Dear Students and Alumni,
I am excited to write and share information about what is happening at CSU. Recently, we launched two new videos that I am very proud of and I think you will enjoy viewing them as well. The first is a video highlighting our 2014 Commencement Ceremony with our keynote speaker, Col. Oliver North.
The second video promotes our LifePace Learning option for those students who desire more flexibility in their studies.
An exciting release for our alumni last month was the CSU Alumni Magazine. The magazine features the miraculous venture of one alumnus and his family, alumni authors, university updates, career advice and more. The CSU Alumni Magazine is published bi-annually and sent to members of the Alumni Association; however, an online version is available as well. If you want to receive your very own copy in October, join the Alumni Association today. You will also receive many great benefits exclusive to our Alumni Association members.
Another development is the selection of CSU as the sole provider of continuing education units at the Fire Department Instructor Conference (FDIC), which will be held April 20-25 in Indianapolis. Through this agreement, individuals attending the conference will be able to earn CEUs exclusively through CSU. We are very proud of our partnership with FDIC.
Recently, we launched a social media campaign, “I Am CSU.” This has been a great way for students and alumni to meet and learn about CSU team members in various departments. Search #IAmCSU on social media to meet some great members of the CSU family. I encourage you to also join the conversation on the CSU Facebook page or closed group.
This month, I am pleased to travel with some of my team members to the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) 89th Annual Conference in Chicago. At the conference, CSU will honor our 2015 Outstanding Graduate and Famous Alumni award recipients, Craig D’Souza and Tracy Barnes. While there, the CSU Student and Alumni Engagement department will host a networking reception for local students and alumni. This is always a great time for me to personally get to know members of the CSU family and establish some great new connections.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to tune in to the CSU Talk Radio show. The show features administration, faculty, partners and industry contacts of CSU. Shows are streamed live on the web but you can also listen to past episodes. I learn something new with each show and I always find the topics engaging, as I am sure you also will.
Recently, CSU student Captain Peter Dern was critically injured in Fresno, California while venting a second-story roof in a house fire. Captain Dern fell through a collapsed roof into a burning garage. He sustained serious burns to 60% of his body and is currently in stable condition in the burn unit at a community hospital. Captain Dern’s family set up an online account to document his progress and collect donations to help with the cost of his recovery, which CSU shared on social media. It is truly moving to see the support that has been shown by fellow CSU students and alumni. CSU has always worked hard to maintain a family culture and it is in situations like this that I am truly touched by our genuine family culture. I hope you will join me in prayer for Captain Dern and his family as they continue on the long road to recovery.
Thank you for being a part of the CSU family of students and alumni.
God bless,
Robert Mayes
