EXCEL program to celebrate new Columbia City site
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Huntington University President Dr. G. Blair Dowden (center, left), Columbia City mayor Jim Fleck (center, right), and Dean of the University Dr. Norris Friesen (right of Fleck) cut the ribbon to the University's first permanent satellite location. Ambassadors from the Columbia City Area Chamber of Commerce and faculty from Huntington University look on. Huntington, Ind. "The Huntington University EXCEL Program will celebrate the lease of its new facility in Columbia City, Ind., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the new location, 220 Frontage Road, Columbia City, Ind. An open house will follow from 3 to 7 p.m.
The 2,400-square-foot space, leased from North Park Professional Center, includes two classrooms, one which is suitable for seminars.
Patricia Hatcher, executive director of the Columbia City Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomes Huntington University to the community.
Columbia City mayor Jim Fleck; Patricia Hatcher, executive director of the Columbia City Area Chamber of Commerce; Huntington University president Dr. G. Blair Dowden, ambassadors from Columbia City, and senior leadership from the University will be on hand for the event.
The Huntington University EXCEL program, which offers classes and degrees geared specifically toward working adults, previously served students in only the Fort Wayne and Huntington areas.
Patricia Hatcher
The University sees Columbia City as a growing community that was underserved by the opportunity for adults to earn a degree in Columbia City. Our market research substantiated that thought process. The community has welcomed us. We see a great future to grow with Whitley County, said Perry Collins, director of the EXCEL program.
Columbia City mayor Jim Fleck discusses the partnership between Columbia City and Huntington University.
Thirteen students have enrolled in a new core group scheduled to start in February at the Columbia City location. EXCEL also will offer an Introduction to Supervision Class set to start in late January.
For more information on the Huntington University EXCEL program, contact the EXCEL office at (260) 359-4162 or (800) 600-4888, or visit www.huntington.edu/EXCEL.
Huntington University President G. Blair Dowden shares about Huntington's strong connection to Columbia City.
The EXCEL program first offered classes in Columbia City in September, 2005, at the Peabody Library.
