The Selma-Dallas County Public Library and Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS) are encouraging residents to who have not received their high school diploma to obtain a GED through a collaboration that began shortly after the closing of Craig Air Force Base.

Registration is every Wednesday at the Adult Education Department at WCCS at 8 a.m. at 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway.

WCCS GED Instructor Queen Morrow said she has been and instructor with the GED program for 3 years and places emphasis on the importance of acquiring a GED.

“The GED is equivalent to the high school diploma,” Morrow said. “Students and adults need to be prepared; they need to have a high school diploma or GED to be considered for employment and to pursue higher education.”

GED student, Roderick Britton, 50, said it feels good working to obtain his GED.

“I’m trying to better myself and go get what I need to provide for myself,” Britton said. “It really helps me; I’m getting back what I had lost 20 or 30 years ago. Once I get my GED, I’m going to become an electrician because that’s something I want to do and will enjoy doing.”

Another GED student, Evangelist Isaac McDole Sr., 68, said he finds the class to be quite enjoyable.

“I’m enjoying myself; it’s a lot of fun,” McDole said. “It’s also a lot of work, because during my time we didn’t have this kind of curriculum. We didn’t have the English, Literature and Mathematics that they’re teaching now; we had the basic subjects. All of this is really new to me.” 

As the president and founder of the Blackbelt Community Initiative Program, McDole said he always encourage individuals to receive an education and acquire a good job.

“I always encourage people to go back to school, get their GED, get an education and get a good job,” McDole said. “So, I thought ‘well, I don’t have my GED,’ that’s when I decided to give my words meaning and get my own GED.”

Morrow said she enjoys working with the GED students and helping them achieve their goal. She admires their determination and will to succeed.

“It’s awesome working with them on this level because no one has to get them up in the morning to make them go to school, they’re adults, they know that they need this,” Morrow said. “If they really want it they’ll pursue it.”

“The GED program is a way to open the door to using the public library for people who might not understand the importance of reading,” said Becky Nichols, the Executive Director of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

Nichols said the GED program is beneficial to the community and all who enroll.

“We feel confident that the GED program partnership that we have is leading to a better quality of life for many of our residents,” Nichols said.

GED classes are held at three locations, WCCS’ main and two satellite campuses, one located at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library and the other at Career Link on Water Avenue.