Page 20 - Laker Connection Spring 2012

campus update
Clayton High School, played last sea- son at Clayton State as a freshman, helping pace the Lakers to a 19-10 mark. He was leaving campus on May 25, 2011, when, during a storm, a tree fell on his car. Bradley was trans- ported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he underwent multiple surger- ies on his brain, neck and spinal cord. He spent the summer in rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, be- fore coming home in the fall.
NSSE RESULTS SHOW CLAYTON STATE STRONG IN STUDENT SUPPORT
The National Survey of Student En- gagement (NSSE) recently released its newest report, Fostering Student En- gagement Campuswide – Annual Re- sults 2011. The report is the result of a national-scope survey designed to provide data to colleges and universi- ties to assess and improve undergradu- ate education, inform accountability and accreditation efforts, and facilitate na- tional and sector benchmarking efforts.
With one of the foci of Clayton State’s new strategic plan being stu- dent success and support for students, it is worth noting that many of the sur- vey’s findings about Clayton State, taken from Clayton State students, tracked directly to student success.
Highlighting the data on Clayton State was the finding from an NSSE survey of 603 randomly-selected Clay- ton State students that 92 percent of the University’s freshmen reported that Clayton State provides substan- tial support for academic success, in comparison to 79 percent of freshmen elsewhere in Georgia. In addition, 90 percent of Clayton State seniors re- ported that the University emphasizes studying and academic work, com- pared to 82 percent of seniors report- ing elsewhere in Georgia.
Clayton State’s level of student sup-
port was also benchmarked in efforts like feedback from faculty to students, relationships between students and administrative personnel and offices, and the overall concept of providing support for academic success. Two- thirds of Clayton State first-year stu- dents said they received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty (compared to 57 percent statewide). Two-thirds of Clayton State seniors said they had positive relationships with administrative personnel and of- fices (compared to 56 percent statewide). On the subject of academic success, a high percentage of Clayton State seniors, the most knowledgeable group among the student body, said that the institution “provides substan- tial support for academic success.” The total here, 80 percent, surpassed the statewide average, 72 percent.
COMMENCEMENT; HONORS AND EXHORTATIONS
Commencement ceremonies are typically about honoring students who have just completed their de- grees, along with a few exhortations to those students.
That’s what happened at Clayton State University on Saturday, Dec. 10. However, the day also brought special recognition to one of the Southern Crescent’s outstanding public ser- vants. In addition to awarding some 475 undergraduate and graduate de- grees, Clayton State also presented the seventh honorary doctorate in the University’s 42-year
history.
M. Allan Vigil,
ate in Public Service from Clayton State President Dr. Thomas J. Hynes at the second of the two ceremonies held in the Athletics & Fitness Center on Dec. 10.
The exhortation part of graduation came from the keynote speakers, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham in the first ceremony, and for- mer Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin in the second ceremony.
CLAYTON STATE THEATRE FOUNDING DIRECTOR PASSES
Dr. Larry Bailey
Corse, the founder of
the Clayton State The-
atre, and its director
for 31 years, passed
away on Thursday ,
Dec. 8, 2011, at the age
of 71. Clayton State’s second-most senior faculty member at the time of his June 2003 retirement, Corse was also a professor of English.
In September1972, Corse joined the faculty of Clayton State (then Clayton Junior College). Though Corse will be remembered for his teaching, his con- tributions to Clayton State Theatre will be his lasting legacy. Corse was committed to both student actors/ac- tresses and aspiring playwrights. Corse opened the stage to premiere new works of theatre, including the musical The Day it Rained Forever, by science fiction author Ray Bradbury and composer William Whitefield, and the play Your Name in Bold, by former Clayton State biology professor Dr. Greg Hampikian. The Clayton State Theatre premiered 34 new works under his direction.
DIRK MORRELL RETIRES
Every long-term institution has em- ployees that, over the years, define the institution.
At Clayton State University, one of
18
THE LAKER CONNECTION
president and owner
of Allan Vigil Ford
Lincoln Mercury in
Morrow and Allan
Vigil Ford in Fayet-
teville, received an Honorary Doctor-
Vigil
Corse