Page 31 - Laker Connection 2014

trustee/advisor profile
TIM CRAWFORD AND DANA LEMON LEADERS IN DREAMS MADE REAL
The Board of Trustees at Clayton State is heading in an exciting direction with changes and growth in areas that will allow us to play an even bigger role in the success of the university. I
Iam a huge fan of Clayton State and have
been since I was in high school. I believe in the work this institution is doing. I believe this school gives students affordable yet quality education. Part of my excitement as
a new member of the advisory board is to be able to tell the story of Clayton State,” says Dana Lemon.
The Board of Advisors is a key leadership group that reviews current topics pertaining to the University’s long-term strategic plans and provides feedback to the trustees, the president, and other key members of University administration.
Lemon grew up in McDonough, Ga., and is firmly rooted in Henry County. She is president of the family business, W.D. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home, where she works alongside her six brothers and sisters and two nephews.
She is very active within and committed to serv- ing her community. She serves on the Georgia Depart- ment of Transportation Board representing the13th Congressional District, having been elected as the first woman to serve on that board. She also serves on the Board of Directors for New Life Community Min- istries and the Executive Committee for the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association.
After graduating from Henry County High School, she graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in Psychology. She later graduated with hon- ors from the Grupton-Jones College of Funeral Serv- ice. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and continues to do many outreach services to the community through the sorority.
“Everyone deserves an opportunity to get a secondary degree. It gives them choices and grows potential. Clayton State gives this opportunity to our community,” says Lemon.
Her commitment to community service and outreach was recognized in 2012 by the Georgia House of Representatives where she received a res- olution and commendation for her contributions to the State of Georgia.
“am very excited about things currently underway and goals we have for the future! I have seen more growth at Clayton State these past six years than at any other time in the university’s history,” says Tim Crawford, Clayton State University Foundation Board Chair.
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Crawford graduated in 1984 from Clayton State and also has two daughters who are Clayton State alumni. He is president and co-owner of Her- itage Cadillac Mitsubishi Saab. As a business owner in the community, he has great appreciation for the economic impact the University has had and will continue to have in the future.
“The Dream Makers Scholarship Initiative, as we have already seen, is off to a great start increasing scholarships through the work of the Board and the University staff. We see a great opportunity for fur- ther increases in coming years,” says Crawford.
The vision of the board, noted Crawford, is to continue to bring together a diverse representation of the community and perhaps involve more alumni. There is a strong desire to continue growing the number of scholarships available for students. At Clayton State there are many students who might not be able to afford quality education without these scholarships. In 2013, 78 percent of our students demonstrated need and received some sort of aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.).
“By giving back to the community not only fi- nancially but also with time, we can help make it bet- ter,” says Crawford.
Dana Lemon
Tim Crawford
_ Erin Fender
SPRING 2014 29