Basketball, jazz offer holiday excitement from campus to campus

Last night, I left the Lumpkin Center excitement and energy created by our women's and men's basketball teams (the women remain undefeated!)  to immerse myself in the energy and excitement at our Studio Theater at RiverCenter, created by our CSU Jazz Ensembles. Kudos to the exceptional leadership provided by Dr. Alex Pershounin, director of jazz studies, with exceptional support from Drs. Paul Vaillancourt (director of percussion acitivities) and Dr. Amy Griffiths, a stellar saxophone professor. The concert performed by 17 Schwob School of Music students was magical. Professor Pershounin shared his wonderful depth of jazz knowledge with the great audience, and the saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm sections were on fire. In preparing all for the holiday season ... everyone left "in the mood!"

Connect with Columbus State ... if you can keep up!

What a week! I joined six busloads of CSU students, staff and faculty on a short ride to the new Auburn Arena to watch the preseason debut of Coach Robert Moore and the Cougar men's basketball team. Our student-athletes were terrific and won the cliffhanger, 54-52. The women too won their preseason opener against LaGrange, and Coach Jonathan Norton and team are  poised for the season. Let's hope our great CSU community continues to support our men's and women's teams this winter.

At the Fall Festival, hosted by the Peach Belt Conference, our women's soccer team and men's and women's cross country teams both captured Peach Belt championship honors. We will host the NCAA Regional Soccer Tournament this Sunday at our stunning Walden Soccer Complex.

I had the great pleasure of attending our Tuba/Euphonium Studio Concert at Legacy Hall. What a treat. I also saw great new plans unveiled for our Coca-Cola Space Science Center as we make room for space shuttle equipment secured by the center's director, Dr. Shawn Cruzen. I attended a great lecture by Dr. Jonathan Schwabe, from the University of Northern Iowa, who presented great insights on his musical score from one of Carson McCullers' works. Today, a group of faculty across the university will participate in a colloquium on religious diversity moderated by Dr. Ron King of the Pastoral Institute. Tonight is the concert debut at CSU of our new Whiddon Piano Chair Professor Alex Kobrin.  At great universities, the pace never slows. Engage, connect with CSU.

Columbus State's support of Fort Benning reflected in Doughboy Stadium game

Thursday, October 28 was one more fantastic day at Columbus State University. That evening, our Cougar Club Football Team competed in an incredible game vs. the 3rd Infantry Division Team at Fort Benning's historic Doughboy Stadium. (While in the Army, Dwight Eisenhower coached a team at Doughboy, built in 1925.) The Army team tried out while on active duty in Iraq and, for the first time since 1983, competed in this fantastic, renovated venue. Thousands packed the stadium while thousands of others enjoyed food, festivities and fun outside the stadium. The game, broadcast over the Armed Forces Network reinforced the exceptional partnership between Columbus State University and Fort Benning. Our team coached by Bruce Hubbard (who played valiantly, as well, as a starting defensive end!) looked terrific and, although bested 29-13, kept the contest close until the very end. Special thanks to Phi Mu sorority for a great turnout and section and, as always, to our mascot, Cody, who never misses any events. All food provided by vendors was gratis, including the 10,000 pizzas, 10,000 hot dogs and tens of thousands of soft drinks distributed. Special thanks also go to our Annual Fund chair, John Hargrove, who orchestrated the event, and to Major General Mike Ferriter and Colonel Pete Jones for their enthusiastic support. Hopefully, this will become an annual event.