Remarks to Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council Annual Convention
Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Les Wong
President
Northern Michigan University

Thank you for this special honor today.  I am quite fortunate to work at University with no ivory towers -- a community’s university.  Northern Michigan University is proud to have a thriving and successful Construction Management Program, and a trades program where HVAC technologies, welding, electrical and plumbing students learn the best techniques to support some of the most critical jobs and careers in the U.S.   Of special note, Northern and the Marquette Trades Council worked hard to recently bring the apprentice programs back on campus and that has been a very positive move for both organizations.  I often have the chance to tell the public and legislature about Northern’s cancer research through the Northern Michigan Brain Tumor Center, but you might be surprised to learn that I also speak as often about our outstanding construction and trades programs. Both represent some of the finest work being done on an American campus today. 

In fact, our NMU “Constructors”, a student organization, is a role model for civic engagement. They are involved in all kinds of community projects, both locally and throughout the country.  Everything from cutting signs in the shape of wooden skates for the upcoming Olympic Trials and World Cup events being held on campus to traveling to Mississippi to help rebuild homes of Katrina victims reflect their commitment to be good citizens in their community.  This is done with their own tools, on their own time for no credit other than feeling real good about their work.

Speaking with you today made me reminisce about my own youth.  Sparing you a long story, I was the proverbial teenage kid who could do two things well, one driven by a genetic gift (meaning luck), the other required some effort.  The genetic gift was that I could hit a baseball or most anything thrown at me real well, and colleges noticed me because of that.  The second was that I liked to do what I considered “real work” with my hands, so going to a university was the farthest thing from my mind.  It seems my entering college wasn’t where my advisor, family or neighbors thought I’d end up either. In fact, no one in my family had gone to college, so they didn’t put any pressure on me to do so. 

A close neighbor, Mr. Porter, cut a deal with my dad that allowed me to work with him as an apprentice to do electrical work.  I loved it.  So here I was a small Chinese American kid working with an all African American contracting company. One day, the staff took me aside and said something like, “you’re doing good Les but you need to get your “you-know-what” to college”.  Their message was basically don’t miss your chance at a college education because it’s something that once you earn it, no one can take away from you.  They said, “If after college you still want to work with us, come back and you’re on.”  It may have been the best advice I ever received. Not one of them was formally educated, but they were wise and highly educated men. 

What I learned from them and what I pass on to NMU students is that there is immense dignity and importance to the work you do, whether it’s brain surgery or construction.  What I’ve learned from my family’s example, from my electrician apprenticeship and from being in higher education for three decades is that whatever you do, you need to do it well, enjoy it and take pride in what you accomplish. It took me awhile to become a bookworm, but I revel in reading and understanding complex books. At the same time, I still find immense pleasure in swinging a hammer when I have the chance to build something.

That’s why I believe Northern Michigan University’s partnerships of many various forms with construction and trade organizations are important. We can learn from each other, and we do. When labor and higher education work together good things will happen -- for the individual, for the community and for this great country.

I’ve been asked to brief you on our CHP project and that is moving positively ahead.  NMU and I appreciate the support received especially from this group along with many other labor leaders.  We have withdrawn our original permit that allowed us to use coal as an emergency fuel source.  Our new application is in the DEQ process and is completely bio-mass fueled, no coal at all.  We expect this permit to move forward quickly in hopes of securing stimulus fund dollars or other sources of support to proceed.  Upon completion, the 10 megawatt plant will supply energy to NMU and Marquette General Hospital.  NMU may save as much as $1 million a year. The plant will also provide for a couple hundred construction jobs and over 100 permanent jobs. 

I also want to share with you an impending announcement about our lead role in the deployment of the next generation of wireless technology known as WiMAX.  We received permanent licensee #59 in the world to use WiMAX.  When 3,000 students turn on their new laptops in a couple weeks we’ll have the largest WiMAX load or used network in the world.  This isn’t occurring in Boston or Houston or San Francisco or in Silicon Valley.  Our corporate partners are testing new equipment at NMU and we hope to remain a pioneer in bringing high speed broadband to rural areas of the U.P.  We believe high speed broadband is the key to sustaining and growing new businesses in the U.P.  and that means more jobs.

Thank you for the work you do and the support you’ve given to NMU and our students and alums.  We do think of ourselves as a community’s university and I hope we are exceeding your expectations.   I am honored to be with you and part of the U.P.

Dr. Les Wong
President
Northern Michigan University