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Home > About NC State > Chancellor > Speeches and Writings > 2007 > 2007 Emerging Issues Forum WelcomeEmerging Issues Forum Welcome
February 1, 2007
Welcome Remarks
8:00-8:15 a.m.
MCKIMMON ROOM 1
Thank you, Governor and good morning everyone. Let me add my welcome to the 2007 Emerging Issues Forum.
NC State has hosted the Emerging Issues Forum from the very beginning, and we are pleased to be gathered again at the McKimmon Center for this - the 22nd annual forum. This Forum has historically educated our state's citizens and given our leaders from business, government and higher education a place to come and work together to help shape North Carolina's future. This important work is made possible by one of NC State's most involved and dedicated alums.
Governor Hunt was truly visionary in the creation of the Forum and in making it a part of NC State. In fact, for those of you who may not have heard - Governor Hunt was recently named the seventh most influential person in American education - among other leaders such as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Edward Kennedy, Richard Riley and Margaret Spellings. Congratulations, Governor.
I believe we owe a special thanks to the Governor for his continued involvement in education, with the Forum and with his alma mater. The Institute for Emerging Issues and the Forum are right at home on the NC State campus because they operate as a reflection of the work of the university.
NC State takes seriously its land grant, research-intensive mission, which focuses on high quality education and improving the lives of the people of North Carolina. We have a long and proud history of listening to the people of our state and using our knowledge and resources to help make a difference.
The Institute for Emerging Issues and the Forum embody this approach to addressing North Carolina's needs and problems. The Institute brings together a diverse group of people contributing toward helpful, innovative and practical solutions that make North Carolina better for all of us.
This year's Emerging Issues Forum is addressing an issue that is crucial to North Carolina's future -- transforming higher education to keep a competitive advantage for our state and its citizens. The Institute's public policy process provides a venue that informs us, allows us to discuss the options and helps us build consensus that can be taken across the state for further refinement.
For this year's Forum, we've added an Innovation Hall, two rooms filled with more than 20 displays that highlight NC State innovations that impact our state, our nation and our world. Please be sure to stop by rooms 3 and 4 here in the McKimmon Center to see how our university provides relevant solutions to North Carolina's citizens.
Finally, our history, at this university, in this state and of this Forum, is one of achievement. That legacy is sure to continue under the leadership represented on this agenda and in this room today.
Thank you for being a part of the Forum.