Sec. of Ed. Addresses Leaders at Historically Black Colleges & Universities Conference

EVENT DATE: Sept. 2, 2009

Contact: Justin Hamilton, Stephanie Babyak, Jane Glickman (202) 401-1576


U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN ADDRESSES LEADERS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will deliver the keynote address at the 2009 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week Conference commemorative dinner, on Wed., Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Secretary Duncan will discuss President Obama's challenge for America to produce the largest number of college graduates in the world and how the Administration's higher education agenda will accomplish that goal.

More than 1,200 higher education leaders and policymakers are expected to attend this year's conference, entitled, "HBCUs: Seizing the Capacity to Thrive!". The conference includes a host of panels and seminars discussing the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing HBCUs, such as expanding access to higher education, increasing graduate degrees in science and mathematics, as well as emergency preparedness and research opportunities.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to meet top officials in the U.S. Department of Education and the Obama Administration. In addition to Secretary Duncan, other speakers include the following: Martha Kanter, under secretary, U.S. Department of Education; John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., executive director, White House Initiative on HBCUs; Dennis C. Blair, director of national intelligence; Leon Panetta, director, Central Intelligence Agency, and many of the 105 HBCU college presidents and chancellors.

Tom Joyner, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, will be honored at the commemorative dinner on Wed., Sept. 2, at 7 p.m.

The White House Initiative on HBCUs sponsors the conference and works with approximately 30 federal agencies to increase HBCUs' ability to successfully compete for federal grants and contracts. The department also provides staff and support for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs which will meet Mon., Aug. 31.

A complete conference agenda is available online at: http://hbcu2009.betah.com/
All sessions are open to the media.

WHO: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

WHAT: Delivers keynote address at HBCU Conference commemorative dinner

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Renaissance Hotel
999 9th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.


OTHER CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday, Sept. 1

12:15 p.m. Dennis C. Blair, director of national intelligence, luncheon keynote speaker
3:45 - 5 p.m. Leon E. Panetta, director, Central Intelligence Agency, delivers remarks

Wednesday, Sept. 2

10:30 a.m. - 12 noon Concurrent workshop sessions that include:
Race to the TOP! program director Joanne Weiss,
STEM: Enhancing Capacity for Global Competitiveness, Carl Person, Minority university research and education programs National Aeronautics and Space Administration