Alabama enjoys PRESIDENTIAL visit

When Theo Lawson drives onto the Lawson State Community College campus this afternoon, there will three people on his mind: the president, his mother and his father.  

Lawson, an Assistant Jefferson County attorney, is the son of the Lawson State founder T.H. Lawson.

"It is just a privilege to see this day come and to share it on his behalf," the younger Lawson said.

Lawson said he's representing his late father and his mother, who is ill. The elder Lawson was the longtime college president beginning when it opened in 1950. 

Theo Lawson's mother served as the dean of students.  The family lived on campus. 

"The college was my playground," Lawson recalled.

While Obama is expected to talk about the consumer protection issues, Lawson noted the president's recent announcement to push for free two-year college. Lawson said he hoped Obama would also reference that initiative while at the longtime two-year college.

"I hope he can do whatever he can to promote that," Lawson said. "I hope he will be able to have that initiative come to fruition." 

Returning to Lawson State today is also a homecoming of sorts for John W. Bell and Eva Bell. The Bells both worked in the early days of the college, with Eva Bell being among the founding faculty members in 1950.

"I'm the only one living from the foundation," the retired business education instructor said as she prepared for the day's activities. "We started in 1950."

The school originally built to train back students was first known as the Wenonah Trade School for Negros.

John Bell, who is also the father of Birmingham Mayor William Bell, taught brick masonry at college beginning in 1968.

In a room filled mostly with college students, the Bells will be among the most senior in the audience.

"Yes, I'm excited. It means a lot if I can get to him," she quipped.

Long after her retirement, Bell is still keen on business, saying education and job training remain essential for economic improvement. 

"I taught a lot of students and found them jobs," she recalled. "That was my thing, to get them jobs when they were ready."