Education forum will be held Thursday
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 2, 2013 11:11 PM
Some of the state's most influential leaders in education will be on hand this week as part of a panel discussion on the subject, and the public is invited to be part of the audience.
The 4th Quarter Hot Topic Education Forum will be held Thursday at Lane Tree Conference Center from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Sponsors include Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, County of Wayne, Mount Olive College, Wayne Community College, Mt. Olive Pickle and Willow Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
The four representatives on the panel include Dr. June Atkinson, state superintendent of public schools; Dr. Hope Williams, president, N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities; Dr. Scott Ralls, president, N.C. Community College System; and Dr. Steve Ballard, chancellor, East Carolina University, speaking on behalf of Dr. Tom Ross, president of Univerity of North Carolina System.
The event is a response to a request from Gov. Pat McCrory asking professionals at all levels to work together to improve education. The speakers have also been invited to address how local educators like those in Wayne County can play a role in the advancement of students.
Dr. Ed Wilson, retired president of Wayne Community College, is one of the event's organizers.
"I think it's significant that we have the leaders of education in North Carolina here," he said.
Wilson said he asked the panelists to talk about the importance of collaboration and working on education at the local level.
"We have got a lot of things going on at the public schools and Wayne Community College and ECU particularly with the teacher education program. Mount Olive College as well, they also have articulation agreements as well for transfer students," he said. "They've got a lot of stuff they do together."
Reservations are requested for the event. Cost for the full seated lunch is $25 per person. For more information, visit www.waynecountychamber.com. To RSVP, contact lindam@waynecountychamber.com or call 919-734-2241.