So in a way, while we work at different jobs in different places, we're all part of the same system, and we're all working toward the same goal. That's why this conference is such an exciting opportunity for us all. Bear in mind, though, that we're not talking about lifting up some, and scaling back a few others, so that we all meet in some vast middle of educational mediocrity. Indeed, it is just such a return on investment that will generate new and additional investments as we push forward in a new highly competitive century. In our quest for educational excellence, setting high standards is so very important.
High standards focus our overall sense of direction, and lend a sense of urgency to our daily work.
More importantly, though, high standards reflect the faith and confidence that we all must have in ourselves, in the people we work with, and in the students we serve. I have a deeply rooted abiding faith in the people of Virginia and in the students at our schools. I know that Virginia's finest is the finest there is, and I know you share my belief. It provides a great framework of goals for our higher education system, while at the same time freeing individual institutions to determine how best to achieve them. Of course, we all know that setting high standards is only half the equation.