Eberly College alumni named to State Journal’s ‘Generation Next: 40 Under 40’ for leadership skills

Morgantown, WV, April 23, 2007: Five graduates of the Eberly College’s School of Applied Social Sciences are among West Virginia’s young leaders who were named to The State Journal’s “Generation Next: 40 Under 40.” The honor is given to 40 West Virginians under the age of 40 who are playing leadership roles in their communities.

The School of Applied Social Sciences houses the Divisions of Public Administration, Social Work, and Sociology and Anthropology.

Kevin Stead, John “Jay” Rogers III, and Willis McCollam all hold Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degrees, and Eric Fitts will graduate with his MPA in May 2007. The fifth honoree, Colleen Fitts, will graduate with her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) in May 2007.

Eric Fitts is an advisory board member for Bethlehem Farm, a nonprofit Catholic organization that serves the local community in Pence Springs, W.Va. After earning his MPA in May, he will become a full-time staff member at Bethlehem Farm.

Fitts’ wife, Colleen Buck Fitts, was also named to the list. She serves as an advisory board member at Bethlehem Farm, and will also become a full-time staff member after graduation in May.

Willis McCollam, a native of Elkins, is the director of the Youthbuild program at the Randolph County Housing Authority. He is also chairman of the Workforce Center and Management Partner Consortium and a member of America’s Promise Coalition. He serves on the board of directors for the local Old Brick Playhouse.

John “Jay” Rogers III is director of planning and development for the City of Fairmont. He formerly served as a member of the Region 8 Planning and Development Council in the Potomac Highlands. He is also a member of the West Virginia and American planning associations, the West Virginia Economic Development Council and the I-79 Development Council.

Kevin Stead serves as city manager of the City of Grafton. The Grafton native is also completing course work for his real estate license. He is a member of the Taylor County Arts Council and Masonic Lodge 15. Stead is a board member of the Mother’s Day Shrine and a member of the Taylor County Photography Club.

This is the second year that the State Journal has selected “Generation Next.” Nominations were accepted from across the state and the honorees were selected by a committee from the South Charleston campus of Marshall University.

The Charleston-based State Journal provides in-depth coverage of West Virginia government, business, and legal issues.

W-V-U