UM president discusses economic impact of college with chamber

Higher education makes for a good investment, and not just for those pursuing a degree.

University of Montevallo President John Stewart shared this message with the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, noting that for every $1 invested into higher education, the state of Alabama receives $12.50 in economic impact.

“That’s a really great return on investment,” Stewart said at the Sept. 1 chamber luncheon.

Alabama’s four-year state universities have a $20 billion economic impact, employ 69,000 individuals and have a total of 192,000 students, he said. Stewart said he is proud of the impact universities have on the state, and he is also proud of the accomplishments the University of Montevallo has made.

“I’m not sure where it is in the New Testament, but I’m pretty sure Jesus said, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown,’” Stewart said. “So I think Montevallo is a little bit like that. We haven’t done a great job of bragging about ourselves or sharing information about our impact and kind of unique aspects about what we do.”

U.S. News and World Report has named Montevallo a No. 1 Master’s level institution for the state, it has been named a Public College of Distinction five years in a row, 85 percent of the school’s science students who apply to medical, dental or veterinary school are accepted and the university works to foster community relationships, Stewart said. All of those things help make Montevallo a great university, he said, and they hope to continue to build upon what the university has to offer.

One program Montevallo recently implemented is the Outdoor Scholars Program. Rather than start a football program, which would attract about 120 men to the school and run the risk of not being profitable, Montevallo directed its attention to students who enjoy hunting, fishing, archery and other outdoor sports, Stewart said.

There are 25 students in the program, Stewart said, and the university is already receiving attention from a promotional video that was recently posted.

“I thought to myself, ‘What do young men in the state of Alabama love more than hunting and girls?’” Stewart said. “If anything, it would be hunting and fishing. So we started this program … and I am so proud of it.”

The program has several sponsors, and students do not just receive scholarships for accomplishments in hunting and fishing, Stewart said. They must also write essays to show a dedication to game conservation and the environment.

“That’s just something more unique we’re getting attention for,” Stewart said.

The university’s impact on Shelby County also expands outside of the classroom or scholarships offered, Stewart said, noting the number of visitors that are brought to the campus for annual events. People come from out of town for athletic events and stay in Shelby County hotels, they visit campus for Founders’ Day and commencement ceremonies and thousands of students ages 9 to 17 participate in the university’s summer programs.

“We do bring folks in, many of whom pay lodging tax, stay in hotels, eat at our local restaurants,” Stewart said.

No matter how many articles debate the importance of a college education, Stewart urged chamber attendees to encourage students they know, or their own children, to pursue a secondary education. A college graduate can earn about $1 million more in their lifetime than a non-graduate, he said, and the investment is worthwhile.