Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Chattahoochee Valley Community College Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC), located in Phenix City, Russell County, was established in 1973 by Act No. 384 of the Alabama State Legislature. It is divided into four academic divisions: Business & Social Science; Health Sciences; Language & Fine Arts; and Mathematics & Science. CVCC awards associate degrees in seven areas and certifications in eight areas. The college serves the citizens of Russell County and parts of Bullock, Lee, Macon, and Barbour counties, as well as Georgia residents and members of the military serving at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning). It shares a campus with the Phenix City branch of Troy University.

The college was initially named Chattahoochee Valley State Junior College, and its first president was Ralph M. Savage. The institution opened its administrative offices in temporary quarters on the third floor of the Phenix City Utilities building, using the second floor of that same building for classrooms in January 1974, with approximately 280 students. Classrooms were located in other parts of the city, including City Hall, the Westside Baptist Church, Central High School, and the Phenix City Boys Club. By April, the college’s enrollment had quadrupled to 1,239 students.

In October 1974, 103 acres were donated as a permanent home for the college. Construction began in 1975, and by the following year, the college had five permanent buildings and 15 temporary buildings. In 1980, James Owen assumed the reins as president. During this period, the college also changed its name to Chattahoochee Valley State Community College. Richard Federinko became president upon Owen’s retirement in 1993. In October 1996, the school adopted its present name. In August 2003, Laurel Blackwell was named CVCC’s president. In 2011, she was succeeded by Mark Ellard, and 2018 Jacqueline B. Screws was chosen as president.

The site on which the college is located now has nine permanent buildings, including a classroom and administration building, general purpose classroom building, learning resources center, fine arts building, health and physical education building, and student center. The campus also hosts a facilities building and a greenhouse as well as two athletic fields.

CVCC’s athletic programs have a long history. Doug Key was named CVCC’s first Athletic Director in 1974; under orders from President Savage, he initiated athletic programs in basketball, baseball, and golf. Tennis, wrestling, and track were added in 1976. Currently, CVCC offers women’s and men’s basketball, baseball, and softball programs. Major-league pitcher Tim Hudson, who has played with the Oakland A’s and the Atlanta Braves, is a CVCC graduate. The school’s nickname is the Pirates, and they compete in the Alabama Junior and Community College Conference.

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