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LAWSON
STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3060 Wilson Road
Birmingham, AL 35221
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Geri Albright
Director of Public Relations
(205) 929-6315
galbright@lawsonstate.edu
Lawson
State Alumnus Establishes Scholarship
On April 1, 2008, Lawson State
Community College had the pleasure of hosting
the Promotion Ceremony of Lieutenant Colonel
Leernest Ruffin, the commander of the 78th Communications
Squadron at the Robins Air Force Base in Warner
Robbins, Georgia. In addition to his promotion
ceremony, Ruffin, Lawson State alum, established
a scholarship in honor of his former pastor,
Reverend N.H. Pollard, Sr. The event took place
in the A.G. Gaston Auditorium on the Birmingham
East Campus. An educational event for students,
there were video presentations by Lt. General
Edward A. Rice, Lt. Colonel Ivan D. Murray and
Sergeant Adourian Ruffin. Nathaniel Pollard,
Jr. spoke at the event and was preceded by Tony
Lloyd of the Birmingham Black Barons. The scholarship
was presented to the College by Lt. Colonel
Ruffin and his family. Mrs. Ebony Pollard graced
those present with a moving performance of “Lift
Every Voice and Sing.”
The scholarship tribute included
a proper introduction of Reverend Pollard given
by Ruffin. Reverend Pollard, formerly a petty
officer in the United States Navy, served the
country during World War II before returning
home to Alabama and gracing the Birmingham Black
Barons with his curveball. Pitching with the
Black Barons during the late 1940s Pollard posted
credible marks in 1946 and 1948, respectively,
and closed out his Negro League career in 1950
with a 7-3 ledger. In addition to all of his
accomplishments, he successfully mentored Ruffin
and many other Birmingham natives as is prevalent
in a look at Ruffin’s accolades.
As the commander, he leads a team
of nearly 500 professionals responsible for
over $50M in communications and information
management systems supporting over 25,000 personnel
assigned to the Warner Robbins Air Logistics
Center. He’s provided technical assistance
to the Egyptian Air Force on 15 major FMS cases
valued at over $1.4 billion. He also provided
continuous secure and non-secure telecommunications
support to the President of the United States,
White House Senior Staff, DoD Elements and others
as directed by the White House Military Office.
Lt. Colonel Ruffin is a native
of Birmingham, Alabama, and a graduate of Midfield
High School. In May 1987, he enlisted in the
United States Air Force. Ruffin is married to
the former Lillian (Ann) Whitsett of Mobile,
Alabama. They have two sons named Martez and
Markell and one daughter, Makaila.
Now, due to the giving spirit
of one Lawson State Alumnus, Reverend Michael
Pollard will be able to provide a qualifying
student with continuing membership at Triumph
the Church of God and Kingdom of God In Christ
with the opportunity to attend Lawson State
Community College.- 30 -
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