H. Martin
Lancaster, President
North Carolina Community College System
Groundbreaking
February 23, 2006
Thank you. It's a rare privilege to be able to participate in an occasion that truly changes history -- and today promises to be just that.
Kannapolis was for many years a symbol-- really, THE symbol -- of the great industrial wave of a century ago that helped transform North Carolina from a sleepy farm state into a hard-working leader in manufacturing.
In this first decade of the 21st century, Kannapolis is once again a symbol of bold vision and strong partnership. North Carolina's community colleges, represented in this community so able by Rowan-Cabarrus -- are proud to have the vital task of preparing skilled workers who will make the innovative products created here through the capital of private business and the creative minds of university researchers.
Community colleges have had that job now for more than 40 years. We're proud that our state pioneered the concept of customized training for industry.
And we are committed to remaining pioneers as we work with all of you to continue the transformation of our state's economy. The stunning success of BioNetwork in extending workforce preparation for the biotechnology sector is just one example of dramatic change within our system.
Let me close with a challenge I heard a couple of years ago from Dallas Herring of Rose Hill, a small town in the agricultural heartland of eastern North Carolina. We honor Dr. Herring as the “Godfather” of our community college system. As chair of the State Board Education, he convinced North Carolina's business and political leaders in the 1950s and 60s to create a comprehensive community college system. At a luncheon honoring him, he addressed five of our system's up and coming leaders. I expected that most of the conversation would be reminiscences from Dr. Herring
I could not have been more wrong. Dr. Dallas Herring, at age 87, wanted to talk ONLY about the future. He said, "A community college in North Carolina has one essential job --- to work with your community to determine what product or service your community can make or provide that will offer good jobs for the people of your community. You must help them find the next great idea. Your essential job is to make sure that your college provides the education and training that your people must have to develop the skills to get those jobs and to keep them. ”
Ladies and gentlemen, today we celebrate the NEXT GREAT IDEA for Kannapolis. Congratulations to all who have moved idea toward reality so quickly -- and heartfelt thanks from this native North Carolinian for enormous investment in our place and our people. Thank you.
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