President Hanbury Addresses ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education’ at Greater Miami Chamber Events

President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D.

September is “education month” at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and Nova Southeastern University was well represented. President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., provided the keynote speech to nearly 400 business and education leaders at the chamber’s September 7, 2011 Trustees luncheon. President Hanbury took the opportunity to paint a picture for the audience of current challenges and opportunities in higher education.

President Hanbury covered myriad topics including NSU’s intellectual and economic impact in Florida; the importance of investing in our future through scholarships, internships and job opportunities; the importance of retaining talented individuals in Florida after graduation; and the nation’s abhorrent graduation and retention rates.

After a 25-minute speech that had attendees so engaged that you could hear a pin drop on the floor, President Hanbury concluded his remarks by saying: “There was another fellow, a little more than 100 years ago, and he was a Virginian. He had a saying that I have used on several occasions and I want to leave it with you: ‘If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.’ We don’t want this nation to be a nation that expects to be ignorant and free. We are a civilization with the greatest nation on this planet and as businessmen and women I hope you will consider Thomas Jefferson’s quote as important today as it was in 1824.”

Following the luncheon, the chamber hosted an education summit on Tuesday, September 13. President Hanbury delivered an overview of several NSU projects and initiatives that are having a grand impact in Florida through a video statement since the event was on the same day as the Palm Beach SEC grand opening.