Promotion Release

ADVISORY BOARD PREPARES FOR OBI’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY (10/14/10)

Mayor Linda Witte and Mary George, the city’s Community Development Program Coordinator, met October 14 with the Olean Business Institute’s Advisory Board for a dinner meeting in the Old Library.

The Board is preparing for the 50th anniversary of the institution, which began holding classes in 1961 and has come to be known over the years as the region’s “Business College.”

“For such a small school OBI has supplied local industries, professional firms and businesses with many highly qualified graduates for five decades,” said Mayor Linda Witte.

She said she is excited to hear what OBI has in store for the 50th anniversary celebration and she wished OBI continued success as one component in the community’s economic engine.

OBI adds so much to the city’s educational and economic landscape, the Mayor added, noting students recognize its value as evidenced by a recent jump in enrollment to 95 students, an almost 40 percent increase in the student body.

She said the school’s training and workforce resources are valuable in stimulating business growth for any industries which are expanding or searching for a new home.

“In many cases it can help keep our young people here while we work on creating more jobs,” she said. “And the one-year certificates and two-year degree programs mean little or no debt for graduates on a streamlined path of entry into the work force.”

The Olean Business Institute’s Advisory Board held an anniversary planning luncheon Oct. 14 in the Old Library and invited Mayor Linda Witte and Program Coordinator Mary George of the Community Development Office. Attending the meeting were: (l-r) OBI Advisory Board Chairperson Mark Kratts, Admissions and Placement Director Carl English, Mary George, Mayor Witte, OBI Advisory Board member Pam Caldwell, OBI Academic Dean Kim Marcellin, OBI Advisory Board member Sandy Sleggs, OBI Advisory Board member Maureen Curry, OBI President Jennifer Madison, OBI Financial Aid Director Valerie Goodwin, OBI Business Manager Debra Ralston.