Graham presents first Ernest R. Bartley Memorial Lecture

November 21, 2008
Former U.S. Sen. and Florida Gov. Bob Graham presented the inaugural lecture for the Ernest R. Bartley Memorial Lecture Series. The lecture included an overview of Dr. Bartley’s incredible legacy at the University of Florida including his impact on Graham’s life.

Graham praised Bartley as an “urban visionary” and remembered him for his non-traditional teaching approach that was designed to inspire and motivate students. Graham also recognized Bartley’s participation in the drafting of Alaska’s State Constitution in the 1950’s and his central role in writing Florida’s 1975 Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act and the Growth Management Act of 1985.

Following his recollections of Bartley, Graham spoke about Florida’s natural beauty and provided a brief history of the state’s development, with an emphasis on the importance of growth management. He pointed out that Florida traditionally has relied on tourism and in-migration as primary sources of revenue growth. He compared this to Virginia which has relied on education and industry which have produced a strong economic base for that state. Graham recommended that Florida follow the Virginia model and focus on investing more in higher education to attract innovative and thriving industries as opposed to concentrating on tourism and population growth.

Graham’s recommendation for an “intellectual revolution” and his insight into Florida economic planning sparked many questions from the standing-room-only audience. One topic of considerable interest was Graham’s view of the impact of decreased state funding at the same time university tuition was increasing. Graham suggested that the 15 percent tuition increase was an inadequate substitute for the funding UF had previously received from the state. Graham urged the audience to participate in government and to take action and challenge such decisions.

The Ernest R. Bartley Memorial Lecture Series honors the late Ernest “Bart” Bartley, professor emeritus of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the College of Design, Construction and Planning. Bartley served 24 years as a UF political science professor before helping to form the urban and regional planning department in 1975. The series is funded by the department and the Bartley family.