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Campus Review
September 19, 2012
Page 10
2012 Olympic Volunteer
Christen Ruff Joins Recreation & Wellness
by Ciji Fox, University Relations
Hatchett is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke
College and has been recognized as a dis-
tinguished alumni and awarded an hon-
orary degree by the college. Because of
her commitment to excellence and service
within the community, she was also
awarded the Emory Medal, the highest
award given to an alum by the university.
Currently, Hatchett presides over the syn-
dicated show, “Judge Hatchett,” currently
in its 10th season (Sony Pictures
Television), and is the founder of Parent
Power Now, the premiere online parenting
network. She is also the author of the
national best-sellers “Dare to Take
Charge” (Center Street) and “Say What
You Mean, Mean What You Say”
(HarperCollins).
In addition to Hatchett’s keynote, Clayton
State students will also be presenting at
the conference. Rawlinson has made a call
for proposals to the student body, noting,
“presenting at the conference is an excellent
way to showcase your leadership skills and
expand your presentation portfolio.”
For more information regarding the
Diversity and Multicultural Conference,
contact Rawlinson at lakiesacanteyrawlin-
son@clayton.edu, or (678) 466-5433.
Christen Ruff recently became assistant
director of the Clayton State University
Department of Recreation & Wellness for
intramural and club sports, coming direct-
ly to Clayton State from London, and the
2012 Summer Olympics.
Ruff’s experience volunteering at the
2012 Olympics included two weeks at the
wrestling venue.
“About three years ago, I wanted to vol-
unteer for the winter Olympics in Canada
as part of an internship for my Sport
Management degree at the University of
Tennessee,” Ruff says. “When I went to
sign up, I quickly realized that I was two
years too late, so I decided to look two
years into the future at the London 2012
games, not knowing where I would be in
my life. Over those two years, I had a for-
mal interview with the London Organizing
Committee for the Olympic Games and
also attended a test event and training
which was held in London in December.
“I was officially considered a wrestling
field of play attendant, where I escorted
athletes onto the field of play and ensured
the safety of players and coaches by moni-
toring accreditation access points. Overall,
it was an experience of a lifetime! As a
young girl who has always loved and val-
ued sports and athletic competition, being
part of the Olympics, the highest level of
sporting competition, was an experience
and dream of a lifetime. Cheering on team
USA was such a great feeling and I felt
proud to be representing my country at
that level of athletic competition.”
Ruff brings that same enthusiasm with her
to Clayton State. She explains how the
campus at UT provided her with amazing
opportunities when she was in college and
how she would love to pay it forward to
the students at Clayton State.
“I am new to the Recreation & Wellness
Department at Clayton State,” she says.
“But I have worked in campus recreation
for more than five years now. I come from
traditionally larger institutions, but I am
extremely excited about being a part of
the Clayton State University family.
There is an overwhelming feeling of com-
munity between students, faculty, and
staff at here that I hope to be able to join.
“My immediate goal is to provide a solid
structure that allows for the growth of
both my programs and student partici-
pants. I want to provide a wider range of
sporting activities that allows a larger per-
centage of the student population to get
involved in both intramural sports and
club sports. I want to see more students
step up and become leaders of their peers
by creating a club sport. Club sports are a
designed to serve individual interests in
different sports and recreational activities
and they give students the opportunity to
initiate and lead their own student organi-
zation which is a great opportunity for
Clayton State students!”
Ruff says she is also all about student
development, and is most excited about
getting more students involved in the
Recreation & Wellness Department with
the goal of being able to create bonds and
relationships to help them become an
even bigger part of the University.
Rec & Wellness’ Christen Ruff
Conference, cont’d. from p. 9