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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michelle Gordon, 912.961.3173

AASU Names Community Leaders to its Foundation Board

Savannah, GA—March 23, 2004—Armstrong Atlantic State University announces that four members of the Savannah community have been named to the AASU Foundation Board. Clifton L. Kennedy, J. Cliff McCurry, The Honorable Ann R. Purcell, and O. C. Welch III will serve three-year terms on the board.

	Clifton L. Kennedy is president and CEO of EMC Engineering Services, Inc., a regional multi-disciplined engineering design firm. He is a professional engineer and holds a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology from Georgia Southern University. He serves on the board of directors for the Savannah Area USO and the foundation board of Savannah Technical College. Kennedy was appointed to the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission in 1997 and served for six years, three of those as vice-chairman. He is a member of the Wilmington Island Methodist Church, The St. Andrew's Society of Savannah, The Savannah Yacht Club, and the Chatham Club.
	J. Cliff McCurry, CPCU, is chairman of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company of Savannah. His responsibilities include production and service of large accounts and sales manager for the commercial lines producers. McCurry also is a founding director of Bank of the South. He attended Armstrong State College from 1966-1968, and is a graduate of Leadership Savannah (1979) and Leadership Georgia (1990). McCurry is a board member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; St. Joseph’s/Candler Board of Directors; and past chairman of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. Civic activities also include the Rotary Club of Savannah and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
	The Honorable Ann R. Purcell is the Georgia state representative for district 122, an office she has held since 1990. She is an appropriations committee member and chairman of the appropriations for higher education committee. Purcell is listed in Who's Who of American Women for 2002, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. She was voted "One of the Top 10 Women of Effingham" by The Herald. She is a member of Rotary International, Exchange Club, and Springfield United Methodist Church, and is the Effingham board member of the American Cancer Society.
	O. C. Welch III is owner of O. C. Welch Ford Lincoln Mercury in Beaufort, SC, the largest volume Ford Lincoln Mercury dual dealer in the U.S.A. for five years running. He also is the owner of the O. C. Welch auto collection and O. C. Welch Motor Company. Born and raised in Savannah, he is a 1973 graduate of Benedictine Military School. Welch currently serves on the Lincoln Mercury Dealer Council and the Ford Motor Company Future Product Committee, an appointment he has held for over 10 years.