LBW Community College’s 2019 Outstanding Alumnus is Charlie Sankey Jr. of Goshen, a 1991 graduate with an associate degree in pre-engineering.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of Mr. Sankey through the years and his dedicated, continuing service to his community,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel. “His leadership is a reflection of his commitment to family, community, and country, and we acknowledge the positive impact he continues to have with everyone around him.”

Sankey said the recognition is beyond a blessing.

“It’s kind of surreal,” he said. “When you look at life the older you get, you start to realize you don’t deserve any honors. I’m just thanking God that He put me in a position to receive this honor, and I want to thank all involved for accepting me.”

It didn’t take Sankey long as a new LBW student baseball athlete to feel comfortable on campus, he said.

“It was the fellowship I enjoyed the most. It was a close-knit campus where everybody knew each other. After two weeks, you knew everybody. Even in the classroom there was comradery. That was key to me coming out of a small high school. It acclimated me to college life without the big stage.”

Though of the cost of attending a community college compared to a four-year institution is substantially less, he said the value is priceless.

“The bulk of Alabama is a rural state. When you come from a rural household, like where I grew up, there is not a pot of gold. Your resources are limited. When you have a facility like LBW, it allows children to attend college who may not otherwise have an opportunity to further their education. It allows us to have productive citizens.”

Sankey said he wants to dispel misconceptions about the quality of education at community colleges.

“I want to put that myth to bed because the quality of education I received at LBW was grade ‘A.’ I want to encourage any young person who wants to go to college to start at LBW.”

He attributes much of his success to what he learned and the relationships he built while at LBW.

Sankey transferred to Auburn University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After entering the workforce, he attended John M. Patterson Junior College to complete a computer networking certificate. He also attended banking school at the University of South Alabama.

He currently holds the position of loan officer with First Citizen Bank in Luverne, serves Crenshaw County Commission Chairman, and is pastor of Rockwest Missionary Baptist Church in Goshen.

He also serves on the State Local Government Health Insurance Board and the Minority Steering Committee for county government.