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Campus Review
December 12, 2013
Page 10
Clayton State Unveils New Alma Mater
byJohn Shiffert
Clayton State University debuted its new
alma mater at the University’s Fall
Commencement ceremonies on Saturday,
Dec. 7.
With words by Clayton State Associate
Professor of English Dr. Brigitte Byrd and
music by Assistant Professor of Music Dr.
Richard Bell, the new alma mater,
“Walking in Love and Strength,” was
sung for the first time in public by
Clayton State senior music performance
major Angie Plate at the conclusion of
each ceremony. Accompanying Plate was
the Clayton State Orchestra, fittingly
under the direction of Bell. Equally fit-
ting, the faculty audience for both cere-
monies included author Byrd.
According to Chair of the Clayton State
Department of Visual and Performing
Arts Dr. Susan Tusing, and Director of
Opera and Vocal Studies Dr. Kurt-
Alexander Zeller, for a number of years,
many members of the Clayton State com-
munity had been thinking that the univer-
sity needed an alma mater that would be
appropriate to all of its great ceremonial
occasions — not only Commencements,
but also New Student Convocations,
Honors Convocations, and, perhaps, even
championship basketball games.
“The song previously used as an Alma
Mater just at Commencements had a poet-
ic emphasis on looking back on a relation-
ship that was ending, but we needed a
song that expresses the pride and love of
Clayton State students throughout their
entire journeys toward making their
dreams real,” they explain.
“If we’ve done our jobs well, you who are
graduating today will not only `look back’
on Clayton State -- you will carry your
experience here with you throughout your
lives,” noted President Dr. Thomas
Hynes, in introducing the new alma mater.
The process of creating a newAlma Mater
that would speak fully to the spirit of
Clayton State began last winter, under the
leadership of Kate Troelstra, vice presi-
dent for External Relations. Students, fac-
ulty, staff, and alumni were invited to
reflect on the Clayton State experience
and to submit words and phrases that
expressed what they especially value
about that experience. Byrd, a respected
and extensively published poet, used
these ideas to craft the words, and Bell
composed the music to give that poem
voice.
The new Alma Mater reminds us of first
encountering our beautiful campus, of
finding a supportive community here, and
of recognizing the lifelong influence of
Clayton State on our lives, add Tusing and
Zeller.
“We would like to see our new Alma
Mater become a treasured university tra-
dition: a cherished song that every mem-
ber of the Clayton State community will
want to learn and to sing, a song that will
evoke for our alumni fond memories of
the place where their dreams were made
real,” they hope.
“I think that the new lyrics explain what I
thought while composing them,” adds
Byrd.
“I am excited about the unveiling of the
new alma mater on Saturday and am very
grateful to have been involved in the cre-
ative process,” says Bell. “In composing
the music I had two goals in mind: one,
the music should enhance the wonderful
text written by Dr. Byrd, and two, the tune
should be very singable so that it could be
performed by soloists, ensembles or entire
audiences. I hope all of our future campus
gatherings are enriched by everyone
singing together our new alma mater.”
“Walking in Love and Strength”
Walking through your majestic pines,
We embrace your simple splendor,
Our hearts and spirits full of hope,
Our minds wide open and ready.
O our dear alma mater,
You give us love and strength.
Walking by your beautiful lake,
We find a new community
Of people from all nations
All joined as one in learning.
O our dear alma mater,
You give us love and strength.
Walking proudly among our peers,
We wear your colors true.
Now shaped and prepared by Clayton State,
We are ready for our future.
O our dear alma mater,
You give us love and strength.
Walking through our unfolding lives,
We take you on the path,
Knowing that the years will change us
And your standard will remain.
O our dear alma mater,
You give us love and strength.
Words by Dr. Brigitte Byrd
Music by Dr. Richard Bell
Senior music performance major Angie Plate