14 AUG 07: BROWN OUT
Columbus State University employees gathered at the Trade Center Monday, to learn their President plans to retire. Frank Brown announced he'll leave next June -- and given recent history, a top position at Auburn University might be open by then.
Frank Brown made his retirement announcement during a "State of the University" program downtown. The very name of this program says a lot about his legacy. When he became President, Columbus was merely a college - and I'm not sure its sports teams were even known on the other side of the state.
Over nearly 20 years, Frank Brown has overseen a great deal of growth at Columbus State University. Monday's program was evidence of that, as the day included guided tours of the new RiverPark campus downtown. Maybe in 20 years, they'll build a theater so large that the Trade Center won't be needed for State of the University addresses anymore.
The main campus of Columbus State University also has grown immensely, during the Frank Brown years. My first roommate in metro Atlanta talked about using the college pianos for music practice, while on road trips to Columbus. He'd probably have a choice of more pianos these days - but he'd also have to get through a high-tech security system to use them.
The last few years brought the construction of the "Cunningham Center" at Columbus State University. It was placed very cleverly by Frank Brown - so drivers on Gentian Boulevard can't get free peeks at C.S.U. baseball games anymore.
Frank Brown used a major capital improvement campaign to fund the growth of Columbus State University. They include the annual "C.S.U. Day" every spring - while I'm not sure Beacon University even receives a special Sunday at most Columbus churches.
Frank Brown's years of effort have made Columbus State a respectable university, and quietly made him one of the city's most influential people. I suppose there's a campus building waiting to be named after him - although a "Brown Hall" might require spending extra money for repainting.
Our most memorable "blog moment" involving Frank Brown came in 2005, when an e-mail writer declared him "Spanky Franky" [21 Mar 05]. The writer was upset because Brown supported a bill in the Georgia legislature to keep the names of college donors private. At least that's a step above the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation - which wants to keep the names of its graduates private.
While some people consider Frank Brown's retirement announcement surprising, I recall Richard Hyatt of the Ledger-Enquirer speculating about his future several weeks ago. Next year marks Columbus State University's 50th anniversary - and his silver hair after a "golden" celebration might confuse some people.
Frank Brown didn't come right out and say what he plans to do after leaving Columbus State University. But he hinted it will be something close to this area. Hmmmm - can Talbotton even afford its own college right now?
E-MAIL UPDATE: One of last Friday's "it's so hot" punch lines seems to have left a Russell County man puzzled....
Richard:
I can't imagine why you would think things aren't as "icy" between myself and the "mare."
I still consider her an incompetent nincompoop - and I'm sure she cosiders me a persistent pain in a certain part of her anatomy!!!
Rest assured - there's no global warming in "Hurt'sboro!!!
Constable R.J. Schweiger
Of course there's no global warming - not with a Constable hot under a collar practically all year long.
The blog bus's next stop is Buena Vista....
A relative of mine when to Marion County to check on his woods...He discovered some had burned .When talking to neighbors he found out that there had been some arson cases..He goes to the town square asked where the sheriff's office was..He was directed to the court house..He went in the sheriff's office..He could see the sheriff's desk and floor around his desk stacked with moutains of papers..He asked where the sheriff was..He was told the sheriff came in at random about 2 days a week and they didn't know when he would be in ...WHAT????....But,he could leave a message...
So that explains why Sheriff Horace Snider didn't announce the capture of an escaped murder suspect for eight weeks. He may have had arrest warrants from last summer to serve first.
This message adds to the picture already being painted in my mind - that Marion County has one of those old-fashioned stereotypical small-town Southern sheriffs. Maybe Horace Snider needs some help in getting things organized. Might anyone there go by the name of Aunt Bea?
Our last message today is an invitation to an event this weekend:
Mr. Burkard, my name is John Massey.
I am a volunteer with Americans for Fair Taxation, working to inform people of the grassroots movement called The FairTax.
AFFT will have a training session Saturday August 18th from 9-1 at Captain Toms on Macon road, to answer questions and educate anyone interested in Ga. Congressman John Lender's Tax reform Plan.
I remembered your blog spot from Robbie Watson's show on WRCG and thought it would be a good place to get the word out about our training session.
AFFT is a 501 C (4) not for profit legislative education and advocacy organization. We are not selling anything.
If you know about the FairTax, I don't want to bore you and if you do not I hope you will go to FairTax.org and take a look.
If you feel it would be appropriate I hope you will mention the training session on your Blog.
Thanks,
John Massey
Americans for Fair Taxation
Community Coordinator
What's with all this fuss about a "Fair Tax?" Won't that drive the carnival rides away from South Commons in September? Won't it hurt the sales of foot-long hot dogs? Won't it.... oh wait. I guess I should check that web site, shouldn't I?
It's only, uh, fair that the "fair tax" training session is taking place at Captain Tom's restaurant. After all, it charges the same buffet price for everyone regardless of.... hey, wait a minute! I have coupons from Captain Tom's, and they show special prices for "senior citizens" and children. There could be closet Democrats running this place....
Our thanks to all of you who take time to write - and we still have a little time left to write about other Monday news:
+ Our best wishes to former Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff, who's recovering from a broken hip. His son told your blog Monday night Poydasheff needed hip replacement surgery, after tripping and falling last week "over a bag of cat litter." There's a lot of political irony there, but I'm choosing to be sensitive....
+ Muscogee County schools opened a new term, including the grand opening of Veterans Memorial Middle School. So how many hours a day is Jim Rhodes teaching U.S. history?
+ Auburn University forestry experts warned some of the tree limbs are dying at Toomer's Corner. It's blamed in part on the use of high-pressure water hoses, to clean toilet paper left by celebrating Auburn sports fans. So if you go to a Tiger football game this fall, spend the big money on your ticket - and buy cheap one-ply rolls at Walgreens.
+ Instant Message to Cal Thrash of Uchee Pines Institute: I hope your seminars on "Coping With Stress" starting today go well. But who wrote the announcement you read on WURY-FM about them? If you go looking for the "Terry L. Mildred Branch" library in Phenix City in a couple of weeks, you may stress out for a couple of reasons.
COMING THIS WEEK: One man's bold prediction about next August.... and what if he's right?....
This blog has thousands of visitors each month, from people in Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.
BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 2232 (- 1, 0.04%)
If you mention this blog in public, please be polite enough to let me know.
© 2003-07 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.