02/03/26
Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association Honors Alumni of the Year for Outstanding Service and Leadership
Gadsden, Ala. – The Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association proudly announces its 2026 Alumni of the Year award recipients, honoring distinguished graduates whose commitment to service, leadership, and community impact continues to uplift their alma mater and the region it serves.
The Alumni of the Year Awards recognize individuals who exemplify the values of excellence, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. This year’s honorees were selected for their remarkable contributions to their professions, their volunteerism, and their ongoing dedication to supporting students and the mission of Gadsden State Community College.
“These outstanding alumni embody the spirit of our institution,” said Julie White, president of the Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association. “Through their leadership, generosity, and dedication to service, they demonstrate how education can transform not only individual lives, but entire communities. We are incredibly proud to recognize their achievements.”
The 2026 Alumni of the Year recipients include:
Distinguished Alumni of the Year – Donice Snow, Class of 1998, AAS degree in Office Administration, retired Gadsden State Athletics, Alumni Association Lifetime member
Emerging Alumni of the Year - Hannah Russell, Class of 2015 transfer scholar and former President of Phi Theta Kappa
Outstanding Faculty/Staff Alumni of the Year - Cory Chandler, Class of 2014, AAS Electrical Technology, current staff member, Maintenance Division
Outstanding Athletic Alumni of the Year - Josh Johnson, Class of 1998, AAS degree in Business Administration, member of the Gadsden State Baseball team
Each honoree has given back to the college in meaningful ways, whether through mentoring students, serving on advisory boards, supporting scholarships, or volunteering their time and expertise to advance educational access and opportunity.
“Our alumni are some of our greatest ambassadors,” said Hillary Folsom, director of advancement and alumni relations. “Their continued engagement helps ensure future generations of students have the resources, encouragement, and opportunities they need to succeed.”
The Alumni of the Year Awards were presented at the Gadsden State Community College homecoming festivities on February 2nd, where recipients were celebrated alongside faculty, students, community leaders, and supporters of the college. Each honoree received a commemorative brick to be placed in the quad on the Gadsden State Wallace Drive campus.
For more information about the Alumni of the Year Awards or how to get involved with the Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association, please visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni or contact the Office of Advancement at 256-549-8377.
Outstanding Alumni of the Year recipients left to right: Donice Snow, Cory Chandler, Hannah Russell, and Josh Johnson. Also pictured (center) Julie White, president of the Alumni Association and Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State Community College.