HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Chris Green is fueled by multiple career passions.
Green’s love of music led him to Wallace State Community College, where he graduated from in 1997 with an associate degree in music education and option in church music.
As a proud alum, Green, a Blountsville native, uses his music degree today, while also serving as the Blount County Probate Judge.
“I always worked bi-vocationally in church music and my Wallace State education equipped me to use my skills to the fullest potential,” said Green, who enrolled at Wallace State in his 30s.
Like many non-traditional students, Green had to juggle many responsibilities as a Wallace State student.
“I was a full-time poultry and cattle farmer and part-time church music director at the time. It was very challenging to attend school and work, and I could have never done it without the help of my wife, Pam. It was a team effort, for sure. I took classes in the morning and rushed back home to work in the afternoon and evening,” Green said.
After graduating from Wallace State, Green’s music career led him to serve six years as the bi-vocational music director at First Baptist Church in Hayden. He has spent the past 14 years at Cleveland First Baptist Church in the same role.
Green has also served Blount County in various government roles for two decades. He was elected as the Blount County Probate Judge in 2012 and is currently serving his second term. Prior to that, Green spent 10 years as the county administrator and three years as the county revenue commissioner.
Green has been among the top supporters of Wallace State’s presence in Oneonta since the first site was established in 2016.
“My Wallace State education gave me the confidence to try and experience new things. I realized I could set an educational goal and achieve it even though I pursued my education later in life than most students,” Green said.
Green credits former Wallace State Music Education employees Robert Bean and Michael Sparks for inspiring him to pursue a degree in the field.
“Both men were both great encouragers for me during my time at Wallace State,” said Green, who also still farms. “Further education always broadens your horizons and my time at Wallace State certainly did that for me. My classes at Wallace State definitely inspired me to work hard and be of service to others.”
Green’s daughters also attended Wallace State and both pursued educational degrees.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
Wallace State is celebrating Community College Month during April. Please visit www.wsccalumni.org/ccmonth20 for more information.
