TALLADEGA — Elementary and high school students are already back in the school groove, and next week students at Talladega College will be joining them.

TC President Billy Hawkins said freshmen are having their orientation this week and said he believes this looks to be a group that will embody the ideals of Talladega College.

“I gave a little history lesson to the freshmen when I spoke to them Sunday night that Talladega has always had a great reputation academically,” Hawkins said. “We don’t have to apologize for that nor do we have to sell that. The public understands that.

“As I said to the students, they become the next generation of Talladegans, which stands for them understanding academic excellence, being students of character and having that attitude of knowing the expectation is that you will be an outstanding student at Talladega.”

Hawkins said the college is still climbing the mountain on its way back to preeminence. He said he is excited about the progress that’s been made since he took over in January 2008 but realizes there is a long journey ahead.

“Folks have to be patient and continue to work with me as we move this institution to the next level. I am pleased with our progress, but I’m not satisfied,” Hawkins said. “I believe there is more to be achieved and more to be accomplished. We have to stay the course and not get comfortable.”

The college’s administration is in the process of developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the future of the college. Hawkins believes this will provide a clear direction for the college to move in that the administration, faculty, staff and students can all buy into and work toward achieving.

The plan is expected to be completed by Dec. 1.

Hawkins also has optimism the college’s enrollment will climb over the 800 student level only two-and-a-half years after inheriting a college with an enrollment of less than 300. He credited Jacqueline Paddio, vice president of the Division of Student Affairs, and Floretta Dorch, dean of enrollment management, for their leadership in this area.

“I would say if you look at Talladega’s enrollment and its student body from when we started to now you would see some diversification,” Hawkins said. “I don’t have the percentages, but Caucasian and Hispanic populations have increased and will increase again this fall. Also, we’re enrolling more students from within Talladega County.”

While the increased enrollment is a positive for the college, it also means the college has to keep up with growth by growing its facilities.

“We’ve spent almost $900,000 in improvements to the men’s dormitory — Shores Hall. The Foster Hall project is moving forward very nicely. This fall we expect to see a lot of construction going on. We expect the restoration on that dormitory to take about two years. That building has been vacant for a lot of years,” Hawkins said.

Future projects under consideration include a new math, science and technology center, a new student center and new recreational facilities.

In addition, Hawkins said he was proud to announce additions to his administrative staff. Evelyn White is the new provost/vice president of academic affairs. She is a graduate of Tuskegee University and Auburn University and has served professionally at Alabama State University, Tennessee State University and Jackson State University.

Hawkins also hired Gerald Williams as vice president of finance and administration. He is a graduate of Southern University, Troy University and Nova Southeastern University. He has served in several positions at Southern and as CFO/vice president for business and finance at Dillard University.

Also, Hawkins believes the success of the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be spilling over into other sports. TC will field its first soccer team in the fall, and Hawkins said he believes big accomplishments will be in its future.

Contact Brandon Fincher at bfincher@dailyhome.com.