Donations exceeding $1 million from organizations like the Dow Chemical Company demonstrate the clear connection between private industries and higher education.
Central to this link at the University is the Committee of 100, a private, non-profit organization comprising of Louisiana’s CEOs and university presidents. Similar to the goals outlined by the Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy plan, or WISE, the Committee of 100’s goal is to address issues affecting economic growth.
“Workforce is one of the most critical areas for all of our members,” said Committee of 100 CEO Michael Olivier.
The Committee of 100 plans to host several events around the state to initiate discussions about WISE, starting in August.
Olivier said the events will help explain the tenets of WISE to the business community.
According to these tenets, 80 percent of WISE funding supports workforce development. Universities in Louisiana have an opportunity to compete for this money, and the number of graduates a given institution provides in a high-demand field will affect the amount for which it qualifies. Under WISE regulations, universities will have to match 20 percent of private donations.
Olivier said August’s event will take place in Baton Rouge and be available as a webinar. Representatives from technology corporations like AT&T and IBM will be present. Other host locations will include Monroe, Shreveport, Lake Charles and New Orleans.
At the last public WISE council meeting, LSU President F. King Alexander said the Committee of 100’s fall events will give the administration an opportunity to “separate the contenders from the pretenders.”