Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association presented its Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards during Homecoming festivities on Feb. 13 at Beck Gymnasium, recognizing exceptional individuals for their commitment to the college, its students, and the community.
“The awards were given to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to Gadsden State Community College, its students, and the community,” said Hillary Folsom, director of Advancement and Alumni Relations. “This year’s honorees were selected based on their outstanding dedication to the college and their efforts to positively impact not just the institution, but the broader community.”
Distinguished Alumni of the Year: Dr. Alberto Echeverri
Dr. Alberto Echeverri, a local general surgeon, was honored as the Distinguished Alumni of the Year. Born in Medellin, Colombia, and raised in Bogota, Echeverri pursued his medical education at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. His early career included providing critical medical care in underserved areas of Colombia, an experience that shaped his medical journey.
Echeverri moved to the United States and enrolled in the Alabama Language Institute at Gadsden State, where he spent a year improving his English skills. He later completed his medical training in Philadelphia and Savannah, Ga., before returning to Gadsden in 1998 to establish a general surgery practice.
Emerging Alumni of the Year: Melissa Battles
Melissa Battles, the Northeast Alabama field representative for U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, was recognized as the Emerging Alumni of the Year. In her role, Battles serves as a liaison between the Senator’s Office and local elected officials, business leaders, and civic groups across 10 counties. She also assists constituents with federal agency-related matters.
Battles, a former Gadsden State cross-country athlete, later earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Jacksonville State University. She has worked in various government and accounting roles, including as an accountant for the Alabama State Department of Education and as an executive assistant to Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford. She currently serves on the Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors.
Outstanding Faculty/Staff Alumni of the Year: Pam Johnson
Pam Johnson, dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Grants, and Special Projects at Gadsden State, was honored as the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Alumni of the Year. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Business Administration from Jacksonville State University.
Since beginning her career in higher education in 1984, Johnson has played a crucial role in numerous institutional projects, including securing grants from state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. She has twice been nominated for the Chancellor’s Award for Administrators from the Alabama Community College System.
“The Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards are a testament to the exceptional individuals who continue to make a difference in their communities, and we are proud to honor them,” Folsom said. “These awards celebrate the enduring legacy of those who embody the values of Gadsden State and demonstrate the true spirit of community leadership.”
