About the College Lawson State Community College traces its origin to October 9, 1947, when the Wallace-Patterson Trade School Act authorized the creation of a trade school in Jefferson County. As a result, Wenonah State Technical Institute was organized in 1949 and opened in 1950 with eleven instructors and seventy-five students in ten courses and one related subject. The first president was Dr. Theodore A. Lawson. The initial funding received by the technical division was $75,000. Wenonah State Junior College was authorized under Act No. 93 of the 1963 Alabama State Legislature, and officially opened in 1965. Dr. Lawson served as president of the College and the Technical Institute. In 1967, Wenonah State Junior College held its first commencement exercise with thirty-three graduates. In 1968, the College reached another milestone when it received accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1969, the State Legislature approved naming the junior college in honor of Dr. Lawson, at which time there were three hundred students enrolled. On October 1, 1973, Wenonah State Technical Institute merged with Lawson State Junior College to become a comprehensive community college. Lawson State Community College has only had five presidents: Dr. Theodore A. Lawson, 1949 – 1971; Dr. Leon Kennedy, 1971-1978; Dr. Jesse J. Lewis, 1978-1987; Dr. Perry W. Ward, 1987-2020 and Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony since 2021. Bessemer State Technical College was created under legislative Act No. 93 of the 1963 Alabama legislature. The City of Bessemer purchased 34 acres for the college site. Bessemer State accepted its first students on April 4, 1966, with six programs of study, 47 daytime students and 30 night students. The college was initially known as the State Vocational-Technical School but the first official name was the John R. Pelham Technical Trade School. The name was changed later to Bessemer State Trade School. On August 16, 1966, the name was again changed by legislative act to Bessemer State Technical Institute. In 1973, the college achieved accreditation by the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and received the designation of “college”. Five presidents served Bessemer State Technical College: Otto B. Smith, 1964-1967; S. C. Porch, 1967-1971; Euel Snider, 1971-1972; Charles L. Payne, 1972-1984; and Dr. W. Michael Bailey, 1984-2004. On January 27, 2005, the Alabama State Board of Education adopted the Statement of Intent to merge Lawson State Community College and Bessemer State Technical College, to form one institution. As of July 1, 2005, Bessemer State Technical College merged with Lawson State Community College. The Birmingham and Bessemer Campuses of Lawson State Community College are situated nine miles apart in the southwestern area of Jefferson County, both providing a robust and comprehensive array of courses, programs, and services. Under the merged college, Lawson State has seen its most celebrated years. In 2011, the College was featured as a Top 50 Community College, making history in the state. Within the same year, the College recognized by the White House (and celebrated by the Obama Administration) as a Champion of Change . In 2013, the College moved from number 33 out of 50 on the list (of top colleges) to number five. In March of 2015, Lawson State received the epitome of recognition when it was selected to host a visit from President Barack Obama. In 2019, Lawson State opened its newest building – the Academic Success Center. In 2024, the College completed the renovation of four instructional buildings and continues to upgrade facilities to enhance the teaching and learning environment to support student success.
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