COVERSTORY
A commitment to education
 |
In one of her earliest speeches after her husband's inauguration, First Lady Michelle Obama rallied the rank-and-file of the U.S. Department of Education by reminding them of the importance of their work. “I am committed, as well as my husband, to ensuring that more kids like us and kids around this country ... get access to an outstanding education,” she said.
She delivered similar words of encouragement to Florida educators and students when she joined MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón recently for the Florida Campus Compact awards gala and luncheon at the historic Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College. The gala is an annual event recognizing Florida educators and institutions for outstanding service and engaged scholarship.
Padrón is the co-chair of the Florida Campus Compact, an organization whose membership includes more than 50 Florida college and university presidents committed to helping students grow in active citizenship through participation in public and community service.
Obama's presence was a reminder to the award recipients that what they do on their individual campuses have broader impact throughout the state and nation. The event co-hosts were U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux, and Rep. Allen Boyd. Bob Graham, a former Florida governor and retired U.S. senator, was also in attendance.s
— Gariot P. Louima