Montgomery, Ala.— Gadsden State Community College was recognized by Coca-Cola UNITED during the annual Alabama PALS Governor’s Awards Ceremony. The College was recognized on Nov. 12 at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery for its Don’t Drop It on Alabama project. This is the second year in a row that Gadsden State was recognized with this statewide award.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Lynn Patterson, director of Student Activities at Gadsden State. “The amount of litter our students and employees removed during this project is a true testament to their dedication and commitment to preserving our community’s natural beauty.”
During the Don’t Drop It on Alabama event, student groups competed in cleaning up streets and public common areas in Gadsden, Anniston and Centre. As a result, they collected 7,950 pounds of litter, the highest amount among the Alabama Community College System. Participating campuses included the Ayers, Wallace Drive, Valley Street and Cherokee campuses. The litter collection earned Gadsden State a $1,000 prize. Joining Patterson for the presentation by Gov. Kay Ivey were Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State; Pam Johnson, dean of Institutional Effectiveness; Clerk, Stacie Tucker; Randi Wright, director of Gadsden State Cherokee; and Theresa Miller, of the Valley Street Campus.
“This award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a reminder of what we can accomplish together when we work toward a cleaner, healthier environment for all,” she said.
Patterson made the clean-up project a competition to see which student organization could collect the most garbage. The Student Government Association prevailed in the competition. Second place went to the Lady Cardinals Volleyball Team with third place going to the Men’s Tennis Team. The winners received prize packets of Gadsden State swag.
Coca-Cola UNITED is a longtime partner of Alabama PALS, a statewide organization dedicated to making the state more beautiful by sponsoring programs focused on cleaning up litter in Alabama’s streets, streams, campuses and coastlines. Through education and annual anti-littering campaigns, Alabama PALS has partnered with Alabama counties, cities, communities, schools and other organizations to enhance the Alabama environment by preventing littering and picking up litter.
Gadsden State Employees attend the PALS Governor’s Awards Ceremony. From L to R: Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, Lynn Patterson, Stacie Tucker, Theresa Miller, Randi Wright, Pam Johnson.
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