The Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) Foundation presented the inaugural Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Chapter Scholarship to Dawson Hicks of Smiths Station.
The FAME program offers students a comprehensive two-year technical associate degree designed to equip them with the skills needed for today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape. Students who are part of the program gain invaluable paid work experience at an area business or industry while earning their associate degree. This combination of education and practical experience positions graduates for a successful career in the manufacturing industry.
“Programs such as FAME create a win-win opportunity — our students gain valuable hands-on experience and career pathways, while employers build a skilled, loyal workforce prepared for the future,” said Tim Beasley, FAME Program Coordinator at SUSCC. “Dawson is an excellent example of how this program benefits our students.”
The FAME on the Plains Chapter scholarship was established last year by the sponsoring organizations of the FAME on the Plains chapter. This $3,000 scholarship is given to a member of the 2026 FAME cohort and will be used for tuition, books and fees.
The inaugural scholarship was supported by APTAR, Auburn University Facilities Management, Golden State Foods, Smith Gray Electric Company, Inc., John Soules Foods, and V2 Composites.
Hicks will be sponsored by Greenwood / GE Aviation in the 2026 FAME Cohort.
For more information on FAME on the Plains please contact Beasley at tbeasley@suscc.edu.
Southern Union State Community College, with its campuses in Wadley, Opelika, and Valley, is the second-oldest two-year college in Alabama. SUSCC is Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
