Focus magazine, fall 2013

V O L . 2 0 N O . 2 • FA L L 2 0 1 3

Keeping Alumni Involved First-Ever Survey of Graduates Shows Pride and Potential – Page 14

Help Us Reconnect, Applaud Your Successes For the past few years, the Turner College of Business has hosted a Business Plan Competition that awards — thanks to our sponsors — total cash prizes of $10,000 to high school and college student winners who present an outstanding plan for a viable start-up company.

This year’s competition awards ceremony will be headlined by Richard Smith, chairman and CEO of Realogy Holdings, a corporate giant with Timothy Mescon business holdings that include companies with household names, such as Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial and ERA Realty.

More importantly for us, Richard is one of our alumni. He earned his degree in 1975, and his commitment to help out with this entrepreneurship effort in the Turner College is exactly the kind of engagement we are seeking from all our alumni.

As you can see in this issue of Focus, Columbus State University is making a concerted and aggressive effort to reconnect, reenergize and reignite our 32,000 alumni. We want to hear from you. Career and family milestones, academic successes and important events in your lives are important to us. Over the past 55 years, our university has helped shape the future and careers of so many across the globe.

Tracking your success and connecting you with current students and recent alumni is an integral role of the university.

To bolster that effort, we are creating a student alumni association to foster spirit, tradition and pride throughout the university.

Our objective is to provide activities and programs to CSU students that can assist in their development as leaders, scholars and future alumni. The student alumni association will provide a seamless integration between current students and alumni by connecting them to current alumni activities and helping them prepare for the challenges of the world beyond the Columbus State campus environment. We’re also taking a look at how we create more opportunities for Columbusarea alumni to reconnect with Columbus State, and how we can bring our stories to areas outside the region, where significant numbers of alumni live.

This issue of Focus captures so many great and wonderful initiatives, accomplishments and aspirations at Columbus State University.

I look forward to your reading the news and connecting with us in a manner that is easiest for you. Stay tuned to hear more about what we’re doing. More importantly, please consider coming back to visit.

Sincerely,

Contents VOL. 20 NO. 2 • FALL 2013 Contributing Writers John Lester Mary Lyons Manny Nieves Bill Sutley Tim Turner Magazine Design & Layout Sally Morgan / MidMedia LLC Contributing Artists Will Barnes Joseph Melancon Philander Norwood Contributing Photographers Anne Appleton John Lester Tamma Smith Bill Sutley Tim Turner About the Cover Columbus State alumni enjoy catching up and visiting at various alumni and development-related events. At the bottom, The Grapevine Band performs at the Evening at the Top event that was part of Alumni Weekend 2012.

This year, the Andy Luker Experience will join The Grapevine Band.

(Story, Page 19) (Photos by Tamma Smith) Address Correspondence to: Focus Office of University Relations Columbus State University 4225 University Ave. Columbus, GA 31907 email: bsutley@ColumbusState.edu Vice President for University Advancement Alan Medders Associate Vice President for Development Spence Sealy Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Joyner Assistant Vice President for University Relations John Lester

4225 University Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31907-5645

8 10 12 14 Atlanta Police Chief Employs Command Colllege Tactics

Volleyball Coach Confident New Team Will Impress

CSU Launches Programs Offering Three-Year Degrees

Alumni Survey Shows CSU Prepared Them for Future

CAMPUS NEWS

Columbus College’s Second President Dies Francis John Brooke III, the second president of Columbus College, died July 20 in Richmond, Va. He was 84.

Brooke was president at Columbus College from 1980-1987. He came to the college at one of the most challenging periods of its history, facing both declining enrollments and shrinking state budgets.

He transformed Columbus College with a major reorganization of the administrative structure. Formerly based on junior college-style divisions, Brooke changed the structure into schools, a move that became the basis for the establishment of CSU’s academic colleges in 1998.

Brooke Additionally, he was responsible for populating the campus with the oak trees you see today, hiring more African-American faculty and staff, and organizing the college’s first capital campaign, which raised more than $6 million by 1985.

Brooke, a former provost at Virginia Commonwealth University and professor of German, also introduced new standards for faculty tenure. The changes that he initiated, coupled with state-mandated cost-cutting, caused turbulence at Columbus College, and Brooke resigned in 1987.

A native of Charleston, W.Va., and the son and grandson of noted Presbyterian ministers, Brooke, after leaving Columbus College, took a position in Seattle with the Presbyterian Foundation, furthering the mission of the church across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, sons Francis John, Haynes Morgan and David Tucker and eight grandchildren.

New Program has Professors Living in Student Apartments Columbus State University has selected its inaugural class for its new Faculty In Residence program.

This year’s three participants are John Finley, assistant professor of business administration in the Turner College of Business; Kimberly Gill, assistant professor and director of the Public Administration Program; and Nick Easton, assistant professor of political science and public administration.

Finley will live on the same floor in The Rankin as the Honors and Scholars community. Gill and Easton will live in Broadway Crossing and Courtyard I, respectively — both first-year communities.

“We know that informal faculty and student interaction is important to the success of students, and the Faculty In Residence program will add a new dimension to these interactions,” said Jonathan Lucia, CSU’s director of Residence Life. “We will begin the program with three outstanding faculty members who are enthusiastic about student success, and have

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Kimberly Gill, director of the Public Administration Program, relaxes in her Broadway Crossing apartment.

a track record of positively engaging with students inside and outside of the classroom.”

Faculty in Residence will make a campus apartment his or her full-time home starting this fall. Faculty will engage students through informal and formal programming and will provide assistance to students seeking academic support and guidance.

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CSU Faculty Ranked Among Georgia’s Top Online Professors A website that promotes the use of technology to improve accessibility to education has named two Columbus State University faculty members among its top professors teaching online in Georgia.

Amanda B. Hawkins, an associate professor of nursing and coordinator of CSU’s RN-toBSN Program, was named among the Top 20 Medical and Health Professors in Georgia, while Jan G. Burcham, CSU’s Moselle Worsley Fletcher Distinguished Chair in Teacher Hawkins Education, was among the Top 20 Education Professors in Georgia. Both lists were compiled by the website for Online Schools Georgia (http://onlineschoolsgeorgia.com).

Burcham interacts with students during class.

Student Recreation Center Wins Top Facilities Award CSU’s Student Recreation Center has been recognized with an Outstanding Sports Facilities Award by the nation’s leading campus recreation organization.

Rick Cravens, director of Campus Recreation at Columbus State, accepted the award at the annual National Intramural Recreational Sports Administration conference in April. A representative of the firm that designed CSU’s center, St. Louis-based Hastings+Chivetta Architects, Inc., also was on hand at the Las Vegas conference to accept the award, which focuses on architectural design, functionality and how well the facility meets its intended purpose.

For more on CSU’s Student Recreation Center, which is now available for use by alumni, and related programs at Columbus State, visit http:// ColumbusState.edu/campusrec.

Hundreds of students flow through CSU’s Student Recreation Center, recently recognized with a top award by the nation’s leading student recreation organization.

CSU Chemistry Department Achieves National Accreditation Columbus State University has achieved a major academic milestone with accreditation of its Department of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society.

ACS, the world’s largest scientific society and a leading source of authoritative scientific information, has more than 163,000 members.

ACS accreditation means Columbus State’s chemistry program, as stated in the organization’s letter to CSU President Tim Mescon, “meets the spirit and intent of the ACS guidelines for approved schools.”

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The accreditation has no defined period of time. All approved schools must report annually on degrees granted, chemistry faculty, and course offerings. Additionally, they must prepare a more extensive re-evaluation report on a regular schedule (currently five years) unless there appears to be a reason to submit a report earlier.

That status will help Columbus State chemistry faculty as they apply for research funding and means the programs and curriculum offered at CSU are on par with chemistry programs at some of the nation’s finest schools.

Focus on Columbus State University 5

New Programs Starting This Fall Columbus State continues to expand its slate of online and graduate programs. This fall, CSU introduces three master’s degree programs (a Master of Education in teacher leadership and a Master of Public Safety Administration and a Master of Education in Special Education), new online bachelor’s degrees in communication, criminal justice and in nursing, and an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership.

The M.Ed. program is designed for certified educators who want to keep teaching while extending their influence beyond their classrooms. It aims to help teachers improve their knowledge and skills in teaching their own content areas as well as in leadership, allowing them to develop the expertise to lead other educators to improve teaching and learning across all subject areas and grade levels.

Like its on-campus programs, CSU’s online RN-to-BSN, M.Ed. in special education and Ed.S. in educational leadership are fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.

In addition, the RN-to-BSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Ed.S. in educational leadership and the M.Ed. in special education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The Ed.S. in educational leadership has also been designated as a performancebased leadership program by the Georgia Public Standards Commission, and the M.Ed. in special education has been recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

The Master of Public Safety Administration program in CSU’s Command College is designed for law enforcement and other public safety professionals. See related stories, Pages 8-9.

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CSU’s Leadership Institute Unveils Whitewater Leadership Experience CSU’s Leadership Institute now offers an experiential, results-driven, learningoriented river trip incorporating teamwork, communication and trust — leadership concerns more often addressed in a classroom setting.

The whitewater offering is the latest addition to a full slate of leadership development experiences the university offers, said Eva Cooper, director of leadership and business development for CSU’s Leadership Institute.

“We are looking for ways that organizational team members can get out of the office, have a bit of fun, but also learn more about how they can operate more effectively on a day-to-day basis,” Cooper said. “These experiences can be tailored to a company’s Eva Cooper needs to address a full slate of issues.”

Find out more about the Leadership Institute and its wide array of experiential leadership development opportunities at http://ColumbusState.edu/leadership.

CSU Tennis Standout Paola Cigui Reaches No. 1 National Ranking CSU tennis star Paola Cigui became the first tennis player in Columbus State’s history to be ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Cigui, a native of Trieste, Italy, completed her ascension to the top of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II Poll as the organization released its final regular season rankings in May. In nine matches this year, she went 7-0 with two unfinished contests. Despite being under the weather the day before becoming the No. 2 player in the country, Cigui bested then-No. 1 Annie Hwang, giving Hwang her first career loss. Hwang finished the 2012 and 2011 seasons as the No. 1 ranked player in the country.

For more on CSU’s athletics teams and players, visit http://CSUCougars.com.

Focus on Columbus State University

Paola Cigui

Fall 2013

Columbus State’s Economic Impact Measured at $247 Million An annual study of the University System of Georgia’s economic impact on the state records a 7.4 percent increase from fiscal year 2011 to 2012 to a new high of $14.1 billion, and shows that Columbus State University has a $247 million economic impact on its surrounding region.

To calculate the economic impact for FY12, the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business analyzed data collected between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012. The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents and the study is conducted by Dr. Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center.

For Columbus State, the growth in economic impact has been significant.

Just a dozen years ago, in fiscal year 2000-2001, CSU’s total economic impact was recorded as $146.2 million.

Additionally, the report determined that 2,205 jobs existed — on campus and off campus — as a result of spending by the university.

Twelve years later, CSU’s economic impact in FY 2012 grew by $100 million to $247 million, the latest report shows.

The analysis says 2,620 local jobs can be attributed to CSU — 740 on campus and 1,880 off-campus jobs that exist due to institution-related spending. Initial spending by Columbus State University is measured at almost $58 million in personal services, $42.5 million in operating expenses and more than $97 million in student spending. A multiplier formula creates an “output impact” for CSU that’s measured at $247,387,901.

The full study with data for all 31 USG institutions is available at: http://www.usg. edu/economic_development/documents/ usg_Impact_fy2012.pdf

Fall 2013

Architect’s rendering of Military Service Walk along the Chattahoochee River.

Students Seek Correspondence Between Vets, Families for Military Service Walk A Servant Leadership graduate class at Columbus State University plans to honor the sacrifices of veterans and their families by establishing a Military Service Walk downtown as part of CSU’s Woodruff Park.

“The Military Service Walk will be a place that will evoke emotion and pride in the service of the Columbus-Fort Benning area through the portrayal of their correspondence in eras of conflict,” said Stuart Rayfield, CSU’s Frank Brown Distinguished Chair in Servant Leadership.

Rayfield called the project “a real opportunity to recognize the servant leadership that takes place on a daily basis by our service members and their families.”

Columbus architect Will Barnes has designed preliminary renderings of the walk and funding for Phase I of the project has already been secured from several local donors, including a large gift from the J. W and Ethel I. Woodruff Foundation.

Submissions to the project can be made at any branch of Columbus Bank and Trust or by sending email to militaryservicewalk@columbusbankandtrust.com CB&T branches will display a duffel bag with details of the project, including a form for submitting correspondence.

While organizers expect many of the submissions will be from Army soldiers and their families, they hope to have submissions from all branches of the armed forces.

Rayfield said students hope groundbreaking for Phase I of the project can occur by Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

2nd Professor Among 2013-2014 Fulbright Scholars A second Columbus State professor has been notified that he’s been selected as a 2013-2014 Fulbright Scholar.

About a month before Zewdu Gebeyehu got that news, the appointment of a CSU computer science professor, Vladimir Zanev, as a Fulbright Scholar was announced in March. He will also return to his home country, to teach this fall at the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Gebeyehu said he was motivated to apply for the grant after visiting his alma mater in the summer of 2011 and noting a shortage of chemistry professors qualified to help students pursuing a master’s or doctorate.

Only about 10-15 Georgia professors are selected annually for the competitive Fulbright program. Only one CSU professor had been selected before this year.

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Strategic Move

By Bill Sutley

CSU Master’s Degree Equips Atlanta Police Chief

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner talks with co-anchor Tracye Hutchins during her Better Mornings Atlanta show on CBS Atlanta Channel 46.

hanks in part to lessons learned at Columbus State, the Atlanta Police Department has a new strategic plan to guide its 1,600-plus officers over the next five years.

George N. Turner, Atlanta’s police chief since 2012, says he was equipped to guide creation of a new plan as a result of classes he took en route to a CSU Master of Public Administration in 2009.

While working on the MPA through CSU’s Command College, Turner said he began evaluating his department’s mission and vision statements to “see how accurate they were for the time.”

“Quite frankly, they were really well done,” Turner said in an April interview. “But the other piece was no one in the department knew the mission and vision.”

That’s when Turner started working on what would become a more formal, more widely shared strategic plan.

“Every time I came down here for class, I was able to take information back and begin to implement changes,”

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Congratulating Turner after he was honored by the College of Letters and Sciences in April are then-Dean David Lanoue, left, and Archie Rainey, director of CSU’s Command College.

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Focus on Columbus State University

Fall 2013

Turner said after being honored April 23 at an annual awards ceremony as an outstanding alumnus of CSU’s College of Letters and Sciences.

In recent years, since Turner became one of the Atlanta police force’s first Command College graduates, about 30 veteran officers of his department have traveled south for the graduate-level classes taken by about 1,000 top police executives throughout the state over the last 17 years.

Turner had nearly completed an education degree at Clark Atlanta University when he was first hired as an APD officer in 1981. In 2005, after several promotions through the chain of command, he was told he had “reached the ceiling” where another promotion could not occur without a college degree. That’s when Turner refocused on his education, completing a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Saint Leo University and then finished his MPA at Columbus State.

A colleague at the state level, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan, MPA ’98, called Turner “one of the finest executives in the law enforcement profession.”

“He is respected throughout the criminal justice community for his integrity, intellect and professionalism,” Keenan said.

Turner’s rise through the ranks coincided with a “tremendous reduction in overall crime in Atlanta,” with homicides alone falling from 247 in 1989 to 83 in 2012.

“We’re leading the nation in intelligence-driven policing and being looked at as a model in how to police,” Turner said. “It’s because of the strategic outlook in how we try to make a difference in our city.

Much of Atlanta’s policing intelligence comes in the form of data derived from analysis of past crimes and about 1.1 million 911 calls and other calls for service received annually. That gives Turner’s sergeants information to make better decisions about where officers should patrol to prevent or anticipate crime.

“The idea is not to react after a crime but to be in an area where we predict a crime might occur,” Turner said.

Also contributing to decreases in crime is the city’s growing integrated network of cameras in public areas, with about 90 percent of more than

2,500 cameras owned by private businesses and other groups cooperating with the APD to provide live feeds.

“We hope to grow that to about 10,000 cameras,” he said.

Speaking just days after similar cameras led to arrests in the Boston Marathon bombings, Turner noted that his police force deals with crowds that are about two and a half times larger at Atlanta’s popular annual 10K, the Peachtree Road Race.

“We will benefit from a network of cameras we’ve deployed,” he said.

Turner says the tight economy has allowed his department to get bettereducated officers and be more selective in recruiting and training about 250 recruits from 8,000 applicants each year. “We have a very high threshold,” he said.

One recent recruit had a doctorate and two master’s degrees.

“We’re bringing into the department a wide variety of people who have a wide range of skill sets,” he said.

“We’re hoping that, because of the work we’re doing, we’ll be able to keep these people around.”

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Focus on Columbus State University 9

Turner, who says Atlanta is now able to hire better-educated officers, congratulates Eucline Vincent, the top cadet at a recent Atlanta Police Academy graduation.

Master’s from Command College Gets New Name Future graduates from CSU’s Command College will receive a Master of Public Safety Administration instead of a Master of Public Administration.

The university won approval from the University System of Georgia in May to rename and revise the Command College degree designed for law enforcement and other public service professionals who are looking for career advancement opportunities that come with a master’s. The justice administration track of CSU’s Master of Public Administration degree program will remain available outside the Command College, through the Department of Political Science and Public Administration.

The evolution of two disciplines necessitated the new program.

“We wanted a split between public administration and public safety because both fields are becoming so specialized,” said David Lanoue, then dean of CSU’s College of Letters and Sciences.

“We wanted a standalone (program) to deal with issues specific to law enforcement, corrections and fire safety. It was something that was needed.”

Candidates in the master’s program designed for full-time public safety professionals will take five semesters, or two and half years, to complete degree requirements. CSU’s Command College has graduated 60 classes and about 1,000 students over the past 17 years.

Great Expectations Volleyball Coach Counting on Producing Excitement, Fans

Photos by Tamma Smith

By Tim Turner

Recruits (from left) Mary McCarty, McKenzie Bragg and Kierston Smith are ready to start the season.

10 Focus on Columbus State University

hen Casey Cornett talks about expectations for her inaugural Columbus State women’s volleyball team, the coach’s eyes dance with excitement.

She says they’re going to be good, they’re going to shock Peach Belt Conference opponents, and they’re going to thrill spectators with signature “kill” shots that will keep fans coming back for more.

“I may be biased, but there is nothing more exciting than when a girl goes up and cranks on the ball, and just kills on the other side,” Cornett said. “Or when a girl goes up and she hits the ball so hard that the defense can’t get out of the way and it hits a girl on the shoulder or even on the head.”

That’s aggressive. That’s powerful.

And, for Cornett, that’s the kind of play she hopes will produce victories and draw crowds to the Lumpkin Center this fall as CSU resurrects women’s volleyball after a 31-year absence.

From 1966-1982, Columbus College’s volleyball team, coached solely

by Mary V. Blackmon, won more than 200 games, including an 11-0 mark in 1977 — the first-ever perfect record in the history of the Georgia Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

“There are obviously differences from then and now,” said Blackmon, now retired and living in Columbus.

“It’s exciting to see the contrast. I think they made a good choice (hiring Cornett). She’s very enthusiastic and a hard worker. I think (re-starting the program) is a very good thing.”

What is CSU going to do for its long-awaited encore? If Cornett, a former assistant at UNC-Charlotte, has her way, she’ll launch a program that immediately will have people talking about Columbus State.

“I don’t want confidence to be confused with cocky,” Cornett said.

“But I want to be among the top three in the conference. I want to shock people who did not expect us to be this good. I want it to be where they say, ‘Where did Columbus State come from? They’re not supposed to be this good.’”

Cornett, hired in mid-2012, was unfazed by the prospect of rebuilding a program after three years as

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McKenzie Bragg practices spiking in a solo practice.

an assistant coach. Relying on the advice of mentors with similar experiences, she’s signed 16 players, constructing a roster designed for long-range success, with three juniors, four sophomores and nine freshmen.

“I’d have all gray hair by the end of the season,” Cornett said of the prospect of an all-freshman squad. “If you recruited all freshmen, you’d have people who never had the opportunity to be away from mom and dad, and trying to do academics and social life. You have to have some experience.”

Some of the players she recruited from other colleges liked the idea of joining a program that was just getting started.

“They could have gone to more renowned schools but chose us because it was a brand new program,” she said.

“The girls are extremely talented and deserve to be here.”

Big is the operative word when describing players on Cornett’s first team. She says they will have size and power, playing a brand of volleyball that will grow on fans.

“We’re going to have a very tall team,” Cornett said.

“Got a 6-3 girl, a 6-2 girl. When they walk around campus, you’re not going to be able to miss them. Even Jonathan (Norton, CSU’s women’s basketball coach) asks about them. One of my girls (Mary McCarty, a graduate of Columbus’ Calvary Christian School) plays for him, in fact.”

Cornett hopes to surprise — perhaps even shock — some spectators with the aggressive nature of her team’s play.

“You’re going to see some powerful girls just annihilating the volleyball,” she said. “They’re going to go up, and you will never see a girl hit a volleyball that hard. I think they’ll also see them hitting the floor, rolling out of dives.

They’ll see girls crossing each other making attacks.

Volleyball Schedule 2013 SEPTEMBER Sat Sept. 7 Limestone CSU-Hughston Clinic Invitational ...............12:30 p.m.

Fort Valley St. CSU-Hughston Clinic Invitational ......................7 p.m.

Wed Sept. 11 at Fort Valley St. ...............................................7 p.m.

Fri Sept. 13 at GRU Augusta * ..............................................7 p.m.

Sat Sept. 14 at Georgia College * ...........................................noon

at West Ga. .......................................................2 p.m.

Tue Sept. 17 at Montevallo * .................................................6 p.m.

Fri Sept. 20 vs. South Dakota Mines @ Saint Leo, Fla. Saint Leo Invitational ......................................10 a.m.

vs. Cedarville @ Saint Leo, Fla. Saint Leo Invitational ..........................................noon Sat Sept. 21 at Saint Leo Saint Leo Classic Saint Leo Invitational .............1 p.m.

vs. Molloy @ Saint Leo, Fla. Saint Leo Invitational ........................................5 p.m.

Fri Sept. 27 Armstrong * ....................................................7 p.m.

Sat Sept. 28 Flagler * ............................................................noon OCTOBER Fri Oct. 4 Sat Oct. 5 Wed Oct. 9 Fri Oct. 11 Sat Oct. 12 Wed Oct. 16 Fri Oct. 18 Sat Oct. 19 Tue Oct. 22 Tue Oct. 29

at USC Aiken * ..................................................7 p.m. at Lander * .......................................................2 p.m.

Fort Valley St. .................................................7 p.m.

Francis Marion * .............................................7 p.m.

UNC Pembroke * .............................................2 p.m. at Albany St. (Ga.) .............................................6 p.m.

Georgia College * ............................................7 p.m.

GRU Augusta * ................................................2 p.m.

Montevallo * ...................................................7 p.m. at Shorter .........................................................7 p.m.

NOVEMBER Fri Nov. 1 Sat Nov. 2 Fri Nov. 8 Sat Nov. 9 Fri Nov. 15 Sat Nov. 16

at Flagler * .......................................................7 p.m. at Armstrong * ..................................................2 p.m.

Lander * ..........................................................6 p.m.

USC Aiken * ......................................................noon at UNC Pembroke * .....................................7:30 p.m. at Francis Marion * ...........................................2 p.m.

* Conference event Home games are in bold

I think they’ll see a very fast-paced, energetic game.”

The fun begins at home Sept. 6 with the Hughston Orthopedic Invitational, when CSU opens with matches against Limestone, Fort Valley State and Shaw University.

Until then, it’s all preparation and expectations.

“I’ve recruited well,” Cornett said.” We will run everything the way I did when coaching at Division I. There may be a little bit of cockiness in there. But I feel I’ve got the talent. Athleticism is not going to be a question. The question is: Can I get them to bond in a month before we play that very first match? That’s the only thing I’m concerned about. Can I get them to play as a team?”

NCAA rules prohibited Cornett from starting her inaugural team’s practices before the start of the fall semester.

“They are given a summer workout packet. And

it’s not something that I can make them do. It’s This banner, visible from Inerstate 185 on the west side of main campus, is one of several sharing the good news about the rankings. totallysigns voluntary,” she said.

“But I know they’re

all working out.”

11 Mary McCarty, Caytlin Merritt and Kierston Smith

New Online Degrees Feature Affordability, Convenience, Credibility

ColumbusState.edu/degreein3

olumbus State University is dispelling the notion that higher education is an intimidating, high-cost adventure so littered with options, and so confusing, that some students get lost, or quit altogether.

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CSU is combating these stereotypes — especially for those who think college is not really a viable option — with new online programs in communication and criminal justice. Both degrees are affordably priced and streamlined to easily guide students to a bachelor’s degree in just three years.

A quick trip to cyberspace reveals that online degrees are more popular than ever, offered by an ever-expanding list of institutions.

Columbus State’s new degrees are different because they come from an accredited institution, are backed by the full resources of a comprehensive university and, thus, ensure credibility. The new programs also feature: • Discounted tuition to make college more accessible. With full financial aid, most students can finish with little or no student debt.

• A computer for all enrolled students that is theirs to keep if they finish the degree.

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• Easier to follow class schedules and the elimination of unnecessary courses that delay degree completion.

• Assigned advisors who will help with everything from registration to graduation, monitoring progress of each student.

The university’s new degree programs are supported by a national grant designed to encourage the development of programs that are more affordable and easier to access for many different populations.

To put the programs in place, faculty have been working at a pace that might be considered light speed for the university world. It was

Focus on Columbus State University

announced in October 2012 that the University System of Georgia had received a $1 million grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges, a national initiative to improve college readiness and completion, led

by Educause and principally funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The system chose Columbus State University to develop the degree program for a fall 2013 launch.

“Last summer when the Board of Regents wanted a partner for this grant, the communication program was selected because we knew the program could be delivered in the format sought by the grant,” said Richard Baxter, dean of the College of the Arts, which oversees the communication department. “The program opens opportunities for a college education for a population of students who might not otherwise be able to attend college because of the costs and-or being bound to a geographic location where they could not easily get a degree. It also enhances the retention and graduation success of students who might have to move after beginning a degree program.”

CSU’S provost and vice president for academic affairs, Tom Hackett,

Spring 2013

focusing only on what’s needed to complete a degree. Students who have already accumulated numerous credit hours from other colleges or universities will not be able to transfer most of those credits into this new program.

The communication degree, which includes a civic leadership focus, offers a practical and economical pathway to a successful career in numerous professions such as community relations, public affairs, nonprofit management, and association or organization administration. CSU’s online communication program is carefully crafted to prepare students for the professional and interpersonal challenges of today’s workplace. CSU Degree in 3’s civic leadership focus will create exceptionally well-qualified students for today’s professional environment, officials say.

The criminal justice degree can lead to career opportunities in law, public service or law enforcement. Graduates often find jobs with local, state and federal government agencies such as city and state police and sheriffs’ departments, probation and parole departments, FBI, drug enforcement agencies, the Secret Service, correctional institutions, juvenile justice agencies and in private, industrial security.

said serving traditionally underserved populations, expanding the university’s reach online and improving retention were all important reasons why the university decided to offer this new way of delivering a bachelor’s degree. Actually implementing the programs was the complicated part.

“Our faculty really pulled together to figure how to make this happen,” Hackett said. “We enlisted the help of veteran English Professor Barbara Hunt to serve as project manager for this initiative, and she and her team — and a lot of other teams on campus — have done a great job of working out all the details so we can offer these degrees.”

Many of the difficulties centered on creating classes that could be completed in seven weeks. Making the classes more convenient for students meant reworking a course that regularly fit into a 16-week schedule, then putting it online. Obviously, this course delivery also applied to all university’s required prerequisites, and then had to be matched with all the supporting enrollment services functions such as financial aid, registration, grading and testing.

A new website, ColumbusState. edu/degreein3, details the complete schedule and pricing for students in each program. Tuition for each sevenweek, two-course term is designed to make a college education seem more achievable for students who might otherwise think a degree is out of reach, too expensive or too complicated. Because of the grant, tuition for the Degree in 3 program is $1,200 per term, meaning students who are receiving the full benefits of financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, may have almost no out-of-pocket expenses.

The programs provide students multiple complementary avenues, such as online courses, opportunities to create portfolios for credit, service learning and some work that can be self-paced to a student’s knowledge.

Students will advance through a series of key achievements that include the opportunities to receive certificate credentials within the first year, an associate’s degree before the end of year two and the bachelor’s degree upon completion.

The degree is well suited for those in the military, those out of school for a few years, working adults or those looking for a streamlined experience

Fall 2013

Focus on Columbus State University 13

What You Said Survey of CSU Alumni Reveals Strengths and Areas Needing Improvement

By John Lester

he first-ever survey of Columbus State University’s alumni has revealed valuable information about CSU’s graduates and what they think about their alma mater, and the results will provide the basis for future Alumni Association programming and events.

Bottom-line impressions are that the university’s alumni are pleased with their educational experience and feel good overall about Columbus State University. However, the research also shows many apparently are unaware of how to become engaged with the university and the alumni association after they graduate.

This insight will greatly aid CSU’s alumni relations staff as it moves forward, adds another employee and explores different ways to serve CSU alumni.

“I’m very pleased with what we learned,” said Jennifer Joyner, director of CSU’s Office of Alumni Relations. “I think it shows our alumni feel good about the experiences they had at CSU, and it shows there are a lot of opportunities for us to connect with them as alumni.”

To discover these alumni attitudes and opinions, the

T

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Fall 2013

alumni relations office contracted with the university’s Social Research Center to design, distribute and analyze the survey. Kyle Christensen, professor and director of the research center, distributed the survey to about 5,600 alumni from the university’s records with a goal of determining “the needs, interests, and goals of the alumni community.”

About 400 people completed at least part of the survey, and 290 graduates completed the survey entirely. With a confidence interval of plus-or-minus 6 percent, Christensen said the respondents were representative of those emailed, in terms of location, gender, age and donor status.

“Most people have a positive opinion of CSU in general,” Christensen said, noting that more than 90 percent of respondents said it was a good or great decision to attend Columbus State University. That opinion was emphasized by more than 95 percent of respondents who responded “excellent” or “good” to two key questions: • “Which of the following best describes your experience as a student at Columbus State University?”

• “Which of the following best describes your current opinion of Columbus State University?”

While the overwhelmingly positive responses to those questions were gratifying to discover, perhaps more revealing were the responses to questions asked about our graduates’ experiences as alumni. The responses were not negative, as more than 40 percent responded “good.”

But the most instructive part was that almost the same percentage of people responded with “no opinion.”

“This is a red flag,” Christensen said. “Our alumni really have an information gap. We have a great opportunity to reach out to them to get involved.”

How much of each of the following impacts your overall opinion of Columbus State University?

Value/Respect for degree – Campus aesthetics (e.g. buildings, grounds, etc.) –

Media visibility – (e.g. newspaper, magazine, articles, etc. ) History/Tradition – Accomplishments of the alumni – School rankings – (e.g. U.S. News and World Report Accomplishments of the faculty – Outreach to the community – No impact on my opinion

Accomplishments – of students

Some impact on my opinion

Success of – athletic teams

Significantly impacts my opinion Critically impacts my opinion No opinion

Fall 2013

Providing – scholarships Other –

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Focus on Columbus State University 15

These insights come just as the university is finalizing its updated strategic plan, which will explicitly list expanding alumni engagement as one of its primary goals. Such a focus will also likely be included in the CSU’s Foundation’s strategic plan, which will be developed now that the university has finished its work, said Alan Medders, vice president for university advancement.

“We timed this data-gathering effort to complement all the planning efforts we have under way,” Medders said.

“This information will be so useful as we develop events, communications, alumni groups and other efforts in the coming years.”

Other highlights of the survey, based on those who responded: • More than 85 percent of alumni promote CSU to others at least sometime.

• Alumni overwhelmingly believe their degree prepared them for their current job, new careers and for graduate school.

• About 35 percent participated in campus organizations and-or professional or career-related organizations while in college.

• Distance away from CSU, family or job commitments and time are the most prevalent limiting factors that prevent alumni from participating in more activities.

• Email is the most preferred way of communicating.

• Quality of the university’s communications (magazine, email, websites) are generally thought to be good or excellent.

Alumni Engagement Opportunities, Services and Benefits Engagement Opportunities

CSU’s Center for Career Development offers its services to alumni, including résumé-building and refinement of job search capabilities and interviewing skills.

• Mentor a current CSU student.

• Help recruit high school students.

• Become involved with your college or program.

• Attend CSU events, such as athletic games or gatherings specifically for alumni like Alumni Weekend, First Thursday and Cougar Coffee.

• Volunteer with the Alumni Association or your college or department or at university outreach centers.

• Find on http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu, where you can join the alumni online community.

• Join the CSU Alumni Association Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram pages.

Services, Benefits for CSU alumni • Center for Career Development

• Connect with classmates and CSU

Give us your email, and you will receive online communication about engagement opportunities.

Keeping your mailing address and contact information up-to-date with the Alumni Relations office is important in receiving information about alumni opportunities.

• Membership at the Student Recreation Center Alumni are eligible for membership at the Student Recreation Center for a fee.

• Scholarships for alumni attending CSU graduate programs Scholarships are available for alumni to apply for when returning to CSU as a graduate student.

For more information, contact the CSU Alumni Relations office at 706-507-8956 or email jennifer.joyner@ColumbusState.edu.

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Fall 2013

How well did the highest degree from CSU prepare you?

Poor Preparation

Fair Preparation

Good Preparation

Excellent Preparation

Current work status –

Commitment to continuous learning –

Responding to new career opportunities –

Contributing to my community – Deepening my understanding and commitment to personal development –

Further graduate education –

0%

20%

• Most people read alumni communications.

• Almost 40 percent currently financially support CSU and plan to continue.

• A majority of alumni did not know that their gifts reduce tuition and expenses for current students.

• Alumni want to hear more about graduate programs.

• Most alumni don’t attend attend CSU athletic events, but of those who do, basketball is most popular.

“These survey results are really going to drive the actions of our board of directors,” Joyner said. Her initial observations were that the alumni association needed to concentrate on communication, mentoring and networking. Some of those areas are already being addressed with monthly programs such as the alternating First Thursday and Cougar Coffee events, the new alumni website and a new focus on collecting email addresses and up-to-date contact information for all alumni.

40%

60%

80%

100%

Such efforts follow the survey report’s four recommendations: 1. There is “tremendous growth potential” for expanding Columbus State University’s alumni network and engagement.

2. Ensure whatever experiences and communications are developed are of high quality so alumni feel it is worth their time.

3. Keep a focus on the expanding quality and stature of the university.

4. Develop the alumni network by engaging existing students.

“Our alumni are vitally important to the past, present and future of Columbus State University,” Medders said.

“We should be very proud that they see great value in the degree they earned here. We now need to make sure we figure out more ways for them to stay connected, and see the value of doing so.”

Alumni: Expect a brief email survey this fall to capture information regarding your career and professional success. Information you share will remain anonymous, aggregated to help CSU with: • National rankings • Accreditation • Student recruitment • Degree value The survey will be no more than 10 questions and completely anonymous.

If you want to participate and think we lack your email address or have an inaccurate email address, contact us at alumni@ColumbusState.edu.

Fall 2013

Focus on Columbus State University 17

Retired Executive Funds Unique Scholarship at Columbus State A longtime CSU supporter, retired Aflac executive R. Duke Miller, has established an endowment that will provide scholarships and offer gifted students unique extras to enhance their academic experiences.

Miller said he wants his scholarship recipients, CSU’s Miller Scholars, to maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Those with a 3.3 GPA or better will qualify for extra funding for special school-related needs.

“Columbus State appreciates Mr. Miller’s belief that the best students thrive on opportunity, and incentives like these help motivate them,” said Alan Medders, CSU’s vice president for University Advancement. “This will help attract more promising students, and the beauty of this is that it will encourage them to be among the best students by the time they graduate.”

Miller said his interest in funding this new $500,000 scholarship endowment grew out of a post-concert discussion in about 2006 with a strings student.

18

“I was very impressed with her commitment to entertaining people,” Miller said. “I became very interested in her attitude and asked, `What do you want to do with your life and career?’”

Responding that she wanted to become a professional musician, Miller asked about the best route toward that goal and possible obstacles. The student mentioned she needed to compete at a national level, but prestigious competitions required entry fees that couldn’t always be covered by CSU or the student. Miller funded the student’s next entry fee to compete nationally.

“I just wanted to help someone,” Miller said, later discussing the situation with his attorney, Morton A. Harris, a CSU Foundation senior trustee.

“We thought, if it’s good for one, it might be good for others, too,” Miller said. “So we decided we might eventually have an open-ended endowment.”

Miller and his late wife, Lois, were longtime supporters of CSU’s Schwob School of Music, attending performances, offering financial support and

Focus on Columbus State University

CSU President Tim Mescon, center, visits with Duke Miller and a friend, Mary Pierson, at Spring Harbor Retirement Community, thanking Miller for his scholarship endowment. leading patron organizations. In 2010, they made a $50,000 donation to the Schwob school for similar purposes.

Miller’s 2013 gift offers scholarships to deserving students in any CSU program, as well as incentives to cover travel, technology, books — whatever CSU administrators agree will help students excel.

For more information on establishing an endowment or making other gifts, contact Spence Sealy, associate vice president for development, at 706-507-8955 or visit http://ColumbusState.edu/giving.

Spring 2013

Sparks will Fly at

Alumni Weekend Oct. 11-12!

The Office of Alumni Relations. in conjunction with the Special Events Committee of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, is planning an exciting Alumni Weekend full of fellowship, fun and fireworks for Oct. 11-12, The weekend kicks off on Friday evening at a new venue in Uptown Columbus, The Living Room. The Friday Night Free for All is always a fun night where alumni and current faculty gather for light hors d’oeuvres and beverages in a unique location, said Jennifer Joyner, Alumni Relations director.

“The kickoff to the weekend is widely attended by a variety of alumni. They really enjoy meeting current faculty and deans of their respective colleges,” she said.

“It is going to be a casual and relaxed evening in one of the hottest locations for fun in Uptown Columbus.”

A change this year is that the CSU Alumni Association Annual Meeting will be held the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12, prior to the Alumni Recognition Luncheon.

Previously, this was a separate event, usually held in May. At the Alumni Recognition Luncheon, outstanding alumni will be honored in four distinct categories.

Additionally, CSU graduates and attendees going back 50 years or more will be inducted into the Emeritus Alumni Society. This special group of alumni enjoys getting together and reminiscing about the early years of Columbus College.

The Evening on the Top was such a big hit at Alumni Weekend 2012, the Alumni Association has brought it back on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“Imagine a picnic-like atmosphere on top of a decorated parking garage in Uptown Columbus with great river views while listening to fun bands guaranteed to get you up and dancing,” Joyner said.

The Grapevine Band is back by popular demand and another act, the Andy Luker Experience, has been added to cater to younger alumni. Between performances, the CSU Alumni Association will light up the sky with a fireworks show sponsored by the W.C. Bradley Co. “We have really kicked it up a notch this year, hoping to appeal to alumni of all ages while making it affordable for everyone to enjoy,” said Sommer Bundy, events chair and secretary-elect of the alumni association.

“These events are geared for family fun, and we are looking forward to having the most successful alumni event CSU has ever held! We hope everyone makes plans to attend at least one event.”

Paul Holmer-Monte, president of the CSU Alumni Association, said: “I can’t wait for Alumni Weekend this year, from the Friday Night Free for All to Saturday’s Evening on the Top. I know I will be having tons of fun and reconnecting with other alumni at the same time.

This is guaranteed to be the CSU alumni event that you do not want to miss.”

For more information, visit http://myCSU.Columbus State.edu or call Jennifer Joyner at 706-507-8956.

Fall 2013

Scenes from the 2012 Alumni Weekend

Focus on Columbus State University 19

Class Notes 1976

Larry Wortzel, B.A., published his new book, The Dragon Extends Its Reach: Chinese Military Power Goes Global, in June. The author or editor of 10 previously published books about China, Wortzel’s new book puts China’s military growth into historical context. Wortzel currently resides in Williamsburg, Va.

1977

Rock Payne, B.S., was elected in May to the Board of Governors of the National Solid Waste Management Association, an industry group that represents private sector owners, operators and others working in waste collection, disposal and recycling. Payne has been involved in the industry for over 35 years, holding executive positions at Waste Management, the Santi Group and United Wastewater Management. Payne currently is managing director of Eddie Dick & Associates and Superior Advisory Group, which specialize in mergers and acquisitions and restructurings in the waste industry.

1982

Amanda Bohannon Hawkins, A.A., an associate professor of nursing and coordinator of Columbus State’s RN-toBSN Program, was named among the Top 20 Medical and Health Professors in Georgia by Online Schools Georgia. CSU’s RN-to-BSN Program allows registered nurses lacking a bachelor’s degree to return to school for a year and complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, taking all classes online, on their schedule.

Hawkins, who joined Columbus State in 1994, was nominated as CSU’s Educator of the Year in 2001. An expert in medical-surgical nursing, she also holds degrees from Troy and George Mason University. (Story, Page 5.)

1985

Robin Hermann Harrell, B.A., displayed her artwork in May at the 17th annual Arts in the Park in Columbus.

Having previously displayed her work during the early years of the event at Lakebottom/Weracoba Park, Harrell took this past year to feature her portraits of a variety of dogs.

1993

Christopher Wommack, B.S., was honored in April at the CSU College of Letters and Sciences Annual Awards

20

Ceremony with the 2013 Alumni of the Year award for Sciences and Mathematics. Wommack graduated summa cum laude from CSU with a degree in chemistry. He earned his M.D. from what was then the Medical College of Georgia in 1997. He then completed his internship and residency at Medical Center East Emergency Room in Birmingham, Ala., where he served as chief resident his final year.

Since 2000, he has worked in family medicine at Horizons Diagnostics in Columbus, where he is also on the Board of Directors and the Quality Assurance Committee. Wommack has served on the Credentials Committee and Epidemiology Committee at St. Francis Hospital, and he continues to volunteer at the Good Shepherd Clinic.

1995

Charles “Chuck” Nobes, BBA, and his wife, Jenny, own Columbus Home Medical Equipment. Before moving into the health care arena last fall, Nobes worked as an accountant, insurance agent and banker, in addition to owning a tax-preparation business and owning, managing and flipping rental properties, working with his wife. They have two daughters: Reniker, 10, and Ellis, 8.

1999

Bryan Senior, BBA, was recently named assistant athletic director for business operations at Columbus State. Senior has direct oversight of the athletic department’s operating budget, which includes proposing and monitoring sport-specific budgets, preparing budget analysis reports and handling all scholarship, financial aid and endowed scholarship procedures. Senior had been working in CSU’s Office of Internal Audit.

2001

Kynna Duncil Garner, B.S., has joined the Atlanta family law firm of Warner, Bates, McGough, McGinnis and Portnoy as an associate. The firm is one of the largest and most well-established family law firms in Georgia, having focused exclusively in the areas of matrimonial and family law for over three decades.

2002

Janet Sorrell, Ed.S., has been appointed by the Houston County Board of Education as the new principal of Parkwood Elementary School. Sorrell, an educator for 14 years, previously served as the assistant principal for instruction at Shirley Hills Elementary

Focus on Columbus State University

School. She received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, a master’s in teaching from Georgia College and State University, and then a specialist in educational leadership from Columbus State before going on to earn her doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University.

2003

Monica Sparks, Ed.S., graduated from Valdosta State University in May of this year with an Ed.D. in adult and career education.

2004

Brian Childress, MPA, was promoted to chief of police of the Valdosta Police Department in February. Previously, Childress served as the investigative bureau commander of the Valdosta police force.

2005

Thomas Hill, B.A., was named Officer of the Year in May during the Columbus Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. Hill, who joined the police department in June of 2007, works with the department’s Bureau of Investigations in the Burglary and Theft Unit.

Susan Vann Keigans, MBA, has been elected by her banking peers across the state as vice president of the Georgia Bankers Association’s Leadership GBA Executive Committee.

Leadership GBA Keigans supports the advancement of the state’s career bankers, planning an annual Leadership Conference and organizing other activities. Keigans is currently executive vice president of Planters and Citizens Bank in Camilla. She also chairs the Camilla Chamber of Commerce and is finance chair for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mitchell County.

2007

Trent Bianco, BBA, MATC ‘12, took over the Heard County High School baseball program as the Braves’ new head coach this summer. Previously, Bianco was an assistant coach at Carrollton High School, where he was a standout baseball player during his high school years. Bianco was the starting catcher on CSU’s 2007 Division II World Series team that finished as national runner-up.

Fall 2013

Nicole de Vries, BBA, MBA ‘09, is one of 25 Georgians, ages 20-40, selected by a non-partisan organization trying to improve the state, Georgia Forward, for its inaugural class of Young Gamechangers. The annual program brings together about 30 young innovators, “doers” and thinkers from across the state to tackle a specific policy challenge. De Vries, former manager of academic data at Columbus State, now works for the University System of Georgia.

Eric Finch, MPA, currently serves as chief of the Montezuma Police Department in Georgia. In April, Finch was selected to meet with Vice President Joe Biden at the White House to give input on the Omnibus Gun Violence Prevention Bill. While in Washington, Finch also met with senators and representatives from both major parties.

Leonard Moore, B.S., has been accepted to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars program at the University of California at Los Angeles. This prestigious fellowship focuses on health policy and communitybased participatory research. Dr. Moore is currently a senior primary care internal medicine resident at Yale University’s School of Medicine, which he will complete in June 2014. “Clinical Scholars is among the most prestigious fellowships awarded to physicians,” said David M. Krol, the foundation’s senior program officer. “For years, Clinical Scholars have been leaving their mark as White House Fellows; government health officials at the state and federal levels; medical school deans; leaders of private medical institutions and, always, as physicians dedicated to the highest standards of patient care.”

2008

Francyn Salas, BBA, was promoted to assistant vice president and senior consumer loan specialist at BankPacific.

Salas has been a member of the BankPacific family since 2009.

2009

Michael Colman, MPA, was recently promoted to director of EMS Operations for Grady Health System’s Ambulance Service. This division’s 46 ambulances and 250 field staff respond to over 107,000 emergency 911 calls made

annually by Atlanta citizens and visitors.

With 20 years of EMS experience, Colman was recently awarded the 2013 Georgia EMS Region 3 Service Director of the Year award.

Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand, BFA, is currently producing and starring in a science fiction film, Rescue. Over the past year, Hand has been cast in over 50 union and non-union projects in New York City, where she lives. She’s the cofounder and artistic director at Edge in Motion, an NYC theater company. Hand’s resume now includes work in national commercials and lead and supporting roles in film and television, including appearances on WE, HBO, FX and the Cartoon Network.

Joseph Palmer, B.M., won first prize in the CSU Schwob School of Music’s Division 1 competition of the 2013 Guitar Symposium Competition. The field of competitors consisted of 58 guitarists from around the world. This is the fifth first place prize Palmer has won in an international competition in the past year. Palmer is currently a doctoral student at the University of Texas.

Kristin Taylor, B.A., was honored in April at the CSU College of Letters and Sciences Annual Awards Ceremony with the 2013 Alumni of the Year award for Humanities. Taylor is currently a multimedia features and technical writer for the New York-based United Nations Children’s Fund. She shapes program and policy communications into accessible language for UNICEF websites and social media channels, also writing text for UNICEF exhibitions. Taylor has been published in the Children’s Literature Association Quarterly and co-authored a piece in Wellness and Writing Connections: Writing for Better Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health.

As a senior at Columbus State, Taylor was the recipient of the Faculty Cup, CSU’s highest student honor. After graduation, she worked as a teaching assistant at CSU for two English classes and worked at TSYS as a Spanishspeaking client services analyst.

George Turner, MPA, was honored in April at the CSU College of Letters and Sciences Annual Awards Ceremony with the 2013 Alumni of the Year award for Social Sciences. Turner joined the Atlanta Police Department

in 1981 and worked in most areas of the department before being appointed police chief in 2010. During his two-year command of the Zone One Precinct in northwest Atlanta, one of the city’s more challenging precincts, he was credited with helping reduce overall crime by 17 percent. Turner has extensive experience with dignitary and executive protection within the U.S. and abroad, and he has received commendations from the Secret Service and the FBI for his work on protective details with presidents, other high-level officials and heads of state. Turner serves on the boards of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. (Story, Page 8)

2011

Kayra Velez, BBA, has joined the Office of Alumni Relations at Columbus State University as associate director. Velez was an honors student while at CSU and graduated cum laude. Previously, Velez was marketing manager at the River Valley Regional Commission’s office in Columbus.

2012

Mary House, M.S., currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., and works for Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense technology company that’s one of the world’s largest defense contractors. House was highlighted in May in the Ledger-Enquirer as a former recipient of a Ledger-Enquirer Page One Award. House won in the category of music in 2006.

Harry McCann, MPA, recently graduated from the FBI National Academy Program. As director of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Law Enforcement Academy, McCann is the first law enforcement academy director in the state to earn this distinction. McCann was among 268 law enforcement officers who participated in the 252nd session of the National Academy Program. Before joining GPTC in 2008, McCann was an officer with the Conyers Police Department.

Rebecca Paepcke, MAT, married Christopher Vecchione in Columbus on Jan. 20, later moving to Wichita, Kan., where she’s teaching seventh- and eighth-grade math intervention for the Wichita Public Schools.

Submit Your Class Notes: http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu/ (Online Community tab) Fall 2013

Focus on Columbus State University 21

Calendar

Oct. - Dec. 2013 OCTOBER 3 CSU Alumni. Cougar Coffee. Enjoy a coffee with fellow alumni. 7 a.m. The Egg and I (restaurant, 2528 Weems Road). Visit http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu for more information.

3-14 Art Department. Senior Thesis Exhibition.

Illges Gallery. Corn Center for the Visual Arts.

5 CSU Women’s Soccer. Young Harris. Walden Soccer Complex. 1 p.m.

9 CSU Volleyball. Fort Valley St. Lumpkin Center. 7 p.m.

9-10 Oxbow Meadows. Radical Reptiles. 2 p.m. Visit http://ColumbusState.edu/Oxbow for more information.

11 CSU Volleyball. Francis Marion. Lumpkin Center. 7 p.m.

11-12 CSU Alumni. Alumni Weekend. Enjoy an exciting reunion weekend. Visit http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu for more information.

12 CSU Volleyball. UNC Pembroke. Lumpkin Center. 2 p.m.

15-23 Art Department. Faculty and Alumni Exhibition.

17-20 CSU Theatre Department. Almost, Maine. Riverside Theatre Complex. Oct. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.

30 CSU Women’s Soccer. Montevallo. Walden Soccer Complex. 6 p.m.

18 CSU Women’s Soccer. Valdosta State. Walden Soccer Complex. 4 p.m.

30 Schwob School of Music. CSU Philharmonic. Free.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

18 CSU Volleyball. Georgia College. Lumpkin Center. 7 p.m.

NOVEMBER

18 Schwob School of Music. CSU Jazz Ensemble. Free.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

2 CSU Women’s Soccer. UNC Pembroke. Walden Soccer Complex. 1 p.m.

19 CSU Volleyball. Georgia Regents University Augusta.

Lumpkin Center. 2 p.m.

2 Oxbow Meadows. Harvest in the Meadows. Fall festival event. 4-8 p.m

19 Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Astronomy Night.

Stargazing and planet viewing at the center, 701 Front Ave. 7 p.m.

3 Schwob School of Music. CSU Trombone Ensemble.

Free. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall.

7:30 p.m.

22 CSU Volleyball. Montevallo. Lumpkin Center. 7 p.m.

4 Schwob School of Music. Guitar and Voice Studio Ensemble. Free. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

22 Continuing Education. Celebration of American Wines. Cost: $59. Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center. 7 p.m.

23 CSU Women’s Soccer. North Georgia. Walden Soccer Complex. 6 p.m.

7 CSU Alumni. First Thursday. Network with fellow alumni.

5 p.m. Visit http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu for more information.

24 CSU Alumni. Doughboy Classic Football Game.

CSU’s tackle football club team faces the Fort Benning club team. A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. Tailgating featuring food, family-friendly fun. 5-7 p.m. Game, 7 p.m.

8 CSU Volleyball. Lander. Lumpkin Center. 6 p.m.

24 Schwob School of Music. University Singers. Free.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

9 Continuing Education. Andersonville National Historic Site Tour. Cost is $45 and includes bus transportation and a box lunch.

8-10 CSU Theatre Department. Our Town. Riverside Theatre Complex. Nov. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.

Tower Society Event More than 100 people attended the Tower Society spring dinner event, held in June at TSYS’s headquarters in downtown Columbus. Tower Society members were able to meet several students to learn more about their experiences in the Honors Program, which Tower Society members heartily support. The evening was hosted by TSYS and gave Tower Society members an exclusive experience at the highlevel security campus where hundreds of CSU alumni are employed.

22

Focus on Columbus State University

Fall 2013

9 CSU Volleyball. USC Aiken. Lumpkin Center. Noon.

10 Schwob School of Music. CSU Percussion Ensemble.

Free. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 4 p.m.

14 Continuing Education. Make and Take a Holiday Wreath. Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center. $39. 6-9 p.m.

CSU’s Lady Cougars were chosen as preseason favorites in a poll of Peach Belt Conference women’s soccer coaches.

14-16 CSU Theatre Department. Our Town. Riverside Theatre Complex. 7:30 p.m.

16 Oxbow Meadows. Wildlife Walks. 10 a.m.

Pre-registration is required. Call 706-507-8550 or visit http://ColumbusState.edu/Oxbow.

16 Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Astronomy Night.

Stargazing and planet viewing at the center, 701 Front Ave. 7 p.m.

17 Schwob School of Music. CSU Trumpet Ensemble.

Free. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 4 p.m.

18 CSU Alumni. CSU Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting. 6 p.m.

18 Schwob School of Music. CSU Wind Orchestra. Free.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

21-24 Schwob School of Music. Opera Performance: Amahl and the Night Visitors. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

Studio Theatre. Nov. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24 at 3 p.m.

25 Schwob School of Music. CSU Philharmonic. Free.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Legacy Hall. 7:30 p.m.

Fall 2013

27-30 Columbus State University. Thanksgiving Holiday Break. No classes.

7 CSU Theatre Department. A Place Called Christmas.

Riverside Theatre Complex. 10 a.m.

30 Columbus State University. Spring Semester Admissions Application Deadline.

9 Columbus State University. Fall Commencement.

Civic Center. 6:30 p.m.

DECEMBER

14 Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Astronomy Night.

Holiday Special with stargazing and planet viewing at the center, 701 Front Ave. 7 p.m.

5 CSU Alumni. Cougar Coffee. Enjoy a coffee with fellow alumni. 7 a.m. Visit http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu for more information.

4-7 Columbus State University. Final Examinations.

15 CSU Alumni. Day at the Atlanta Falcons.

For ticket reservations and event information, visit http://myCSU.ColumbusState.edu.

Focus on Columbus State University 23

4225 University Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31907-5645 Address service requested

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer lives at home, please send the correct address to advancementservices @ColumbusState.edu. Thank you.

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