O’Donnell to host series of economic forecasts

Huntington University’s Jim O’Donnell will host a series of state-of-the-economy forecasts in four Indiana counties from Jan. 6-14. For more than a decade, O’Donnell has shared his Economic Review and Forecast in an educational – and also entertaining – format.

O’Donnell serves as an executive-in-residence and holds emeritus standing at HU. His presentation will reference a variety of economic factors, including oil prices, spending, health care costs, student debt, home ownership, investing, inflation and faith.

As a certified public accountant and money management executive, O’Donnell worked in the financial services industry for years with such firms as Fidelity Investments and the Dreyfus Corporation in Boston and New York City, respectively. A thought-provoking writer, his opinions on ethics and finance have appeared in Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal and Fortune, to name a few. O’Donnell earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his MBA from Columbia University. He has authored three books: “The Shortest Investment Book Ever,” “Letters for Lizzie” and “Walking with Arthur.”

Jan. 6 in Decatur, Indiana

The first forecast presentation will take place Jan. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Decatur Room of the Adams Memorial Hospital, 1100 Mercer Ave., Decatur, Indiana, sponsored by the Decatur and Berne chambers of commerce.

The cost of the breakfast buffet is $10, and reservations may be made by calling the Decatur chamber at (260) 724-2604 or the Berne chamber at (260) 589-8080 by Jan. 2.

Jan. 7 in Columbia City, Indiana

O’Donnell will speak Jan. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lower-level conference rooms A, B and C of Parkview Whitley Hospital, 1260 E. State Road 205, Columbia City, Indiana, sponsored by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce.

The cost of the lunch buffet is $12, and reservations may be made by calling the Whitley County chamber at (260) 248-8131 or by emailing office@whitleychamber.com by Jan. 2.

Jan. 8 in Bluffton, Indiana

O’Donnell will join community members on Jan. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Wells County Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre, 211 Water St., Bluffton, Indiana, sponsored by the Wells County Chamber of Commerce.

The cost of the breakfast buffet is $12 for chamber members and $15 for non-chamber members. Reservations may be made by calling the Wells County chamber at (260) 824-0510 or by emailing Erin Meyer at emeyer@wellscoc.com.

The meals and presentations in Decatur, Columbia City and Bluffton are free of charge for Huntington University alumni. Alumni are invited to enter a drawing at check-in at any of these events for a chance to win HU items.

Jan. 14 in Huntington, Indiana

O’Donnell will finish his tour on Jan. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the upper level of Habecker Dining Commons at Huntington University, 2303 College Ave., Huntington, Indiana, hosted by the Huntington University Foundation.

Breakfast is $7, but free breakfasts are provided for first-time attendees courtesy of Chris and Janelle Love of Bailey-Love Mortuary in Huntington. To make a reservation for the HU Foundation meeting, call Barb Baker at (260) 359-4069 or email bbaker@huntington.edu.

The Huntington University Foundation hosts a monthly breakfast meeting, open to all who are interested in learning about current community issues and the people and programs of Huntington University. 

Since 1938, the Huntington University Foundation has assisted Huntington County residents who attend Huntington University through the annual Huntington County Grant and endowed scholarships. Learn more about the foundation and ways to support its goals at www.huntington.edu/hu-foundation.