November 4, 2005

Proclaims November "Return to Learn" Month

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today used her weekly radio address to proclaim November “Return to Learn” month in Michigan and urged state residents to return to college and earn degrees.
 
“If you think you’re too old to go back to school, or if you think your credits have expired, or that its simply too expensive, think again,” Granholm said.  “In our 21st century economy, the greatest asset you can have isn’t just a strong back or the stamina to work extra hours, it’s a single piece of paper – a diploma.”

“Return to Learn” month is another step in the Governor’s effort to double the number of college graduates in the state.  Michigan is currently above the national average for the percentage of adults having some college credit, but no degree.  Getting these people back in the classroom is vital to Michigan’s economic growth and public prosperity, because states with the highest number of college graduates are also the states with the strongest economies and the lowest unemployment rates.

“Michigan’s incredible network of universities, colleges and community colleges is really stepping up to the plate with “Return to Learn” month,” said Granholm after taping her address.  “Together, we are going to make sure people across our state know that the barriers to finishing a college degree are few, but the rewards are great.”

Throughout November, colleges and universities in Michigan are making an extra effort to assist those who are thinking about coming back to campus to finish their degrees.   Governor Granholm’s website, www.michigan.gov/gov, will link prospective students to more than 25 participating colleges and universities in Michigan.  In turn, each school will help students develop individualized “Return to Learn” plans that can guide them to degree completion.

“We want Michigan to be the best educated state in the country,” Granholm said.  “We want to be a state of tremendous opportunity, where the opportunity of education is within grasp for not just every child, but every person in Michigan.”

In addition to “Return to Learn” month’s focus on adult learners, Granholm is fighting for legislation that would create a new $4,000 scholarship, available to every child in Michigan who will seek and attain at least a two-year college degree or comparable technical certification.  The “New Merit Award” scholarship would cover the average cost of tuition at a Michigan community college.

The Governor’s weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across that state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor’s Website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.