We must continue to do our best to educate our students, our neighbors, our friends and our colleagues about the bonds, and we must go to the polls on November 7 th and vote. I want to express my personal gratitude for the wonderful work that you, the instructors, are doing on behalf of the bonds. I have read letters to the editors, opinion pieces and interviews you have done for the media. I have heard glowing reports of enthusiastic participation in voter registration drives, speakers bureaus and other efforts in your hometowns. Frankly, your voices are perhaps the most important voices to be heard because for our customers, our students, you ARE the community colleges of North Carolina.
Buildings are important.
But a college is, after all, a community of teachers and students, brought together for the excitement of learning. I know something about the dedication, skill and professionalism you bring to your task. Long before I ever thought of holding the office I do now, I was part of the community college family. My wife Alice taught at Isothermal Community College, at Wayne Community College and in community colleges in Northern Virginia. You and your essential roles in preparing the citizens of North Carolina to be major contributors in a global workforce are the main topics for our time together today.