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.
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