President's Blog

A Great Weekend for Columbus State University

November 8th, 2009 -- Columbus State University is an incubator for exciting, interactive global activities that are a testimony to a truly engaged university.

This week my wife Lauren participated in a tennis "pro/am" with the wonderful student/athletes on the Columbus State University Tennis Team and many supporters. Coach Evan Isaacs has assembled an exceptional array of men and women students from all over the globe who bring an exciting international dimension to our University.

Leaving this great event I traveled to our RiverPark Campus to attend a stunning play at our Theater on the Park complex, in our black box theater, directed by one of our very talented seniors. Samantha had emailed me asking that I consider attending. As I watched the talented group of Theater students on a set designed and constructed by their peers, in costumes, created and produced by their peers I was taken by the reactions of those in attendance. To a "full house" audience comprised of engaged students, faculty and community members, the play was enthusiastically received. I was so proud of Samantha for inviting me and so very impressed with the cast and all of those involved in the production.

At the 25th running of the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens on Saturday, how delighted I was to see and hear a group of Schwob School students in our Jazz program perform. A group of our vocal students performed America the Beautiful at the kickoff of the races and a string quartet dazzled the attendees as well. With more than 10,000 in attendance, I could not have been more proud of our students so actively engaged in the region.

On Sunday, Columbus State University celebrated the generosity of Kyle and Sally Spencer and their 25-year generosity with the official dedication of Spencer Hall and the Spencer House at the Center for International Education on campus. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer began a long-term passion for Oxford almost 3 decades ago and this has resulted in the Spencer House on Woodstock Road in Oxford, England a home-away-from-home for hundreds of Columbus State University students studying in short term and full year programs at Oxford. Again, the proudest of moments for our great University. Warm thanks to the Spencer family for their exceptional generosity over the years.

A Whirlwind of Activities

October 8th, 2009 -- Just returned from an incredibly impressive Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony on the Columbus State University campus. Using University Hall, 900 attendees enjoyed the impressive ceremony and recognized the exceptional service and commitment of the 151 graduates honored today.

The fall semester is in full swing, and I am delighted to share with you an array of activities that truly energize the Columbus State University campus. Today, we kicked off our 2009-10 Annual Fund campaign with a faculty/staff leadership breakfast. These dedicated colleague volunteers and their associates raised record levels of support on campus last year (an increase of 6.5%) and have helped commit to Columbus State University's first-ever $2 million Annual Fund. Rick Gordy, a 1990 Columbus State University alumnus from the Turner College of Business, is chairing the Annual Fund and brings a wealth of volunteer experience and business leadership to this effort. Again, the Columbus State University Foundation has agreed to provide matching $$$'s for funds raised supporting specific departments on campus.

Last week, Lauren and I thoroughly enjoyed the Theatre Department's fall premiere of Streetcar Named Desire. The acting was superb, and the house was packed. We have likewise enjoyed the Lamar Dodd Exhibit at our Illges Gallery as well as at the W.C. Bradley Gallery and a number of student and faculty performances at Legacy Hall by our Schwob School of Music talent.

Last Sunday, we had the great pleasure of attending a Club Football game against the University of South Alabama at Kinnett Stadium. The Cougars won, 16-7, and more than 1,000 in attendance were treated to a great afternoon. Rick Cravens and Michael Speight have done a great job building an array of club sports that looks like the following:

TACKLE FOOTBALL- established, has a 7 game schedule.
COED TENNIS- established, first match against Auburn University, Saturday, Sept. 20
BASS CLUB- established, first tournament of the year is middle of October.
MEN'S SOCCER- established, first tournament at the University of Florida, Sept. 27-28.
WOMEN'S SOCCER- established, first tournament at Clemson University, first part of October.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL- established, first tournament at the University of Central Florida, first part of October.
WRESTLING- established, first tournament at University of Florida in the middle of November.
ICE HOCKEY- Have a core group of 11 students who are forming the club sport ice hockey. Have had one general organizational meeting Sept. 16, will have another Monday, Sept. 20.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE- trying to form.

These activities help to provide an array of options to our students.

Tonight, former envoy Jack Pritchard speaks at our Hallock Lecture Series. In two weeks, Ishmael Beah, the author of A Long Way Gone, visits Columbus State University to speak and meet with our students and faculty and staff.

The campus is vibrant, alive and engaged. Great things are happening here, and we invite all to join us on this exciting odyssey.

A day-long walkabout in Georgia

September 8th, 2009 -- On Friday, September 4, just prior to the launch of the Labor Day weekend, I had the great pleasure and opportunity to travel from Columbus to Athens to visit with Regent "Dink" NeSmith and state Senator Bill Cowsert. It's always a pleasure to return to Athens, where I had the opportunity to attend graduate school in the late 1970s at the University of Georgia. Regent NeSmith's offices at Community Newspapers Incorporated are in the spectacularly renovated Coca-Cola Bottling building on Prince Street. Mrs. NeSmith had a grand vision in renovating this complex and the result, a live, work, walk, play complex is stunning. Regent NeSmith was kind to welcome me with a building and neighborhood tour and it was a great reflection on gentrification projects and the ability to transform areas creatively. We had a wonderful visit and fortunately Senator Cowsert's office was only 5 minutes away. Senator Cowsert began his legal career in Columbus, with Hatcher, Stubbs and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Committee and as a member of Appropriations. We had a very productive visit and I look forward to seeing Sen. Cowsert again. From there, I traveled to Evans, GA for a meeting with Rep. Ben Harbin, Chairman of Appropriations. Rep. Harbin shared with me that on that evening the Va.Tech band was coming to Evans to play at a high school football game honoring a young man from Evans, tragically murdered in the senseless rampage at Va. Tech. What a commitment from the band to participate the night before the Chick-fil-A kickoff classic at the Georgia Dome. We too had a wonderful and insightful visit.

The efforts of these State leaders is enormous. The time devoted to the State of Georgia is astonishing. I was most appreciative for their time and visits and look forward to continuing to bring the Columbus State University story to others.

Off and Running!

August 29th, 2009 -- The 2009-10 academic year at Columbus State University is off and running.Institutionally we have a number of colleagues to thank for an incredibly smooth launch this fall.

-Thanks to our Enrollment Management team! Marketing, admissions, financial aid, our great 1-stop shop, veterans affairs, registrar have all done superlative work. Teaming with our financial management team and working diligently on processing a record number of applications, financial aid packages, emergency loans, veterans requests, has truly been a team effort and I am thankful to all involved.
-Housing. What an effort! We are "full at the Inn" and this is thanks to the teamwork between our Residence Life staff and Plant Operations for enormous upgrades inside and out to our housing complexes and increasing the "livability quotient" for all.
-Faculty for accommodating greater numbers of students in our classes due to budget constraints. This is always tricky and required great efforts on behalf of faculty to manage our enrollment demands.
-Staff for supporting an exceptional customer service culture that redounds great benefits to all.
-First Year Experience instructors who are pioneers in our effort to launch an exceptional First Year Experience program. We look forward to hosting author Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone, on campus in October.
-University ITS Team for continuing to roll out our wireless footprint, working with Plant Ops on the build out in the Schwob Library, CCT 24/7 computer lab, PC Repair Shop, Apple Kiosk in our Rankin Bookstore and a host of other initiatives.
-Students for their enthusiasm and patience. Work is still being finished by ARAMARK on the new new Popeyes, by Follett on the new bookstore, by APPLE on our product display at the new bookstore, parking challenges due to the construction of the 100,000 sq.ft. Student Recreation Center, http://campusrec.colstate.edu/recbuilding/, logistical challenges due to the completion of the new 37,000 sq.ft. Schuster Student Success Center, and more.

My thanks to the entire Columbus State University family for a great start to a great year.

Cougar Kickoff Events

August 19th, 2009 --
The Cougar Kickoff events scheduled this week have been fantastic. All activities are designed to welcome our students back to campus and introduce the campus life. I've tried to make an appearance at many of the great events. As you can see in the picture here, I was one of the volunteers in the dunking booth at the "Wet and Wild Ice Cream Social" on Tuesday.

The annual Welcome Back picnic at the Clock Tower was today. Country's Barbecue and all the student affairs will do it all over again tomorrow for the RiverPark students. Then on Friday, we'll have a big blowout beach party at Callaway Gardens from 2-7 p.m. Check out http://studentlife.colstate.edu/cougarkickoff/ for all the details.

Thanks so much to all our partners for helping make these events a success, and to all the staff people on campus who have worked tirelessly to make the start of the semester a memorable week.

Presidential Inaugural Address

August 17th, 2009 -- My sincere thanks to all for a wonderful weekend. I want to take this opportunity to share my words with you. Your input, comments, observations are welcome.

Thank you and welcome to dignitaries, guests and family members, faculty, staff, students and friends, visiting marching dignitaries and fellow presidents. And a sincere thank you to our Cougar Battalion, Columbus State University ROTC unit, winner of the General Douglas MacArthur Award, and thank you also to the men and women serving in the armed forces here and abroad, preserving our freedom so that we can participate in events like this. My thanks as well to these exceptional young men and women from our Schwob School of Music in our newest College of the Arts and the director of the Schwob school, Dr. Fred Cohen.

Chairman Hatcher, you bring wisdom and energy to your leadership role impacting 290,000 University System of Georgia students. Thank you.

Chancellor Davis, thank you for your guidance, your advocacy and your support. Thank you for your visits to Columbus, and thank you for your impact on our system.

Dr. Herbst, you are an advocate, coach, mentor and academic leader. Thank you for always responding to e-mail in real time, day or night. Thank you for your support.

Jimmy Yancey you are Columbus State University. From student to regent. From chairing corporate boards to chairing Columbus State University capital campaigns. You are a special source of inspiration to me. Your leadership and execution sets the highest of standards for performance. Thank you for all that you do.

To Mr. Bill and Sue Marie Turner. You represent the soul of this community. As you review the six core values of Columbus State University, you see servant leadership as one of our defining principles. Mr. Bill, you are the embodiment of servant leadership and Columbus State University, in general, and me, in particular, benefit from the example you set. Thank you for your access, wisdom, courage and support.

My parents, Mike and Enid Mescon, epitomize first-generation Americans pursuing the American dream. They have instilled that unique spirit that de Tocqueville described when he wrote: “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” Thank you.

My sister and brother, Nance and Jed, thank you for your lifetime of support and encouragement.

Abbie, David, William and Preston, our precious children. I am so glad you are here, so proud of your accomplishments and so excited about your intent to pay it forward. You mean the world to me, and I will always, always be there for you.

Most importantly, to my wife, my friend, my cheerleader, my partner, Lauren, I could not, I cannot, serve this great university and great community without you. As hackneyed as it may sound, you are my rock, my foundation, and we are a great team. Thank you for everything.

I am humbled and proud and honored to have the opportunity to serve as the fourth president of Columbus State University. For 51 years, Columbus State University has enjoyed an exceptionally unique partnership and alliance with this great community. It is my distinct pleasure to embrace the great tradition of this great institution and the legacies left by Drs. Whitley, Brooke and Brown as we create and commit to enlightened strategy and focused execution in the coming years.

The late Herman Wells, former president at Indiana University, said this about a university president: “To be successful, the president must have the physical charm of a Greek athlete, the cunning of Machiavelli, the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of a lion, the skin of a rhino and the stomach of a goat.”

So at the very least, I have the physical charm of a rhino and the wisdom of a goat …

It is almost inconceivable for me to believe that three decades have passed in a blink of an eye. It was 30 years ago this week that I said goodbye to my office mate, lifelong friend and catalyst, George Vozikis, a noted chair at California State University-Fresno. I said goodbye, loaded a U-Haul trailer in Athens, Ga., with all of my worldly possessions, and I and my distinguished colleague and friend, Ken Nusbaum, a long-term professor in the veterinary medicine school at Auburn, made the 1,918 mile drive from the University of Georgia to Arizona State University. That is where I began my academic odyssey 30 years ago this week. Over these three exceptional decades, I have been joined by thousands of students, faculty and staff colleagues on an exceptionally engaging, challenging and formidable quest to make an impact, make a mark; on this wonderful arena we call the academy. It all happened in a blink of an eye. I so vividly remember my own excitement in seeing my name listed in the fall, 1979 course catalog and the extra buzz when I noticed that, among a faculty of 45 in the Department of Management, I was the only professor assigned to Metro Center. Shortly thereafter, I learned that Metro Center was a mall in northwest Phoenix and, as a new faculty member, it was my turn, my first semester to teach at that mall, an hour from the main campus. It became imminently clear to me at that moment, as a neophyte faculty member that sometimes, many times, you take one for the team.

While I am so very thankful and grateful for the opportunities that I have been given, no single recognition has meant more to me than this handmade plaque, on my office wall, that Iwas given my first semester 30 years ago by my 75 students in my undergraduate course in corporate social responsibility. The plaque reads as follows:

“The Premium Bean Award (I frequently made references that semester to Jelly Bellys, jelly beans, just recently released on the market and a true reflection of innovation and creativity in the world of business). In recognition of the ability to make the fifty minutes between 9:40 and 10:30 Monday, Wednesday and Friday an eye-opening, entertaining, educational, enlightening and most of all enjoyable experience, this award is presented to Dr. Tim a genuine, through and through, inside and out, fantastic prof.”

You see my friends, at the end of the day, at the blink of an eye, after 30 remarkably exciting and invigorating years, this is what it is all about. The gratification from scholarly research, book publishing, sponsored grants and contracts, leadership in professional organizations is so very important. But all of these activities pale at the buzz, at the impact, at the wonder of engaging students in challenging thought and dialogue, and writing and research to truly make a difference and to sincerely make an impact. This is our raison de’etre, “reason for being”. Engaging in research, creative inquiry and in the Columbus State University tradition, servant leadership all contribute to making us truly better in the classroom and, thereby, producing a truly superior product, engaged committed students who will forever make an impact in the world in which we live. As faculty, this is indeed our reason for being. So to honor the freshman convocation component of this grand event … students, I urge you to continue to question, probe and challenge our faculty. Faculty, I encourage you to continue to raise the bar on classroom expectations and challenge our students, here at Columbus State University. This give and take, student to professor and professor to student has a time-honored tradition that creates vitality on our campuses that is truly without equal.

In these exceptionally challenging times, we must stay hyper-focused on our strategic goals and key performance indicators. Jim Collins, the renowned author of Good to Great, said this:

“It doesn’t matter whether you can quantify your results. What matters is that you rigorously assemble evidence, quantitative or qualitative, to track your progress. About this, we must be vigilant. The maxim states: If you don’t measure it, it does not matter. We must constantly evaluate and measure our progress, our efforts, our outputs, to determine if we are, in fact, on track to reach, to attain our goals. Nothing will be more important to us.”

Ronald Heifetz, the founder of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and Marty Linsky, a faculty member there, have written for years about leadership in complex organizations. While I have been endowed with an exceptional opportunity to work with faculty, staff, students and the community in mapping strategy and building structure for our next half decade, it is essential, as Chancellor Davis has reiterated time and again, to build exceptional bench strength at all levels of the organization. Heifetz argues for the distribution of leadership across the enterprise, sharing responsibilities, sharing decision-making and sharing the successes. The key he writes is simply to mobilize everyone. To build a collective will. To energize many to focus on real and meaningful and timely solutions. To encourage all to feel as if this is “my responsibility.” To encourage diverse and inclusive thoughts and insights and to challenge historical assumptions. So, first, I commit to encouraging leadership development as a critical element of our strategy and building to the best of our ability bench strength from within.

I have written for years about incremental entrepreneurship as driving innovation and creativity in organizations. Heifetz and Linsky reference corporate adaptability coming not from sweeping changes but rather from accumulation of micro adaptations originating from our many micro-environments. Fostering adaptation is crucial in today’s challenging, competitive, demanding higher education environment. Launching new initiatives in West Point to support the economic development explosion led by Kia is essential. Online course development leveraging world-class technology is requisite. New and innovative programs in servant leadership, earth and space science, education, creative writing, jazz, new media, real estate, history, gaming and simulation, defense and critical languages captivate our adaptive thinking today. As Heifetz suggests, we hit the organizational “reset” button, building on the turbulence of the present to better meet tomorrow’s higher education needs.

So second, I commit to incubate, to foster an environment committed to innovation and creativity. It cannot be education as usual. We must collectively commit to building on the traditions and successes of the past and mapping new practices and programs that meet the needs of the future today.

Finally, we must as Heifetz suggests embrace disequilibrium. The status quo is that there is no status quo. The challenge they say is to keep our hands on the thermostat. If the heat is too low, we won’t make difficult decisions. If it heats up too much or too quickly, we panic and run. It is about embracing tough and challenging dialogue, courageous conversations that challenge assumptions. This is particularly difficult in higher education. The late great Peter Drucker once suggested that higher education generally embraces successful, applied theories about 20 years too late. This is reflective of our deliberative, pensive culture. Today, embracing discomfort must become more the norm than the exception. Watching the development of the nation’s first-ever graduate degree program in servant leadership embodies innovation, seeing our Department of History and Geography and the Department of Communication move to the RiverPark campus is a good thing. Seeing our College of Education and Health Professions launch our first-ever doctoral program is a positive but different development, like the Turner College delivering an online-only MBA program. We must embrace and celebrate disequilibrium because, from it, from disequilibrium comes positive and productive change and response. You see, in the material unlike the spiritual world, the meek will inherit nothing. So my third and final commitment is to foster and embrace courageous conversation that challenges convention and pushes the norm.

So, one, I commit to encouraging leadership across the university, faculty, staff and students. I commit to embracing leadership development as a critical element of our strategy and building to the best of our ability bench strength from within. Two, I commit to incubate, to foster an environment committed to innovation and creativity. It cannot be education as usual. We must collectively commit to building on the traditions and successes of the past and mapping new practices and programs that meet the needs of the future.

My third and final commitment is to foster and embrace courageous conversation that challenges convention and pushes the norm.

Family, friends, colleagues and students, I make these commitments to you. I am humbled by this great opportunity and enthusiastically commit to embracing the future on behalf of the great history of Columbus State University.

Thoughts from Move-In Day, Kids to College event and more

August 14th, 2009 -- This has been an exhilarating and challenging time for all. Move-In Day was exceptional, and I commend the entire Residence Life, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management team for a job well done.

Today, I am greeting 5,000 fifth-graders from Muscogee and Harris counties, as well as Fort Benning schools, as part of the "Kids to College" program at Columbus State University. Dean of Education and Health Professions David Rock and Professor Roger Hatcher orchestrated an exceptional event, and the students will continue to visit campus all year.

Lauren and I had a great dinner with Congressman Sanford Bishop and his staff. Congressman Bishop has been incredibly responsive to the needs of Columbus State University, and we are grateful for his support.

I met with a group of our new Honors Program freshmen today at the Cunningham Center. What an impressive group. Equally impressive was the gathering of our Servant Leadership students at the Pastoral Institute. This program is one of a kind, and we look forward this year to developing the nation's first ever Master of Science Program in Servant Leadership.

Finally, at the opening of school sessions I presented the hard news of the budget challenges. Faculty and staff alike have been positive and responsive to our absolute commitment to maintaining the highest levels of academic quality ... For this, I am most grateful, appreciative and proud.

We are seeing exciting things unfold at Columbus State University and it is wonderful to play a role with great colleagues in this process.

On the Road with State of GA Leadership

July 19th, 2009 -- How very important it is for me to attempt to keep in touch with our local legislative delegation along with key leadership in the Georgia House and Senate. Advocating for Columbus State University is key along with the challenge of conveying our brand and message. How we differentiate our great university from all others in the University System of Georgia is an ongoing challenge and bringing our message to state leadership represents an equally daunting effort.

I traveled from Columbus to Americus to visit with the true "Dean of the Georgia Senate", Senator George Hooks. Senator Hooks has a wealth of experience and insights about the legislative process, great observations about decision-making under the gold dome and his downtown Americus business provided a great setting for a visit.

Following my visit with Senator Hooks, I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with Rep. Mike Cheokas and his wife Gaynor in Americus. Mike and I had the pleasure of attending high school together and it was a treat visiting with him in Americus. Mike is an entrepreneur and business owner and has great insights on the needs of small and emerging businesses in Georgia.

The next day, I hit the road and met in Reidsville with State Senator Jack Hill. Sen. Hill is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee,
and also serves on the Ethics, Natural Resources and the Environment, Regulated
Industries and Utilities and Rules committees as well as exofficio
for the Committee on Assignments and Finance Committees. Past chairmanships include: K12 Education, Ethics and Higher Education. We had a terrific visit and I learned a great deal about the appropriations process and the current budget challenges.

I left Sen. Hill and made the short drive to Lyons and visited with Senator Tommie Williams. Senator Williams, a Republican, was first elected to the State Senate for Georgia’s 19th District in 1998. Sen. Williams represents Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties and portions of Liberty and Tattnall counties. Sen. Williams serves as Senate President Pro Tempore, Georgia Senate Majority Leader. I visited with Senator Williams at his office and we discussed business, international affairs, art and the university system.

From there I drove cross state to visit with Representative Jerry Keen in St. Simons the House Majority Leader.
Rep. Keen currently serves on the Rules, Appropriations, Ethics, Insurance, and Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications committees. We had a very informative and interesting visit. I did so appreciate the time that Representative Keen and his colleagues spent with me. It was a great post-graduate learning experience and I look forward to more sessions in the future.

I followed this visit with a call on my long-time friend Jack Dinos. Jack has one of the great entrepreneurial stories to tell and at one time had the nation's largest private label tea company. He has been a great friend and counselor and it was a treat to catch up with him. From St. Simons I drove to Atlanta to prepare for a University System of Georgia presidents meeting the next day.

Best wishes for the 4th of July Holiday

June 29th, 2009 -- What a couple of weeks I've had. The marvelous dedication of the National Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning, followed by another impressive basic training graduation ceremony and than the ever so moving Change of Command Ceremony in honor of Major General Michael D. Barbero and Major General Michael Ferriter. The ceremony was hosted by General Martin E. Dempsey, Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. The pavilion at the parade grounds at Ft. Benning was packed and the ceremony was so very impressive.

General Barbero has been at Ft.Benning since November, 2008 and was recently tapped to return to Iraq as commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and commander of NATO Training Mission-Iraq, United States Central Command. General Ferriter was most recently Deputy Commanding General for Operations, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.

The smoothness of the Change of Command ceremony and the expansive respect felt at the parade grounds that morning reinforced to me the value of freedom and liberty and the role these rights play in higher education. At the dedication of the National Infantry Museum former Secretary Colin Powell reinforce the maxim that "freedom is not free." (Secretary Powell will be at Columbus State University in August with General Petraeus participating in our Blanchard Leadership Forum) As we develop and deliver a myriad of undergraduate and graduate degree programs on the Columbus State University campus we must be ever mindful of the tremendous latitudes we are given to express and share and debate opinions and ideologies in a uniquely "American" way. This discourse defines U.S. Higher Education and allows for tremendous flexibility and options in what we say, write and do both inside and outside the classroom.

My sincerest thanks to all of the men and women in uniform today and in the past who have put their lives on the line to protect these same freedoms. At a time of unbelievable challenge we still enjoy unique rights and privileges that many have served to protect. To those who have served thank you and have a happy 4th of July holiday.

Kudos to Turner College graduate Vance Smith!

June 19th, 2009 -- So very proud of State Representative Vance Smith on his appointment as Commissioner of the State Department of Transportation. Commissioner Smith and his wife, Michele, are both Columbus State University graduates. This is a great testimony to Commissioner Smith's leadership abilities and his long-term advocacy for transportation solutions for the State of Georgia.

Dedication of National Infantry Museum impressive

June 19th, 2009 --

What an honor and a privilege for Lauren and me today to attend the dedication of the National Infantry Museum at the parade field at Ft. Benning. This $100 million, private project, was conceived by Major General (ret.) Jerry White and opens officially today to rave reviews. The facility is a stunning testimony to the U.S. Army Infantry and celebrates the "last 100 yards" always covered in battle by the Infantry. General Colin Powell delivered a stirring address and appropriately thanked U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop for his leadership of this effort in Congress. Additionally, General White made special reference to Mr. Bill Turner and the Bradley-Turner Foundation for their foresight and investment in this huge project. Mayor Wetherington discussed the huge legacy value of this project to Columbus and the region and the many in attendance today were awestruck by the scope of this project. Major General Barbero, Commanding General at Ft. Benning, presided over an impressive graduation ceremony at the Parade Grounds and also actively participated in the dedication ceremony. Senators Chambliss and Isakson were in attendance along with Rep. Westmoreland. This was truly a wonderful day that will have enduring impact on this community and the nation.

CSU Staff Council Garage Sale

May 28th, 2009 -- Just heard that the Columbus State University Staff Council is having a Garage Sale on June 20, starting at 8 a.m. Faculty and staff can reserve a table for $10. Everyone is invited to come out - it will be held in the parking garage (which our ROTC folks have dubbed "Cougar Mountain") next to the Lumpkin Center.

Another Budget Cut Announced

May 28th, 2009 -- More bad news from the state today - another 2 percent budget cut has come down from Atlanta. This economy is really starting to sting. We've got lots of good people on campus though, people committed to our mission academic excellence, and we'll work through this. We've got to get the academic folks and the business folks in a room and prioritize our end-of-the-year expense requests. Some things may not get funded. If a P.O. is issued, then there was money for the purchase. Thanks for your understanding, and your leadership in working through these issues.

And You Thought We Only Knew Mozart

May 28th, 2009 -- Want to see something fun? Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music is internationally known for its excellence. We have students and faculty down there who can play with anyone, anywhere, at any time. You can see some of their talent on YouTube. This one in particular sure could be an Internet sensation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzlfbA9791k

CSU To Offer Classes in West Point

May 28th, 2009 -- Columbus State recently got the green light from the Board of Regents to offer classes in West Point starting this fall. This will be a great step ahead for both Columbus State University and that region of Georgia. For more information, go to http://WestPoint.colstate.edu