On the Road with State of GA Leadership

How very important it is for me to attempt to keep in touch with our local legislative delegation along with key leadership in the Georgia House and Senate. Advocating for Columbus State University is key along with the challenge of conveying our brand and message. How we differentiate our great university from all others in the University System of Georgia is an ongoing challenge and bringing our message to state leadership represents an equally daunting effort. I traveled from Columbus to Americus to visit with the true "Dean of the Georgia Senate", Senator George Hooks. Senator Hooks has a wealth of experience and insights about the legislative process, great observations about decision-making under the gold dome and his downtown Americus business provided a great setting for a visit. Following my visit with Senator Hooks, I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with Rep. Mike Cheokas and his wife Gaynor in Americus. Mike and I had the pleasure of attending high school together and it was a treat visiting with him in Americus. Mike is an entrepreneur and business owner and has great insights on the needs of small and emerging businesses in Georgia. The next day, I hit the road and met in Reidsville with State Senator Jack Hill. Sen. Hill is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and also serves on the Ethics, Natural Resources and the Environment, Regulated Industries and Utilities and Rules committees as well as exofficio for the Committee on Assignments and Finance Committees. Past chairmanships include: K12 Education, Ethics and Higher Education. We had a terrific visit and I learned a great deal about the appropriations process and the current budget challenges. I left Sen. Hill and made the short drive to Lyons and visited with Senator Tommie Williams. Senator Williams, a Republican, was first elected to the State Senate for Georgia’s 19th District in 1998. Sen. Williams represents Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties and portions of Liberty and Tattnall counties. Sen. Williams serves as Senate President Pro Tempore, Georgia Senate Majority Leader. I visited with Senator Williams at his office and we discussed business, international affairs, art and the university system. From there I drove cross state to visit with Representative Jerry Keen in St. Simons the House Majority Leader. Rep. Keen currently serves on the Rules, Appropriations, Ethics, Insurance, and Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications committees. We had a very informative and interesting visit. I did so appreciate the time that Representative Keen and his colleagues spent with me. It was a great post-graduate learning experience and I look forward to more sessions in the future. I followed this visit with a call on my long-time friend Jack Dinos. Jack has one of the great entrepreneurial stories to tell and at one time had the nation's largest private label tea company. He has been a great friend and counselor and it was a treat to catch up with him. From St. Simons I drove to Atlanta to prepare for a University System of Georgia presidents meeting the next day.

Best wishes for the 4th of July Holiday

What a couple of weeks I've had. The marvelous dedication of the National Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning, followed by another impressive basic training graduation ceremony and than the ever so moving Change of Command Ceremony in honor of Major General Michael D. Barbero and Major General Michael Ferriter. The ceremony was hosted by General Martin E. Dempsey, Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. The pavilion at the parade grounds at Ft. Benning was packed and the ceremony was so very impressive. General Barbero has been at Ft.Benning since November, 2008 and was recently tapped to return to Iraq as commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and commander of NATO Training Mission-Iraq, United States Central Command. General Ferriter was most recently Deputy Commanding General for Operations, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. The smoothness of the Change of Command ceremony and the expansive respect felt at the parade grounds that morning reinforced to me the value of freedom and liberty and the role these rights play in higher education. At the dedication of the National Infantry Museum former Secretary Colin Powell reinforce the maxim that "freedom is not free." (Secretary Powell will be at Columbus State University in August with General Petraeus participating in our Blanchard Leadership Forum) As we develop and deliver a myriad of undergraduate and graduate degree programs on the Columbus State University campus we must be ever mindful of the tremendous latitudes we are given to express and share and debate opinions and ideologies in a uniquely "American" way. This discourse defines U.S. Higher Education and allows for tremendous flexibility and options in what we say, write and do both inside and outside the classroom. My sincerest thanks to all of the men and women in uniform today and in the past who have put their lives on the line to protect these same freedoms. At a time of unbelievable challenge we still enjoy unique rights and privileges that many have served to protect. To those who have served thank you and have a happy 4th of July holiday.

Kudos to Turner College graduate Vance Smith!

So very proud of State Representative Vance Smith on his appointment as Commissioner of the State Department of Transportation. Commissioner Smith and his wife, Michele, are both Columbus State University graduates. This is a great testimony to Commissioner Smith's leadership abilities and his long-term advocacy for transportation solutions for the State of Georgia.

Dedication of National Infantry Museum impressive

What an honor and a privilege for Lauren and me today to attend the dedication of the National Infantry Museum at the parade field at Ft. Benning. This $100 million, private project, was conceived by Major General (ret.) Jerry White and opens officially today to rave reviews. The facility is a stunning testimony to the U.S. Army Infantry and celebrates the "last 100 yards" always covered in battle by the Infantry. General Colin Powell delivered a stirring address and appropriately thanked U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop for his leadership of this effort in Congress. Additionally, General White made special reference to Mr. Bill Turner and the Bradley-Turner Foundation for their foresight and investment in this huge project. Mayor Wetherington discussed the huge legacy value of this project to Columbus and the region and the many in attendance today were awestruck by the scope of this project. Major General Barbero, Commanding General at Ft. Benning, presided over an impressive graduation ceremony at the Parade Grounds and also actively participated in the dedication ceremony. Senators Chambliss and Isakson were in attendance along with Rep. Westmoreland. This was truly a wonderful day that will have enduring impact on this community and the nation.

CSU Staff Council Garage Sale

Just heard that the Columbus State University Staff Council is having a Garage Sale on June 20, starting at 8 a.m. Faculty and staff can reserve a table for $10. Everyone is invited to come out - it will be held in the parking garage (which our ROTC folks have dubbed "Cougar Mountain") next to the Lumpkin Center.

Another Budget Cut Announced

More bad news from the state today - another 2 percent budget cut has come down from Atlanta. This economy is really starting to sting. We've got lots of good people on campus though, people committed to our mission academic excellence, and we'll work through this. We've got to get the academic folks and the business folks in a room and prioritize our end-of-the-year expense requests. Some things may not get funded. If a P.O. is issued, then there was money for the purchase. Thanks for your understanding, and your leadership in working through these issues.

And You Thought We Only Knew Mozart

Want to see something fun? Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music is internationally known for its excellence. We have students and faculty down there who can play with anyone, anywhere, at any time. You can see some of their talent on YouTube. This one in particular sure could be an Internet sensation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzlfbA9791k