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An excerpt from the speech President Barack David Purser
Obama delivered at Forsyth Tech: “I was impressed to meet and shake hands with
President Obama,” said FT student David Purser.
“I will continue to fight for those investments that “I feel that Forsyth Tech fits in with what the Pres-
will help America win the race for the jobs and in- ident was saying in his speech; a better educated
dustries of the future - and that means investments workforce is an investment in the future.”
in education, innovation and infrastructure. In an Purser, then 39, already had an MS in electri-
era where most new jobs will require some kind of cal engineering from UNC-Charlotte. “I wanted
higher education, we have to keep investing in the to study biotech and make it a bridge between
skills and education of our workers. And that’s why my master’s and my future. I entered Forsyth
we are well on our way to meeting the goal I set Tech knowing it would take less than two years to
when I took office two years ago: By 2020, America re-invent my career opportunities. It is one of the
will once again have the highest proportion of college few schools to offer a career pathway that actually
graduates in the world. That’s a commitment we are opens up jobs to students.”
making. (Applause.)
Kathy Proctor (continued)
“So to get there, we’re making college more afford-
able for millions of students. We’ve made an unprec- 2009 as a biotechnology stu-
edented investment in community colleges just like dent. She met the President
this one. And just like Forsyth Tech, we’ve launched a during his December tour of
nationwide initiative to connect graduates that need Forsyth Tech’s biotech labs
a job with businesses that need their skills.” and impressed him when
she said she was getting her
Paul Street degree not just for a bet-
ter job, but to inspire her
Forsyth Tech Biotech student Paul Street was one of twin daughters, Megan and
the students President Obama spoke with in the Amanda. The President even
Technology Building. Street had the opportunity to ex- quoted that remark in his
plain an extremely complex cell culture experiment in a State of the Union speech.
scant few minutes. “When I was explaining about the cell
culture, he was looking through the microscope and said ‘It’s During Kathy’s once-in-
alive!’” he said. a-lifetime trip, she not only
Street already had a biology degree from Wake Forest met the President, but also North Carolina Sena-
University. He was taking the Forsyth Tech class to gain tor Kay Hagan, First Lady Michelle Obama, and,
more extensive lab experience. “Employers in this field during a reception at the White House, the First
aren’t looking for a lot of experience in the classroom; they’re Dog Bo. But she was back in class by Friday. She
looking for experience in the lab. If you can’t do hands-on told one reporter: “I’m ready to get back to normal.
science, you can’t do science.” I have a test to make up.”