GADSDEN, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College will host a Centennial Celebration honoring 100 years of educational excellence, workforce training, and community impact. The event will take place Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus. Alumni, retirees, students, employees, and community members are invited to attend this historic occasion.
The celebration will feature remarks from President Alan Smith and distinguished guests, reflections on Gadsden State’s rich history, and a look toward the institution’s future. Following the program, guests are welcome to explore the College’s new baseball and softball facilities during an open house with alumni activities. This is a great opportunity to connect with Cardinals from across generations.
Gadsden State’s roots trace back to two institutions with distinct missions. The East Broad Campus began in 1925 as the Alabama School of Trades—the South’s first state-run trade school—offering training in masonry, carpentry, electrical work, and printing. Renamed Alabama Technical College in 1973, it expanded into a comprehensive technical education center.
The Wallace Drive Campus opened in 1965 as Gadsden State Junior College. The college began that fall with 740 full-time freshmen, 36 faculty members and administrators, and 14 support staff. Course offerings ranged from architecture and engineering to nursing and business.
In 1985, Alabama Technical College, Gadsden State Junior College, and Gadsden State Technical Institute merged to form Gadsden State Community College. Today, the East Broad Campus remains a cornerstone for technical and workforce training, housing facilities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Center, One Stop Center, Joe Ford Center, and the Science Building.
The Wallace Drive Campus continues as the primary location for academic courses, student housing, cultural events, and community engagement. Together, these campuses reflect a century of growth, adaptation, and service with one campus rooted in the traditions of skilled trades and the other in broad academic preparation.
While this September gathering marks the culmination of Gadsden State’s centennial events, the College will also host a Centennial Gala on October 9 — a formal evening that will pay tribute to the 100-year milestone while supporting future initiatives. For more information about the Gala, visit CardinalFoundation.org/Gala.
The September 16 Centennial Celebration is free and open to the public. Alumni, retirees, students, and community members are encouraged to attend. For more information and to RSVP, visit GadsdenState.edu/Celebrate.
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