A Great Weekend for Columbus State University

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.