Higher Education Partnership Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan.-Mar.,1999 In support of and working together with Alabama A & M Univ Alabama State Univ Univ of Alabama Univ of Ala at Bham Univ of Ala at Huntsville Auburn Univ Auburn Univ at Mtgy Jacksonville State Univ Univ.of Montevallo Univ of North Alabama Univ of South Alabama Troy State Univ Troy State Univ Dothan Troy State Univ Mtgy Univ of West Alabama  Inside this Issue CEO SouthTrust Corp. Offers Membership Challenge Focus on STARS Prosperity in 2050 Call to Action: James reflects on why he lost to Siegelman	Partnership Update Prosperity In 2050
	In a recent editorial by nationally syndicated columnist Cynthia Tucker, she referred to a number of political decisions impacting the culturally diverse population of California. She pointed toward the year 2050 and challenged us to consider what America will look like in 50-plus years. She proceeded to answer the question using California as an example. She noted the cultural and ethnic diversity of California. Further, she illustrated the importance of each population to the economic future of the state. She identified California's failures to address the needs of its citizens, then defined what can be learned. Quoting Ms. Tucker: “But California has not yet understood that the best way to promote prosperity is to promote educational opportunity for all.” She quoted Chancellor Robert Burdahl, of the University of California’s Berkeley campus, as saying, “Public education has long been about broadening opportunities for people who have not had those opportunities...” Ms. Tucker is an Alabamian and an Auburn University graduate. Currently, she is the editorial page editor of the Atlanta Constitution. Her awareness of the challenges facing Alabama is keen. She knows that prosperity depends on education. Currently, Alabama has the 7th highest poverty rate in the nation. Facing the difficult challenge of improving the state's per capita income, Alabamians have seen numerous proposals from our state's leaders. While the plans have had limited degrees of effectiveness, one consistent thread can be found in all of them -- education. The Higher Education Partnership agrees with Ms. Tucker. We encourage all Alabamians to take a stand and urge their elected leaders to continue to invest in public education. Think progressively, think about economic return and remember that "higher education is the engine that drives the American economy."
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