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| (L to R) Dr. George Boggs, Chancellor Rocky Young, Dr. Betty Young on her motorcycle, Trustee Georgia Mercer, Valley College President Tyree Wieder |
September 29, 2005
In response to frequent disparaging remarks about community colleges by NBC late-night talk-show host Jay Leno, one community college president drove her motorcycle across the country, challenging Leno to put his motorcycle where his mouth is. Riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle from Ohio to California, Northwest State College President Betty Young invited Mr. Leno to join her for a ride and a series of "Lessons for Leno" about the mission and value of community colleges. Young's entourage arrived at Los Angeles Valley College at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2005.
Events at eight community colleges along the way focused on one of the "Lessons for Leno." In Los Angeles, her final stop, Dr. Betty Young was joined by Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Darroch "Rocky" Young; Los Angeles Valley College President Tryree Wieder; American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO George Boggs, and Los Angeles Valley College faculty, staff and students to explain how community colleges are critical to the nation's economic and workforce needs; change the lives of the 12 million students they serve; and provide access to affordable education.
The seven "Lessons for Leno" that were taught along the way were that community colleges:
- Provide
an economic engine for the nation.
- Have a 100-year legacy of serving communities.
- Deliver a skilled, competitive workforce.
- Make higher education affordable.
- Ensure access and opportunity for all Americans.
- Change lives for close to 12 million students each year.
- Offer solutions for communities and the nation.
"Dr. Young is a true champion for community colleges," said Dr. George R. Boggs, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. "For far too long community colleges have been misrepresented by people who are uninformed about the value and reach of these institutions. The tour brought a needed national focus to the difference we make to the nation and, most importantly, the millions of students we serve," said Dr. Boggs, who will be joining the tour in Los Angeles.
"I'm not looking for an apology," Dr Young said. "I'm looking to provide Leno with an opportunity to meet with me and really begin to understand the importance of community colleges to the nation as a whole. We must change the image of community college education in many respects long tarnished by stereotypes and misconceptions."
At 28, Dr. Young was a single mother with two jobs in rural Ohio. Looking to make a change in her life, Young earned a two-year associate degree and went on to earn bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and law degrees. She became president of Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio, in 2003.
Community colleges are centers of educational opportunity. For over 100 years, they have been inclusive institutions that welcome all who desire to learn, regardless of wealth, heritage, or previous academic experience. The process of making higher education available to the maximum number of people continues to evolve at close to 1,200 public and independent community colleges.
Prior to speaking in Los Angeles, Dr. Young held press conferences at community colleges in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona.
For more information and daily updates about Dr. Young's "Lessons for Leno" National Tour, please visit the Web site www.aacc.nche.edu.
