According to Norman R. Augustine, retired CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, a perfect storm is poised to strike the United States. Due to the confluence of a variety of forces, the nation is falling behind the rest of the world in its scientific, mathematical, and technological capabilities. According to Augustine, without a massive nationwide effort, many countries of the world will surpass the U.S. in these areas, hindering America’s competitiveness and threatening future economic opportunities.
Speaking before a capacity crowd in the Baioni Conference Center on the Delta State Campus on Monday, Feb. 7, Augustine’s remarks echoed themes contained in a congressionally requested report— Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future—compiled by a pre-eminent committee he recently chaired.
“The evidence is irrefutable,” said Augustine, one of the most successful and admired engineer-statesman of his generation. He offered the following examples:
- U.S. 12th graders recently performed below the international average for 21 countries on a test of general knowledge in math and science.
- In 2004, China graduated about 500,000 engineers, India 200,000, and the U.S. 70,000.
- For the cost of one chemist or one engineer in the U.S., a company can hire about five chemists in China or 11 engineers in India.
Augustine’s lecture focused on two priorities he believes must be met in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in a today’s global economy.
- Improving K – 12 education
- Investing in research in the fields of engineering, science, and technology
“America’s future science and technology talent comes from K – 12,” said Augustine. “If we are going to create effective job opportunities, we must educate this generation in Math and Sciences.”
According to Augustine, Americans must prepare to compete for jobs on a global scale. “We are no longer competing with local community members for jobs, we are competing with a global community,” he said.
“Americans, who represent only 5% of the world’s population and nearly 30% of the world’s wealth, tend to believe that scientific and technological leadership and the high standard of living it underpins is somehow the natural state of affairs, said Augustine. “But such good fortune is not a birthright. If we wish our children and grandchildren to enjoy the standard of living most Americans have come to expect, there is only one answer: We must get out and compete.”
“Delta State is so fortunate to have Mr. Augustine lecture to our students, faculty and community,” said Dr. Billy Morehead, Chair of the Division of Accountancy, CIS and Finance. “Mr. Augustine’s credentials are impeccable. Not only has he had an amazing career in the aerospace industry, he has a passion for improving our nation’s educational system. Because of his career and his passion, he has served on a committee or taskforce under every President since Johnson, both Democrat and Republican, including his recent service on a committee for President Obama discussing the future of the U.S. Space Program. He is so respected, that in the fall of 2010, he testified before Congress regarding the future of America’s educational system.”
Among his countless honors Augustine has been presented the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States and received the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Award. He has five times received the Department of Defense’s highest civilian decoration, the Distinguished Service Medal. He holds 23 honorary degrees and was selected by Who’s Who in America and the Library of Congress as one of “Fifty Great Americans” on the occasion of Who’s Who’s fiftieth anniversary.
