William Kirwan, president-elect of Ohio State, was not disappointed that Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich did not spend more time discussing issues affecting higher education in his State of the State address Tuesday.In his final address, Voinovich addressed the issue of school funding for Ohio’s public schools, but said little about funding for higher education.”Legislators in Ohio seem to be very dedicated to the problems affecting higher education,” Kirwan said. “I continue to be very optimistic about this.”Kirwan said after talking with the governor, he believes Voinovich sees education as a continuum and recognizes the importance of higher education.Voinovich said in understanding that education is the best economic tool, the state of Ohio must continue to rely on institutions of higher learning for leadership.But Kirwan said the lack of funding of Ohio’s public schools is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.Kirwan and Roderick Chu, the new Chancellor for the Ohio Board of Regents, were recognized by Voinovich for their commitments to affordable and quality education.Chu said in a written statement that public universities in Ohio have the potential to achieve solid results because they have recognized the issues facing them.”Ohio’s colleges and universities have already accomplished something that is all too rare in higher education circles,” he said. “They have moved past the stage of admiring problems we in higher education face and are actually doing something about them.”Chu replaced Elaine H. Hairston in November to become the sixth Chancellor of the Board of Regents, the governing body of Ohio’s public colleges and universities.