AG SECRETARY MAY LEAD EDUCATION SUMMIT

Forging ties between education and the business community is the focus of a daylong summit scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Show Me Center.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy has been invited to make the keynote address at the summit, but as of Friday no confirmation had been received.

The summit, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will look at how to foster economic development in the region. It is being hosted by university President Kala Stroup and 8th District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.

Stroup announced the summit at a breakfast meeting with the news media Friday at the University Center.

In a prepared statement, she said the summit will be the first step toward achieving "the many positive things which can occur when education and business/industry match needs and resources. It truly can mean a stronger, more vital economy for Southeast Missouri."

Said Stroup, "There truly are potential economic development `acres of diamonds' in Southeast Missouri. It is our responsibility to seek them out, to cultivate them, by joining together in common purpose and plan for the future."

Emerson was not at Friday's meeting. But in a statement released by the university, Emerson said the region is poised for future economic growth.

"We have so much to offer a centralized geographical location in the United States; an improved transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, rails, airports and burgeoning river ports; a diligent labor pool and an attractive standard of living.

"Our never-ending quest is how to get a handle on all these key ingredients," the congressman said.

James Biundo, assistant vice president for university relations, is helping to coordinate the workshop.

"Both business/industry and education are struggling to meet the challenges of preparing a work force which must be not only technically skilled, but which also must be able to function productively in a new, information-intense, team-oriented work environment," he said.

Stroup said, "It is time to address the questions of work force needs and resources and to forge new alliances for the economic survival of Southeast Missouri."

G. Rives Neblett, chairman and chief executive officer of Shelby Die Casting Co. in Shelby, Miss., is one of the scheduled speakers at the summit.

Neblett is chairman of the Millenium Group, which is dedicated to developing an education and training plan to produce an internationally competitive workforce.

Several panel discussions will be held involving educators and industry executives.

Registration fee for the summit is $25. The registration deadline is Sept. 14. Checks should be made payable to Southeast Missouri State University and mailed to the Office of University Relations, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, 63701.