Dear Students and Alumni,
As summer continues, so does the hard work at CSU!
To start, we have had glowing reports from the Alumni Association reception and tailgate party held in Atlanta in July. All the efforts by the various teams to put the events together truly produced a successful event.
Amanda Manjone, director of Student and Alumni Engagement, told me how great it was to see alumni interact and network. The reception drew 75 people and more than 100 attended the Braves game and tailgate party the next day.
I am also proud to announce that the Alumni Association launched its first official chapter in Atlanta. We are very excited about this accomplishment and unique opportunity for alumni. For more information about alumni chapters, please visit the Alumni website or contact csu-alumni@columbiasouthern.edu.
Also in July, the Alumni Association worked with our sister institution, Waldorf College, to hold a reception in Baltimore, Md., which featured CSU Senior Vice President Chantell Cooley and Waldorf President Bob Alsop. There was plenty of networking and shared stories of success. And I’m told even a few prospective students were convinced to apply to the schools.
The Mid-States Fire Conference, which was presented by CSU at the end of July in Rogers, Ark., was a great success as well. The event drew about 120 attendees and I’m told there were some truly engaging discussions among the speakers and audiences. Congratulations to the Continuing Education team and all other groups involved in this great program on fire leadership.
It’s this kind of commitment and effort of our employees who love what they do that recently helped CSU earn an important honor. We were recognized as one of the 2014 Best Companies to Work for in Alabama. This award is primarily based on survey results of employees that work for the participating organizations. One of CSU’s core values is to provide staff and faculty with a stable and enjoyable work environment enriched by a family culture of caring, respect, and open communication. Leadership focuses diligently on our culture and organizational health as a whole. We strongly believe that exceptional student service and an exceptional workplace go hand in hand. This is the first time we received this award and it is something we are very proud of. I am so very blessed to work with such a great group of people who love changing lives through education and love CSU.
As we continue our mission in preparing for graduation ceremonies, I would like to pass along a reminder that the 2014 CSU Commencement Ceremony is fast approaching and if you have submitted your graduation petition, we urge you to register soon. I am looking forward to the arrival of graduates and their families and friends to the graduation reception and ceremonies. I hope all will get to enjoy our gem on the Gulf Coast.
In other news:
- A special congratulations goes out to Deputy David E. Hulshizer of the Natrona County (Wyo.) Sheriff’s Office on winning the National Sheriff’s Association Scholarship. Hulshizer, who has worked at the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, will use the scholarship toward an online master’s degree with CSU.
- The International Association of Fire Chiefs is currently holding its annual Fire Rescue International through Aug. 16 in Dallas, Texas. This is one of our popular conferences and our representatives are greeting new and old faces there now. We will also have representatives at the Aug. 25-28 conference of the National Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, which is the leading organization dedicated to cooperative occupational safety, health and environmental management systems. You can find out about more conferences CSU staffers will be attending on our website.
Thank you all for allowing CSU to help you reach your dreams.
