Page 22 - Laker Connection Fall 2009

Campus Update
Clayton State bids farewell to Dr. Harden, hello to Dr. Hynes
Dr. Thomas J. (Tim) Hynes Jr., officially began his tenure as the interim president of Clayton State University on May 18, 2009.
Just prior to Hynes’ arrival, the Clayton State University fac- ulty and staff bid a fond farewell to President Dr. Thomas K. Harden and his wife, Cathy
Harden, at a special reception in
the Harry S. Downs Center.
After nine years as Clayton State’s president, Harden left the University to become the chan- cellor of the University of Wis- consin Green Bay. Among the comments shared with the 200+ individuals in attendance at the reception was one by Herbst, to whom Harden reported in his role as Clayton State’s president.
“Throughout the challenges
he has kept focus on what really matters...the students,” said Herbst.
Buildings change names
As part of an on-going effort to bet- ter and more clearly identify the build- ings on the Clayton State University campus, name changes for several Clayton State buildings took effect in March. The Administration Building be- came Faculty Hall and the Technology Building became Clayton Hall.
In addition, on Mar. 26, the Univer-
sity officially named its Jonesboro facil-
ity in honor of long-time Jonesboro
resident and former Clayton State University Foundation trustee Lucy C. Huie, one of the Southern Crescent’s notable civil rights pioneers and community activists.
At the naming ceremony, Huie was described as “a builder of communities and dreams... and a great example of the type of people who serve Clayton State,” by University President Dr. Thomas K. Harden. Huie was also feted by Leonard More- land, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Clayton State Uni- versity Foundation, Clayton State Director of Development Reda Rowell, and daughter Dr. Mary Huie Jolly. To learn more about Huie Hall, see p. 5.
Hynes had held the position as provost
and vice president for academic affairs and
professor of Mass Communications at the Uni-
versity of West Georgia (UWG) for all but two
years since 1996. On two occasions, during
the 1999/2000 and 2006/2007 academic years, Hynes served as acting president of UWG when President Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna was called to the University System Office to serve as acting senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.
University System of Georgia Chief Academic Officer Dr. Susan Herbst commented upon announcing Hynes’ appoint- ment, saying, “we are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Hynes’ strong leadership skills during this transition. Clayton State University has a great deal of momentum going for it, and I am confident that the institution will be in excellent hands under Dr. Hynes.”
Clayton State honored as
Clayton County Business of the Year
Clayton State University was honored on Feb. 3, 2009 by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 55th Annual Banquet
and Awards Presenta-
tion.
Recognizing the
University’s growth and
impact on its commu-
nity, the Chamber pre-
sented Clayton State
President Dr. Thomas
K. Harden with its pres-
tigious 2008 Business of the Year Award.
The University’s economic impact on the Southern Cres- cent region is impressive. According to a fall 2008 study done for the University System of Georgia, Clayton State’s regional economic impact is 1,737 jobs. In addition, initial spending in the Southern Crescent generated by the University for FY2007 was just under $120 million and the output impact of the Uni- versity was just under $184 million.
Dr. Hynes
Dr. Harden and his wife, Cathy, at his farewell.
Dr. Harden and Reda Rowell, director of Development
18 THE LAKER CONNECTION