The Mercer Innovation Center will welcome Alex Morrison, executive director of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, for the next 1 Million Cups lecture Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
 
The event is free and open to the public, and will take place in the MIC, located in the former Religious Life Center on the Macon campus.
 
Morrison is a 2007 graduate of Mercer, where he earned his bachelor’s degree with majors in journalism and philosophy. He was one of four students who developed the conceptual plan for the College Hill Corridor, served two years as editor-in-chief of The Cluster and received the Mercerian Award for campus leadership and community involvement. He went on to earn his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia.
 
Currently, Morrison serves as executive director of the constitutionally created development authority charged with planning and executive economic development projects in Bibb County’s urban areas, chiefly downtown Macon. He and the UDA are leading the effort to develop the Macon Action Plan, the first urban core master plan for Macon. He also serves as assistant director of economic development for Macon-Bibb County, and previously was manager of the Main Street Macon program.
 
Additionally, Morrison is a member of the Historic Macon Board of Trustees, Macon Rotary Club, Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative, College Hill Corridor Commission and chair of the Main Street Macon Economic Restructuring Committee.
 
The MIC launched its 1 Million Cups speaker series in January and modeled it after the weekly national program developed by the Kaufmann Foundation to educate, engage and connect entrepreneurs. The program is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee.
 
“Through events such as this, we intend to develop our already rich and brewing culture of entrepreneurism at Mercer,” said Dr. Sam Riley, director of the Center. “We strive to foster relationships, network and collaborate with entrepreneurs,  the local community, other universities and beyond.”
 
MIC plans to continue the series on Tuesday evenings. To be added to the Center’s 1MC listserv or to be considered as a speaker for the series, contact Dr. Riley at [email protected].