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Delta State University President and 2008 President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities, Dr. John M. Hilpert (at left), receives a plaque for his service to the organization from MAC President-Elect, Dr. Lee G. Royce, President of Mississippi College, during the closing session of the 2008 MAC Conference hosted by Delta State. |
The 75th Annual Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) Conference came to a close on the Delta State University Campus on Tuesday, September 30.
Over 200 presidents, vice presidents, and administrators from Mississippi’s public and private universities, colleges, and community colleges gathered in the H. L. Nowell Union for presentations and a panel discussion on educational partnerships with state and federal government.
Delta State President, Dr. John M. Hilpert, introduced Dr. Ed Elmendorf, Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Analysis for the American Association of Colleges and Universities in Washington D.C., as the program keynote speaker. Dr. Elmendorf discussed federal government partnership opportunities available to education including the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program, the America Competes Program, and programs available through the National Science Foundation. Elmendorf also discussed the current financial crisis and its effects on education nationwide.
After his presentation, Dr. Elmendorf joined Senators Eugene S. “Buck” Clarke (R) and Doug Davis (R), Representative David Norquist (D), and Johnny Franklin, Education Policy Advisor to the Governor, for a panel discussion on educational partnerships with state government. Dr. Roy Hudson, Interim President of Mississippi Valley State University, served as facilitator for the discussion. Following brief presentations from each panel member, the panel responded to questions regarding better utilization of retired teachers who want to return to the educational system, and the involvement of state universities in economic development.
Following the panel discussion, Dr. Hilpert, who serves as the 2008 MAC President, recognized MAC President-Elect, Dr. Lee G. Royce, President of Mississippi College. Mississippi College will serve as the host site for the 2009 MAC Conference.
