Dr. Habecker to speak at annual Foundation banquet

Huntington, Ind. " The Huntington College Foundation presents its annual dinner on Thursday, September 12 in the Habecker Dining Commons. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

The special guest speaker will be Dr. Gene Habecker, president of the American Bible Society and former president of Huntington College.

Habecker was originally scheduled to speak at last year's banquet, but the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City -- just a short distance from his Manhattan office -- prevented his travel to Huntington. (See related story in the Huntington Herald-Press.) Habecker will describe the impact of those events both at the Foundation dinner and at Thursday morning's chapel.

As president of the College from 1981 to 1991, Habecker initiated a period of tremendous growth and vitality. Coming to campus in 1979 as Executive Vice President, he spearheaded the development of a bold long-range plan. During his years as president, he saw those plans become reality. New residence halls and apartments were opened, new classroom buildings were constructed, a modern library and fine arts center were built, athletic facilities were significantly expanded, and the campus infrastructure was developed. A new dining commons was opened and named in his honor. Long-term funding commitments were obtained, and faculty development and academic programs were given high priority.

Dr. Habecker is the author of four books: Affirmative Action in the Independent College (1977), The Other Side of Leadership (1987), Leading with a Follower's Heart (1990), and Rediscovering the Soul of Leadership (1996) which has been published in Portuguese (1998) and Spanish (1999). His syndicated radio broadcast, The Open Book, is carried on more than 500 radio stations across the United States.

The cost of the dinner program is $20 per person. Tables of eight may be reserved for $150. To make reservations, contact Darlene Fairchild at (260) 356-6000. Reservations will be taken until September 9. Payment should be sent to Huntington College Foundation, 2303 College Avenue, Huntington, IN 46750.

Dr. Habecker will also be the keynote speaker during Thursday's chapel at 10 a.m. in the Merillat Centre for the Arts.

Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.