Talladega College President Serves as Grand Marshal of Christmas Parade

Billy Hawkins and Wife riding during Christmas parade in Talladega

City Recognizes College’s $17 Million Economic Impact and Engagement

Commitment to community has long been a priority for Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, who is a 2019 recipient of the key to the city of Talladega and other awards acknowledging the college’s local and regional impact. [Talladega College is a UNCF-member institution.] Most recently, Dr. Hawkins, with First Lady Lucy Weber Hawkins beside him and the Talladega College Marching Band directly behind him, served as Grand Marshal of the 2019 city of Talladega Christmas Parade. Thousands of citizens lined the streets and cheered as they watched the parade led by the Hawkins and the dynamic band.

While Talladega has long been respected for its academic and cultural impact, reports such as the UNCF-commissioned HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities have heightened the community’s awareness of the college’s $17 million annual economic impact in the region. This impact continues to increase as the college grows.

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Dr. and Mrs. Hawkins with 2019 Miss and Mr. Talladega College

Talladega enjoyed record-high enrollment in both the 2018-2019 academic year and the 2019-2020 academic years. Talladega now has 1,230 students and is listed among the Princeton Review’s best colleges in the Southeast, Kiplinger’s “Best Value” colleges and U.S. News and World Report’s most innovative colleges. The college recently launched its first-ever graduate program, an online master of science in computer information systems.

In addition, the campus is undergoing a major physical transformation that promises to further expand its economic impact. A 45,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art residence hall opened in January 2019. On Jan. 31, 2020, ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held for the college’s first-ever student center as well as the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art, which will house six critically-acclaimed Hale Woodruff murals valued at $50 million.