AL HJR277

Commends Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama for 65 years of providing accessible, high-quality education to students in North Alabama

Founded in 1961 as Huntsville State Vocational Technical School with 27 students in four technical programs; renamed in 1966 to honor Joseph Fanning Drake, former President of Alabama A&M University

Achieved technical college status in 1973 and began awarding Associate in Applied Technology degrees; became J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College in 2013

Offers Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science degrees, plus short-term certificates in high-demand fields including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, health care, and information technology

First institution in Alabama to receive a U.S. Department of Labor Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant; 65th anniversary celebration scheduled for the week of April 27