Friday, May 25, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Higher Education Leaders and Students Praise Gov. Blunt's Historic Higher Education Package
The following higher education leaders and students have voiced their support for Senate Bill 389.
"The bill being signed today is an investment in our students. The contributions that those students make in communities in Missouri and beyond represent a valuable return on that investment."
"As a biology major, I am excited about the possibility of future research projects on our campus as a result of the construction of the life sciences center. This bill will enable us to expand and build upon the mission of Lincoln University."
"Thanks to Gov. Blunt's Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative, UMR will soon have a modern, high-tech teaching facility for our largest academic department. It's impossible to deliver a world-class science and engineering education in this day and age without world-class educational facilities. I'm thankful for the governor's leadership in recognizing the importance of this project – not only to our university, but to the state's economic vitality as well."
"I am so appreciative of Gov. Blunt's leadership on this issue. The additional money will allow Truman to renovate and expand the Pershing facility so three related academic programs can be together under one roof. Truman will also be able to make further improvements in technology, state-of-the-art labs and academic research, all very important factors when you are a student interested in getting to the best graduate schools or a career in nursing, communication disorders or the health sciences."
"The university's Department of Health and Human Performance offers first-class educational programs. We're all pleased that it now has funding to improve these facilities and provide a first-class learning environment. We thank Governor Blunt and the General Assembly for making it possible."
"I believe Governor Blunt has been very creative in this effort to meet long-term economic development needs of the state as well as the pressing capital needs for higher education institutions. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative has the potential to make a huge difference in Missouri and at Truman."
"Northwest students will be pleased to hear that our campus will now have the resources to use and study advanced technologies that will better the University and all of Missouri. This money will do great things for Northwest as an institution of higher learning and in terms of its economic impact on our state and region. Being a smaller school, we are appreciative that Governor Blunt and the General Assembly recognize the importance of our contributions to Missouri higher education and also the importance of Northwest's positive impact on the lives and careers of its graduates."
"I am so grateful to Governor Blunt, Senator Nodler, and our Representatives for giving Missouri college students this opportunity and for working so hard to help us reach our higher education goals."
"UMSL is ecstatic about receiving funding for its science complex, the oldest set of academic buildings on campus, which are in dire need of renovation. We have been the number one priority for capital appropriations by both the UM Board of Curators and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education for a number of years. We sincerely thank Governor Matt Blunt and the Missouri State Legislature, along with the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, for enabling us to carry out much needed renovations to our science complex to better serve our students and their courses in the physical sciences, which in turn serves the state with respect to its workforce and economy."
"Higher education is the key to improving the quality of the lives of Missourians. Senate Bill 389 provides a novel mechanism for addressing public universities' long deferred capital needs, improves access to higher education for students with financial need, sets in motion a process for measuring performance on our campuses and fundamentally changes the role of the state's Commissioner for Higher Education and the Coordinating Board of Higher Education that the Commissioner serves."
"I am delighted to be here today as Governor Blunt signs into law the legislation that will fund the Benton-Stadler renovation project. But mostly I am proud to stand here today with you, Governor Blunt, because you've affirmed my confidence in the political process generally and in your leadership specifically."
"Affordability continues to be a concern for all college students, and Missouri State students are no exception. Senate Bill 389 addresses affordability by substantially increasing financial aid opportunities for students. That will make a college education an attainable goal for more students. State-of-the-art facilities also are a concern for Missouri State students as we prepare for 21st Century careers. Thanks to Senate Bill 389, many facilities at Missouri State will be improved, especially in the sciences. We very much appreciate the confidence that Governor Blunt and the Missouri General Assembly have shown by investing in our futures. We intend to make them proud they made that investment."
"For several years, Missouri's public institutions of higher education have not received funding to repair or replace old, deteriorated buildings or build new facilities to implement new programs. The Governor's Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative, however, offers a creative, yet responsible, solution to this dilemma."
"Governor Blunt's Lewis and Clark Initiative will have far-reaching effects in Missouri. Here in Southwest Missouri, because Missouri Southern will receive $19 million for the construction of the Health Sciences Building, the region's health care providers will benefit from our increased training of nurses, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, and medical technologists in the new facility. The financial aid part of Senate Bill 389 will be just as important in providing affordable access to higher education for Missouri citizens. Here at Missouri Southern there will be a four-fold increase in the number of students eligible for financial aid and the total amount of financial aid received by these students will increase ten-fold compared to last year. That's an incredible accomplishment."
"The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will provide an infusion of funds for urgently needed capital improvements and will help guarantee that Lincoln University will continue to offer excellent and affordable programs of preparation for our citizens."
"Students make decisions on what colleges to attend for many reasons, but the adequacy of university facilities is a primary factor. Missouri cannot afford to lose its human potential to Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma simply because those states build facilities our students cannot find in Missouri. We will pay dearly for the exodus of that talent."
"I believe this is one of, if not the most important higher education bill in our state's history. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, combined with the new Access Missouri Scholarship program and increased funding for both higher education and scholarships will not only turn higher education around in our state, but will also revolutionize our higher education institutions and the opportunities available to our students."
"Missouri college students owe Governor Blunt and the leadership in the State Legislature a big thank you for their steadfast commitment to higher education. The MOHELA bill will provide tuition stabilization and a monumental scholarship increase. Combined, both will relieve considerable financial pressure associated with being a college student. Governor Blunt is undoubtedly Missouri's Education Governor."
"The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will greatly assist the University of Central Missouri to remain competitive and provide expanded opportunities for our students. Our students, faculty, staff and community are excited about the proposed investment in Missouri's universities as well as the many tangible returns for the state."
"With the costs of a quality university education being so high, the students are very appreciative of the Governor's support for need-based financial aid programs."
"On behalf of Missouri Western State University, I wish to express strong support for Governor Blunt's Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. The initiative will have both immediate and long-term positive economic impact on our state. The Agenstein Hall project has several advantages. Among them, the project will strengthen the educational outcomes for more than 500 majors in science and mathematics annually and more than 2,000 other students who take classes in mathematics and the sciences in the facility each year, including majors in health care fields. In fact, all of the University's 5,300 students take at least two courses in the facility."
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