President and CEO Evan S. Dobelle Applauded for Phenomenal Fundraising and Given Contract Extension through 2008 by Unanimous Board Decision
The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) recently celebrated a half-century of service to New England with a daylong conference and dinner celebration. Among the more than 350 attendees who gathered in Groton, Conn., were college presidents, education, business and government leaders, and members of the philanthropic community. The conference included keynote addresses by bestselling author Daniel Pink and New York Times columnist David Brooks, and nearly 40 well-known leaders from across New England who participated in panel discussions aimed at exploring ways to position New England in the new global creative economy. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Halberstam and United States Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) both delivered remarks at an evening celebration.
“In the 21st century, where we have moved from the information age to the conceptual age, the conference examined the role of the new global creative economy, New England’s arts and cultural resources and the tremendous opportunity that lies ahead,” said New Hampshire State Senator and NEBHE Chair, Lou D’Allesandro. “For the past 50 years NEBHE has served young men and women pursuing post-secondary education while maintaining the best possible financial situation through NEBHE’s RSP Tuition-Break. The program enables thousands of New England residents to enroll in other New England public colleges and universities at a discount. We look forward to continuing this in the years ahead.”
David Brooks and David Halberstam both applauded communities in the region who have been building bridges between the arts and the community and encouraged all attendees to explore the wealth of opportunities that exist within the creative economy.
NEBHE President and CEO, Evan S. Dobelle, compared higher education to a powerful business, saying, “Each year New England colleges and universities employ more than 250,000 people and educate 850,000 students. Higher education spends more than $20 billion annually in operating costs.”
The conference also included the NEBHE board’s unanimous decision to extend Dobelle’s contract through 2008. The 48-member bi-partisan board comprised of legislators and educators from the region based the contract extension on his exemplary vision and fundraising that is up 78% from last year.
“President Dobelle truly understands the potential role that New England higher education can play in the global creative economy,” said Senator D’Allesandro. “In just ten months, he has been instrumental in raising the expectations, advocacy and mission of NEBHE. President Dobelle has brought new vitality to NEBHE and it’s a pleasure to extend his contract by unanimous board decision.”
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