Dedicated to Success: "Weeks of Welcome" celebrates CSU achievements, Class of 2028

(August 13, 2024) - The ballrooms at the Student Activities Center were completely packed on Monday, August 5, as faculty and staff excitedly opened Clayton State University’s Weeks of Welcome – a series of events organized for faculty, staff, and students in anticipation for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Opening the month’s festivities was Dr. Corrie Fountain, Clayton State’s interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, who shared a tremendous update regarding several programs under review after the Spring 2024 semester.

“Our Academic Strategies and Programs for Institutional Excellence proposal, otherwise known as ASPIRE, was successfully approved by the USG,” Fountain said. “This means that, with targets and benchmarking, all programs we advocated to keep were approved.”

Dr. Fountain expressed gratitude to the deans and faculty, as well as to the USG, for their collaborative work and patience as they reengaged the process.

Following roaring applause, Pres. Georj Lewis then took the floor to deliver his State of the University speech, which provided numerous positive updates on the institution’s current well-being and future projections to the energetic crowd.

Like his interim provost, Lewis was also appreciative of the hard work and support from the USG, but spoke even higher on the dedication of the university’s faculty and staff during a summer of transition into the new 2024-2027 Strategic Plan: Transforming Today for Tomorrow.

When discussing the past, Lewis spoke on the university’s successful reaffirmation of accreditation process through the Southern Assoc. of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) – the regional commission responsible for accrediting degree-granting institutions in the state of Georgia.

“Our on-site visit, a rigorous visit, was conducted in April,” Lewis said. “The onsite committee assessed our adherence to the SACSCOC standards and reviewed Clayton State University’s quality enhancement plan, titled “Lakers Edge.” Our preliminary results and feedback included something very rare – zero recommendations [for change].”

Lewis also expressed excitement in growing enrollment at Clayton State, saying Laker Nation’s numbers have been progressively rising since Fall 2023.

“We have now seen three consecutive semesters of growth in headcount enrollment,” Lewis said. “During Fall 2023 – 0.4%; Spring 2024 – 5.1%; Summer 2024, we were up around 3%. And [for Fall 2024] we’re currently trending in the appropriate direction – up.”

Lewis also shared that the university’s retention rates from its “most recent cohort,” being Fall 2022-Fall 2023, are the second highest in the institution’s past 18 years.

And after speaking with Dr. Narem Reddy, dean of Institutional Research and Budgets for Academic Affairs, Lewis confirmed that Clayton State’s graduation rates are the highest they’ve been in two decades.

He expressed further pride in Lakers Athletics, saying many of the university’s student athletes have ensured they’re performing as dominantly in the classroom as they are on the field.

“In Spring 2024, over half of our student athletes earned a 3.0 GPA,” Lewis said. “And half of them were above a 3.5”

The times ahead, Lewis said, can simply be described as a “bold and exciting future.”

And his claim couldn’t have been better displayed than at the Class of 2028’s Convocation ceremony, which was held on Friday, August 9, at Spivey Hall.

Composed of nearly 800 students, Pres. Lewis informed all in attendance that the Class of 2028 is made up of 54% freshmen to 46% transfer students, and is collectively from 16 different American states as well as a total of 13 different countries.

The Class of 2028 will also be the first class to fully enjoy new traditions established just this year over the next four years, including “Dress-Up Wednesday” sponsored by CSU’s Student Government Association, where students are encouraged to wear their best formal attire on campus.

“The Student Government Association, once a month, is going to select the Laker that is [best] dressed for success,” said Dr. Don Stansberry, vice president of Student Affairs. “On Thursday, that’s ‘Spirit Thursday,’ we’re going to celebrate The Clayton State University. We want to see Laker Pride – blue, orange, or a Clayton State shirt!”

Surrounded by applause, cheers, and laughter, the new Lakers in attendance excitedly and intently listened to the words of wisdom and support being given to them, eager to begin their academic journeys and make memories along the way at Clayton State.

For Drs. Lewis and Fountain, the ceremony capped off a week that demonstrated perfectly what Clayton State University’s new mission of social mobility is all about – prioritizing the strong, unwavering dedication to all students who call CSU home.

 “You can ask for help – we will be there,” Fountain said. “We all had a ‘Day One,’ and that’s why we’re so excited for you to start yours. Our commitment to you does not just end with this ceremony. It started with your admission into college, but it continues forward to graduation. Welcome to Laker Nation, welcome to Clayton State, and welcome home.”

“We are dedicated to ensuring your success on campus,” Lewis said. “As a community and as Laker Nation, it is through helping each other that we all succeed and rise. While immersing yourself in your studies, find joy in expanding your knowledge and pursuing your passions. Focus on your goals and watch your aspirations come to fruition.”