Shepard provides keynote on higher ed challenges at Munro Institute

Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard provided the keynote address at the Munro Institute for Civic Education Wednesday, June 27, on campus.

Shepard's speech focused on challenges facing public higher education in the state of Washington.

The full text of Shepard's speech is available on the president's website. Here's how it began:

I am delighted to be here this afternoon joined by this distinguished panel and before this audience of caring citizens committed to brighter futures for Washington.

I have to say that I almost did not make it. Several weeks ago, I got, sort of like death and taxes, that unavoidable jury summons. For this week and next. I worried about the conflict with the Munro Seminar but, looking at the months ahead, could find no two weeks with fewer critical conflicts. And, I happen to believe it our duty as citizens to serve on juries. No matter how busy. Indeed, perhaps the busiest have an obligation to set the model for the requirements that accompany the many blessings of citizenship.

So, I apologize to the organizers for keeping my participation a matter of hanging fire. Was not until 6:00 p.m. last night that I learned I would not be needed at the Court House today.

I was thankful, Whatcom County being relatively civil and law abiding, that I was then able to be here with you this afternoon. Whether you are equally grateful will need to await the conclusion of my remarks.

Now, our topic has to do with Political Reporting: A Challenging Landscape. I will leave it to our esteemed panel to take on what they know best: the political reporting. I will address the challenging landscape and the part of that I know best: the challenges facing public higher education, particularly baccalaureate-level education.

There is great expertise on our panel. There is considerable wisdom throughout the room. I look forward to thoughtful discussion and exchange. It is through the talking together and not in the “talking at” that deeper understandings are achieved.

What is the Current Public Higher Education Landscape in Washington?

First what should be obvious but may not be for those have not recently lived outside Washington, looking in: Washington’s six public baccalaureate institutions are nationally much-admired and extraordinarily successful state resources. And, perhaps THE most important tool that state policy makers have available to build brighter futures for our state. ...

Read the rest of Shepard's speech on the president's website.