The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) recently commemorated the 60^th Anniversary Diamon Jubilee at a celebration during the annual Alabama Community College Association (ACCA) conference in Mobile. NACC President Dr. David Campbell was honored to lead the celebratory non-alcoholic toast at the Diamond Jubilee reception.

The ACCS Diamond Jubilee celebrates 60 years of real-life education that has impacted students, families, communities, and economies throughout Alabama. Alabama’s community and technical colleges were unified as one system on May 3, 1963, when legislators laid the groundwork for a unified system of institutions to focus on accessible training in “arts and sciences and in useful skills and trades” for current and future labor needs. Sixty years have passed, but that important cause remains the singular purpose of the 24 community and technical colleges that make up the ACCS. 

Dr. Campbell was honored to reflect on the system’s 60-year history. Having begun his teaching career as an adjunct instructor 46 years ago, Dr. Campbell has been a part of the ACCS for nearly 75 percent of its existence. “It has been a wonderful experience working with so many talented and dedicated people all across the board - faculty, staff, administrators, board members, system officials, and legislators, just to name a few,” said Dr. Campbell when delivering the toast.

Dr. Campbell continued the toast, “There have, of course, there have been some ups and downs, like with any organization, but the one thing that has held steady in all these years is our mission: and that is to lead citizens of Alabama to better lives through education… Alabama would be a very different state without us.” Dr. Campbell also noted the system’s progression under the leadership of ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker, highlighting innovative workforce programs and efforts to reach segments of the population that have not previously been given educational opportunities.

He concluded the toast by saying, “As long as we have such an important mission, there will always be an Alabama Community College System to help our people and lead them to better lives. I am so proud of what we have done and continue to do. A toast to those who have served our state and will continue to serve for the next 60 years and beyond!”