Just a few years ago, Talladega College was faced with an uncertain future — student enrollment had dwindled to levels barely able to keep the historic school open and the campus was in a serious state of disrepair.

The infrastructure problems had become so severe that some of the dorms and buildings were all but unusable.

But that was then.

Today, thanks to the hard work from President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, faculty, alumni and student organizations, staff members and the community, Talladega College has a much brighter future.

And Honda Manufacturing of Alabama has been a big part of getting the oldest historically black college in the state turned around.

That vital partnership continues this year as volunteers from the automaker come to the campus to help renovate the Senior Grove II dorm, which has sat empty for years.

This is the second year Honda volunteers have helped out — last year they worked with faculty and staff to renovate Senior Grove I and III dorms.

Honda has a long history in the area for community involvement, especially when it comes to helping schools and programs for youths here.

The auto manufacturing giant is an essential part, not only of our local economy, but also of our communities, and company officials and employees continue to demonstrate how much importance they place on that ideal.

This latest effort at Talladega College could not come at a better time for the school. The hard work by Hawkins and others to revitalize the school is starting to pay off, and student enrollment continues to climb.

That means more students will need safe, quality campus housing in the coming year.

We applaud all the college has accomplished in such a short time — having a four-year college in Talladega in a boon to the entire region.

Likewise, we thank to Honda and all the other community partners that have helped breathe new life into Talladega College. It’s an effort we all benefit from.