Page 7 - Laker Connection Fall 2010

ON EDUCATION > I am learning centered.
Learning centered is the largest number of people whose primary focus of learning is students, and it is the work of an institution to create the conditions for continuous learning.
Hynes and students
Like many Clayton State students, Hynes
was a first generation college student. He
began his undergrad degree in mathematics at the University of Massachusetts. Hynes paid his tuition by working a variety of jobs, including a cook in a boys camp, an assistant in a machine shop, a roof maintenance person, and a work study student running copiers, to name a few. After earning his bach- elor’s, he went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in speech from the University of North Carolina and returned to the University of Massachusetts for a Ph.D. in Communications Studies.
In an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Hynes shared, “I was the first in my family to graduate from college. Now, you’ll make mistakes if you assume you know what’s going on in someone’s head, but higher education was seen by my fam- ily as a way to get better opportunities than what the previous generation had. Higher education is very much seen by our stu- dents as that same opportunity. And I must say; I do love these kids.”
Just observe Hynes walk from point A on the campus to
point B, and you know – as he stops along the way to talk to the students he passes – he does care for our students. As an educator, Hynes encourages Clayton State’s students to not only learn their lessons in the classroom, but to also learn an important life lesson during their years at Clayton State: Ask questions.
“When I was younger, I thought to ask a question meant you were stupid or unable to find the answer on your own. But I learned that asking questions demonstrates respect for [a per-
Opposite: Hynes prepares for his day in his office. Above Left: Hynes at- tends the groundbreaking ceremony for Clayton State’s BHS Annex, Mar. 19, 2010. Above: Hynes, current president, with Clayton State’s founding president Dr. Harry S. Downs. Downs received an honorary doctorate from the University at the spring 2010 Commencement Ceremonies. Above: Hynes speaks at the spring 2010 Commencement.
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