Northwestern College president invited to Higher Education Summit

Dr. Alan Cureton invited by U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Education

April 21, 2008 – Northwestern College president Alan S. Cureton has been invited to participate in the Higher Education Summit for Global Development on April 29 and 30 in Washington, D.C.

The summit will bring together presidents of higher education institutions from around the world and government, philanthropic and business leaders to discuss how to expand the worldwide role and impact of higher education in social and economic development.

According to Cureton, Summit invitees are representatives of higher education whose institutions are intentionally cultivating campuses in developing countries. They will be seeking ways to partner together to ensure success, impact and effectiveness. Cureton cites Northwestern’s campus in Quito, Ecuador as an example of the expansion of U.S. higher education into other parts of the world.

Cureton sees the summit as an important opportunity and says, "I expect this event to begin the process of dialogue with other colleges and universities who are also establishing institutions of higher learning so that we can all be successful."

The Secretary of State, Secretary of Education and Director of USAid are sponsoring the summit, which will highlight innovative approaches to academic, educational, philanthropic, business and scientific collaboration. In doing so, it will stimulate discussion of novel ideas and strategies; foster new collaborative partnerships; and address the obstacles that impede higher education interactions and knowledge and technology transfer to developing countries.

Alan S. Cureton is the eighth president of Northwestern College and has more than 29 years of experience in higher education. His professional affiliations include trustee and board chair for the U.S. Board for Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya; trustee for Sterling College; Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee; and Chair of the President's Council of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Cureton earned a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. In October 2007 he received the Alumni Achievement Award from Iowa State University, recognizing his meritorious service and distinguished achievements in higher education.