Keynote speaker David C. Hollister, director, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), will be discussing the economic and labor challenges facing the state and how Michigan can emerge as an economic powerhouse in the 21st century.

In his speech titled "Creating Competitive Advantage and Job Growth in Michigan," Hollister will examine ways of strengthening Michigan's manufacturing base by building partnerships between business, labor , government and the educational community and collaborating to develop partnerships that make businesses more competitive.

Created by Governor Jennifer Granholm in December 2003, DLEG has a budget of more than $1 billion and 4,500 employees assigned to various agencies all dedicated to providing a comprehensive career development system. Hollister, a lifetime public servant, outlined the DLEG goals as "growing Michigan businesses, growing Michigan entrepreneurship, growing Michigan communities and growing Michigan human capital."

Prior to serving as DLEG director, Hollister held various public service positions including Lansing Public Schools teacher in the 1960's, Ingham County commissioner, Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives for nearly 20 years and mayor of Lansing.

Edward L. Cushman, for whom the colloquium is named, devoted his life's work - whether in a governmental, university, industrial, civic or other capacity - to solving problems directly bearing on the well-being of people. He served on the faculty and held administrative positions at Wayne State University, including executive vice president, spanning a period from 1946 to the 1980's.

The Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues was established in 1998 to honor the former president of the United Auto Workers for his lifetime of exceptional leadership. The center is dedicated to an ambitious program of cutting-edge, practice-oriented research and innovative education and learning forums.

The colloquium is free and open to the general public. Hollister will offer the keynote address in the Lecture Hall of the Detroit Institute of Arts and a social hour will follow in the DIA's Kresge Court.

For further information and to confirm attendance, contact Willie McKether at (800) 218-6401, (313) 577-7599 fax, e-mail: w.mckether@wayne.edu. Visit the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues Web page at www.frasercenter.wayne.edu for more information about the center and Edward L. Cushman Colloquium.

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.