Glenville State College’s President will not only reflect on his first year at GSC when he addresses local residents this week, but he’ll also discuss a project to help with local economic development. Dr. Peter Barr is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the next Gilmer County ‘Business After Five’ meeting on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. at the Best Western in Glenville. Barr will discuss his first year at GSC and outline goals he has for the college’s future. He’ll also unveil a community housing project aimed at improving economic development in the area by attracting new businesses, jobs, and residents. The project manager and financial representatives will also be on hand to answer questions about lending needs for the project’s homes.

Boosting economic development in the area is among Barr’s goals as GSC’s President. He’s also focused on increasing student enrollment, improving student retention rates, and working with the GSC Foundation on an upcoming capital campaign. Barr said, “The past year on this job has been one of the most exciting years of my life.”

The Huntington native arrived on the Glenville State College campus the middle of June 2006 and began serving as the college's President on July 1st. He says strengthening Glenville State College and encouraging students to give back to their communities are still among his concerns. “We must train students for jobs, but, at the same time, educate them to make the world a better place to live,” said Barr.

Barr came to Glenville State College from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where he was the Provost and Senior Vice President serving as the school’s Chief Academic Officer. He is a Marshall University graduate holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Marshall as well as a Doctorate of Business Administration degree from Louisiana Tech University. Barr was among more than 70 candidates for the position and replaced former GSC President, Robert Freeman, who retired last year.

The public is welcome to attend the June 28th ‘Business After Five’ meeting, which is sponsored by Glenville State College. For more information, call GSC Public Relations and Marketing Director, Annette Barnette, at (304) 462-4115.