Monthly Column October 2016
The Best Job in the State
I am occasionally asked what it is like to serve as a college president. The question comes in a variety of formats. “What is a typical day like for you?” or “What is the best time of day for you to receive a call (or schedule a doctor’s appointment)?” or “What do you do with yourself in the evenings and on weekends?” So let me just tell you, there is no typical day, no predictably good time to schedule something, and no excess of free time to cause me to ponder what to do with myself. But I am not complaining at all. In fact, this is exactly why I love my job.
I am honored to serve as the president of Dalton State College. Never before have I worked in a community that supported the college as much as people do here. Never before have I been at a college where so many things are going WELL, where we are growing, expanding, and improving in so many ways.
I believe that I have the best job in the state of Georgia. Truly. Every morning, I wake up and think about what I am going to do to help students obtain a quality college education and a positive quality of life as they prepare to become productive citizens. And every night when I rest my head on my pillow, I reflect on the day’s activities that moved the needle on the numbers of students earning a college degree. Every day presents a new set of challenges, and every day I work alongside like-minded people who are dedicated to the same purpose. The weeks run together and moments after our May graduation ceremony I realize it is nearly Halloween. And where other than this community and at Dalton State College would I rather be? I can think of no better opportunity.
I hope you have marked October 21 on your calendars for the inauguration ceremony here at Dalton State. We will gather by the Burran Bell Tower at 2 pm for the investiture of the fifth president of the college. This ceremony will also serve as the kick-off event for a year of celebrations leading up to our fiftieth anniversary. Throughout the week, there will be activities that highlight the college. You are encouraged to participate, especially if you have not been on campus recently. This will be an opportunity to see several of our new and newly renovated buildings on campus and learn about the good work of our students, faculty, and staff. Here are a few of the activities for the week:
Monday, October 17:
Campus Community Concert at 7:30 pm in the Goodroe Auditorium of Gignilliat Memorial Hall. Talented faculty, staff, and students will showcase their artistic gifts for our enjoyment.
Wednesday, October 19:
At 4 pm we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand re-opening of our renovated Health Professions building and grand opening of our new Student Health Center within the Health Professions Building;
Beginning at 5 pm we will host an open house with tours of Peeples Hall, Mashburn Hall, the Health Professions Building and the Pope Student Center;
Beginning at 5:30 pm, students from all disciplines will give presentations regarding their research activities at Peeples Hall.
Thursday, October 20:
At 6 pm, we will gather in Goodroe Auditorium to hear faculty from each of the Schools participate in a humorous “debate” regarding the importance of each of their disciplines to the future of the planet Daltonia.
Friday, October 21:
If the inauguration ceremony is not enough fun for you, please come to the Bandy Gymnasium at 7 pm for a great women’s volleyball game against William Carey University.
There are other activities throughout the week including a day of service and an ice cream social for students, so we will be celebrating all week. Please join us as your schedules permit. We would love nothing more than to show off for our community.
Finally, I hope you have purchased your season tickets for the 2016-2017 Roadrunner basketball games. Mashburn Arena is the place to be on game day! Please visit the Athletics website (dsroadrunners.com) and choose the “Tickets” link to purchase your season tickets, or click on the Athletics link from the Dalton State website, daltonstate.edu.