|
Bob Wise, former West Virginia governor and nine-term member of Congress, has been named president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Dan Leeds, the Alliance's Board Chair.
The Alliance for Excellent Education is a Washington-based policy, research, and advocacy organization that works to make every child a graduate, prepared for postsecondary education and success in life.
"Bob Wise has demonstrated a commitment to education and the leadership to make real change," says Leeds. "His considerable skills and experience combine with the Alliance's outstanding research and advocacy efforts for a powerful message to the nation - every American child must be a high school graduate prepared for success in life."
"Education is the key to success for our students and our country," Wise says.
"Without focusing funding and resources toward reform, this nation faces a serious crisis. During my terms as governor and member of Congress, it became very clear to me that lack of education is the root of so many of our nation's challenges."
"I am very excited to have the Alliance for Excellent Education, a respected and effective proponent of school reform, as my partner as I dedicate this new phase in my career to better education for all American children," Wise said.
As governor of West Virginia from 2001-2005, Wise fought for and signed legislation to fund the PROMISE Scholarship Program, which helped thousands of West Virginia students stay in the Mountain State to attend college.
By the time he left office, the number of West Virginians completing high school and attending college had risen to the national average. Wise also established a character education curriculum in all state schools and created the Governor's Helpline for Safer Schools.
Before assuming the governorship, Wise spent two years as a state senator and 18 years as a member of the United States House of Representatives. While in Congress, he served in his party's leadership as an at-large whip, a regional whip, and parliamentarian. He also was a ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Wise earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1970 and a Juris Doctorate from Tulane University College of Law in 1975. He lives with his wife Sandy and their two children in Washington, D.C.
The Alliance for Excellent Education is funded by the Leeds Family, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the New York Community Trust, as well as by concerned individuals.
For more information about the Alliance for Excellent Education, please visit www.all4ed.org
| 
