Statement by AASCU President Charles L. Welch on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter

Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
edmondsk@aascu.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2024−AASCU joins the world in mourning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, a true statesman and champion of education and equality. As the 39th President of the United States, President Carter demonstrated his unwavering commitment to promoting access to education for all Americans.

President Carter was the primary advocate for creating a modern cabinet-level Department of Education and signed the bill establishing the department in 1979. At the bill signing, President Carter remarked that, “Education is our most important national investment,” and that, “Our ability to advance both economically and technologically, our country’s entire intellectual and cultural life depend on the success of our great educational enterprise.”

President Carter’s commitment to expanding access to higher education transformed the lives of countless students and helped make higher education a reality for millions of Americans, particularly those who are first-generation, low-income, and/or students of color. His dedication to ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to reach their full potential is a testament to his commitment to social justice.

During his presidency, he supported critical educational reforms including special education programs, starting public kindergarten, and increasing financial aid for college students.

While he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, President Carter attended AASCU institution Georgia Southwestern State University (formerly Georgia Southwestern College) from 1941-42. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate.

President Carter’s efforts to promote human rights around the world were also exceptional. From his role as a mediator in conflict resolution to his tireless efforts to promote democracy and regional and economic development, he possessed a dogged determination to creating a more equitable world for all.

We honor his many contributions and legacy by continuing our mission to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.