Celebrating Randy Hammond’s Journey from Student to Department Chair

Hanceville, Ala. — When Wallace State Community College Welding Department Chair Randy Hammond stands in front of a class of welding students, he can identify with each of them because he was in their same position once upon a time.

Hammond's journey with Wallace State began in 1991 when he enrolled in the Welding Technology program. Drawn by the college's renowned welding program, Hammond found himself immersed in a community that would shape his future in ways he hadn't imagined.

When he arrived as a student at Wallace State, Hammond initially planned to get the certificates he needed to start working as a welder and bypass the academic courses that would lead to an associate’s degree. However, he was encouraged by his welding instructor, Ray Manard, to pursue his degree.

“He made me a promise that if I got the associate’s degree, that I would be proud that I got it within five years of graduating,” Hammond said. “Within three years, I got my first lead-man job because I had my degree and the company that I was working at required a degree for any management position. I still use this story today when I encourage students to pursue the associate’s degree instead of just the certificate. You never know where life will take you.”

Hammond’s path from Wallace State led to jobs as a welder, a supervisor, a manufacturing manager supervising 214 employees, and finally the opportunity to return to Wallace State as an instructor.

“I am back now as the department chair over the best welding program in the state,” Hammond said. He has helped the program expand into a state-of-the-art facility that is the largest welding training facility in the Southeast.

Reflecting on his time at Wallace State, Hammond emphasizes the importance of the skills and opportunities the college provided. He encourages young people to consider starting their careers at Wallace State, highlighting the supportive community and the solid foundation it offers for future success.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of Wallace State Community College alumni throughout Community College Month.

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About the Wallace State Alumni Association

The WSCC Alumni Association serves more than 30,000 alumni and friends through membership benefits, professional development, and outreach opportunities. You do not have to be an alumnus to become a member of the Alumni Association. Please visit our website at https://www.wsccalumni.org/welcome.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.