LAKELAND, Fla. (March 13, 2009) — The future of the nation lies in the strength of its families and its institutions, according to Dr. G. Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Southern College's 75th honorary chancellor.

Dr. Clough was honored during the annual Founders Day Convocation on Friday in Branscomb Auditorium. Elected by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in 2008, Dr. Clough is the 12th secretary of the Institution, leading the world's largest museum and research complex with 19 museums, nine research centers, the National Zoo and research activities in more than 90 countries. Prior to his appointment to the Smithsonian, Dr. Clough served for 14 years as president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering. He also holds a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Using headlines about economic uncertainty as the backdrop for an impassioned plea to protect the nations educational and cultural institutions, Dr. Clough said, "It is hard to remember that people of my generation were talking very recently about early retirement, because our 401(k)s were stuffed."

He said people grappling with today's economic woes could learn a lot from their parents and grandparents who survived the Depression. "It took 10 years to recover from the Great Depression," he said. "We hope that our government will help us avoid the scourge of the Great Depression."

He added, "The need is to find stability in a storm-tossed sea. Our families and institutions such as colleges and universities, churches, and libraries, provide constancy."

 "I hope it will be said, hundreds of years from now, that our generation did its part to make this nation greater," Dr. Clough said. "Our institutions help us live through uncertain times and prepare us for what I believe will be a better future."

Also during the Convocation, Alumni Achievement Awards were presented to Lamar Louise Curry, Class of 1927, a Miami educator who has taught some of our nations most influential citizens, and the Colleges oldest living alumna; and Lisa Kaiser Hickey of Lakeland, Class of 1979, and a 1995 MBA graduate, the president and CEO of Douglass Screen Printers, Inc., and a tireless advocate for women in business. The Service to Florida Southern Award was given to Robert "Bob" Gordon Black of Sun City Center, Class of 1951, who has worked in and taught journalism and public relations for the College throughout his 68-year career.

In addition, Dr. Nancy M. Morvillo, associate professor of biology, was presented with the Ben and Janice Wade Outstanding Teaching Award.