LBW Community College’s 2018 Outstanding Alumnus is Jimmy Hutto of Opp, who will be recognized at the annual commencement ceremony in Andalusia on May 11.

“Throughout his years of service at LBWCC, he touched the lives of so many students as an instructor, impacted the lives of adult learners and their families, and had great working relationships with many area businesses and industries,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel. “We are pleased to acknowledge his many contributions to education and workforce development.”

Hutto retired from LBWCC in December 2017 with 36 years of service, and said he appreciates the recognition.

“I am certainly honored to be named as Alumnus of the Year and look forward to the graduation program,” he said.

Hutto’s early career plans did not include being an educator, he said. After receiving a certificate in industrial electricity in 1979 from MacArthur State Technical College, he started his own company.

“I was interested in being a technician and that’s what I did for a while. I had my company for a short period, running the business in the daytime and going to school in the evening.”

He earned a diploma in air conditioning and refrigeration in 1982, then completed a certificate in industrial electronics in 1984.

His unexpected journey into a faculty position happened in 1982 when he started teaching industrial electricity part-time.

“Then, in 1984, I had the opportunity to apply for a full-time position in the industrial electronics program,” he said.

He continued his own pursuit of education at Auburn University and earned a bachelor’s degree in adult education with an emphasis in trade and industrial education in 1987, and a master’s degree in administration of higher education in 1991.

In addition to teaching at LBWCC, he wrote a successful grant that allowed the development of the cooperative education program and then served as the program’s director. He also served as director for federal government grant programs, then moved into the role of associate dean of adult education and workforce development.

Through the years, he stayed abreast of industrial needs by visiting companies throughout the service area, which helped in guiding the direction of programs and services offered by the College in training for existing businesses and industries.

“We look forward to recognizing Mr. Hutto as part of this year’s graduation program,” said Riedel.

LBWCC’s commencement ceremony on May 11 begins at 2 p.m. at the Kiwanis Community Center in Andalusia and includes graduates from all LBWCC locations.