From the President Over the past 60 years, CSU has played a critical role in recognizing and retaining outstanding talent for the region. We have helped people find jobs and careers. Because of Columbus State University and our focus of meeting the needs of the industries, businesses, and economic development of this area, we have been able to not only provide the region with a very well-educated workforce, but we’ve also been able to graduate well-educated citizens — the kind of folks that are absolutely necessary to continuing moving our community forward, to encourage continued advancement, enhancement, and economic development. We change lives. We change families. We change communities. Over the past 60 years, we have built a place where dreamers become doers, where commonplace becomes extraordinary, where goals become achievements. We could not have reached this level of excellence in education without the impact of our investors, our partners, and our champions for support. This publication is a testament to what we can accomplish together as we collaborate and invest in the vision for a more prosperous university. The First Choice Comprehensive Campaign began in 2012 with ideas for what Columbus State University could become. We embarked on a journey of dreaming bigger, expanding our reach further, and inspiring students in new ways. We began with a goal of $105 million in capital projects, program support, and other opportunities. Now, as we close the campaign with $120 million in cash, pledges, planned gifts, property and related income, we reflect on CSU’s growth and success and what that has meant for the community. Our greatest achievement is the one we share with those named in this book. Every individual, foundation, and corporation saw potential in the mission to make CSU a First Choice institution. A First Choice for discerning students. A First Choice for outstanding faculty. A First Choice for alumni, friends and partners looking to invest in excellence. Thank you to all of our partners, investors, friends and fans. The gifts we received throughout the First Choice Comprehensive Campaign have made a transformational impact on our campus and the Columbus community. And I can’t wait to see what we create together in the future!
Chris Markwood President 2 | COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY
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