by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Former Mayor John Delaney is wearing two hats these days.
Since 2003 he’s been president of the University of North Florida and in February, Delaney was appointed president in residence of the State University System of Florida.
Delaney told members and guests at the the Rotary Club of Jacksonville’s meeting Monday that America’s and Florida’s future lies in education. He presented quite a bit of historic evidence that led to his conclusion.
“What spurred economic growth in this country early in the 19th century?” asked Delaney, who then answered, “The turning point was in 1818 with the opening of the Erie Canal. That opened up transportation to the west which was at that time western New York state and western Pennsylvania. A few decades later in Abraham Lincoln’s time, it was the railroad that opened up the Louisiana Purchase.”
History also tells the story, said Delaney, of America recovering from economic downturns through investment in infrastructure. That has come in the form of technology and industry and through the country investing in its people.
“The electrification of rural areas early in the 20th century helped pull the country out of recession and later in the 1950s America invested in the GI Bill which allowed veterans from World War II and Korea to go to college,” said Delaney.
That investment in education led to a boom in technology that later prompted President John Kennedy to make the decision to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1970s, he said.
Delaney also gave an overview of Florida’s economic history and the changes that have recently taken place, including a decline in population growth for the first time in the state’s history and moving away from agriculture and tourism as Florida’s most economically influential industries.
“Every year since Florida rose up out of the sea, there have been more humans arriving in the state than leaving – until last year,” said Delaney. He added growth is predicted at zero percent for this year and likely next year as well. At one time, that fueled the housing industry, but now Florida faces a decision.
“What’s the solution?” asked Delaney. “It’s not building an automobile plant. It’s not building call centers.
“The world has changed and it’s time for Florida to decide how to invest for the future. The future of the economy is education. We need more college graduates and more research. That’s what creates entrepreneurs and breakthroughs in medicine and technology.”
After the meeting adjourned, Delaney said he’s “ready to be home full time,” referring to spending a couple days each week in Tallahassee serving as president in residence of the state university system. He rated the 2009 Legislative session as “the best ever for higher education” even though the state didn’t have much money to spend on education this year.
Delaney also said the incoming freshmen this fall at UNF will bring an SAT score of 1,200 or better and “That puts UNF behind only (the University of) Florida and Florida State (University).”
Club Rotary Foundation chair Bill Bainbridge also spoke about education at the meeting. He announced that three of the five Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships awarded in District 6970 have ties to North Florida including Samantha Henry, who was a guest at Monday’s meeting.
“This is Samantha’s third Ambassadorial Scholarship,” said Bainbridge. “She’ll graduate from Jacksonville University this winter then go home to Guyana for a few months. Then she’s coming back to JU for her master’s degree in public health.”
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