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VALLEY — The Valley campus of Southern Union State Community College had an open house Monday afternoon. It gave people of the local area a chance to get an up-close look at the facilities and the programs being offered right here at home.

“Both in terms of enrollment and the programs we are offering we are experiencing growth on all three campuses,” said School President Todd Shackett. “More and more people are finding out what a great value a community college education is. It’s a great way to start a four-year education, and we are turning out graduates in all professions.”

Southern Union offers a three-faceted educational emphasis on transferability and technical programs for specialized career opportunities in the health care field. The newest offering in this area is veterinary technology. Students are now being trained at Southern Union as veterinary technicians, a position that is in much demand right now. Vet techs are important members of a veterinary team. They work alongside Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) to provide needed care for animal patients.

Career growth in veterinary medicine is exponential with abundant opportunities for advancement.

State Senator Randy Price, who was present for the open house, said the inclusion of this program at Southern Union is a big step forward for the school and its students. “Veterinaries have told me they can’t get enough vet techs,” he said. “They welcome this kind of program.”

Shackett thanked Senator Price and to other local legistlaors for their long-time support of Southern Union. “Our vet tech students have jobs lined up before the graduate,” he said. “We want to thank our local mayors and city councils for being very supportive of us. The Circle of Care has been very supportive of us as well, and we really appreciate that.The legislature has been very helpful in backing our building needs on all three campuses. They realize, as we do, the great value of a community college education.

They are not just spending money, they are making wise investments in our future. For every dollar that’s spent in community college education, seven dollars go back in some way to the local community.”

The Valley campus of SUSCC has its first-ever Student Government Association (SGA) president. He’s Andrew Graben from Auburn. He spoke at the opening of the open house tours and introduced the recently selected Mr. and Ms. Valley campus. Both are graduates of Valley High. Mr. Valley Campus is Zaquavion Marki Madden and Ms. Valley Campus is Ciara Crim.

Ciara is the SGA vice president. She’s a sophomore majoring as a medical assistant. Her plans are to attend Auburn University and to become a registered nurse.

Marki Madden is a sophomore and is studying kinesiology. He plans to transfer to the University of South Alabama or Alabama State University to earn a bachelor’s degree as a physical therapist.

“This year we are incorporating homecoming events at all three of our campuses in the effort to carry out our vision of school spirit on all three campuses, the ones in Valley, Opelika and Wadley,” Graben said. “Our homecoming events include today’s open house, the announcement of Mr. and Mrs. Valley Campus and our Serve Day with a LifeSouth blood drive.”

Guests on the open house tour were shown the campus buildings and were told of the many degree options available at SUSCC. Most impressive were the improvements made in a $3 million renovation the State Legislature approved.