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Inaugural Address
Thomas Z. Jones, President
Armstrong Atlantic State University
October 12, 2001
The Joy of the Journey
Regent Martin NeSmith, Ms. Harriet Konter, Mr. Steve Green, Ms. Amy Massey, Mr. Michael Pullen, and Dr. Chuck Shipley. I thank you for those warm greetings and your counsel.
President Brown, thank you for your presentation and kind words. Frank Brown and I have been close professional and personal friends since we first met in 1988. Frank, I want to thank you for selecting me to serve as Columbus State's chief academic officer, and affording me the opportunity to serve and learn from you.
To Chancellor Portch and members of the Board of Regents, I want to express my appreciation to you for providing me the opportunity to serve as the sixth president of Armstrong Atlantic State University. I am truly humbled by this special honor.
When Chancellor Portch introduced me to the faculty, staff, and students over a year ago, he indicated that during the search and screening process he discovered two things about me. First, I tell bad jokes and second, my tie selection left much to be desired. Well, chancellor, since my arrival, you will be pleased to learn that my jokes have not improved, but my taste in ties has improved significantly thanks to gifts I have received from my administrative colleagues here at Armstrong.
Special thanks go to Dr. Joe Buck, chair of the inauguration committee, and to the faculty, staff, and student members of the committee for their tireless work in preparing for this special day. I very much appreciate your efforts! Please take some time to review the names of these individuals in your program. Also, I want to extend a special thanks to Professor Susan White and her group for the beautiful floral arrangements on the stage.
I also wish to thank the Armstrong Atlantic State University Army ROTC for its presentation of the colors; the Brass Ensemble, directed by Professor Mark Johnson, for our instrumental music; and the AASU Singers, who you will have the pleasure of hearing after my comments. The AASU Singers are directed by Professor Scott Buchanan.
Special appreciation goes to the members of our family: our son Matt and his wife, Hillary, our son Mike, my brother- and sister-in-law, Jack and Roselyn Flanigan, Mr. and Mrs. John Tennet. I also wish to thank my good friends and former colleagues from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Columbus State University who are with us today. And most importantly, a very, very special thank you goes to Joyce, my wife and the love of my life for the past thirty-one years. Thank you for your love and patience.
Introduction
Distinguished delegates, Armstrong Atlantic faculty, staff, students, and friends: I am so pleased you are present on this day of celebration for the Armstrong Atlantic State University community, and for Joyce and me.
Cicero said, "Brevity is a great charm of eloquence." If true, then at least a portion of this quote will be fulfilled by me today . . . the brevity portion.
In fact, while preparing for today, my research brought me to an analysis of U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses. I noted with interest, the longest inaugural address was delivered by William Henry Harrison in 1841. It had 210 sentences consisting of 8,428 words. That's about thirty-five typed pages in length. The shortest address was delivered by George Washington in 1793, at his second inauguration. It consisted of four sentences with a total of 135 words, less than a page in length. I doubt that I can outdo George Washington, but I promise to do much better than President Harrison.
Last week, on AASU Day, we celebrated the start of the sixty-seventh year of Armstrong Atlantic State University. Earlier this week we commemorated the rich history of Armstrong Atlantic with a tree planting ceremony in recognition of the five distinguished presidents who guided this university during its first sixty-five years. There is much to learn from those who came before us; past presidents, faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders. These individuals helped to transform Armstrong Atlantic into the quality institution it is today.
Last November, I had the opportunity to speak to our campus community. My comments focused on "AASU: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Today, I want to follow up on this theme and share with all in attendance the excitement I feel for this institution.
You may be asking why the topics "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow?" Well, I believe to fully understand where we are going, we must have an appreciation of where we have been and where we are. Or as Confucius wrote, "Study the past if you would divine the future."
The Past
Every journey has a beginning with its milestones, its ups and downs, and its good companions along the way. Armstrong Atlantic's journey began some sixty-six years ago, in 1935, when Armstrong Memorial Junior College was founded.
There were many good companions to champion the idea of a "city college" for Savannah, and to nurture it in the early days. To name but a few: Mayor Thomas Gamble, who I am told, was a small man in stature, but big in energy and persistence. Around him stood civic-minded individuals of the community: the generous family of George F. Armstrong; the supportive newspaper of Herschel V. Jenkins; the financial gifts of Mills B. Lane; Union Camp and other local business interests. But most importantly, there stood the parents, the sons and daughters, the families of Savannah and beyond who welcomed Armstrong as a new educational opportunity for their community.
Since its founding, the institution has had a joyous journey, albeit sometimes a challenging one. It has had several different names, and it has expanded in size and scope. Now sons and daughters come to the university from more distant places, throughout the country and around the world.
The Present
Today, as throughout its past, Armstrong Atlantic State University enjoys an excellent reputation - a reputation that extends well beyond Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
Yet, it is important that we never forget that the university's real strengths and measures of quality are in its people - a well credentialed and talented faculty, a dedicated staff, a diverse and serious student body, a loyal alumni, and a corps of supportive community leaders and friends. All have devoted considerable energy, time, and talent in nurturing this institution. It is the people who have established Armstrong Atlantic State University as an institution that contributes significantly to the educational, cultural, and social advancement of Savannah, Coastal Georgia, and well beyond.
During this past year, the university community spent a considerable amount of time in self-reflection and assessment on what we are and what we aspire to become. The outcome of these efforts resulted in the development of a new strategic plan for the university. With this plan, we now have a well-defined road map for our future travels - one which will allow us to chart a clear course. In short, a plan linking the richness of yesterday's history to today's institutional assets in order to better address tomorrow's opportunities.
First, our plan clearly reaffirms the university's commitment to its historic roots - a commitment to its "Core Values" - access to quality programs in an environment that stimulates the intellectual growth and leadership potential of each student it serves.
In this regard, we will continue to enhance student learning by supporting the study of the arts, sciences, and humanities. Liberal arts education will be an integral part of our educational mission! In addition, we will provide special opportunities for our students to learn and grow through participation in the university's Honors Program, in international study, through experiential learning programs, in the performing and fine arts, in athletics, and in many other intellectual and recreational programs.
We will ensure that our students have the opportunity to study and learn in first-class facilities, have access to high quality library collections and information technology resources and services. We will support the scholarly and creative work of our faculty and the development of our staff.
Armstrong Atlantic is committed to expanding its partnerships with other higher education institutions and business interests in our region. The intellectual talents of our faculty, staff, and students will be focused on collaborating with our partners in addressing the educational, research, and service needs of our region. And finally, we will be working with diligence to increase our resource base by diversifying our fund-raising efforts, so that our supporters can continue to invest in this university.
Work on these core tenets is well underway on many fronts.
Second, we have set our course in four "Strategic Directions." Each direction draws on the strengths of our "Core Values," and matches these strengths with the educational needs of our region and state. These four strategic directions, which will define our distinctiveness, are the "Sciences and Technology," "Teacher Education and Preparation," "Health Professions," and "Regional Economic and Community Development."
The first of these strategic directions centers on the "Sciences and Technology." Building on our quality programs and faculty expertise in the physical sciences, life sciences, mathmatical sciences, economic sciences, and computing sciences, along with our partnership roles in the Yamacraw project and the Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program, Armstrong Atlantic State University's faculty, students, and graduates will be well prepared to assist Savannah and Coastal Georgia business interests with their future workforce, research, and development needs.
Since identifying this strategic mission, just in the past year alone, our chemistry program has received certification by the American Chemical Society. Just a few weeks ago, the chemistry department sponsored the Southeast Regional American Chemical Society meeting with more than 1,100 scientists and students in attendance. Earlier this fall our biology department hosted a national meeting of the American Society of Primatologists with over 300 scientists from around the world in attendance.
We have received full-term renewal of our computer science program accreditation - one of only four such accredited programs in the state of Georgia. And our computer science students just returned from the southeast regional meeting of the Association of Computing Machinery, where they finished first in the programming contest. Beginning in January, we will launch two new degree programs, a Bachelor of Information Technology and a Master of Computer Science.
And finally, freshmen enrollment in the Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program this past year increased by over forty percent.
These accomplishments are but a sampling of the many dynamic activities being spearheaded by our faculty and students in the sciences and technologies.
The second strategic direction is focused on "Teacher Education and Preparation." Recognized by the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators in 1998 as the "Best College of Education in Georgia," Armstrong's College of Education has historically played a significant role in preparing teachers for our elementary, middle, and high schools. Our faculty continues to develop and deliver unique, high quality programs, provide consultative expertise, and conduct applied research in concert with our K-12 partners.
Evidence of the university's efforts along these lines can be seen in many recent activities. AASU began delivering two new degree programs this fall- a master's degree in adult education and a bachelor's degree in special education. The college launched the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program this summer, which is an innovative program to transition degree-holding citizens to teaching careers.
Our College of Education, in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting, has developed an online post-baccalaureate certification program in special education for existing teachers, allowing them to become certified without having to leave their home communities.
Other special programs conducted by our College of Education include the award winning Pathways to Teaching Program, the Troops to Teachers Program, our sponsorship of the Southeast Georgia P-16 Council, and our cooperative programs with Savannah State University and Savannah Technical College which provide students at these institutions with the opportunity to become certified teachers in Georgia. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, a partnership with Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University will bring Georgia Southern's doctor of education program to Savannah.
Our third strategic direction is in the "Health Professions." Armstrong Atlantic State University was designated a Regional Health Professions Education Center by the Board of Regents in 1978. For the past twenty-three years the university has taken that charge seriously. Our College of Health Professions offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs. It has established collaborative ventures with many regional health systems and other healthcare providers throughout Coastal Georgia.
For example, just this past year, one of our professors was named the Physical Therapist of the Year by the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia. The college's Master of Public Health program was recently accredited by the Council on Education of Public Health - the first such program in the University System of Georgia to attain this status.
Our Department of Nursing is currently a partner with two of our regional health systems, St. Joseph's/Candler Health System and Memorial Health University Medical Center, to provide a fast-track nursing program, which will nearly double the number of graduates from our B.S.N. program within the next three years. Our radiologic sciences program is the first in the nation to be a web-delivered program.
And, when Savannah is designated a Center of Excellence under the statewide Cancer initiative, rest assured that Armstrong Atlantic State University will be ready to assume an educational leadership role in this effort.
The university's fourth strategic direction is one which will serve to mobilize the tenets of our "Core Values" and the previously mentioned "Strategic Directions." It is the university's intent to be a major facilitator of "Regional Economic and Community Development." By using the assets of this university, its people talent, and its physical facilities, we can have a significant impact on our region's future economic prosperity by providing valuable services to the citizens, businesses, and agencies residing and operating here.
We are making steady progress on this front with the Coastal Empire Economic Monitor published by our Department of Economics, and the recent Intellectual Capital Partnership with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. Involvement, engagement, and the matching of Armstrong's resources to the current and future needs of the region and state are absolutely essential.
The Future
Join me now for a few minutes and let's continue our journey into the future. What can we expect to see for Armstrong Atlantic State University, in nine short years, on its seventy-fifth birthday?
Here is what I see:
I see a university that is serving over 7,000 students; with ten to twelve percent of them living on campus in new student residence suites. Last week we hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on campus for construction of Phase I of our student residence complex. By next fall, we will have nearly 300 students living on the AASU campus. Others may never set foot on campus, but will benefit from our growing distance education programming.
I see a university that continues to embrace its core values by offering a comprehensive array of academic programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities; a university dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning by maintaining a well-qualified and dynamic faculty and a service-oriented, student-centered staff. I see a university that will continue to expand its academic program offerings in conjunction with its strategic directions. And, I see a university actively involved in a variety of collaborative enterprises within our region and beyond.
I see our students attending classes and studying in first-class facilities, a new science center, renovated academic buildings, and a renovated library with a new academic classroom building adjacent to it.
Some of these visions will become reality in the near future. We will begin moving into our new science center later this year. We will begin renovation of Victor, Solms, and Hawes halls next spring. And, we anticipate funding this coming year for renovation of the Lane Library; I may add, with able assistance and support of Regent NeSmith. And, Chancellor Portch, we will be back this coming spring with a request for that 100,000- square-foot academic classroom facility.
I see a university campus that will expand westward, with a presence on both sides of Abercorn Street. On the west campus, I see a large professional continuing education and conference center. The facility will provide educational programming for up to 25,000 citizens each year and a facility that will serve as a host site for regional, national, and international conferences. This facility will also serve as a doorway for Armstrong Atlantic State University to meet and greet our regional partners as we respond to their educational and service needs. The west campus project is on track. Shortly after the start of the new calendar year, we will be releasing a request for proposals in order to select a private sector entity who will develop our west campus.
I see the Armstrong Atlantic campus as a natural arboretum, exhibiting a variety of indigenous species of flora; a place where students of all ages can come to learn and enjoy - a true community resource. Last spring the campus was designated an arboretum based on the existence of nearly 400 different species of flowering plants and shrubs and 100 different species of trees. After today's ceremonies, I invite you to join us in the academic quadrangle for a reception. Please take note of the beautiful centerpiece of this arboretum.
And finally, I see a university that will embrace the "leadership theme." Leadership will permeate every facet of Armstrong Atlantic - its academic programs and its student services activities. The university's goal will be to ensure that every graduate will be well prepared to assume leadership roles within their professions and within the communities they live.
Closing
In closing, allow me to pose four challenging questions relating to this journey into the future. First, will our vision and our aspirations be realized? Second, will we build on our historic legacy and the culture of excellence that characterizes this university? Third, will we continue to dedicate ourselves to enriching the educational experiences of all of our students? And finally, will we enthusiastically and warmly embrace the opportunities for collaboration within our community?
My responses to these challenging questions are simple. Yes, we will realize our vision! Yes, we will continue the culture of excellence for which this university in known! Yes, we will value and expand on our role of excellence in teaching and learning! And yes, we will enthusiastically embrace the role of collaborator!
Today we begin the journey anew; a journey into the future, with enthusiasm and conviction: a journey with many companions and champions in support of Armstrong Atlantic State University. Please join us. Remember, the "joy is in the journey."
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