The Columbia College Alumni Magazine
Tablethe of President Contents Letter From
a f f i n i t y
SummerBliss
One of my friendly admonitions to students is that they set their expectations high and then go out and exceed them. Doing so requires focus and a passion to excel. The attainment of academic excellence is not merely the result of time spent in class or study outside of the classroom or online. It is, instead, an investment of will and energy that results in knowledge gained. While there is some intensity involved in achieving one’s academic goals, it’s not all work. It’s a matter of balance; taking time to reward oneself for an accomplishment; taking time to have fun. Whether it’s physical activity or enjoying the symphony, having fun is a precursor to happiness, something for which we all strive. When happy, learning is much easier. Happiness comes in many forms, and two of my favorites are watching our programs, facilities and reputation grow — a great example being the recent groundbreaking for our new science building — and a polar opposite, outdoor charcoal grilling in the summer. Both bring great joy, a sense of accomplishment, goals fulfilled … i.e., happiness. As an institution of higher education, there are few things more fun to witness than watching our students succeed, knowing that we played an important role in that success. We have much for which to be grateful.
Columbia College Board of Trustees Chair Daisy Willis Grossnickle ’66 Vice Chair Richard Montgomery Secretary Janet Carter Wright ’58
Trustees Mark Baisley ’93 Walter E. Bixby III ’82 Judith Cunningham ’64 Jerry Daugherty Amy Darnell Gary R. Drewing
Joseph P. Dubinski ’96 Steve Erdel Dr. Julie Estabrooks Steven S. Fishman ’74 George Hulett Jr. Robert W. Maupin Dale Coe Simons ‘65
Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 Susan Solovic ’80 Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 Carol Winkler ’93 Rev. John J. Yonker