Dr. Larry Meeker, at left, introduces this year's Economic Development Course students.

The students in this year's Economic Development Course, held at Western New Mexico University, have already put in several hours of work their first day, Sunday. After registration and orientation, they met for dinner on the third floor mall of the Thomas McDonald Student Memorial Building. 

Noreen Scott, one of the teachers of the course, said she is a member of the International Economic Development Council board of directors, representing the Western Region. "The mission of the council is to help improve the educations level of economi development practitioners in the field. We put forth that strong economic development is a career and an avocation."à^

Several hands in the room when up, showing they were on track to be a certified economic developer. "We have 12 in the state now," Scott said. "We need to get back to 20 to replace those who have retired. Everything taught this week comes from the IEDC."

She introduced Dr. Larry Meeker, who has been part of the course from the beginning. Scott told the students that Meeker was the taskmaster, making sure that everything, including students and teachers, did all activities on time, in order to be able to finish the course this week.

Meeker introduced all the students and had them gather for a group photo. Many are from throughout the state of New Mexico, with a few from elsewhere, including one from Kansas and another from Las Vegas, Nevada.

In past years, several from Ghana have attended the course, and several had planned to attend, but could not get visas.