For Immediate Release June 9, 2000
Contact: Phillip J. Kirk, Jr. (919) 836-1407
Leslie H. Bevacqua (919) 836-1406

Co-Chairs Named for Community College and University Bond Campaign

RALEIGH-Twelve of the state's top business and education leaders-including a former U.S. Senator and four company presidents-are spearheading the campaign to pass a $3.1 billion bond package for the state's community colleges and universities, Phil Kirk, President of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry (NCCBI) announced today.

The Campaign Co-chairs, charged with directing the statewide effort to pass the bond package, are: Jim Broyhill, former U.S. Senator; Mimi Cecil, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Biltmore Company and Chair of the Board of Warren Wilson College; Mac Everett, First Union Bank Mid-Atlantic Region President and NCCBI Chairman; Helen Newsome, President of the National Association of Community College Trustees; and Dr. Leroy Walker, former N.C. Central University chancellor.

The Finance Co-Chairs, who will raise funds for the statewide campaign in order to educate North Carolina voters about the bond referendum are: William J. Armfield, IV, President, Spotswood Capital. LLC; Thomas Bradshaw, Jr., Managing Director of Salomom smith Barney, Inc.; Bert Collins, President & CEO of N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company; Hugh McColl, Chairman & CEO of bank of America Corporation; Earl N. "Phil" Phillips, Jr., President of Phillips Interests; and Dr. Ruth Shaw, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Duke Energy.

Last week, Governor Jim Hunt and three former Governors Jim Martin, Jim Holshouser, and Bob Scott, were named Honorary Co-chairs of the campaign.

"The bond proposal is critical to help our community colleges and universities prepare for the future," said Phil Kirk, President of NCCBI, which is organizing the bond campaign. "We couldn't be more pleased that these great citizens have agreed to lead our efforts on behalf of higher education in North Carolina."

In May, the Michael K. Hooker Education Act was overwhelmingly approved by the General Assembly and Governor Hunt signed it into law, placing it on the general election ballot in November. The proposal would allocate $2.5 billion for new construction, repairs and renovations for the UNC system's 16 campuses. Another $600 million would go for critical building needs at the state's 59 community colleges.

The state's Community College System expects 57,000 new students over the next 10 years, while the 16-campus University of North Carolina System predicts another 48,000 students to enroll. "But the campuses are not prepared to accommodate such booming enrollment growth," Kirk said.

"Our community colleges and universities have made North Carolina into the great state it is today," Kirk said. "But now they need help from every citizen they serve. It's up to all of us to make sure that folks from all across this state show up on November 7 and vote "yes" for the higher education bonds."

The referendum has garnered widespread bipartisan support from education, government, and business leaders across the state. State Treasurer Harlan Boyles has also endorsed the proposal, saying that it is a fiscally responsible way to support our community colleges and universities.