Liberal Arts for Leadership Essay Contest
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/20/02 CONTACT: Gov. Ryan Honors Illinois Liberal Arts Colleges: March 18-22 is Liberal Arts for Leadership WeekChicago, IL - Illinois Governor George H. Ryan has proclaimed the week of March 18-22, 2002, as Liberal Arts for Leadership Week. The week-long celebration, first observed in 2001, honors the 24 member colleges and universities of the Associated Colleges of Illinois for their success in meeting the needs of students of diverse backgrounds, especially first-generation students - young people who will be the first in their families to attend and/or graduate from college. Gov. Ryan and the Associated Colleges of Illinois are focusing on first-generation students this year because demographics predict that, within 15 years, 80 percent of college-age students will represent ethic minorities, many of whom qualify as first-generation students. "We know that first-generation students have a more difficult time adjusting to college, socially and academically and that it may take them longer to graduate," says Gov. Ryan. "ACI member colleges and universities have shown themselves willing and able to provide the nurturing environment and financial aid required to ensure that more of these at-risk students successfully complete college and go on to rewarding lives and careers." "ACI member colleges are successful in helping first-generation students earn college degrees, because they are committed to ensuring that no student falls through the cracks," says Jerry Fuller, ACI's executive director. "By teaching youth from diverse backgrounds the foundations of human knowledge, helping them assimilate new information and adapt to change quickly, and supporting them with financial aid, our independent liberal arts colleges give these young people the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex and competitive world," concludes Fuller. Gov. Ryan believes the committment of private liberal arts institutions to first-generation and other at-risk college students is especially critical right now. "With a growing percentage of college age students falling into this category, we're facing a potential labor crisis," comments Gov. Ryan. "If we don't act now to support minority, low-income and first-generation students, within 25 years, we could have 19 million American jobs that can't be filled because there are no workers prepared to fill them." Each year, the private colleges and universities of the Associated Colleges of Illinois send more than 10,000 graduates into the workplace, and many of them remain in Illinois. ACI member colleges and universities represent 50,000 Illinois students, 10,000 faculty and staff, and aggregate institutional budgets of more than $600 million. These institutions play a vital role in stimulating the state's economy, providing more than 9,000 jobs in 21 local communities. They also enrich the cultural and intellectual life of these communities by offering access to lectures, artistic performances and exhibitions. "The continued prosperity of our state and our society depends on the quality of our leadership - in government, business and community life," notes Gov. Ryan. "The members of the Associated Colleges of Illinois are providing the teachers, nurses, managers, government and community leaders who will shape Illinois' future--people with intellect, ethics and compassion. We congratulate these colleges on their achievements and on their contributions to the state of Illinois." The Assoicated Colleges of Illinois is a group of 24 independent liberal arts colleges and universities working with the private and public sectors to improve educational opportunities for first-generation, minority and low-income students; to increase awareness of the value of liberal arts education and its capacity to develop leaders for the 21st century; and to find creative solutions to some of society's most pressing educational and social problems. To learn more about ACI, please visit ACI's website at http://www.acifund.org/ ACI member colleges and universities include: Augustana College (Rock Island)
Last updated: March
18, 2002 |