Bike Ride with the President a success

On Thursday, we had another spirited group of students, faculty and staff who joined me on a terrific bike ride from our RiverPark campus along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Uptown Columbus to the main campus. Thanks to the work of Chief Rus Drew and other University Police, we had an escorted ride along the Fall Line Trace, the rails-to-trails route, ending with a Student Affairs "foam party" at the Whitley Clock Tower on main campus.

Steve Morse and his logistics team and Dr. Kimberly McElveen in Student Life helped with all the many details. Bikes and helmets were provided by Ride On Bikes, and we had a terrific time. Columbus is now graced with close to 30 miles of paved bike trails, and this has greatly enhanced student and community life and recreation.

Hundreds participate in CSU Day of Service; Freshman Convocation packed

What a great weekend!  My sincere thanks to Lyn Riggsby-Gonzalez and her team for helping to orchestrate our fourth annual Day of Service. In all, close to 300 students, faculty and staff worked at five different United Way sites, demonstrating our university's deep and abiding commitment to service.

On Sunday, Major General H.R. McMaster delivered a moving address on the history of the Vietnam War at a packed University Hall Freshman Convocation. Students, faculty and staff gathered for this most important rite of passage and welcome to the academy. It was another great CSU weekend.

Fall semester 2012 officially under way

This is my favorite time of year.

Last night, there was a spectacular cookout at the RiverPark campus, with more than 400 in attendance to help usher in the new academic year. Coinciding with this was a series of intramural events on the main campus that saw huge crowds as well.

Today, Professor Joseph Golden totally mesmerized a packed house at Legacy Hall with his performance on the Jordan Organ. This was a treat for all in attendance. Also today, Lauren and I had the great pleasure and honor of hosting the "O Team". These orientation leaders, are incredibly gifted CSU students working under the direction of Collins Brown and with the overall guidance of Dr. Kimberly McElveen. This annual event is our modest offer of "thank you" to these students who make the transition for incoming freshmen so much  more palatable.

Tomorrow, Monday, August 13, we are off and running.