“Groundbreaking Generosity: Speaker Launches Inaugural Endowed Scholarship of 2025 at Wallace State”

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Recently, the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation disclosed its inaugural endowed scholarship of the year with the initiation of the Dr. James Speeker and Donna Speeker Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship is aimed at assisting students pursuing Diagnostic Imaging at Wallace State.

Established by Donna Speeker, a previous English and Spanish educator at Wallace State, the scholarship aims to honor her and her late husband.

“I aimed to create something enduring in memory of my husband and myself,” Speeker expressed, recalling her husband’s passing on February 22, 2017.

“He served as a family doctor in Cullman and began his journey as an X-ray technician in the Air Force,” she explained. This skill set, she noted, aided them both during their college years and as they started a family.

“His work as an X-ray technician helped us manage for many years,” she reflected. “We relocated multiple times and at every stop, he was able to find work.”

When considering the scholarship’s establishment, both his X-ray technician experience and her association with the college played a key role in her choice.

“I believed that this scholarship for the Diagnostic Imaging program would honor his legacy,” she stated.

The first scholarship is anticipated to be conferred in fall 2026. Speeker has expressed a desire that preference be given to single parents whenever feasible.

“It pains me to think of how many students complete programs burdened by debt, and I considered this could provide assistance,” she remarked.

As a former educator, Speeker remembers students who faced difficulties while awaiting funds or who had to miss classes due to sick children or family obligations. “It truly saddened me to see individuals struggle in that manner,” she shared.

Speeker described how supportive her husband was throughout their life together, and she is confident he would have backed her in this initiative as well. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create this scholarship and would motivate others to follow suit.

“The creation of the Dr. James Speeker and Donna Speeker Endowed Scholarship signifies a tremendous opportunity for our Diagnostic Imaging students. Many of them confront considerable financial hurdles while pursuing their education, and this scholarship will aid in easing some of that weight,” commented Dr. Jim Malone, program director and associate dean for health sciences. “It not only provides essential support but also underscores the importance of investing in the next cadre of healthcare professionals. This form of generosity encourages our students to excel academically and professionally, knowing that their efforts are acknowledged and supported. We are profoundly thankful for this significant contribution to our program and the future of our students.”

The Diagnostic Imaging program provides associate degrees in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy. Applications for entry in fall 2025 will be accepted from March 1 to June 1. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu/Diagnostic-Imaging, call 256-352-8334 or email mindie.sandlin@wallacestate.edu.

The Wallace State Future Foundation oversees more than 200 scholarships available to Wallace State students. During the academic year 2024-2025, the Future Foundation distributed a record total of 251 scholarships amounting to $465,000.

Applications for scholarships for the academic year 2025-2026 are being accepted until March 15 at www.wsccfuturefoundation.org/scholarships. For further details about scholarships, reach out to the Future Foundation at 256-352-7842 or carrie.jordan@wallacestate.edu.