HUNTINGDON COLLEGE
News Release
July 23, 2024
For more information, contact:
Laura Brelsford | laura.brelsford@hawks.huntingdon.edu | 334-833-4563
High School Students Trained for a Future in Economic and Community Development
Montgomery, AL – Twenty-five rising high school seniors from 23 Alabama counties were participants in the fifth Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program. The two-day, one-night immersive experience took place on the historic Huntingdon College campus. The program, sponsored by the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, was designed to introduce young Alabama citizens to the importance of economic and community development in cities and the state.
Participants were selected by their local Chamber of Commerce and the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program. During the program, the students had the opportunity to meet and learn from Dr. Anthony Leigh, President of Huntingdon College, Mr. Jim Searcy, Executive Director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama, Mrs. Paige Hutto, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, Mr. Nicholas Hadley, Business Development Specialist for the Alabama Department of Commerce, Ms. Madison Haddock, Economic Development Specialist Selma/Dallas County Economic Development Authority, Mr. Jess Skaggs, Chief of Staff for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for the State of Alabama, and Mrs. Bria Rochelle-Stephens, Director for the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program.
For a hands-on experience in economic development, students were divided into groups and given a city in Alabama to represent as they vied for a corporation, led by President Anthony Leigh, to call their community “home”. After completing several tasks in the project that directly referenced the presentations of the guest speakers, the teams gave their final pitch to fellow students and guests. The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony after the final presentations.
“The creativity and innovation put on display by these incredibly talented students brings me much excitement about the future of Alabama’s leadership” stated Mrs. Rochelle-Stephens. “I am confident that each one of these students will leave a lasting impact in their communities.”
Dr. Anthony Leigh and Mrs. Bria Rochelle-Stephens commented that Huntingdon is looking forward to planning the ECDS program in the summer of 2025.
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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