Good afternoon and welcome to the University of New Hampshire on this exceedingly significant occasion. Today, we welcome the President of the United States to our campus. We have had vice presidents visit--in fact, Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush was here in 1987 as our commencement speaker--we have had wives of presidents, Presidential candidates from every conceivable party, but not a sitting president for many years. Welcome, President George W. Bush. It is a great pleasure for the University to have you on our campus. And, welcome to all of you who have joined us today.

Today is a benchmark day for education. This morning, in Ohio, President Bush signed an education reform package, which is the largest educational initiative undertaken since the War on Poverty in the 1960s. We are especially proud that Senator Judd Gregg, from the great State of New Hampshire, sponsored this initiative in the U. S. Senate. Now there will be new ways to insure that all children achieve at the highest levels possible.

The reform initiative provided in the new education bill had bipartisan support in Congress demonstrating that education is not a political party issue in our country--it is an issue that affects our children and the future of our nation. These historic reforms will ensure that every child has a chance for a bright future, not just for themselves but for their communities and their families.

Why education reform now? National data indicate that nearly 70 % of inner city fourth graders are unable to read at a basic level. High school seniors trail students in Cyprus and South Africa on international mathematics tests. And nearly a third of this year's college freshmen had to take at least one remedial course before they could begin regular college level courses. The goal of the new reforms is to reverse these trends. The United States will do better. We will set high expectations for every child, and we will enable every child to meet those expectations.

The University of New Hampshire is a partner with K-12 schools across New Hampshire. Last year, in addition to the preparation of teachers on campus, the University had more than 650 projects in the schools of 152 New Hampshire communities. Seacoast READS is a UNH program that matches more than 170 University students each year with school children in more than 15 schools on the Seacoast. The UNH Summer Youth Music School educates 800 high school and middle school students for two weeks each summer; the majority of the graduates of that program become teachers and musicians in New Hampshire. A new faculty initiative to improve science and mathematics instruction from kindergarten through college in our State has earned its initial funding from the National Science Foundation.

In addition, the University's TRIO programs (Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services) have helped several thousand low-income, first-generation students fulfill their dreams of attending college, overcoming economic and social barriers to higher education.

President Bush has said, "If our country fails in its responsibility to educate every child, we're likely to fail in many other areas. But if we succeed in educating our youth, many other successes will follow throughout our country and in the lives of our citizens."

The University of New Hampshire is proud to be part of this national education commitment. We thank Senator Gregg for all he is accomplishing for our State and Nation, and we welcome President Bush to New Hampshire on this historic occasion.

Senator Gregg and President Bush and the others in the President's party will join us here at approximately 3:00. In the meantime we have for you a program that represents many of the components of successful education in our State. Our nation owes a tremendous debt to all the teachers in all our classrooms across the land. It is their skill, their commitment that enables children and youth to excel.

McIver
We are especially blessed in New Hampshire with exceptional classroom teachers in our schools. Today we honor all teachers by recognizing one of the very best. Nancy McIver is the New Hampshire 2002 Teacher of the Year. Ms. McIver is a teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences at Linwood Public High School in Lincoln, New Hampshire. She was the recipient not only of this year's Teacher of the Year Award but also the Milken National Educator Award last October. Ms. McIver will serve as MC for the next part of today's program.

Ken Kruger
Decision-making at the University is shared among the many constituents of the University. A great many of the decisions that affect student life are made through the committees and deliberations of UNH's student government. I am very pleased today to introduce to you Kennith Kruger, UNH's Student Body President. Ken served four years in the U. S. Navy Submarine Service before enrolling at UNH. In that service he attained the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. He anticipates a major at UNH in political science. He is giving strong leadership to our student body this year. Please welcome UNH's Student Body President, Ken Kruger.

Hockey
At UNH we don't expect to do everything, but we do expect that what we do, we will do exceptionally well. And one of the things we do exceptionally well at UNH is play hockey. Actually, many of you help us play hockey well. I see you and I hear you at the Whittemore Arena. I am pleased to have with us today the Head Coaches of our women's and men's teams, Karen Kay and Dick Umile; and the Captains of our women's and men's teams, Brandi Kerns and Darren Haydar. Both Brandi and Darren are seniors this year and will graduate in May Commencement--Brandi in Occupational Therapy and Darren in Business Administration. They are distinguishing themselves both on the ice and in our classrooms. Coach Umile will make a presentation on behalf of our teams.