Columbia College – St. Louis student, Allona Morris had a dream in 2009, a dream of creating a quality farmer’s market, one with the freshest fruits and vegetables available. By using the knowledge she has gained through her coursework at Columbia College, she has been able to make that dream a reality.
In 2009 Morris began her business with a vision – to provide fruits and vegetables to those in underserved communities. Since then, Morris has secured a staff of two and has been able to expand her distribution. Though she herself calls STL Vendors a “nontraditional business,” her education at Columbia College-St. Louis has been invaluable. Morris is just 12 hours shy of her bachelor’s degree in management, and says that her business has grown and survived because of what she’s learned in the classroom.
“I use what I learned at Columbia College for my business, especially with marketing,” says Morris, explaining how her education has helped her business.
As with most college students, Morris recalls an influential professor, a mentor, a person who has made an impression in her life.
She reflects on a course her mentor taught that combined technology, marketing and management. Morris not only liked how the disciplines were combined, she marveled about how her professor brought a corporate or real life experiences to the table when teaching. Morris explained how she was kept abreast of business principles, licensing and other pertinent business situations that were essential for Morris to have when setting up her own business.
While the initial vision of making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible to her community was the original goal, Morris changed her business slightly after gaining valuable community input. She now focuses on ways to bring the community together.
“So this year, I’m supporting another community farmer’s market, North City Farmers’ Market,” Morris explains as she rattles off a host of ways that she’s trying to support her community. “The farmer’s market is all about a gathering place. I want to be part of that – creating a place for people to talk and be together.”
Morris also is partnering with Better Family Life. In exchange for permission to set up shop at their events, Morris is helping coordinate vendors for Family Week, scheduled to be held Aug. 4 – 11. Family Week was established in 1983 and includes events such as Amnesty Days, held on the St. Louis Community College campus, a professional networking expo for entrepreneurs and the Peace Fest.
Outside of the events surrounding Family Week, St. Louis natives can find Morris selling items at three locations around town: 4000 South Grand Ave, 6017 Natural Bridge Rd. and in East St. Louis, Ill.
Scholarship opportunities
An endowed scholarship fund specifically for the St. Louis campus was established to honor Dr. Charles W. Kullmann through annual gifts from alumni, friends, staff and adjunct faculty.
Dr. Charles W. Kullmann, a long-time adjunct faculty member at the Columbia College St. Louis Campus, has numerous degrees, including a Juris Doctorate and several masters and bachelor degrees. As well as being a teacher, Dr. Kullmann is a life-long student and embodies the attributes of a caring and giving individual. He is a strong believer in public service and is personally active in many volunteer organizations.
- More than $100,000 – current scholarship balance
- Over $4,000 expected to be awarded in the 2012-2013 academic year to students who meet the criterion
- The primary criterion for the scholarship is “volunteerism” through public or community service efforts.
The Frank S. Westling Scholarship, offered to students at all Columbia College nationwide campus locations, was established to honor Frank S. Westling. Westling was a highly decorated infantry officer and former dean of the college’s Extended Studies Division, now referred to as Adult Higher Education.
For the 2012-13 academic year, Columbia College awarded Westling scholarships to 39 students from 23 campus locations. The scholarship is non-renewable and awarded to new students each year.
Before joining the college, Westling served in the U.S. Army for 31 years, fighting in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star medals and earned parachutist and glider badges. During the Vietnam War, he commanded the Army’s 4th Psychological Operations Group in Saigon and retired as colonel.
About Columbia College – St. Louis
Columbia College – St. Louis has been educating students and serving the community for more than 25 years
Columbia College – St. Louis offers:
- Associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Five sessions – January, March, June, August, October
- Eight-week courses
- In-seat, evening and online classes
- Financial aid to qualified students
- Degree flexibility to meet work and family obligations
Most popular majors include:
- Criminal Justice
- Human Resource Management
- Human Services.
Number of students: Nearly 1,000.
Trends the St. Louis campus is seeing includes:
- More first generation students coming to college
- Online learning environment increasing
- Increase in veteran status students
- More and more students attending college to gain a better career or advancement.
