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July 12, 2007

Calhoun Announces Launch of New Associates Degree
Program in Biotechnology; First for the State

Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck and Jim Hudson, president of the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, today announced a joint project between the College, the Institute and the Partnership for Biotechnology Research which has led to the development of a new degree program in Biotechnology at Calhoun, the first associate degree program in Biotechnology in the state of Alabama.   Classes for the new program will begin this fall at Calhoun’s Huntsville campus, located in Cummings Research Park.

According to Necia Nicholas, instructor in Calhoun’s Department of Natural Sciences and coordinator of the new Biotechnology program, there is a growing demand for entry-level workers and two-year and four-year college graduates to work in the field of biotechnology.  In the last 25 years, the nation’s biotechnology industry has created more than 198,000 high-quality jobs at over 1400 pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, instrumentation biotechnology companies, and academic and government agencies.

“As Alabama’s largest two-year college, Calhoun is committed to our mission of helping to provide a highly-skilled and well-trained workforce for this state, and this new program will allow us to prepare individuals for opportunities in this rapidly emerging field,” commented Dr. Beck.

“This program has become a reality due in large part to our collaboration with the Hudson-Alpha Institute and the Partnership for Biotechnology Research and we thank Jim Hudson and his colleagues for their support and vision,” Beck added.

“This project is a great example of collaboration between higher education and the local biotech industry,” noted Hudson.  “These workforce development efforts sustain the entrepreneurial environment for which we have become known  in north Alabama,” Hudson added.

According to Nicholas, limited scholarships are available for students interested in the Biotechnology program.  Additionally, local companies have committed to provide internship opportunities for students who complete their first year in the Calhoun program.  “In addition to internship experiences, students enrolling in our new program will receive hands-on laboratory experience using state-of-the art equipment which will prepare them to enter the workforce upon graduation,” said Nicholas.

About the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology
The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, a not-for-profit research organization, bridges bioscience research and entrepreneurship to expedite delivery of personalized medicine.  Improving human health, stimulating economic development and inspiring Alabama’s youth to seek careers in science are chief institute goals
 
The Partnership for Biotechnology Research
The Partnership for Biotechnology Research is an alliance of industrial, academic and government organizations with the primary goal of creating a productive research and entrepreneurial environment for area biotechnology endeavors through education, consolidated business resources and networking opportunities.

Coverage of this release:

• DNA: The berry stuff of life: Hudson-Alpha gives teachers new ways to explain genetics (Calhoun's Biotechnology program mentioned), The Huntsville Times, Monday, August 13, 2007 issue, p. D1
• Biotech degree to fill needs, offer good pay, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, July 15, 2007 issue, p. A8
• Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce website, Chamber Member News, www.hsvchamber.org.
• Editorial Notebook: The two-year schools: Hudson and Calhoun have a plan to help the entire state, The Huntsville Times, Saturday, July 14, 2007 issue, p. A11
• Calhoun launches biotech degree, The Athens News-Courier, Friday, July 13, 2007 issue, p. 1A
• Biotech center sees Calhoun pipeline: Grads of new 2-year program could fill many jobs at (Hudson-Alpha) institute, The Huntsville Times, Friday, July 13, 2007 issue, p. A1
• Calhoun starting biotech program, The Decatur Daily, Friday, July 13, 2007 issue, p. B1
• Biotechnology Coverage, WHNT-TV Channel 19, Huntsville, AL, July 13, 2007, 6:00 a.m. coverage
• Biotechnology Coverage, WAFF, Channel 48, Huntsville, AL, July 12, 2007, 6:00 p.m. coverage

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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