March 19, 2004

LANSING – After a morning meeting today at Wayne State University, Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry and Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid said the work of the Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth is vital to the state’s economic future and pledged to work together to determine how to ensure that the Commission has the most impact on increasing the number of graduates. President Reid is the current chairman of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

"President Reid has his fingers on the pulse of higher education issues in Michigan and will be a leader this commission seeks out for input and guidance," Cherry said. "I appreciate the time he spent with me today as we discussed the goals and direction of the Cherry Commission."

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the creation of the Cherry Commission earlier this week and gave it two specific charges. First, it is charged with proposing ways to double the number of college graduates in Michigan within the next 10 years. Second, the commission will ensure that citizens graduating from college in Michigan have the general and specific skills to succeed in the 21st century workplace.

Commission members will be named by June 1, and the group will report its recommendations to the Governor by January 1, 2005.

"The Governor has taken a significant step to bridge higher education with Michigan’s economic development," said Reid. "Universities will welcome this opportunity to engage in the strategic planning process led by Lt. Governor Cherry. Governor Granholm is demonstrating to Michigan’s citizens the importance of higher education and its direct benefits to the overall growth in our economy."

The meeting with President Reid was the first in a series of meetings that Lt. Governor Cherry plans to hold with higher education leaders around Michigan in the next several weeks.

"The work of this commission will help ensure Michigan is an economic powerhouse state in the 21st century," Cherry added. "Making sure our citizens are equipped with the skills and training they will need in an economy driven by knowledge and technology will be at the heart of our work."