Astronaut talks, musical laptops highlight exceptional weekend

The momentum built at our very own Coca-Cola Space Science Center (CCSSC) is extraordinary. In memory of the 25th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, Director Dr. Shawn Cruzen invited former astronaut Col. Al Worden to our campus. Speaking to a variety of groups, including more than 350 Muscogee County School District children, Col. Worden reinforced the enormous value of space exploration and our space program to innovation, creativity, communications, medicine and more. Kudos to the entire CCSSC team for an extraordinary series of events. At the Schwob School of Music, while dozens of students and faculty were away participating in the Georgia Music Educators Conference in Savannah, professor Matt McCabe hosted the Latop Orchestra of Louisiana -- nine extraordinary musicians whose primary performance instruments are Apple MacBook Pros, supported by iPads, joysticks and a host of other unique technologies. The performance in our Studio Theater at RiverCenter was exceptional. These programs enhanced a special visiting lecture in the Department of Art, a hyper-busy new Student Recreation Center and Clear Channel broadcasts of Cougar basketball on the FM dial made to create another exceptional weekend at Columbus State.

Recreation center dedication represents historic milestone for university

In 18 very short months, Columbus State University has enjoyed a construction renaissance that will forever change student, faculty and staff recreational opportunities.

The recent opening of the 106,000-square foot Student Recreation Center represents a milestone for our campus, reinforcing our commitment to live, work and play on one of the most student- and faculty-engaged campuses one will find.

Student Government President Joshua Burston rightfully acknowledged the work of the two SGA presidents who preceded him, Alex Acton and David Owen (both currently enrolled in graduate programs), as well as the students who voted for and who have supported this effort since day one. Offering everything from racquetball to rock climbing, sauna to swimming, basketball to zumba, jogging, fitness, roller hockey and more, this is a campus culture-changing construction project that represents a true destination for our students. It also features lots of study space, wireless network access,  and a huge multi-purpose room for concerts, dinners and more. This is a truly terrific facility.

Our thanks go to the Student Affairs leadership team, including Drs. Gina Sheeks, Darryl Holloman and Campus Recreation Director Rick Cravens, as well as our construction oversight team of Eddie Woodhouse and Mike Medlock, for their collective diligence.

We were graced at the dedication by the presence of 10 CSU Foundation trustees, including chair Sherry Wade. Regent Kessel Stelling, state Reps. Reps. Debbie Buckner and Calvin Smyre and hundreds of students, faculty, staff and alumni also helped make the dedication a great milestone event for a great university.

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.

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.