Columbus State Magazine - Spring 2016

COLUMBUS STATE THE MAGAZINE OF COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

SPRING 2016

CSU ALUMNA SLAYS IN ‘THE WALKING DEAD’

TOP CSU ALUMNI HASHTAGS

ALMA MATER NATIONAL RANKINGS

PASAQUAN

Inside CSU’s newest cultural crown jewel SPRING 2016

Columbus State University Alumni

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

The new Columbus State

W

elcome to Columbus State, our newly designed magazine for CSU alumni and friends. Our team has been working for months to create a publication that keeps the rich content from what was previously named Focus but adds a contemporary design and a wider variety of easy-to-digest alumni fun facts, announcements, news and feature stories.

We also designed Columbus State to reflect the energy and vibrancy we see every day on CSU’s campus. As I approach my firstyear anniversary at Columbus State University, I continue to see this energy every day. I spent my first five months on campus visiting with virtually every office and department on campus. I learned several things, but three stick out to me and are characteristics of CSU that our alumni probably already realize:

•• THIRD, there are really some amazing things happening all around our campus, from research to teaching to outreach and more. One of the opportunities I see from this tour is building bridges across what I call our islands of innovation. We need to find bridges to other parts of the campus and community.

This is one of the things we will focus more on this year.

So as we move forward, we need to do it together by involving all corners of campus; by communicating regularly with our colleagues; and by sharing our successes with each other.

We will share our successes with you through our alumni and friends magazine, and I invite you to become involved as we move forward. Please share with us your successes and feedback about the new Columbus State magazine.

•• FIRST, the faculty and staff have a real appreciation for the students here. Many relived their experiences from other places, comparing our students to those at other universities and sharing how helping our students learn and transform was more personally and professionally fulfilling.

•• SECOND, I was delighted to discover a real sense of family here at CSU. Time after time, faculty and staff talked about their colleagues as a reason for their attachment to the university.

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Chris Markwood President

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOL. 23 NO. 1 • SPRING 2016

EDITOR

Candace Morrow CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christa Robbins Michael C. Prange CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tamma Smith Suhyoon Cho Mike Culpepper MAGAZINE LAYOUT & DESIGN

Rowland Publishing, Inc. INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Spence Sealy DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AND DONOR ENGAGEMENT

Jennifer Joyner ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

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John Lester ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO:

Columbus State Alumni Magazine Office of University Relations Columbus State University 4225 University Ave. Columbus, GA 31907 ur@columbusstate.edu @COLUMBUSSTATE @CSUCOUGARALUMNI FACEBOOK.COM/COLUMBUSSTATE FACEBOOK.COM/ COLUMBUSSTATEUNIVERSITYALUMNI

ON THE COVER Pasaquan, a colorful cultural site now officially part of Columbus State University, stands as one of the nation’s most impressive attractions. Read how alumni and current students helped bring the captivating community back to artistic life. See page 16 for the full story. Photo by Tamma Smith.

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES

2 President’s Letter 5 What’s Trending 6 Campus News 10 Fun Facts 11 First Choice Campaign 22 Class Notes 25 Q&A 26 Alumni Scene 28 Athletics 30 Planned Giving: Bequest

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Kim Lester

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Impactful Giving

16

Pasaquan

26

Southern Exposure

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Athletics

Alumna inspires with innovative teaching techniques.

2016’s presidential investiture in images.

Pasaquan: One of the nation’s most intriguing sites.

Alumni in action across the region.

Meet CSU’s All-American soccer scholar.

READ & REACT: CSU rolls out a new name, look and sections to its semiannual alumni magazine. Tell us what you think: Post a comment on our social media sites using hashtag #ColumbusStateMag, or email magazine editor Candace Morrow at morrow_candace@ColumbusState.edu

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HOW WE RANK 2015-2016 CSU’s academic excellence is recognized across the country as more organizations are discovering why the university is a first-choice option in higher education.

Find out more at ColumbusState.edu 4

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WHAT’S TRENDING Tower Traditions is CSU’s newest digital platform for students to document campus pride. The most popular tradition among CSU students is to take a picture with mascot Cody the Cougar.

FOLLOW US:

Traditions.ColumbusState.edu

@ColumbusState

Alumni: What was your favorite tradition at Columbus State? #TowerTraditions

Campus-Wide Crowdfunding

TOP HASHTAGS:

CSU students, departments and colleges are using crowdfunding to fuel the causes they care most about. Create a profile, construct your own campaign or contribute to a cause on GiveCampus.

#GoCSU #ColumbusNotClayton #CSUAlumni

Visit GiveCampus. com/Schools/ ColumbusStateUniversity

#CSUFirstChoice #ColumbusState

Stay Connected to Campus

Presidential Selfies

CSU Mobile is the official mobile app for Columbus State University. Download the app for iOS and Android at columbusstate.edu/mobileapp for instant access to:

President Chris Markwood has

50 uploaded more than

selfies to his Twitter account since

• • •

Cougar Nation news and sports updates; CSU’s official social media networks; and

Virtual maps and tours of campus.

the start of his term in June 2015.

Follow Dr. Markwood at

@Chris_Markwood

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CAMPUS NEWS

Springer and CSU merge theatrically The Springer Opera House and Columbus State University united to form the Georgia Repertory Theatre (GRT) this academic year.

The university’s Department of Theatre and the 145-year-old State Theatre of Georgia have created a professional theatre company that focuses on artistic excellence while becoming a resource to help graduates jumpstart their creative careers.

GRT’s goal with the merge is to become “America’s professional teaching theatre, featuring the nation’s finest stage talent, teachers and blue chip students,” said Paul Pierce, producing artistic director of the Springer Opera House, “and making Columbus a national hotspot for artistic innovation and training.”

Georgia Film Academy classes open The Georgia Film Academy (GFA), a statewide effort to train Georgians for lucrative jobs in the film industry, now offers classes at CSU. The effort is in partnership with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia.

The GFA’s pilot certification program is comprised of two courses specifically designed to provide students with on-set film production skills. The first course combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience with industry standard equipment. The second course is a semester on-set where students work on the crew of a professional production.

“On-set film workers are needed, but even entry-level jobs require a very specific set of skills,” said Jeffrey Stepakoff, executive director of the GFA. “The Georgia Film Academy certification puts students on the fast track to gainful employment.”

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CAMPUS NEWS

Ground breaks on Cooper Creek tennis project CSU, Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA) and the city of Columbus broke ground on an expansion project at Cooper Creek Tennis Center.

The center will house Columbus State men’s and women’s tennis programs. New additions will include 12 new hard courts, nine clay courts, four “QuickStart” courts and a new clubhouse.

“The new facility is going to help us attract future studentathletes who we hope will help us reach our ultimate goal of a national championship,” said CSU head tennis coach Evan Isaacs.

The renovated center is expected to open during August.

National center for cybersecurity education The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated Columbus State University a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) for advancements made in the defense of the nation’s information infrastructure. CAE-CD designation is reserved for organizations that promote cybersecurity in higher education and produce a growing number of professionals with expertise in cyber defense.

Columbus State University and Kennesaw State University are the only institutions in Georgia with the Cyber Defense Education designation.

Additionally, Ken Tye, retired senior executive vice president and chief information officer of Total System Services (TSYS), has been appointed executive in residence of TSYS School of Computer Science at CSU’s Turner College of Business.

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CAMPUS NEWS

FIRST CHOICE: $33.5M RAISED FY ’15 –’16 With more than $33.5 million raised through private funding last fiscal year, Columbus State University finished one of the most successful fiscal years of fundraising in the institution’s history.

The money raised during Fiscal Year 2015 brings CSU closer to its $100 million First Choice Comprehensive Campaign goal (See page 11).

“I continue to be amazed at the level of support that’s shown for Columbus State University,” said President Chris Markwood, who took the university’s helm June 2015. “When my wife and I were applying here, we were impressed by the partnerships that had been created, and the story that was being told about how the university is a catalyst for community development. To see that reflected in a $33 million fundraising year is just fantastic.”

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Physicist named Georgia’s ‘Professor of the Year’ The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized Columbus State University physicist Kimberly Shaw as the most outstanding undergraduate professor in Georgia — a first-time honor for a CSU faculty member.

The Professor of the Year award salutes undergraduate instructors in the country who have excelled as teachers and influence the careers and lives of their students.

“This award isn’t just mine,” said Shaw, who serves as professor of physics and co-director of UTeach Columbus, an innovative mathematics, science and education teaching program. “It belongs to all of my colleagues who work so hard to ensure our students learn and succeed.

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The most rewarding part of my job is always knowing I have made a difference.”

Shaw has dedicated 18 years to educating students.

During the past eight years, she has taught introductory-level physics, honors enrichment, interdisciplinary physical science and research methods courses at Columbus State.

“Her impact on my life is, without a doubt, substantial,” said Timothy Jones, alumnus and now science teacher at Harris County High School.

“She makes the material easier to understand by using neat demonstrations and effectively breaks down the material. In fact, there is an ongoing joke between my classmates about how garden gnomes were used to explain electricity.”

CAMPUS NEWS

CSU achieves record enrollment

Modern technology brings Peruvian artifacts to campus

The final numbers of CSU’s fall 2015 class showed the university achieved a record enrollment this year of 8,440 students. The fall total is about 250 students more than last fall’s official figure, meaning enrollment jumped by more than 3 percent this year. CSU’s previous record enrollment was 8,307 during fall 2011.

The overall 3 percent enrollment jump is the largest increase the university has recorded since 2008. It also is a dramatic turnaround from the decrease of about 1 percent recorded from 2011 to 2012,

which was when most institutions in Georgia saw a drop in enrollment.

“Obviously our message is getting out to high-achieving students around the state that Columbus State University is not only an attractive option, but often a first choice for college students,” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “Our tuition is affordable. The quality of our academic programs is on par with many universities. We have great student activities and programming, and we are located in a vibrant, exciting city that’s an easy drive to Atlanta, the North Georgia mountains and Florida beaches.”

CSU JOINS NATIONAL EFFORT TO STOP CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT

Tech-savvy anthropology professor Danielle Cook made CSU the new owner of one of the oldest and best-preserved Peruvian archeological collections in the world.

A lecturer in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Cook learned about the 6,500-year-old collection from a Facebook group called Bioanthropology News.

She responded to a post

by University of Missouri professor Bob Benfer, who wanted a new home for the historical treasures.

Benfer shipped the eightbox collection containing human skeletal remains, textiles, skin, hair, brain and even fecal matter with Peruvian toilet paper to campus. Most of the artifacts are from La Paloma, a coastal desert archeological dig site in Peru.

CSU’s Student Government Association signed a resolution during February as part of the nationwide “It’s On Us” campaign. The campaign aims to keep men and women safe from sexual assault on college campuses.

Watch the video pledge on CSU’s official YouTube channel at YouTube.com/ ColumbusStateU

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ALUMNI FUN FACTS

2015 CSU ALUMNI DISTRIBUTION BY REGION Huntsville

Huntsville

Atlanta Birmingham

Atlanta

Augusta

Birmingham

Augusta

Macon

Auburn/Opelika Columbus

Auburn/Opelika

Montgomery

Montgomery

Macon

Savannah

Columbus

Savannah

Albany

Dothan

Albany

Mobile Panama City

Jacksonville

Dothan

Mobile Jacksonville

Panama City Orlando

Alumni Per County 0–25

Tampa

26–50 Orlando

51–100

Alumni Per County

101–500

501–1000

0–25

1000+

26–50

Miami

Tampa

Alumna slays in ‘The Walking Dead’

51–100

Reppin’ Cougar Nation

101–500

CSU alumni represent well in the Southeast region — from Huntsville, Alabama, down to Miami, Florida. Cougar Nation 501–1000 also has become a first-choice option across Georgia with students coming to the university from every county in the state.

1000+

It’s about time

Campus compensation

Ever noticed that the clock in the university’s official logo is set to 7:58 p.m.?

In military time, that’s 19:58, which is also the year Columbus College was founded.

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Mandi Christine Kerr (B.F.A., ’10) is fighting zombies as Barbara on Season 6 of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” New CSU programs like the Georgia Film Academy and Georgia Repertory Theatre are preparing students for career paths in TV, film and on center stage. Look up .

Kerr on

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Alumni who worked on campus remember the benefits of contributing to CSU. Did you know the university currently employs 500-plus students to keep academic success going strong in and out of the classroom?

FIRST CHOICE CAMPAIGN

Comprehensive campaign receives artistic boost What the campus is saying:

BY JOHN LESTER The First Choice Comprehensive Campaign is already making a tremendous mark on Columbus State University. Pledges to the campaign have topped $82 million toward a total goal of $106.5 million.

A big boost to the campaign’s total came in December 2015. Pasaquan, a folk art environment located near Buena Vista, Georgia, was officially gifted to the university from the philanthropic organization Kohler Foundation (See cover story, page 16).

“We are very excited about where we are in the campaign,” said Spence Sealy, interim vice president of University Advancement, “but there is a lot of work to be done. Our new home in downtown Columbus for CSU’s College of Education and Health Professions still needs to be fully funded.”

As organizers and volunteers continue to seek new participation to support projects like the College of Education and Health Professions, other recent contributions have helped the D. Abbott Turner College of Business; the College of the Arts; science, technology, engineering and mathematics education efforts; Teacher Education; and students across campus.

VISIT firstchoicecampaign.columbusstate.edu

“I remember when I first saw the construction. It seemed like forever until we'd get to play on it. When we finally did, it was incredible. It created a more ’homey’ feel for sure. It's the perfect size, and hopefully, it will hold a lot of wins for us in the future.”

Hunter Bowling, a senior catcher of CSU’s baseball team, about the $1.15 million renovation to the baseball stadium: Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

“I have recently seen the plans for the new lab sciences building that will be built next to LeNoir Hall. They are really listening to what the faculty and students want and need. I am very impressed that the new building will have card access, and I am really excited about the designs for a new student study area.

Rachel Pearson, a CSU senior biology major, who helped review plans for a new laboratory sciences building.

About $11 million for the building is coming from the state, thanks to $2 million in private contributions.

“The Dillingham Bridge provides a gateway into the RiverPark Campus, and we want people to have a ’wow’ moment when they enter the campus and Uptown from that street. The change in the entrance will also make the Illges Gallery and the Bo Bartlett Center inside the Corn Center more accessible to people enjoying Woodruff Park.”

Richard Baxter, dean of CSU’s College of the Arts, about a recent gift to create a new west entrance to RiverPark Campus’ Corn Center for the Visual Arts.

RiverPark Campus’ Corn Center for the Visual Arts

COLLEGE OF THE ARTS CORN CENTER LANDSCAPE PROPOSAL

01.22.2016

$82.7M $106.5M AMOUNT RAISED TO DATE

FUNDRAISING GOAL

Linda U. Hadley, dean of CSU’s Turner College of Business and the Bill Heard Professor of Finance, about the college’s focus on financial services cybersecurity education.

The new program is made possible by gifts from and partnership with, TSYS, a global leader in electronic bank processing.

CSU FUND

studioOutside

BY THE NUMBERS (AS OF 2/29/16) COLUMBUS, GA

“The Turner College of Business is extremely excited to partner with TSYS to develop the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity. Our goal with this program is to become a nationally recognized leader in developing career-ready cybersecurity graduates.”

$307K

GIVING TO COLLEGES ($107K THIS TIME LAST YEAR)

$127K

GIVING TO ATHLETICS ($97K THIS TIME LAST YEAR)

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72%

FACULTY/STAFF PARTICIPATION

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Kim Lester Alumna inspires 21st-century learners with innovative techniques

BY CANDACE MORROW Lester earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida.

She earned a doctorate in education from CSU, which also named her “Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year” during 2014.

“Kim has a passion for developing collaborative and caring community-based classroom environments, particularly through writing,” said Jan Burcham, department chair of teacher education and professor of early childhood education at CSU. “She is always willing to do whatever is needed to make sure her students are learning at high levels and developing as well-rounded people.

She is truly a special teacher.”

The university’s doctorate in education program allows candidates to work with a community of scholars to improve teaching and learning at all levels. The program is designed so candidates can continue working while completing their degrees.

“It has been a joy to work with Kim throughout her doctoral program,” Burcham said. “Achieving a doctorate opens many doors for educators to advance their careers. We are happy that Kim is now teaching as a part-time faculty member in the Department of THE POTATO HEAD PROJECT Teacher Education.”

Whether teaching on the elementary or collegiate level, Lester pushes her students to use their imagination and creativity in writing.

“As educators, we are constantly helping students make sense of the many bits and pieces of CSU ALUMNA and local educator a vast curriculum we toss Kim Lester is an avid Mr. Potato their way on any given Head collector. From “Star Wars” day,” said Lester. “It to “The Wizard of Oz” characters, doesn’t matter how old the iconic toy serves as a classroom the students may be in icebreaker for students the first the classroom. Teachers week of school. have to bring all the cre“To gauge where my students are ativity and professional in their writing, I ask them to create knowledge to the table their own Mr. Potato Head at home and make our schools using an organic potato and describe collectively more suphow this particular potato reflects portive learning environwho they are,” said Lester. ments for our students “My students really get into this and our teachers.” project, which is also a great way for us

SEE KIM IN THE CLASSROOM: YOUTUBE.COM/COLUMBUSSTATEU

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PHOTOS BY TAMMA SMITH

K

im Lester calls the morning LEGO meeting to order.

“Ladies and gentlemen: You’ve just been hired to work as technical writers and master builders for LEGO,” said the Columbus State University alumna to her fourth- and fifth-grade student writers.

The “Yesses!” “Whoo-hoos!” and “Yays!” erupt from one manila folder-constructed cubicle to the next.

Today’s classroom assignment: Study LEGO shapes, colors and sizes then create instructional manuals using detailed descriptions.

“I love LEGOs!” shouted one builder.

“This is so much fun,” said another.

This type of student reaction and innovative teaching is what led to Lester becoming a top 10 finalist in the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year program.

“At any given moment, my students may be found running around the school snapping pictures as photojournalists, creating original characters through puppetry arts, or researching local and global destinations,” said Lester, Ed.D., ’15, who teaches at St. Elmo Center for the Gifted. “We are an active community of learners. I want my kids to learn to look closer, ask thoughtful questions and participate in the world around them.”

Her teaching style is educational, engaging and exploratory.

One moment Lester’s students are role-playing as scriptwriters in a classroom exercise called Shared Journal.

The next moment they recast into international explorers and storytellers to hone sensory detail skills in writing — a technique inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek.

“The coolest part about coming to class here is that you never know what to expect,” said 10-year-old fifth-grader Kendall Anderson. “She always has us doing different kinds of activities that just keep class interesting.”

Lester values her students’ writing projects and ensures their work publishes in classroom journals and on websites as well.

Before teaching, Lester reported and wrote for Tampa-area newspapers. She moved to Muscogee County during 2001 and started teaching grades first through fifth at Downtown Elementary, South Columbus Elementary and Britt David Magnet Academy.

Now at St. Elmo, Lester became teacher of the year at her home school twice, and during 2013, was honored as Muscogee County’s Teacher of the Year.

“One of the most rewarding milestones in my career was becoming an active participant in some of the good work of the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, a community-based group whose purpose is to support quality teachers in Muscogee County,” Lester said. “I’ve been given the opportunity to share my thoughts with many of our community leaders who truly care about educators.”

to build community in the classroom.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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INVESTITURE

The Inauguration of President Chris Markwood Living our Values | Growing our Partnerships | Innovating our Future PHOTOS BY SUHYOON CHO AND TAMMA SMITH

C

ommunity dignitaries and university representatives from across the state and country witnessed as Dr. Christopher L. Markwood became inaugurated as Columbus State University’s fifth president on March 31.

“I am committed to the work that lies ahead,” said Markwood during the ceremony. “I am confident — guided by our values, empowered by our partners and focused on innovating the future — Columbus State University will continue its trajectory of growth, entrepreneurship and excellence. I’m honored to be part of this dynamic team and partner with you as the fifth president of this incredible institution.”

The weeklong celebration featured student, faculty, staff and community events focused on the university’s values: Excellence, Creativity, Sustainability, Inclusion, Engagement and Servant Leadership.

The formal investiture ceremony took place in the Bill Heard Theatre at CSU’s RiverPark campus.

Markwood thanked all who attended, highlighted the university’s accomplishments of becoming a first choice, nationally and internationally recognized institution and outlined CSU’s goals of continuing to become a leader in higher education.

Markwood to investiture ceremony attendees: “Together, we have the opportunity to harness the unique resources of this university, the extraordinary talents of our faculty and staff, and seemingly inexhaustible energy and imagination of our students to help solve the challenges that face our community, our state, our nation and our world.”

For more information about the inauguration week events, go to Our5thPresident.ColumbusState.edu

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INVESTITURE

SEE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S INVESTITURE AT YOUTUBE.COM/COLUMBUSSTATEU

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COVER STORY

Pasaquan An indigenous-inspired jewel of CSU and the Deep South

BY CANDACE MORROW PHOTOS BY TAMMA SMITH

E

ach paint stroke and metal detailing resurrects the psychedelic fortress of totems, pagodas and barriers back to their brightest beginnings.

Precise handwork and preserving hearts have spent the past two years restoring the 60-yearold Georgia gem known as Pasaquan — a world“ MY FAVORITE renowned visionary art site now part of Columbus THING ABOUT State University (CSU).

“I’ve been working alongside art conservators on PASAQUAN IS ITS the structural repair of interior and exterior artwork,” RELATIONSHIP said fine arts alumnus Charles Fowler, ’12, who has been assisting in restoration of the artistic property WITH THE for a year and a half. “My favorite thing about NEARBY TOWN Pasaquan is its relationship with the nearby town of Buena Vista. Judging from my interactions with the OF BUENA VISTA. townsfolk, most of them have never been to the site JUDGING FROM but have grown up with the tall tales surrounding it.”

Nestled within rural Southwest Georgia’s “good MY INTERACTIONS view” town, the 7-acre weathered and religionWITH THE influenced relic has rejuvenated.

And it is regaining national attention for its TOWNSFOLK, whimsical beauty. At the start of the year, CNN MOST OF THEM dubbed Pasaquan as one of “16 intriguing things to see and do in the U.S. in 2016.”

HAVE NEVER “This CNN news just underscores all the hard BEEN TO THE work the Pasaquan Preservation Society, philanthropic organization Kohler Foundation and CSU alumni SITE BUT HAVE and current students have been doing at Pasaquan,” GROWN UP WITH said Michael McFalls, associate professor of art at CSU overseeing the site and its programming. “Our THE TALL TALES students from the Art Department, Department of SURROUNDING IT.” Communication, and Department of History and Ge– CHARLES FOWLER ,’12 ography continue to be involved in documentation,

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COVER STORY Pasaquan’s restoration contributors: Ashley Colbert (intern), Hailey Garcia (intern), Ceallsach Crouch (alumna), Michael McFalls (CSU associate professor of art), Valerie Parker (intern), Charles Fowler (alumnus) and Steven Short (alumnus).

Fine arts alumnus Charles Fowler has been helping bring Pasaquan back to life for the past year and a half.

Pasaquan features six structures, mandala murals and handcrafted walls.

organization of archives, development of a marketing plan and assisting with the conservation process. Pasaquan has already become a true experiential, interdisciplinary learning environment.”

Pasaquan’s academic awakening has been featured on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Public Broadcasting Service also has documented Pasaquan creator, the late Eddie Owens Martin, on its online “Travelogue.”

THE ARTIST Martin became an international self-taught artist who created the art environment he named Pasaquan, meaning to “bring the past and future together.”

Developed during 1957, the folk-laden land features six major structures, mandala murals and hundreds of feet of handcrafted cement walls.

Before Pasaquan came into existence, the Buena Vista native had some artistic exploring to do. Martin left home at age 14.

He embarked on a hitchhiking adventure to Atlanta and Washington, D.C., before settling in the concrete jungle of New York. He survived the big city by working as a street hustler, bartender, gambler and drag queen. At age 37, he even gave fortunetelling a try.

By 1950, Martin packed up and headed back to Buena Vista where he continued to exercise his fortunetelling flair for pay.

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COVER STORY Donning ravishing robes and feathered headdresses, Martin’s persona clashed with his small-town society. However, his oracle occupation funded his vision to develop Pasaquan.

The cultural complex took shape on Martin’s family farmland — lavishly fusing Africa, PreColumbian Mexico and fictional island Atlantis in design.

And with it, Martin changed his name to St. EOM, the guru of Pasaquan.

Despite his outward free spirit, St. EOM committed suicide during 1986, and Pasaquan started to fade — literally.

Aside from Pasaquan, St. EOM’s work also has been featured at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Library of Congress and Smithsonian Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C. In Georgia, his work joins collections at the Albany Museum of Art in Albany and High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

THE ACADEMICS Nearly 30 years after St. EOM’s death, the Kohler Foundation became interested in bringing the crumbling keepsake back to life with CSU as an educational partner.

Pasaquan’s restoration process initiated during 2014.

Since then, both current students and alumni have worked through some of Georgia’s most humid and frigid conditions to repair, repaint and unearth its structures for public viewing.

“St. EOM created hundreds of artworks and studies throughout his lifetime in addition to Pasaquan,” said senior studio art major Ashley Colbert. “For the past two months, I have been interning with the Columbus Museum and LaGrange exhibits to organize his work on paper inventory for set up later this spring. I’m learning the art of curating an exhibit, which is very tedious.”

Alumna Lauren Cantrell has documented Pasaquan’s rebirth from the project’s start date.

“I spent an entire year working with Kohler Foundation to archive St. EOM’s works of art and later his personal belongings while earning my bachelor’s degree at CSU,” said Cantrell, an art history major who graduated last year.

“I’m still working on my research, carrying this experience into my master’s thesis at Georgia State University. I’m studying self-taught and visionary artists. Pasaquan is a staple in the Southern community and has had a growing following of self-taught art historians throughout the world.”

John Salhus with Parma Conservation of Chicago touching up interior artwork at Pasaquan.

Valerie Parker (intern), Hailey Garcia (intern) and Ceallsach Crouch (alumna) discussing the artistic community’s architecture.

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COVER STORY

THE ADVOCACY The Pasaquan Preservation Society (PPS) has maintained the folk architectural site since 2003.

The society also has worked alongside CSU and Kohler on the revitalization project, which has become the largest art environment preservation initiatives Kohler has taken on.

The work includes object and painting conservation with conservators coming from International Artifacts (Houston) and Parma Conservation (Chicago).

Local tradespeople under general contractor T.G. Gregory also have addressed structural concerns and functionality in Pasaquan’s six buildings.

During 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal presented PPS with the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities for its efforts to help preserve Pasaquan. Currently, CSU Foundation owns the property. Kohler gifted the site to the university’s foundation during December 2015.

CSU is priming Pasaquan to serve as a local attraction for hosting performances, retreats, tours, artistic workshops and various educational programs and activities.

Today, the quirky, artistic community joins an impressive group of new attractions and breathtaking locations across the nation.

Ruthie Rolfsmeyer with Kohler putting the finishing details to an interior wall.

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Utopian visions and Mesoamerican, African and Eastern art traditions influenced the creation of Pasaquan.

COVER STORY

Pasaquan is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered among the most important visionary art environments in the United States.

Pasaquan stacks up against captivating places like Alaska’s national parks; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington; the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail in New Mexico; and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Los Angeles.

Renovations to the site are still in progress and slated for completion for public viewing by mid-May. A grand opening is scheduled during October.

“This site is unique because of its utopian message and use of imagery from non-Western art and philosophies,” said Cantrell. “Studying the site and working on it has given me a deeper understanding of approaching art environments. It’s in safe, caring hands.”

Partnering with Pasaquan PASAQUAN is one of those have-to-see-to-believe cultural experiences. It is located at 238 Eddie Martin Road in Buena Vista, Georgia. Call 706-507-8306 or email Michael McFalls at mcfalls_michael@ColumbusState.edu to learn more about ways to partner and participate at Pasaquan.

Go behind the scenes of CSU’s psychedelic fortress at YouTube.com/ColumbusStateU

SPRING 2016

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CLASS NOTES 1973

1958

Dell Williams McMullen B.S.Ed ’73 & M.Ed. ’76, Dell Williams McMullen was selected as the new Director of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools in Europe. As the Director of DoDEA Schools in Europe, McMullen will have over-sight of the 66 schools located in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Bahrain, and Turkey that serve more than 28,000 children of U.S. military and eligible Department of Defense civilian personnel families stationed throughout the European theater. For the past five years, Dr. McMullen has been the District

Alton Russell, ATT, was reappointed by Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia to the Board of Corrections. Russell is a territory manager for Copaco Inc. He currently serves on the board of the Columbus Literacy Alliance, the Muscogee County Board of Equitation and the Columbus Charter Review Commission.

He served as chairman of the Third District Republican Party and the executive committee of the Muscogee County GOP.

1972 Michael Dwyer, A.S. ’72 and B.S. ’74, received his Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/ Distance Learning from the University of West Florida.

Dan Trotter, B.S.Ed ’72, Dan Trotter was inducted into the Tennesse Community College Athletic Association Hall of Fame. As the Cleveland State Men’s basketball coach from 1984 to 1987, the team earned their first national ranking in team history and had a record of 58 wins and 24 losses. He was inducted into the Cleveland State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.

1974 Janet Redden B.A. ’74, was awarded the Support Staff Employee of the Year for Newberry County in South Carolina.

1976 Mary T. Hall B.A. ’76, Mary T. Hall, B.A. ’76, received a Master’s in Military History from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, in June 2015, as well as a program award for Outstanding Capstone Paper. Hall, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 1996 as a Commander, is an adjunct professor in political science for St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the state Honors

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College, and is course chair for Legal Research in the Legal Studies Program at University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Hall, the 1975 Columbus College Homecoming Queen, received her B.A. in History at the age of 19. She graduated at 22 from the University of Georgia School of Law with a J.D. and later earned an LL.M. in Military Law while serving in the Navy.

1977 William “Pete” Rodda B.S. ’77, Pete Rodda was sworn in as the President of the International Association of Assessing Officers for 2016 at the 81st Annual International Conference on Assessment Administration in Indianapolis, Indiana.

1979 Rolando Morales B.S. ’79, Rolando Morales completed his coursework for a doctorate in pharmacy degree from

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Superintendent of DoDEA Schools in the Kaiserslautern, Germany District, serving more than 10,000 students in 20 schools. During that time, she also served as the Senior Civilian Leader for DoDEA Europe Schools during School Year 2011-2012. McMullen has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and accomplishments and has earned many awards throughout her career.

She received the National Excellence in Education Award, for her unparalleled leadership in promoting and advancing excellence in education during the 2009 AdvancED Conference in Chicago, Illinois. She was named Girl Scout’s Woman of Achievement, participated in the Army Community of Excellence (ACOE) awards program at the Pentagon and received the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. She was named a Columbus State University College of Education & Health Professions Outstanding Alumni in 2002 and was inducted into the Columbus State University College of Education & Health Professions Hall of Fame in 2005.

Shenandoah University.

1981 Jim Holtzclaw B.S. ’81, was named Senior Vice President at the Cyber Security Consulting and Advisory Services practice at Marsh Risk Consulting.

1983 Suzanne Tucker Allen B.S.Ed. ’83, Received the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio’s Woman of Distinction Award. This award recognizes women who exemplify outstanding leadership and distinguished service, make significant contributions to their communities and professions, and who serve as role models for the next generation of women

leaders. Allen is the President & CEO of Philanthropy Ohio.

1985 Katie Aumann Morales A.A. ’85, Katie Morales completed the comprehensive exams in Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University’s Ph.D. in Nursing program.

1991 Keith Seifert, B.S.Ed. & M.Ed. ’91, was named the chief academic officer of Muscogee County (Georgia) School District. Seifert has been an educator for 24 years, all in the Muscogee County School District. He has served as the executive director of K-12 curriculum and instruc-tion since 2014. He was the secondary education director from 200514, principal of Hardaway High School from 1999-2005, assistant principal at Hardaway from 1994-99 and a health and physical education teacher and coach at Hardaway from 1991-94. Seifert

CLASS NOTES was an NCAA Division II FirstTeam All-American catcher in 1986 and Most Valuable Player on the Columbus College baseball team in 1985 and 1986. He was inducted into the Columbus State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

Deidra Dryden B.S.Ed. ’91, was appointed to the President’s Council at Southern Virigina University (SVU).

Along with this appointed, she has been named the Title IX coordinator for the university. During her time at SVU, Dryden has coached women’s soccer, basketball, softball and currently serves as the head tennis coach. She also taught mathematics and served as acting athletic director.

1993 Gary Sparks M.P.A. ’93, was named Douglasville’s police chief, being the first AfricanAmerican ever to hold the position. He began his public safety career as a military police officer. Then during his time with the Douglasville Police Department, Sparks worked his way through the ranks as a patrol officer, lieutenant, deputy chief and now police chief.

Belva Dorsey B.S. ’93, Belva Dorsey was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Department of Family and Children Services State Advisory Board. She currently

serves as the CEO of Enrichment Services Program Inc.

1996 Tim Harrington B.S.Ed, ’96, has been named the chair of the Department of Elementary & Middle Level Education and Graduate Reading at Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois.

1997 William Ingram B.S. ’97, M.S. ’06, was named Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Belmont University.

Previously, Ingram managed IT resources for the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development.

1998 Vernon M. Keenan M.P.A. ’98, was reappointed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Keenan is the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He is on the Private Detective and Security Agencies Board and the executive committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

1999 Nicholas Stutzman B.S. ’99, Nicholas Stutzman was elected parter in the firm Morris, Manning, & Martin, LLP, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

2001 Kynna Duncil Garner B.S. ’01, Kynna Duncil Garner,

B.S. ’01, was made a partner (January 2016) at Warner, Bates, McGough, McGinnis & Portnoy of Atlanta, Georgia.

Garner’s practice focuses on domestic and family law. She has twice been named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star”

by Atlanta Magazine, named a “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine, and was awarded the Custer Tuggle Award of Excellence by the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Abby Spriggs Cowart B.S. ’05, was selected as the first-ever executive director for the Shareholder Services Association.

2006

2005

Adam Forrester B.S.Ed. ’06, had his documentary film, “Eat White Dirt,” premier at the Columbus Museum in May 2015 and in August was named Best Documentary Short at this year’s Landlocked Film Festival in Iowa City, Iowa.

Earlier this Summer, Forrester was one of 21 artists selected from an international pool and received the coveted “Curator’s Choice Award” at DigitalGraffiti at Alys Beach — a projection art festival located on scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida’s South Walton County.

L. Susan Keigans M.B.A. ’05, of Camilla, Georgia, has been elected by her peers in the state as president of the Leadership GBA Executive Committee for the Georgia Bankers Association (GBA).

Additionally, Keigans will serve a one-year term as the Leadership GBA representative on the GBA board of directors.

Keigans joined Planters and Citizens Bank in 2006. She is executive vice president and corporate secretary for the bank.

Jennie Steinberg, B.A., ’06, LMFT, LPCC has recently transitioned into working in full-time private practice as a psychotherapist in Downtown Los Angeles. She has been an invited speaker for other mental health professionals and community members on a multitude of topics related to mental health and diversity, especially self-care for busy professionals and LGBT competence.

2002 Tiffany Bentley M.Ed. ’02, Tiffany Bently was named the 2015 Upson-Lee South Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

2003 Timothy Smith B.A. ’03 & Ed.D.’15, was promoted from principal at Blanchard Elementary School to executive director of Federal Programs for the Muscogee County School District. He will oversee funding for Title I (Disadvantaged Students), Title II (Teacher Quality) and Title III (English Language Learners).

SPRING 2016

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CLASS NOTES Wendell Turner M.P.A. ’06, was named Captain in the Canton Police Department.

2008 Tiffani Trawick B.A. ’08, has published her first novel, “No More Daddy’s Little Girl.” The novel is a cinematic comingof-age story set in Columbus, Georgia. It details all that is unique about the region, its people and the culture.

2009 George N. Turner M.P.A. ’09, chief of police for the city of Atlanta was named the president of the Georgi Association of Chiefs of Police.

Turner is a 34-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department, which is the state’s largest department.

He was appointed chief in July 2010.

2010 Kimberly Gray Middleton B.S. ’10, Kimberly G. Middleton, B.S. retired from Chatham County after 28 years of service to pursue her dream of being a full-time ministry student. Middleton

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rose through the ranks at Chatham County Sherriff’s Office, becoming the agency’s first female captain, and later, its first female major. She was the commander of the Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Bureau for many years. In her capacity as major, she served as the commander of both the operations and security roles in the Corrections Bureau.

Mandi Christine Kerr B.F.A. ’10, appeared in USA Network’s Satisfaction, Stephen King’s “Cell,” Sundance Channel’s awardwinning original series “Rectify,” and is currently working on Season 5 and 6 of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”

2011 Katie Brock Evans B.A. ’11 & M.Ed. ’13, married alumnus Joshua Evans on April 18, 2015, in Columbus, Georgia.

Alfredrick Campbell M.P.A. ’11, was named the deputy chief of police at Chattahoochee Technical College.

He is responsible for the daily operations of the department and in assisting the chief of police.

Suliman Tekalli B.A. ’11, is a recent winner of the top prize at the 2015 Seoul International Violin Competition, Schwob School of Music. The violin alumnus is a student of Professor Sergiu Schwartz; the William B. and Sue Marie Turner Distinguished Faculty Chair in Violin; and performed

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as a soloist with the worldrenowned ensemble International Sejong Soloists at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., in honor of South Korean President Park Geun-hye during her recent visit with President Obama. Dignitaries present at the event included Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert.

Suliman performed on an Antonio Stradivarius violin, Cremona, 1683, ex-Cobbett, on loan from Mr. Higgin Kim, Chairman of Byuckaan Engineering Co. Ltd., through the Stradivari Society® of Chicago and Sejong Soloists.

In addition to his solo performance with the Sejong Soloists, Suliman Tekalli was also commissioned by the international ensemble to write a special arrangement of Piazzolla’s Libertango, the first-ever transcription of Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin for violin and piano, and the orchestration of Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2 as a concertino for violin and orchestra.

2012 Christphe Noblet M.P.A., was promoted to the men’s tennis head coach at Stetson University in Deland, Florida.

Previously, Noblet was Stetson’s associate head coach.

A native of France, Noblet played collegiately at Columbus State, where he earned national rankings in both singles (No. 2) and doubles (No. 31) in 2011. During the 2010-2011 season, Noblet earned All-American honors as CSU advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four.

2013 Justin Gregory M.P.A., was named deputy chief of the AthensClarke County Police Department. For the past two years, Gregory has been the administrator for the Career Development and Training Unit and Strategic Response Team.

Donna Tebought M.P.A., was promoted to the Director of Risk Reduction Services in the Inmates Services Division of the Georgia Department of Corrections. Donna will oversee the implementation and accountability of the programs and services available to Georgia’s estimated 53,000 offenders.

2014 Paola Cigui B.A., was named head coach of the Emerson College women’s tennis team in Boston, Massachusetts. Cigui played collegiately at Columbus State, where she was ranked No. 1 in the nation for a few weeks, a first in the history of the women’s tennis program.

2015 Sarah Hawk Turner B.S.Ed. ’15, was awarded the Georgia Association on Young Children’s Student of the Year Award.

ALUMNI Q&A

Q&A with Jennifer Joyner Director, Alumni & Donor Engagement Executive Director, CSU Alumni Association

More About Me

BY CANDACE MORROW

W

ho exactly are the campus members making alumni engagement happen at CSU and beyond? With this year’s newly designed alumni magazine, Columbus State, we would like to introduce the ones working behind the scenes to make alumni experiences unforgettable for years to come.

In this new Q&A section, meet Jennifer Joyner, director of alumni and donor engagement and executive director of the CSU Alumni Association:

A: Guess what? There are no dues to become part of the CSU Alumni Association.

It’s free. And there are a lot of benefits. In addition to participation in engagement opportunities, alumni also have access to campus resources, such as the recreational center and Center for Career Development.

We can also provide help with internships, job searches or professional development through the CSU career center.

BEFORE THIS POSITION, I DID: Manager, Children’s Miracle Network at Columbus Regional; Executive Director, Office of Alumni Services & University Special Events at Mercer University; and Manager, Community Relations at The Macon Telegraph.

Q: Do you have an alumni event or activity you have helped strengthen in your role?

BEST MOVIE I EVER SAW: My favorite is “Chicago.”

Q: One of the most frequent questions alumni have is how to track down their transcript. Can you help with that?

A: Oh, definitely! Homecoming. It’s now held during the fall and has been for the past two years. Homecoming also includes alumni-specific events, which are familyfriendly and fun. With the Doughboy football game, the parade and the Evening on the Top concert, it’s turned into a really fun event.

LAST BOOK I READ: I am reading the “Outlander” series. I love period fiction books. As part of the CSU Alumni Association, we are traveling to Scotland and Ireland this semester, and these books are set in Scotland.

A: That’s the one call I get most days on campus because it’s only natural to call the Office of Alumni Engagement when it concerns alumni-related information. It’s no problem to get them to the right person. Plus, it gives me an opportunity to connect with alumni while I have them on the phone. But in case you were wondering, the Office of the Registrar provides transcripts.

Q: As director of alumni and donor engagement and executive director of the CSU Alumni Association, what is your main priority?

A: My main focus is developing connections between our alumni and our university. I spend a lot of my time coordinating engagement opportunities for alumni to reunite and share memories during on- and off-campus events.

Q: What is the cost and benefit to being a member of the CSU Alumni Association?

Q: What the best thing about your job?

A: The best part about my job is meeting alumni at events and in my office. I will even meet you at Einstein’s for coffee and a chat to learn more about you and figure out how we can get you back involved on campus — whether that means helping you reconnect with classmates, programs, departments and professors. This also helps us document memories. Because the university has a limited amount of years worth of annuals documenting our students’ experiences from the past, I’m encouraging alumni to send me photos, stories and past news clippings to help our office document their campus memories. Who knows? You may see them in the next alumni magazine.

SPRING 2016

FAMILY: Husband, Richard Joyner, of 18 years and one daughter, Audrey, 9.

FAVORITE RECORDING ARTIST: I have several but listen the most to Adele and Mumford and Sons.

MOST INTERESTING COLLEGE COURSE TAKEN: In my master’s courses at CSU, I had three favorites: Foundations of Servant Leadership, Ethics and Economics. I learned so much from each of these very different courses and professors.

Visit alumni.columbusstate.edu to learn more about alumni engagement and the CSU Alumni association. Also, call 706-507-8956 or email jennifer. joyner@columbusstate.edu for more information about upcoming events.

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ALUMNI SCENE First Thursdays First Thursdays are casual networking events held in various locations around Columbus. This academic year, First Thursday gatherings took place at popular venues such as Ben’s Chop House, Epic, Meritage and Houlihan’s.

For more information, visit Alumni.ColumbusState.edu under events.

Homecoming 2015 Homecoming features fun alumnirelated activities like the Doughboy Football game, the annual Alumni Recognition Awards Lunch, parade and Evening on the Top. Make sure to save the date for November 7–12, 2016.

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ALUMNI SCENE Senior Toast (1) Each December and May, graduates gather at the Whitley Clock Tower to toast to their achievement of earning their degrees.

Pictured are members from the December 2015 graduating class.

Alumni & Friends Regional Events CSU travels the Southeast to visit with alumni living in various cities. These events take place from Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Birmingham and Macon to Savannah, Jacksonville, Auburn, LaGrange and Newnan. Go to Alumni.ColumbusState.edu for upcoming events.

Tower Society Donor Gala This annual celebration supports CSU’s leadership donor group. The November 2015 event took place at the RiverMill Event Centre. Dr. Shawn Cruzen spotlighted his students and their research happening at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.

SPRING 2016

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ATHLETICS

Nicole Corcione Columbus State All-American scores big in nation, region

BY CANDACE MORROW

N

PHOTO COURTESY OF CSU DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS

icole Corcione epitomizes what a true “student-athlete” represents at CSU. A star of the university’s 2015-16 soccer team, the junior nursing student became a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American.

She also earned both Peach Belt Conference and Southeast Region “Player of the Year” titles.

“It takes hard work on and off the field in order to be successful in not only soccer, but life,” said the 20-year-old student-athlete from Candler, N.C. “You have to be willing to put the time in to get the results you want.”

Corcione played in the best season in program history as the Lady Cougars advanced to the national championship in Pensacola, Fla., this academic year. The third-ranked women’s soccer team faced top-ranked Grand Valley State in the championship match.

“A lot of emotions ran through my head prior to that game,” Corcione said. “I wanted to win, obviously. I was super ner-

vous but yet so excited for the opportunity that our team had been given. I also realized how truly honored and blessed I felt to be there.”

However, the Lady Cougars fell short, 2-0.

“I took a lot away from the experience, despite the loss,” she said. “I learned that win or lose, I will always have so much respect for the soccer program here at CSU. I’m surrounded by some of the best teammates and friends I have ever had.

I was really happy to have shared that experience with them.”

The historic season wrapped up with a 223-1 record — a new top mark for wins in the season for the program.

CSU captured the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles along the way. The team also earned the Southeast Region championship, becoming the program’s first team to reach the final four.

“This was a special year for our girls, and [our loss] takes nothing away from that,” said head coach Jay Entlich after the championship game. “I’m so proud of

everything they accomplished.”

En route to that game, Corcione turned in one of the top seasons in Lady Cougar history, too. She scored 15 goals on the year and added 13 assists on the season, which ranked third in the country.

The soccer star continued climbing the all-time record charts for the Lady Cougar program, ranking fourth in points (94), fourth in goals (35) and second in assists (24). Her 43 points on the season tied the CSU single-season record set by alumna Stephanie Lowery during 2010.

A soccer player since age 4, Corcione chose CSU because of its strong soccer and nursing programs.

“It’s a unique learning environment because of its smaller class sizes,” Corcione said. “It’s a unique sports environment because of its success with many of the teams here at CSU. My biggest challenge as a student-athlete is time management. You have to be able to balance practice, games and workouts with class, studying and tests.”

Like the difference she makes on the soccer field, Corcione plans to make a difference in health care after graduation.

While she prepares for her future in the nursing, she also readies for next season’s national championship.

“Everyday our team’s goal is to work hard enough to get back to that national championship game — and this time win,” said Corcione. “We’re running more than ever and really trying to grow even closer as a team.”

Let’s Play Ball!

Appleton said. “We are very grateful for the Schuster family and all their support. We hope to bring a very exciting season to the Columbus community.”

The newly designed stadium is named in honor of significant investments from Columbus’ Schuster Enterprises, which operates more than 60 Burger King restaurants in the Southeast.

CSU’s new $1.15 million Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field is now open to Cougar Nation baseball fans.

“The stadium looks impressive,” CSU baseball head coach Greg

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ATHLETICS

Key Golf Studio named after Columbus-bred champion

BY MICHAEL C. PRANGE

PHOTO BY SUHYOON CHO

Columbus State University golfers have a new swinging spot: the Key Golf Studio on University Avenue. The studio joins some of the finest golf centers across the country.

CSU Athletics officially opened the 13-acre practice center at the end of 2015 for men’s and women’s golf teams, and CSU student golf classes.

“This facility is out of this world,” said CSU golf coach Mark Immelman. “We are doing things here that you normally find only at established elite Division I programs.”

The men’s golf team also won this year’s Peach Belt Conference Championship.

Named after Columbus native and former competitive golfer James W. “Billy” Key, the studio features a large putting surface; two short game areas; a clubhouse with offices, locker rooms and a study section; and a technology-laden hitting bay designed to help CSU student-athletes hone their game.

Key joined university officials and supporters during its memorable ribbon-cutting ceremony and even took the studio’s first swing. “Golf is not easy,” said Key. “It takes a lot of practice.”

President’s Donor Report 2014-2015

Now Available Online: bitly.com/2014-2015DonorReport

SPRING 2016

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The CSU Fund

#CSUFirstChoice The Cornerstone of Philanthropy at CSU Last year, our generous alumni and friends invested $5.9 million through the CSU Fund. Thousands of gifts, large and small, were made in support of: •• Scholarships that empower students.

•• Academic programs that challenge and enrich.

•• Outreach that connects the community.

•• Campus engagement that deepens relationships.

•• Athletic scholarships that provide the winning edge.

•• Opportunities for excellence that set CSU apart.

Visit us online at columbusstate.edu/giving and make your gift today. You’ll join thousands of others who have invested in our students’ success through the CSU Fund. While you’re on our site, click the GiveCampus link to access our new crowdfunding platform and see some of the exciting new projects being led by our students and faculty. You can even submit your own idea for consideration. Go Cougars!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark your calendars Visit Alumni.ColumbusState.edu and ColumbusState.edu/calendar for a full list of alumni and campus events.

REMEMBER WHEN...

JUNE

Columbus State University STEM Camp

June 6–17, Space is limited to 30 middle school students, selected on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated interest in STEM, evidence of successful teamwork and teacher recommendations. For more information, contact Tim Howard at 706-507-8460 or Tim.Howard@ColumbusState.edu

Coca-Cola Space Science Center — Astronomy Night

May 14, Stargazing and planet viewing. 9 p.m. at Callaway Gardens.

JULY

Oxbow Meadows — Insectival

July 6, Inspect insects, befriend bumblebees and eat cookies with crickets at this year’s Insectival Festival 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center.

TOWER THROWBACK: THE CSU COUGARS WINNING THE 2002 NCAA DIVISION II WORLD SERIES.

SEPTEMBER

Alumni Engagement — First Thursday

September 1, 5–6:30 p.m. Visit ColumbusState.edu/alumni for more information.

Coca-Cola Space Science Center — Astronomy Night

September 10, Stargazing and planet viewing. 8 p.m. at CCSSC.

Cunningham Center — 11th Annual Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum

September 12–13, Columbus Convention and Trade Center.

Register at jblf.org or call 706-568-5101 for more information.

OCTOBER

University Advancement — Tower Society Donor Gala October 14, By invitation only.

HOMECOMING.COLUMBUSSTATE.EDU SPRING 2016

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 10 Columbus, Georgia

4225 University Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31907-5645 Address service requested

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer lives at home, please send the correct address to advancementservices @ColumbusState.edu Thank you.

2016 President’s Recognition Dinner Recipients!

THOMAS Y. WHITLEY DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD

FRANK D. BROWN ACHIEVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD

Arthur L. Smith, III (B.S. ’76)

Kayron M. Laska

HONORARY ALUMNA: BETSY T. LEEBERN RECIPIENTS WERE HONORED APRIL 21.