12 JUN 08: FIRST TIMOTHY

The big decision was made Wednesday, on the next president of Columbus State University. A college dean was selected -- only his name isn't Dean. Someday I'll figure out why colleges don't have titles such as Fred and George, to go with deans.

The Georgia Board of Regents selected Dr. Timothy Mescon to succeed Frank Brown as Columbus State University President. Mescon is currently dean of the business school at Kennesaw State University. Since Kennesaw has an ordinance requiring residents to own guns, he'll be happy to find Shooters right down the street from campus.

Timothy Mescon told WXTX "News at Ten" he's looking forward to an "exceptional journey," moving from Kennesaw to Columbus. Welllll - we'll see about that. The only good doughnut shop on the way is a Dunkin Donuts, along Interstate 85 in Newnan.

WLTZ aired part of an interview with Timothy Mescon, which apparently was recorded during the recent interview process. Mescon indicated Columbus State University needs more housing. How many foreclosed homes can you buy, with the pledges from C.S.U. Day?

Dr. Frank Brown seems pleased with the choice of his successor. He told WRBL Timothy Mescon will offer "a great mix of personality and experience" - almost as if Mescon's second job option should be to work as a TV news anchor.

(In fact, an online check found Timothy Mescon has presented one-minute business commentaries on public TV in Atlanta. Who knows how many Kennesaw State business students wished his lectures were that long....)

Frank Brown predicts Timothy Mescon will be active in the Columbus community. But he may keep some ties to metro Atlanta, because he's a director of that area's United Way campaign. The Chattahoochee Valley United Way chapter will be pleased to learn Mescon doesn't seem to be a big fan of mergers.

Timothy Mescon will make a base salary of $267,000, as Columbus State University's new president. You may be wondering how the university can afford to do this. There's a simple three-word answer - no football coach.

If Timothy Mescon needs some extra money, he gives speeches for $5,000 and moderates business programs across the country. One of his areas of emphasis seems to be "cuddling your customer." Do that too much with Columbus State students, and Mescon may face an ethics investigation.

Timothy Mescon also has written or co-written three business books. One has the interesting title, "Showing Up for Work and Other Keys to Business Success." What does it say about today's workforce, when he has to put that first basic point in the title?

But an online check Wednesday night revealed Timothy Mescon's career has had a stumble or two. He admitted feeling "horrendous" in the 1990's, after then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich began teaching a business course at Kennesaw State. The course followed Gingrich obtaining government contracts for Mescon's private business. Yet look who's becoming a President, and who isn't....

(If you ask me, this Newt Gingrich situation with Mescon seems more like a mess than a con.)

Then there's the complaint from a women's group that Timothy Mescon failed to take action against a Kennesaw State business school teacher, for alleged crude behavior toward an administrative assistant. The group actually suggested Mescon enter a diversity program - as if the fact that Kennesaw State has a female president wouldn't remind him of that.

Yet Timothy Mescon has survived these things, and will become Columbus State President this summer. He'll be only the fourth president in C.S.U. history. And based on the pictures I've seen, he'll look more imposing in a business suit than Frank Brown has in recent years.

Not much else thrilled us in the news Wednesday, but here's what did....

+ The Columbus Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the one-percent "streets and safety" sales tax question. If you think about it, that's no real surprise. The group behind "Shop with a Cop" for children is now in favor of everyone shopping FOR them.

+ "Pioneer Xtreme" won the Jack Cook tournament major softball title. There, you see - we mentioned the good news about Pioneer Little League, too. Of course, most of the e-mails we've received from there have been about the OTHER extremes. Like the name-calling and arrests....

+ Atlanta's baseball team put pitcher Tom Glavine on the disabled list - then fellow starting pitcher Jair Jurgens sprained his ankle in Chicago, by tripping on stairs. Never mind getting Roger Clemens to supply John Smoltz with medicine. Can he start a game this weekend?

+ Instant Message to Seohan: That was impressive! You opened your new Auburn auto supply plant only days after your new movie premiered. How did you get Adam Sandler to star in "Don't Mess with the...." oh wait....

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