Troubling economic times and what they mean to Americans is the focus
of a summit and public forum Sept. 20 in Cole Hall at Bridgewater
College.
"An Uncertain Economy: What it Means for the Country, Colleges
and You" begins at 7 p.m. and features noted educators and
economists presenting their views on employment, inflation, taxes, the
national debt, the future of higher education and more. The forum
encourages audience participation in the form of questions.
"Living in a tough economy is making itself felt in every facet
of Americans' lives," said George Cornelius, president of
Bridgewater College. "If we are to thrive under these new
economic conditions, it is essential we explore where we're
headed and how best to meet the new challenges we face and seize the
new opportunities presented."
Cornelius said the summit and public forum will delve into the
country's economic future and, in particular, will address the
impact of the economy on families and colleges and universities.
Issues to be examined include the impact on family income and wealth;
projected inflation rates; the impact of national, state and local
governmental debt and unfunded future obligations; the impact of high
household debt and lower home equity values; and access and
affordability concerns surrounding higher education.
Cornelius said the summit also seeks to provide higher-education
strategic planners with a reliable framework for moving forward in a
time of economic uncertainty.
The summit's panelists are David W. Breneman, the Newton and
Rita Meyers Professor in Economics of Education at the University of
Virginia's Curry School of Education; J. Alfred Broaddus Jr., a
former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and current
member of the Economic Advisory Panel of the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York; Christine Chmura, president and chief economist for Chmura
Economics & Analytics; and Dennis Gephardt, vice president of
higher ed/not-for-profit ratings at Moody's Investors Service.
Source: 9/9/2011 Newsline
