POWERGRAMS

29 Hampton University and a Tuskegee alumnus, contributed $1 million and the state another $1.5 million for the world-class museum that will house the historic art by former Talladega College teacher Woodruff. "I think the state, nation, really the world, should be excited about this museum," Sood says. "The Amistad Murals are a huge part of Alabama history, of African- American history, that can literally be a boon to tourism in Alabama." The Harvey Museum is one of three major new buildings at Talladega College. In January, a three-story, 45,000-square-foot residence hall opened with 103 rooms, each with LED lighting, low-flow toilets, keyless entry and other energy-efficient features. It joins eight other student residence halls, dating to 1869. Across from DeForest Chapel, with its 65 stained-glass windows by former art teacher David Driskell, the college's first-ever student center is rising. The 47,000-square-foot, two-story building will open in August with a 2,000-seat gymnasium, dining hall, kitchen, concessions stand, coffee lounge, convenience store, fitness area, health clinic and convocation hall. The first in Alabama to offer higher education to blacks, Talladega College has launched its inaugural graduate program, a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. The private school has record-breaking enrollment this year and is listed by the Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report among the best colleges in the Southeast. "We are thrilled about all of the growth on campus and the positive impact Talladega College has in our local community and throughout our state and our nation," Hawkins says. RED DOOR KITCHEN To the passerby, it might appear the Smokehouse Barbecue Restaurant never went out of business 25 years ago, as cars and trucks still fill the parking lot, and the dining room doors constantly open and close with local folks dropping in for lunch. But the restaurant management today isn't out to make a buck: The Red Door Kitchen is open for shut-ins and the down on their luck. What began in 1985 as a soup kitchen at the old bus depot has become a full-service café providing free meals Monday through Friday to walk-in customers and for more than 100 daily deliveries. Early each weekday morning the past 16 years, Willie Pearl Cochran has arrived at Red Door Kitchen to direct activities, from selecting the meal components, to cooking, packaging and storing lunches in big coolers for delivery. The past five years she's been assisted by her daughter, Gloria Ford. They try to choose a different daily meat, vegetables and other sides to cook for their customers. On this day the individual Styrofoam containers include roast beef, mixed vegetables, pinto beans and graham crackers. Cochran, Ford fill meal cooler; Sparkman transports for delivery. Talladega College Student Center set to open in August. Panel from the Amistad Murals by artist Hale Woodruff. Panel from the Amistad Murals by artist Hale Woodruff.

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