Gadsden State Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence and Impact

Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is commemorating its 100th
anniversary with the “Celebrate Gadsden State” campaign, highlighting a
century of academic excellence and community service. Founded in 1925 as
the Alabama School of Trades—the South’s first state-operated trade
school—Gadsden State has evolved through the consolidation of several
institutions into a comprehensive community college.​

Historical Highlights:

* Alabama School of Trades (1925): Established as the first
state-operated trade school in the South, it laid the foundation for
technical education in the region. ​
* Gadsden Vocational Trade School (1960): Founded by Eugene N. Prater
to provide vocational training for African Americans. It was later
renamed Gadsden State Technical Institute and designated as a
Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in 1997. ​
* Gadsden State Junior College (1965): Established by the Alabama State
Legislature to offer professional and technical programs, further
expanding educational opportunities in the area.
* Harry M. Ayers State Technical College (1963): Founded to provide
technical education and later merged with Gadsden State in 2003.

These institutions merged over the years to form the present-day Gadsden
State Community College, which now operates multiple campuses, including
the East Broad, Valley Street, Wallace Drive, Ayers, and Cherokee
campuses.

Centennial Celebration Events:

* June: Ayers Campus​
* July: Valley Street Campus​
* August: Cherokee Campus​
* September: East Broad Campus​
* October: Cardinal Gala at The Venue​

This will be a yearlong celebration highlighting the impact Gadsden
State has made in the lives of students and the community.

For specific dates, times, and additional details on these events,
please visit http://gadsdenstate.edu/celebrate.cms