EDUCATION
ENTERPRISE AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION, INC.
GLORIA SESSIONS VENTRESS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Gloria Sessions Ventress, the daughter of Mary and Lewe Sessions, was born and raised in Enterprise, Alabama. She attended the local public schools and went on to graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in education. She taught in the Enterprise school system. Gloria later left the area to focus on raising her family, but she returned to Enterprise in 1979, where she lived for the rest of her life. A devoted member of First Baptist Church throughout her youth and in her later years, Gloria had a strong passion for the education of young people in her community, and the teachers who educated them. She shared this interest with her father, Lewe, who served for many years on the Enterprise School Board.
In memory of Gloria Sessions Ventress, her children have endowed a scholarship through the Enterprise Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. The Gloria Sessions Ventress Memorial Scholarship, funded by an endowment of approximately $100,000, is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior residing in Enterprise, Alabama, who will be attending a four-year college.
The amount of the scholarship will be determined by the interest earned during the previous tax year, which has historically averaged between $3,000 - $4,000. *The annual dollar amount will be provided to the Enterprise High School Guidance Counselor on a year-to-year basis.
The scholarship application is now closed. The selected scholarship recipient will be notified after the Ventress family reviews all applications.
In a surprise presentation at the Enterprise Career & Technology Center (ECTC), Mr. Josh King was announced as the 2025 recipient of the Innovative Teaching Project Grant, a program of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce Workforce & Education Committee, awarded annually to forward-thinking educators committed to elevating classroom learning through creativity and innovation.
Committee Chairman, Angela Brockman and Enterprise Chamber Executive Director, Erin Grantham, along with committee members, presented Mr. King, an ECTC Engineering Instructor, with a check in the amount of $1,950.
With a focus on real-world application, the winning project is designed to help students not only learn about pneumatics—but truly experience them. Using the awarded grant funds, Mr. King plans to equip the ECTC Engineering Department with compressors, actuators, valves, solenoids, and programmable control systems—allowing students to design, troubleshoot, and optimize pneumatic circuits much like they would in a modern manufacturing or engineering environment.
In his grant application, Mr. King said, “Students will be able to design, troubleshoot, and optimize a programmable pneumatic system, better preparing them for careers in engineering, robotics, and industrial maintenance.”
Known for his dynamic, hands-on teaching style, Mr. King aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This initiative aligns perfectly with the growing need for skilled workers in STEM-related fields, particularly in automation and advanced manufacturing.
By integrating real-world tools and systems into the classroom, Mr. King is ensuring that his students graduate with more than just textbook knowledge—they leave with experience and confidence.
The Enterprise Career & Technology Center and the entire Enterprise education community celebrate Mr. Josh King’s achievement and look forward to the exciting opportunities this project will bring to local students.
This grant is available to all instructors of the Enterprise City Schools and awards up to $2,500 each year. The grants are based on creative and original ideas that promote innovative activities and motivate students. Applications are made available in January, with a submission deadline of March 31st. On behalf of the Chamber’s Workforce Education Committee, Brockman encourages teachers to think of their most innovative ideas, draft a plan, and apply for a future Innovative Teaching Grant.
Questions? Contact the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce office at 334-347-0581.
