Dr. James R. Morris, Jr., Executive Vice President of S.C. Manufacturers
Alliance, to Speak at Tri-County's Annual Textile Banquet

CONTACT: DON SHIRLEY, EXT. 2283

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/14/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON - Dr. James R. Morris, Jr., executive vice president of the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, will be the keynote speaker at Tri-County Technical College's Annual Textile Management Technology Scholarship Awards Banquet set for Tuesday, October 10.

Dr. Morris, who is responsible for the administration and management of the Alliance, will address the audience of textile executives and students during the banquet scheduled for 6:45 p.m. in the Student Center.

Approximately 27 Textile Management Technology freshmen will receive scholarships covering books and fees from sponsoring textile firms. These scholarships are valued at approximately $2,500 each.

Since assuming his position in 1997, Dr. Morris has expanded the mission of the Alliance to include non-manufacturing members. The Alliance's member companies represent almost one-third of the manufacturing workforce.

Dr. Morris is past executive director of the Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance. From 1972 until 1994, he was associated with the state's Technical College System, serving as its executive director for eight years.

He has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations associated with higher education and economic development and was an active participant with Governors Campbell and Beasley and the South Carolina Department of Commerce in recruiting new business investments both nationally and internationally.

He serves on the boards of directors for the Blue Ridge Conference on Leadership, most recently serving as chairman; Independent Colleges of South Carolina; Great Lakes Composite Consortium Board; and the Baptist Medical Center Foundation.

He also has served on the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Committee on Admission for Two-Year Colleges and the Appeals Committee; Council of Technical College Presidents; and Department of Labor, State Liaison for Employment and Training. Previously he served on the South Carolina Economic Development Association, Inc.; the Private Industry Council of Richland County; the Southern Technology Council; and as vice president and president of the South Carolina Vocational Association.

His honors include receiving South Carolina's highest civilian award, the Order of the Palmetto, in 1994; the Keep America Working Partnership Award in 1989 from the American Association of Community Colleges; and the Economic Development Achievement Award, presented in 1993 by the South Carolina Economic Developers Association.

Dr. Morris holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi College and an Ed. D. from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He and his wife, Margaret, have two daughters and five grandchildren.
-30-