Huntingdon College
News Release
June 7, 2018
For more information, contact: Su Ofe, (334) 833-4515; news@hawks.huntingdon.edu
Huntingdon Economic and Community Development Scholars Arrive June 11
Montgomery, AL—Twenty-three high school students representing nearly twenty Alabama Chambers of Commerce will be part of the second annual Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program next week, June 11–13. Planned in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the Economic Development Association of Alabama, and the Alabama Department of Commerce, ECDS introduces young citizens who are poised to begin their professional journeys to the importance of economic and community development.
Participants, who are rising high school seniors from across Alabama, were selected for the experience by their Chamber of Commerce. The students will stay overnight in residence halls and learn through economic development simulations, tours of thriving corporations and a revitalized downtown area, presentations by professionals, and networking with young and seasoned community leaders.
“The seeds of the ECDS program were planted by our community partners, who saw and expressed the need for rising professionals who understand the importance of economic and community development to help their communities thrive,” said Huntingdon President J. Cameron West. “The knowledge students develop in the program benefits not only those who choose to enter this profession, but also those who are interested in owning their own businesses, teaching in schools, practicing in the medical or law fields … virtually every profession.”
Students will arrive Monday, June 11, at 9:00 a.m. During the course of the program, participants will learn from Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama; Jeremy Arthur, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama; Gerry Purcell, executive director of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce; Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer; David Allred, agency principal and managing director for Stamp Ideas Group; Katrina Keefer, chief financial officer for Baptist Health; Rachel Madore, director of information services for the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; Mark Colson, chief of staff for the Business Council of Alabama; Drew Harrell, executive director of the Alliance for Alabama Infrastructure; and professionals from the Alabama Department of Commerce, Alabama Power, and the Birmingham Business Alliance. The program will conclude with ground-breaking, ribbon-cutting, and graduation ceremonies beginning at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 13.
Huntingdon College, grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition of the United Methodist Church, is committed to nurturing growth in faith, wisdom, and service and to graduating individuals prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Founded in 1854, Huntingdon is a coeducational liberal arts college.
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Suellen (Su) Ofe
Vice President
for Marketing and Communications
Huntingdon College
1500 E. Fairview Ave., Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 833-4515; Cell (334) 324-6591
