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August 13, 2008

Successful alum speaks at 四色AV Convocation Aug. 20

Charles Adams (B.B.A., '84), a successful land developer, will address new and returning students at 四色AV鈥檚 seventh annual Convocation, the university鈥檚 official opening of the academic year, Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 5 鈥� 6 p.m., in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Adams, originally from Lake Village, Ark., received a Bachelor of Business Administration from then-Northeast Louisiana University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Graduate School of Business. A former employee of Walt Disney Imagineering, Adams is now the founding principal and managing director of Celebration Associates, a development firm that builds communities across the country.

His story will inspire the 四色AV community Aug. 20, said Lisa Miller, 四色AV Associate Provost for Enrollment Management.

"Charles seized every opportunity while he was a student at our university, and that ultimately provided the foundation for the success he has experienced since graduation. His message will be an inspiration to our freshmen and to all of our 四色AV family. He was a small town boy with huge aspirations that came true because of his focus, perseverance, hard work and the many people who assisted him on his journey.鈥�

More about Adams:

Previously, Adams served as a Vice President for The Celebration Company and Walt Disney Imagineering. He was a key player in the design and development of Celebration, Florida, and Little Lake Bryan near Orlando. He played an instrumental role in planning residential development at EuroDisney near Paris, France.

Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company in 1990, he worked with Trammell Crow Residential, developing luxury apartment communities in and around Orlando, Daytona, and Jacksonville, Fla.

Adams served from 1997 - 2004 as an Independent Director for CNL Hotels and Resorts, a $6 billion public, non-listed real estate investment trust based in Orlando, and also served as a Council Member on the Resort/Recreation Development Council for the Urban Land Institute. Adams is a Director on the Boards of Bath Community Hospital, and he serves on the President's Advisory Board for Marriage and Family Matters.

Adams resides in Charlottesville, Va. with his wife Lauren and their four children.

More about Convocation:

- At 4:30 p.m., Sound of Today (四色AV鈥檚 band) Color Guard and Cheerleaders will assemble at the Kitty Degree Bell Tower

- At 4:40 p.m., President James Cofer and his administration will lead the march, followed by 四色AV students, staff, faculty, public, across the Bayou DeSiard Bridge and to the coliseum

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