Competitive Premed Program Off to a Healthy Start

Great thanks go to Dr. Katey Hughes, director of CSU's Competitive Premedical Program, and Jill Carroll, development officer for the College of Letters and Sciences, for a great kickoff event for the premed program last night at the River Club.

We enjoyed wonderful attendance by physician alumni, faculty, current students in the program and friends of CSU for this very special event.

Dr. Hughes brought her idea for this program to Dr. Julie Ballenger, chair of biology, who came to the provost and, in remarkably short order, the idea was launched. This is a very important initiative for Columbus State University, focused on academic excellence.

Weekend Offers Magnificent Mix of Music, Soccer, Recruiting and More

Cheers are being heard for our Lady Cougars soccer team as they scored an impressive 2-0 victory over Peach Belt rival Armstrong Atlantic on Friday night. A huge crowd was in attendance at the Walden Soccer Complex on Columbus State University's main campus. Kudos also go to fraternities for their raucous cheer section.

On Saturday, our Enrollment Services division hosted the first of the fall Discovery Days for high school students and family members. We saw terrific attendance from across Georgia and the region. I remain very impressed how far families will travel in pursuit of the "right match" for their student. A great group of high school students spent a good half day on our campuses exploring academic programs and attempting to determine if CSU will be their First Choice.

On Saturday afternoon, the office of the provost, students and staff participated in the first annual Latino Festival for Columbus and the region. The rainy weather failed to dampen spirits and great crowds, exhibits, dances and foods from across Central and South America graced the parking lots at the Columbus Civic Center. We were glad to see so many of our students in attendance.

Sunday afternoon brought the inaugural fall performance of the Schwob School of Music's Philharmonic under the direction of maestro Paul Hostetter. Our students were terrific.  A great crowd packed the RiverCenter's Legacy Hall for a wonderful performance. Viola Professor Zoran Jakovcic played masterfully, and students, faculty, staff and community enjoyed a truly engaging afternoon.

U.S. News and World Report Again Recognizes CSU

For the second consecutive year, Columbus State University is honored to be included among the top comprehensive universities in the region by U.S. News and World Report. This reflects great work by faculty and staff, as well as our ongoing effort to raise admissions standards and enrollment in key programs like Honors, Servant Leadership, Tower Scholars, Competitive Premed, etc. My sincere thanks go to all who are so very focused on this effort.

Volleyball is Back -- After 31 Years!

Congratulations to Coach Casey Cornett and team, now 4-0 in their inaugural season. Lauren and I and a packed Lumpkin Center saw three great matches this weekend and the team just returned from its first-ever road trip with a victory. At our home a few weeks ago we enjoyed a terrific cookout with these students athletes from Columbus and across the U.S., as well as Lithuania and Serbia. Go Cougars!

Performance by Professor Earl Coleman and Friends Inspiring

Lauren and I had the distinct pleasure of attending this extraordinary concert staged by Earl Coleman, CSU's William and Isabelle Curry Eminent Scholar Chair in Voice in the Schwob School of Music. Performing with a group of colleagues, the breadth of the outstanding performances and the large crowd made for a wonderful and inspiring afternoon at Legacy Hall.

Week of Fun Offers a Great Launch for Fall Semester

A great day on campus today capped a wonderful first-week festival.

On Wednesday, students, faculty and staff gathered for our main campus welcome back picnic, featuring exceptional Southern barbecue. There was also an incredible mix of displays from student and community organizations and academic departments covering the main campus quad around the Whitley clock tower.

Along with our mascot Cody, I had the chance to ride a Ferris wheel with a great panoramic view of main campus. My thanks go to the entire Student Affairs team, who orchestrated this great, engaging event for thousands of our students. In the midst of all the excitement, I ran to my entrepreneurship class for day two of our new venture creation odyssey.

Finally, late in the day, I visited with Tom Ingram  a third-year reporter for our terrific student newspaper, The Saber. The first fall issue is out, and I am so very proud of the efforts of so many of our students, resulting in wonderful and insightful coverage of campus issues.

Today, weather permitting, we hope 120-plus students will ride the rapids on Columbus' world class urban whitewater course. Our own aquatics coordinator, Koby Garick will help orchestrate this terrific event on the Class 3 and Class 4 rapids that run along the west side of our RiverPark campus.

CSU Opening Weekend Reflects Promise of 2013-2014 School Year

What a great run-up we've enjoyed leading up to today's opening of the university for fall semester classes. A wonderful cookout on Saturday at our RiverPark campus followed a smooth opening of residence halls on the main and RiverPark campuses

Sunday was also terrific, Organ professor Joseph Golden of CSU's Schwob School of Music organized, with the American Guild of Organists, two great concerts in Legacy Hall. On Sunday evening, Assistant Athletic Director Jimbo Davis and Athletic Director Jay Sparks hosted and orchestrated with the help of our friends at Country's  a huge welcome dinner for almost 300 student athletes.

How very special it was that I could introduce three Serbian student athletes -- in women's tennis, volleyball and rifle -- to each other!  This is one more great reflection of what university life is all about.