Valerie Hennings, assistant professor of political science, has been named interim director of Morningside College’s Col. Bud Day Center for Civic Engagement. Announcement of Hennings’ appointment was made by Morningside Provost William Deeds.

Valerie Hennings, assistant professor of political science, has been named interim director of Morningside College’s Col. Bud Day Center for Civic Engagement. Announcement of Hennings’ appointment was made by Morningside Provost William Deeds.

Hennings succeeds Sam Clovis as the center’s director. Clovis has taken an unpaid leave of absence from his duties as center director and a faculty member with the Morningside College Department of Economics, Political Science and Sociology.

Hennings received her bachelor’s degree from Morningside in 2001. She has master’s degrees from George Washington University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Morningside opened the Col. Bud Day Center for Civic Engagement in April. The center focuses on activities related to civic awareness and citizenship on campus and the Sioux City area. The center is affiliated with Morningside College’s Department of Economics, Political Science and Sociology.