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NEBHE Examines New England's Role in the Creative Economy at 50th Anniversary Conference |
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Pulitzer Prize-winning Author David Halberstam, New York Times
Columnist David Brooks, Bestselling Author Daniel Pink and United
States Senator Christopher J. Dodd among Major Speakers at Event that
brings together more than 350 Leaders
President and CEO Evan S. Dobelle Applauded for Phenomenal Fundraising
and Given Contract Extension through 2008 by Unanimous Board Decision
The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) recently celebrated a
half-century of service to New England with a daylong conference and
dinner celebration. Among the more than 350 attendees who gathered in
Groton, Conn., were college presidents, education, business and
government leaders, and members of the philanthropic community. The
conference included keynote addresses by bestselling author Daniel Pink
and New York Times columnist David Brooks, and nearly 40 well-known
leaders from across New England who participated in panel discussions
aimed at exploring ways to position New England in the new global
creative economy. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Halberstam and
United States Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) both delivered
remarks at an evening celebration.
“In the 21st century, where we have moved from the information age to
the conceptual age, the conference examined the role of the new global
creative economy, New England’s arts and cultural resources and the
tremendous opportunity that lies ahead,” said New Hampshire State
Senator and NEBHE Chair, Lou D’Allesandro. “For the past 50 years NEBHE
has served young men and women pursuing post-secondary education while
maintaining the best possible financial situation through NEBHE’s RSP
Tuition-Break. The program enables thousands of New England residents
to enroll in other New England public colleges and universities at a
discount. We look forward to continuing this in the years ahead.”
David Brooks and David Halberstam both applauded communities in the
region who have been building bridges between the arts and the
community and encouraged all attendees to explore the wealth of
opportunities that exist within the creative economy.
NEBHE President and CEO, Evan S. Dobelle, compared higher education to
a powerful business, saying, “Each year New England colleges and
universities employ more than 250,000 people and educate 850,000
students. Higher education spends more than $20 billion annually in
operating costs.”
The conference also included the NEBHE board’s unanimous decision to
extend Dobelle’s contract through 2008. The 48-member bi-partisan board
comprised of legislators and educators from the region based the
contract extension on his exemplary vision and fundraising that is up
78% from last year.
“President Dobelle truly understands the potential role that New
England higher education can play in the global creative economy,” said
Senator D’Allesandro. “In just ten months, he has been instrumental in
raising the expectations, advocacy and mission of NEBHE. President
Dobelle has brought new vitality to NEBHE and it’s a pleasure to extend
his contract by unanimous board decision.”
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