“Education is a currency” is what I would say after the “State of the University” address. University of Arizona President Robert Shelton has given much room for discourse in his first address about the current state and future plans for our university.

What I have been thinking is that education is now a currency. It is a major driving force in the new “flat world” that we live in.

Students, professors, professionals, businesses and immigrants will all be drawn to the new currency that is education. Higher education of our community members will lead to better jobs and career choices. This is very valuable both to them as well as to us individually as citizens/parents /grandparents.

Professionals that consider coming here look at the level of education that their children will receive. Businesses attract good employees with the lure of the university that their family can attend.

Immigrants have known the value of a good education for a long time. They risk much for the opportunity of education.

Professors are the group we need to recognize as the one to help attract to the U of A. They help turn the educational engine of our community. With the best teachers/researchers the value of our university as well as our community will rise.

This is where I feel the greater Tucson community has its best chance of succeeding. The current marketplace sees many professors moving from place to place just like in other business sectors. Professors/employees do not spend an entire career or even a major part of their career in one place anymore.

This is something Tucson can use to its advantage. We live in a wonderful place with great scenic beauty and climate. If we can help the U of A by embracing the concept that it takes an entire community to create a great place to be a professor.

Now is the time for us to realize the importance of education not only for ourselves and our families but for the community as a whole.

Education is a currency. How much is it worth to us remains to be seen.

Enjoy the Journey,
Bob

Bob Oro is a husband, parent, dentist and children’s advocate in Oro Valley

Excerpt: “Enjoy the Journey” by Robert J. Oro