Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994                   TAG: 9412010046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BUSINESS COLLEGE FORMS POLICY INSTITUTE

The college is taking applications and interviewing applicants for an executive director and communications director for the institute.

Frank Longaker, president of the business school, said he is not ready to discuss plans at this point.

But the institute will address issues across the educational spectrum - from primary grades to higher education - and seek to influence public opinion and policy on education and other issues, he said.

Most organizations that speak out on educational topics, such as the Virginia Education Association, have a special interest, Longaker said.

The institute will provide a perspective on educational issues that is not linked to any special-interest group, he said. It will be part of National Business College's community service program.

National Business' main offices and facilities are in Salem, but it has branches in several other localities in Western Virginia.

The job qualifications for the top posts indicate the institute will focus on legislative affairs and public relations. For executive director, the school is seeking someone who has experience in those areas as well as communications.

Longaker said a steering committee will provide direction for the institute's executive director.

Longaker has long been interested in legislative affairs, having run as an independent in a three-way contest for the state Senate three years ago.

State Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Botetourt County, won the seat, defeating Longaker and Democrat Carole Pratt.