Published August 2003 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Wired to a High-Tech Future
Education has been the cornerstone upon which I have built my life. I realized early on that, for a poor boy from the coalfields, the only paths to success were education and hard work. Today, West Virginia's colleges and universities are preparing our young people for challenging futures in such fields as science, education, medicine, and technology. These students spend many hours in classrooms, laboratories, and libraries as part of their course work. But their studies, in recent years, have received an added boost from education resources around the world that are accessible through the Internet. The Internet serves as a valuable educational tool on college campuses across the country. The World Wide Web allows students to conduct research for projects and papers, communicate with classmates and professors, and stay apprised of world events from the desks of their dormitory rooms. With a few simple computer keyboard strokes, students can access treasure troves of knowledge throughout the globe. But, in order to navigate the 'information superhighway,' students need an on-ramp. One of the last colleges in the nation without a school-wide Internet network, West Liberty State College has launched its "CyberneticCampus" initiative to provide students with fast, reliable Internet access. According to the college, the CyberneticCampus concept represents an institution-wide initiative to expand and enhance the integration of technology in classrooms, laboratories, and residence halls. To help, I recently announced the release of $1.7 million in federal funding that I added to an appropriations bill earlier this year. The funding that I obtained will allow West Liberty State to achieve its goal of building high-speed networks for students by equipping all residence halls with Internet access. West Virginia has come a long way in promoting education and encouraging more young people to continue their studies after high school. But the journey toward excellence is a long one. While we have made progress, there are still challenges and opportunities ahead. Education remains West Virginia's passport to progress. Young people who receive quality educations at West Virginia's colleges and universities give back tenfold to the future of the state. Through investments at West Liberty State College and the state's other academic institutions, students will have expanded research opportunities, new classroom resources, and improved learning environments. August 20, 2003