First let me summarize some of the things he said in his speech (which you can find on the web at www.ganet.org/governor/speech). He pointed out that Georgia’s economy “has been hit by the same slowdown that is affecting the whole nation” and talked about his plans for meeting the challenges presented by the events of September 11th and the slowdown. He went on to say that when it was clear the slowdown was coming, Georgia’s leaders “redoubled our efforts to trim spending — just as a business or a family would do” and that our rainy-day fund is healthy. He explained why it was wise for the state to plan to borrow for long-term investments in the building program that will add classrooms to schools all over Georgia. He reminded us of his promise not only to not raise taxes, but to continue to cut property taxes. He discussed finding more ways to help the unemployed and talked about the new sales-tax holiday. And he talked about our technical college system.

I want to make sure that everyone in our system understands that I know, and the governor understands, that while there is an example in this passage from one of our schools, the specific citation only shows us one of many, many such stories that we could mention throughout our system. I’ve heard the stories, the technical-college presidents have heard them — and we know there are many that only get told in a family or in a neighborhood — or just have a place in someone’s heart or mind. What the Governor chose to say in his 2002 State of the State address about us — our faculty and staff, our administrators, our students, our achievements, our future — is exciting for all of us in technical education. The wonderful support that Georgia’s governor and legislature have given the technical college system as well as our increasing enrollment and success stories like Mary Moore’s (see Gov. Barnes’ speech excerpt below) are all interrelated. Our results are built on a foundation and infrastructure that we have been developing over the last decade or so. Last issue we focused on one aspect of the internal structure of our technical college system. This time, I’d like to review with you one of the critical features of the external structure that our system is set into — our local boards of directors. This aspect of our system is built upon one of my most deeply held beliefs concerning technical education in Georgia: it must be responsive to local needs. Our programs and services grow from the specific and varying requirements of the communities where the technical colleges are situated. Our job at the state level is to ensure quality and consistency. Something else happens at the state level that is a key factor in the rapid, supported growth of our system. We keep our eyes on the whole system, watching for emerging trends that may be more appropriately managed in clusters or groups. For example, consider our statewide certification programs like Certified Manufacturing Specialist, Certified Customer Service Specialist and IT+. As we began to note similar needs cropping up from various businesses throughout the state, we were able to develop and implement programs from the state level to respond to those needs, as well as to strengthen Georgia’s position as both a destination for companies seeking a new location and for our existing companies to grow and expand. The way we know that such trends are valid is because of the quality of our local boards.

It was this group — along with our State Board and the technical college foundation trustees and our technical college presidents — who came together in our first annual Leadership Conference. Leaders from our state government led important sessions: Governor Barnes, Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, Senator George Hooks, Senator Terrell Starr, Representative Terry Coleman, Representative Richard Royal and Representative Larry Walker were there. So what we had assembled represented all the components of our external structure.

And I want to tell you, it was truly a great day for technical education. As I lived through the events of those several days, I must admit I was moved. I couldn’t help but think about the magnitude of what it represented, and we’re not even in full bloom yet. We have the finest technical education system in the country, and I thank everyone whose efforts continue to help us on our way.