest two-year college, Beck has led the institution in unprecedented growth during the last five years. During the fall 2007 semester, the college saw its student enrollment exceed 9200, an all time record.  With an enrollment of over 8700 students for the 2008 spring semester (an increase of almost 8% over last spring), the college’s spring semester has also set itself apart as the largest spring enrollment on record at Calhoun.  Much of the increase in enrollment can be attributed to the college now offering day classes at its Huntsville campus.  According to figures released by the college’s admissions office, current enrollment for Calhoun’s Huntsville day classes alone has exceeded 1100 students.

Beck’s accomplishments during the last five years have positioned Calhoun as a recognized leader in higher education not just in Alabama but across the southeast.  In the last year alone, the list of accomplishments included the following:

• Hosting a number of events in celebration of the college’s 60th anniversary; the year-long celebration will end with a gala hosted by the Calhoun Foundation in April;
• Last fall’s dedication of the college’s Health Sciences Center and completion last spring of the 84,000 square foot Math/Science/Administration building, which puts the final touches on a $44 million, three-year construction and renovation project which has completely changed the face of the college’s Decatur campus;
• The awarding of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) initiative which has led to the creation of VIA  (Valley Innovation Alliance);
• The gifting of a $1.8 million bequest to the Calhoun Foundation, the largest  single monetary gift in the college’s history; and
• The development of a new associate’s degree program in Biotechnology, the first of its kind in the entire state of Alabama.

Commenting on her fifth anniversary at the college, Beck said, "Calhoun has accomplished much in recent years and has truly set itself apart as one of the country’s leading postsecondary institutions.  However, none of our accomplishments could have been realized without the hard work, dedication and commitment of what I feel is the best faculty, staff and student body anywhere in the nation.

"In the last few years, Calhoun has positioned itself as a premier educational institution, and I feel so very fortunate to be a part of such a dynamic team. Calhoun has so much to offer in the areas of education and workforce training, and I am excited about what our future holds."

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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