Jags Rally Support in Montgomery for Higher Education

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Posted on February 23, 2017

Bob Lowry

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Hundreds of University of South Alabama students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends today joined other public universities throughout Alabama in calling for increased state funding for higher education. The occasion was Higher Education Day, an annual rally held on the State House steps in Montgomery.

USA Student Government Association President Josh Crownover was a featured speaker at the rally, representing the statewide University Student Presidents Council, and he emphasized the numerous service projects performed by students in their communities.

“These experiences not only benefit the communities that we live and work in, but they also provide opportunities for our students to develop as leaders and learn how to better impact those communities in the future," Crownover said.

South's SGA organized several busloads of USA students who left campus early this morning for the rally.  Immediately following the event, University President Tony Waldrop hosted a luncheon for the USA contingent and the Southwest Alabama legislative delegation. 

“I’m happy to see so many students here. You’re not just representing yourself. You’re representing 16,699 students,” Waldrop told those gathered.  “Faculty and staff here today, you’re representing 6,000 employees. Thank you all for your support.”

Guests at the luncheon included Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Victor Gaston, Mobile.

Earlier, USA's Faculty Senate issued a statement in affirmation of Higher Education Day. "We look at our students with pride as they become the next generation of local and global leaders," said Dr. Sam Fisher, faculty senate president. "We would also like to express our profound gratitude for continued public investment in higher education, and the broad community support that has made the University of South Alabama, and its students, such a success." 

Higher Education Day is sponsored by the Higher Education Partnership, the advocacy network for the state's public universities. The event is considered Montgomery’s largest annual advocacy rally, as students and employees from public universities throughout the state come together to remind Alabama’s political leaders of the need to improve appropriations for higher education, and to also remind lawmakers that universities have a large and involved voting bloc.

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