State and National Higher Education Officials to Meet April 27 in Baton Rouge

State and National Higher Education Officials to Meet April 27 in Baton Rouge – Apr 20, 2006

Reception/Program Will Honor Dolores Spikes and Cecil Picard

Higher education officials from university systems and from public and private campuses statewide will meet in Baton Rouge on April 27 to discuss with national officials the issues facing colleges and universities today and to honor two leaders of education in Louisiana.

The Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities (CLCU) will meet in Baton Rouge at the Marriott Hotel, 5500 Hilton Ave. The conference will begin at 11:30 a.m. with an address by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, followed by a discussion among state legislators and higher education officials.

Later that day, CLCU will honor two leaders of education in Louisiana: State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard, and former Southern University System President Dr. Dolores Spikes.

The theme of the conference is “Progressive Recovery Through Higher Education,” said Dr. Sally Clausen, president of the University of Louisiana System, who is wrapping up her yearlong tenure as president of CLCU.

“This conference will feature national officials who will discuss with us how Louisiana can address pressing educational and economic challenges, as well as what the state can do to ensure that more students have access to and success in our colleges and universities,” said Dr. Clausen.

The two national speakers who will lead discussion during the afternoon are:

Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), who will address issues related to the accreditation of colleges and universities; and

Dr. Gordon Davies, Senior Adviser, Education Commission of the States, who will speak about the changing role of academic leadership; he also served as President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and as Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

The CLCU conference will conclude with a reception and honors program, beginning at 5 p.m., for Superintendent Picard and Dr. Spikes. Persons who would like to attend the conference, reception or honors program are asked to RSVP online through the CLCU website www.ulsystem.net (click on the CLCU logo).

For More Information Contact:
Rusty Jabour
225-342-6950