June 22, 2004

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today appointed the members of a commission charged with finding ways to double the percentage of Michigan citizens who attain college degrees and other credentials that can propel Michigan to higher levels of economic growth. Citing the need for higher levels of education in both the state’s manufacturing industries and the new technology-based businesses it hopes to attract, Granholm said the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth is critical to Michigan’s economic future.

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"As I have met with leaders in the higher education and business fields, I am struck by the deep, strong connection between an educated and trained workforce and our state’s ability to retain and attract new jobs," Cherry said. "Our advanced manufacturing and new technology-based businesses demand the talents of an increasingly educated workforce."

Serving on the Commission will be:

• Ms. Fawzea B. Abusalah of Dearborn
• Mr. Lu Battaglieri of East Lansing
• Mr. Richard E. Blouse, Jr. of Birmingham
• Ms. Mary Elizabeth Bunn of Detroit
• Mr. Brian D. Cloyd of Grand Rapids
• Ms. Mary Sue Coleman of Ann Arbor
• Ms. Paula D. Cunningham of Lansing
• Mr. Dan L. DeGrow of Port Huron
• Ms. Deborah I. Dingell of Dearborn
• Mr. Steven K. Hamp of Ann Arbor
• Mr. David B. Hecker Huntington Woods
• Mr. Lawrence L. Hidalgo, Jr. of Williamston
• Mr. Kenneth Hill of Detroit
• Mr. Jack A. Litzenberg of Flint
• Mr. Albert L. Lorenzo of Clinton Township
• Mr. Paul E. Massaron of Southfield
• Mr. Mark A. Murray of Grand Rapids
• Mr. Robert H. Naftaly of West Bloomfield
• Mr. Juan R. Olivarez of Grand Rapids
• Mr. John W. Porter of Ann Arbor
• Mr. Philip H. Power of Ann Arbor
• Ms. Glenda D. Price of Detroit
• Mr. Gary D. Russi of Rochester Hills
• Ms. Lou Anna K. Simon of East Lansing
• Mr. Lee A. Sprague of Manistee
• Ms. Shirley R. Stancato of Detroit
• Mr. Dennis J. Stanek of Gladstone
• Ms. Kathleen Straus of Detroit
• Ms. Gail F. Torreano of Mt. Pleasant
• Ms. Maria J. Vaz of West Bloomfield
• Ms. Leola Wilson of Saginaw

The four state legislators, five state department directors, and state school board president will serve as non-voting members of the Commission.

"We have assembled an impressive cadre of education and business leaders who will blend their talents to achieve our common goal – the best educated and trained workforce in North America," Granholm said.

Two-thirds of the jobs created in the next 10 years will require post-secondary education or training. The Commission’s work is imperative to the state’s economic well-being Cherry said.

"When I graduated from high school, you could take your high school diploma to any factory and get a good paying job," said Cherry. "Today, advanced manufacturing jobs require something more, making it imperative that we increase the number of citizens who attend college or vocational schools."

Governor Granholm said that the Cherry Commission also would address the fall off in terms of students who express an interest in attending college, but then do not go. Studies show that 90 percent of high school students express an interest in a post-secondary education, yet only 41 percent go on to college or vocational school. Only 18 percent graduate with a bachelor’s degree within six years.

"Whether it is making college more affordable or making sure that students are adequately prepared in high school, I look forward to the Commission’s recommendations on how we can bolster these numbers," Granholm said.

The Commission will hold its organizational meeting on Wednesday, July 14, to begin its work. The Commission members will meet in smaller work groups over the remainder of the summer to divide up issues of importance for further study. In September, the Commission, as a whole, will hold hearings around the state to hear public testimony.