T he S ports L edger
JANUARY 2023
PAGE 12 www.TheSportsLedger.com
$250,000 In Scholarships For Students Rick Baker, a well-
forgotten about the people and community that molded him. During a recent visit to his hometown, Baker spoke to many students Monday, Jan. 9, inside Crossville High School’s gymnasium. He shared an inspirational message and made a commitment that would change those students’ lives. Through a partnership with Snead State Community College, Baker announced he has committed to giving $25,000 each year over the next decade so Crossville students would have a chance to go to college. “We are excited for what the future holds for our students at Crossville High School. Mr. Rick Baker’s generosity and compassion for our future generation is remarkable,” said Crossville High School Principal Jon Peppers. “This scholarship program is a great starting point for the recipients to make a change in their life as well as their families lives. We are excited to join in this partnership with Snead State Community College and begin making a difference in the lives of our students. Thanks to Mr. Baker and Snead State for equipment for our future Workforce Skills Training Center, which will offer much-needed education and training for industries and businesses across the region,” said Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. “We are truly grateful for the leaders and stakeholders of our community and their continuous support of Snead State Community College.” The center will be located at 12312 U.S. Hwy. 431 in Guntersville, next to Marshall Technical School. The new facility will be home to four Career and Technical Education programs. This includes
investing in the future of our CHS graduates.” Warren, who will head up an internal committee for the new scholarship program, said scholarships would be awarded to graduates and dual enrollment students. “A lot of students at Crossville have one opportunity to become upwardly mobile, and that’s at Snead State,” Warren said. “Whether it’s a trade certificate or an associate degree to move on to a four-year college, they can’t get to those steps without coming to Snead, and Snead is where Rick started his academic career. Rick realizes the need to provide opportunities to the Crossville community. “Rick has provided an opportunity for students who may not have had such an opportunity otherwise, and at the end of the day, that’s why Snead State is here,” he added. “Our vision at Snead is student- driven, so, this is kind of a physical manifestation of that vision.” Warren said the college was currently working to iron out further details. Technology; Machine Tool Technology; and Industrial Systems Technology with Additive Manufacturing. Additionally the center will have adaptable and flexible space to interchange programs as needed. Also planned is an engineering design and 3D fabrication lab. Funding for the Workforce Skills Training Center was one of 14 projects for which Aderholt was granted funding. "I was proud to secure [the 14 projects] in the 4th District and North Alabama," said Aderholt.
respected and renowned financial professional, has partnered with Snead State Community College to give $250,000 in scholarships to students from Crossville High School over the next 10 years. “We are thrilled to enter into this generous partnership with Mr. Baker, and we are even more delighted for the future students that will benefit from his gracious commitment,” said Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. “Crossville High School students’ lives will forever be impacted by Mr. Baker’s donation.” Baker is a native of Sand Mountain. He graduated from Crossville High School in 1977. While in high school, Baker participated in Snead State Community College’s Dual Enrollment program – called “accelerated high school” at the time – to complete college courses. “Both Crossville and Snead State had an incredible influence on the early part of my life and set the foundation for my later success,” Baker said. The governor has also signed four education- focused executive orders and issued a memo to the Department of Early Childhood Education. “I am proud to sign these executive orders into effect and believe they will lay an essential foundation for ensuring every Alabama student receives a high- quality education,” said Governor Ivey. “This is the first of many steps I plan to take in this new term to increase Alabama’s national ranking in our students’ reading and math performance. Our children are our future, and by investing in their education, we are investing in a better Alabama.” Executive Order No. 729 will Promote Early Literacy by Establishing a Statewide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Network. Governor Ivey authorized $4.1 million for the roll-out of the program, which will ensure every Alabamian will begin receiving age-appropriate books by mail each month after they are born until five years of age. Parents will have the right to opt their children out at any time. Executive Order No. 730 Established the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning The commission, which is comprised of a diverse group of subject matter experts, will examine ways to enhance the quality of elementary and secondary education in Alabama and will produce a report of recommendations by December 1, 2023. Executive Order No. 731 will Ensure Progress Toward Full Implementation of Vital Education Initiatives.
Photo Courtesy of SSCC
“I had a dual enrollment with Snead while I attended Crossville High School. Snead State was my first experience in college, and propelled me into my career, in economics, finance and investments. “Most certainly I wanted to impact the community where I came from,” Baker said. “Because of my previous positive experience with Snead, I knew it was the right fit for the students at Crossville High School. I met with President Whitmore and Crossville Principal Governor Ivey’s tenure in office, the state of Alabama has launched several education- focused initiatives, such as the Literacy Act (2019), the Numeracy Act (2022), the Computer Science for Alabama Act (2019), a civics-test requirement (2017), and a requirement of the State Board of Education that every high school graduate obtain a college and career readiness indicator (2022). Executive Order No. During 731 directs the State Superintendent of Education to submit a report outlining past progress made to date as well as future action items to expeditiously ensure the implementation of the aforementioned initiatives. The reports are due June 30, 2023. Executive Order No. 732 will Establish a K-12 Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Pilot Program to Increase Pathways to the Teaching Profession. This pilot program will provide an additional pathway, initially in areas with documented teacher shortages, for qualifying paraprofessionals and for teacher’s aides to obtain a Class A or Class B teaching certificate by demonstrating competency in the classroom. The pilot program will be administered by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship within the Department of Commerce. Governor Ivey also sent a memo to Secretary of Early Childhood Education Dr. Barbara Cooper that directs the department to prioritize creating new First- Class Pre-K classrooms in counties where more than 20% of the population falls below federal poverty guidelines. Governor Ivey
Jon Peppers, and they immediately understood my vision and got their respective teams working to make this possible.” Baker came from humble beginnings. “His parents were farmers,” said Dr. Thomas Warren, a science instructor at Snead State Community College and longtime family friend of Baker. “His parents never finished high school and his father was illiterate. Rick’s dad would go to the bank with a check, hand it to the cashier and say, ‘Fill it out for me.’ Then he would sign believes that increased access to Alabama’s nation leading program is vital to reaching our education based goals. Governor Ivey has also signed Executive Orders 726, 727 and 728 in order to establish and promote more efficiency, accountability and transparency within state government. By signing the trio of executive orders at the beginning of her second term, Governor Ivey has sent a clear message, showcasing her dedication to ensuring state government will better serve the people of Alabama, placing government accountability, efficiency and transparency at the forefront of her administration for the next four years. Executive Order 726 will promote the faithful execution of the laws within the executive branch of state government by establishing standards for the management and operation of state agencies to further unify executive branch agencies under the leadership of the governor. Executive Order 727 will establish the Governor’s Study Group on Efficiency in State Government. The Efficiency Study Group will examine ways to increase recruitment and retention of state employees and the potential elimination and consolidation of state agencies, boards and commissions. A report and recommendations on the group’s findings will be made by December 15, 2023 Executive Order 728 will promote efficiency and accountability in the use of state vehicles. Currently, the executive branch owns more than 9,000 vehicles to support a workforce of around 30,000 employees.
it. He knew his signature, but that was it … growing up in poverty made Rick determined to better his and his family financial situation. Fast forward decades later, Baker has done just that. Baker went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics from Auburn University and further his studies at the Wharton School of Business. He currently resides in Clearwater, Florida, and is a Managing Director at Merrill/Bank of America. But Baker hasn’t Aderholt announced on Monday, Jan. 9, that $1 million in funding had been secured by his office for Snead State Community College’s new Workforce Skills Training Center, which held it's groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, January 19. Funds are primarily earmarked to purchase necessary equipment to implement the career and technical training and workforce development programs that will be housed in the facility soon to be built. “We thank Congressman Aderholt and his staff’s work to secure funding for
U.S. $1 million For Workforce Skills Training Center Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Welding Rep. Robert
Governor Ivey Signs Orders For Education and State Government
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