Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance Director Receives Full Scholarship to Rollins Executive MBA Program

May 17, 2006– Jim Morris was named recipient of the Martin L. Bell Scholarship for non-profit executives by the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Morris is executive director of the Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance, a not-for-profit, membership-based alliance of theatre, dance and music organizations, artists and patrons serving Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. He will begin the Crummer School’s Executive MBA (EMBA) program in July.

“Knowing many of the highly-talented non-profit leaders in Central Florida and recognizing the competitive nature of the Martin Bell Scholarship, I am humbled and delighted to receive such a prestigious gift,” Morris said. “As the first recipient from the arts and cultural sector, I am honored to represent our emerging community and look forward to being a conduit for others to learn of the growing importance arts and culture has to the economic development and quality of life in Central Florida. As this year’s Martin Bell Scholar, I am committed to carrying on the tradition of hard work and success of the past recipients. This is an amazing opportunity and I am eager to get started."

After spending more than eight years driving sales, marketing and new business development in residential construction, Morris uncovered his passion for non-profit work and became a development representative for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1999.

Morris first entered the performing arts community as a board member of the Central Florida Theatre Alliance in 2000. In 2001, he was named the executive director and expanded the alliance to become the Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance, now comprising of more than 500 organizations and members.

Morris has produced dozens of local theatre productions for various companies, acting in a few, and ultimately finding that his strength lies behind the scenes. He is married and has two young children.

Each year, in recognition of the importance of the non-profit sector to our community, the Crummer School offers the Martin L. Bell Scholarship to be awarded to a senior-level employee of a non-profit organization. The scholarship provides full tuition, notebook computer, books, meals and an international study trip for a student enrolled in the Executive MBA program. Established in 1988 in honor of Dr. Martin L. Bell, former director of the Executive MBA program, the Bell Scholarship has been awarded to executives from 15 local charities.

Craig McAllaster, dean of the Crummer School said, “The not-for-profit sector is Orlando’s fastest growing sector. More non-profit executives are entering business school to gain the knowledge necessary to operate productive, self-sufficient organizations.”

Past recipients of the Bell Scholarship include former Seniors First CEO Sue Spitz, who helped transform the elderly services agency from red ink to a self-sufficient agency with more than $2 million in assets.

Established in 1982, the Executive MBA program is designed for managers or professionals who have at least 10 years of professional work experience. Classes are held on alternating Fridays and Saturdays for the duration of the 22-month program. Each Executive MBA class takes courses together and selects electives by a vote of the group.