March 13, 2001

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/ email loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre, Central Washington University president, will be among the panelists on the National Public Radio (NPR) program "Talk of the Nation" March 29.

During the first hour of the Thursday program host Juan Williams will lead a discussion relating to the future of higher education with McIntyre, President Lee C. Bollinger, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; President Michael S. McPherson, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn.; and community college President Jacquelyn M. Belcher, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta.

The live broadcast, from Rackham Auditorium at the University of Michigan, will explore issues facing higher education in the 21st century, including distance learning and virtual classes, the rising cost of higher education and the increasing competition for students between public and private schools.

The program, part of the NPR "The Changing Face of America" series, will be aired from 11 a.m. to noon PST. Listeners can join the live, on-air conversation by calling 1-800-979-TALK (8255).

EDITOR'S NOTE: "Talk of the Nation" is not available on radio in the Ellensburg area. However, listeners can listen online at the Northwest Public Radio (NWPR) Website nwpr.org (click on Listen Now and then choose an NPR news station, Windows Media is necessary and can be installed free).