Betty Ireland visits Southern's Williamson Campus

Former West Virginia Secretary of State, Betty Ireland, joined the Appalachian Leadership Academy’s Cotiga Fellows on April 17, 2009 on the Williamson Campus of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.  Ireland was elected to the office in November 2004 and served as the 28th Secretary of State of West Virginia, making history as the first woman elected to the executive branch of the government of the State of West Virginia. Ireland was also the first Republican elected to that position since 1972.

The Appalachian Leadership Academy is sponsored by Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and Cotiga Development.  The Leadership Academy is an on-site program, located at the Williamson Campus.  Ten students are selected annually to participate in the two-year  program.  The mission of the Academy is “To identify Southern students with outstanding character and prepare them with the leadership and diversity skills needed to serve as engaged, conscientious citizens as they enter the business, political, and academic world.”  The Academy’s core values include the highest commitment to honor, integrity, leadership, civic engagement, and service.

Ireland engaged in two-hour conversation with the Fellows, focusing on political leadership, ethics, and character.

Pictured from left to right are Pauline Sturgill, Academy Director, Shelley Rose, Whitney Dempsey, Betty Ireland, Joyce Varney, Kevin Whitt, Anita Copley, Rita White, Michelle Ford, Kimberly Irick, and Sandra Cox.