College celebrates IBM partnership

Huntington Junior College starts IBMe-business specialization after agreement

By TAMARA ENDICOTT - The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- The Huntington Junior College will celebrate a $30,000 e-business educational partnership with IBM this week.

The college will have a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, welcoming John Gifaldi, IBM e-business Worldwide Scholarship Project Manager.

"We’re looking forward to this chance for business, civic leaders and students," said James Garrett, educational services director. "This is a great opportunity for them to meet with someone like Gifaldi."

The IBM Corp. donated $30,000 in software programming last year so Huntington Junior College could offer IBM’s e-business specialization in the school’s two-year Computer Information Systems program, Garrett said.

"The IBM certified logo carries a lot of prestige, and our graduates will be able to use the logo after graduation to show that they have this certification in building and designing Web sites," Garrett said.

"It’s so great to think that a company like this would be so interested in our school and this area. It is very good news for Huntington."

IBM’s e-business works to combine small to large businesses with online marketing. Huntington Junior College’s two-year degree focuses on Web marketing, design and development.

The partnership began with a few chance meetings last year between Dominique Leroux, Huntington Junior College instructor, and Gifaldi during national conferences.

"We were astounded," Leroux said, "and felt very fortunate that he contacted us. We are very excited."

Mayor David Felinton; Jerry McDonald, president of the Huntington Area Development Council; and Ken Busz, president of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, also will attend the reception.

The reception is open to the public.