Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Historic Higher Education Plan for St. Joseph Students and Families
ST. JOSEPH– Gov. Matt Blunt today signed an historic higher education plan for Missouri students and families. The plan increases funding for student scholarships, introduces accountability measures, provides tuition stabilization and includes the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative which would provide $335 million for new state-of-the-art learning centers for Missouri students.
"The renovations and expansion of Agenstein Hall will turn a 1960's facility into a twenty-first century learning center that will be better equipped to ensure our students get the skills they need in math and science to compete in the global economy," Gov. Blunt said. "This legislation will put higher education in reach for more Missouri students and families than ever before. Significant improvements such as increased funding for Missouri's colleges and universities, tuition stabilization measures and added scholarships will open the door to higher education for thousands of students and families in St. Joseph and across the state."
Blunt signed Senate Bill 389 while visiting with students and educators at Missouri Western State University. The governor's higher education package:
- Includes $30.1 million for Agenstein Hall renovations and upgrades
- Increases the number of students receiving scholarships from Access Missouri from 196 to an estimated 1,747 students
- Increases Missouri Western State University operating budget by 5.5 percent
"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," said Jordan Baumgardner, a junior at Missouri Western State University majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology.
"I believe this is one of, if not the most important higher education bill in our state's history," said Senate Bill 389 Bill Sponsor Gary Nodler. "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."
The legislation creates the Access Missouri Scholarship that more than doubles funding for needs based scholarships, increasing the funding available statewide from $27.5 million to $72.5 million and making them more available to thousands of Missouri families. The legislation also enacts the governor's landmark Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.
The governor's Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) and the state that sells loans held by students in other states generating $335 million to strengthen Missouri's colleges and universities. The initiative will provide much needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers to prepare students to compete in today's global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for student's future success.
"I applaud the General Assembly for sending me this bill that takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state," Gov. Blunt added.