UA Joins Other Public Universities for Montgomery Events Supporting Higher Ed

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama will join public universities throughout the state in demonstrating support for higher education at two events planned for March 5 in Montgomery, just preceding annual Higher Education Day activities on March 6.

Each year, the Higher Education Partnership, an advocacy group for Alabama’s 13 public, four-year universities, hosts events and activities designed to focus on the specific legislative issues of importance to state universities.

Plans for March 5 include a public affairs forum and an alumni leaders’ advocacy banquet. Both events are open to the public.

“Participation in these events is a great way to learn more about the important issues facing our universities and how to support advocacy efforts. We encourage alumni and friends of The University of Alabama and all public universities in the state to get involved,” said Pat Whetstone, UA director of alumni affairs.

The 2008 Alabama Public Affairs Forum will include a House and Senate panel with speakers Sen. Larry Dixon, Rep. Richard Lindsey, Rep. Mike Hubbard, Sen. Roger Bedford and Sen. Hank Sanders and a University Presidents and Chancellors panel featuring Dr. Malcolm Portera, chancellor, The University of Alabama System; Dr. Jay Gogue, president, Auburn University; Dr. Joe A. Lee, president, Alabama State University, and Dr. Philip Williams, president, The University of Montevallo. The forum, which will focus on the state’s economic development and development opportunities for Alabama’s public universities, will be from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. in rooms 211-223, Taylor Center on the Auburn University Montgomery campus. The cost for registration and lunch is $20. To register, contact Janice Smith at 334/244-3698 or jsmith22@aum.edu or Thomas Vocino at tvocino@aum.edu.

The 2008 Alumni Leaders’ Advocacy Banquet will present a comprehensive review of the legislative environment facing the state’s public universities as they advocate for support for higher education. Presenters will include Dr. William Meehan, president of Jacksonville State University and chair of the University Presidents Council; Sen. Hinton Mitchem, president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate; Rep. Seth Hammett, speaker of the House; Marcus Paramore, chair of the Council of University Governmental Affairs Representatives, and Gordon Stone, executive director of the Higher Education Partnership.

The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Terrace Ballroom of the Capital City Club in Montgomery. The cost for registration and dinner is $67 and includes membership in the Higher Education Partnership. To register, contact Diane Causey, Higher Education Partnership, at 334/832-9911 or causey@higheredpartners.org.

The annual Higher Education Day rally at the Alabama State House will be March 6 beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, call 334/230-2161.