Cookout helps international students enjoy holidays far from home

On Dec. 22, Lauren and I had the opportunity to host a casual cookout at our home for 25-plus international students attending Columbus State University.

As these students are unable to travel home for the holidays, this event has become an annual celebration at our home. From Serbia to Brazil, China to Jamaica and Poland to Vietnam, these students brought a fantastic energy to our home, and it was truly a pleasure to visit with them all.

A brother and sister pair from China brought their mom, who was making her first-ever visit to the U.S. Tennis coach Evan Isaacs, cheer coach Jimbo Davis and Adam and Alysia Johnson, from CSU's Center for International Education and Center for Career Development, respectively, provided invaluable assistance and support. (The coaches cooked!)

What a treat it was to visit with these great students in a casual setting and for them to know there is always a "home away from home" with us. This is what the CSU family is truly all about.

Columbus State performs well in national cross country arena

Imagine, if you will: 33 degrees, overcast, 2 to 3 inches of snow on the ground and hundreds of student athletes gathered for the NCAA Division II National Championships at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. This morning, I had the greatest of pleasures in watch our men's cross country team compete in the Division 2 championships and then to watch Naomi Tanui compete in the women's championship. While the team improved in the standings from last year, finishing 18th in the nation, senior Meschack Koyiaki finished No. 2 in the nation in an incredibly exciting finish on a very challenging 10-kilometer course. Coach J.D. Evilisizer, a truly exceptional mentor and guide and a terrific instructor of mathematics, brought the team again to the national championships and some incredibly inclement weather. Members of the men's and women's teams who were not competing cheered their mates, wearing red and blue paint, and themselves tracked their colleagues over most of the course. I was so very proud of these exceptional student-athletes competing just before final exams and reflecting so positively on the strength and value of DII athletics. It's a terrific group of Cougars who, like so many others, continue to distinguish themselves in so many ways. Later in the day, I drove across town to join a group of CSU faculty colleagues at the annual meeting of our primary accrediting body, the SACS Commission on Colleges.

Holiday socials offer a chance to thank hard-working employees

Yesterday, we had two wonderful campus holiday celebrations for faculty and staff. The first, from 2-4 p.m. in the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center, was a packed house of colleagues enjoying the season and festivities. The second, at 10 p.m., also at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center, included more than 100 of our colleagues, many of whom we rarely if ever see. These colleagues work the evening and-or overnight shifts on campus or at RiverPark. When most of us arrive at CSU in the morning, and the buildings are spotless and secure, it is with great thanks to these associates. Many came to last night's party bundled for blasts of winter air. It was a chance for members of our leadership team -- such as Tom Helton, Eddie Woodhouse, Mike Medlock, Steve Morse and Laurie Jones -- to thank them for a job very well done. My wife Lauren and I were so very honored to spend time with them and express our thanks for the great and positive impact they have on CSU.