Welcome—Burt Symposium, March 25, 2004
Daniel F. Sullivan

A warm welcome to you all to the second Ellen C. Burt ’42 Annual Symposium on Education, Environment, and Economic Vitality. About 2 ½ years ago, at their initiative, we began a discussion with Ellen and Stuart Burt and their children—John, Laurie, and Jeff—about a gift they wanted to make to St. Lawrence. Their goal was to work with the University to improve K-12 and higher education, the environment, and economic vitality in the North Country . The time was ripe, for the University was already engaged in a number of initiatives focused on all of those goals, but resources are always a challenge. They said they could help us deal with that issue, and they did.

One thing they felt was important right from the start was an annual symposium or conference that would bring the key players in education, the environment, and economic development in St. Lawrence County together not just to talk, but to plan action. Already involved in action on all of these fronts, we at St. Lawrence agreed to be the organizer and we committed to continuing to be a key player. We are gathered here today for the second annual symposium. Ellen, John, Laurie and Jeff Burt are here with us. Very, very sadly, Stu, who graced us all with his presence and contributions in our previous meetings, passed away this year after an accident. How greatly we all miss him. Would the four of you stand to be recognized, please?

Early in the planning for our first symposium we became intrigued by a book entitled, Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age, written by Michael Shuman, our collaborating keynote speaker this morning. We found ourselves being challenged by his ideas, some of which go counter to the traditional economic paradigm with which we are familiar through our education and reading. We felt it important to get outside the box and be open to new ideas for education, the environment and economic development in St. Lawrence County. In particular, we thought you would want to explore with us the opportunities that “going local” may create for us. And that is what we did last year for two days. We’ll hear again from Michael this year, and hear progress reports from the study groups we formed last year.

In addition to Michael we have with us Stephen Blackmer, President of the Northern Forest Center , who will share with us his experience in building partnerships and sustaining communities in the Northern Forest Region. We’ve got a really great day planned.

Thank you, most warmly, for taking time out of your busy schedules to spend this day with us. I believe we will look back on this symposium series in the years ahead and, with the advantage of hindsight, conclude that something really important for St. Lawrence County happened here.

And now I’d like to introduce John Burt— Vermont and New York City playwright and producer—who will say a few words on behalf of the Burt family. John?