Bio

Before becoming President of  Shelton State in 1979, Dr, Leo Sumner had spent much of his life in public education.  He was a coach and mathematics teacher at both Gorgas and Hale County High School and Principal at Hale County High School.  In 1973 he was named Dean of Instruction at Shelton State Technical College. He became  President of Shelton State Technical College in 1976, serving in that position until 1979. In 1979 he became the first President of Shelton State Community College.  Under his leadership, the college grew to become a major force in West Alabama and the State as the third largest community college in Alabama.

The Shelton State Outstanding Sophomore Award, presented every spring, was named the Leo Sumner Award. The Sumner family created a scholarship to attach to this honor. Dr. Sumner  held students’ needs as a top priority and was always supportive of his faculty and staff. Attendance, preparation, common sense, and fairness ere key educational tools for him.

During his tenure as Shelton’s  President, he was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for mathematics and love of sports resulted in surprising and innovative plays on the basketball court and football field. Those mathematical skills certainly influenced his keen attention to a budget which, combined with a vision, brought us to this building tonight. He was very instrumental in decision making and funding for Shelton State Community College.

Leo Sumner( 1924–2006) was married to Rebecca Tidmore Sumner ( 1929–2011) and is survived by daughters and sons- in-law —Brenda ( William A. ) Ryan, Debra (Thurman) Campbell, and Sarah ( Charley) Duggan.  He leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.