First-year Columbus State president advises first-year students

The keynote speaker at Columbus State University's freshman convocation Thursday also was starting his first year on campus.

So when Chris Markwood, dressed in academic regalia along with other CSU officials, stood at the podium in University Hall, he could have been addressing himself as well as the students when he said, "Welcome to your Columbus State University. Welcome home. We mean it when we say we want you to think of CSU as your great, big campus home."

Tom Hackett, the provost and vice president for academic affairs, who was interim president for five months, cracked up the crowd when he put it this way: "No one is more excited than yours truly to have CSU's fifth president here on campus."

On June 1, Markwood succeeded Tim Mescon, who retired Dec. 31 to move to Amsterdam and become the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International's senior vice president and chief officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Markwood was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi since 2001. He worked at the University of Wisconsin-Superior for five years, serving as interim chancellor and vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculties. He taught at Lamar University, the University of Missouri, Columbia College, Southwest Baptist University and the University of Central Oklahoma. He earned doctoral and master's degrees in political science from the University of Missouri and a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Southwest Baptist University. He is a native of Texas.

"Regardless of where you come from," Markwood said, "you are now part of the Cougar family, and we couldn't be more proud to have you here."

Markwood advised the students in the form of three challenges:

Take time to get to know as many faculty members as possible at CSU. "You will discover some of the most inspiring folks, who are committed to helping you do more than you ever dreamed possible," he said. To do that, he added, "You need to show up. Be prepared and present for every class, lab, studio or other experience planned by your professors."

Get involved in some of the more than 100 organizations at CSU. "Participating will help you build community," he said. " Don't allow yourself to become isolated. Rather, surround yourself with those who have similar interests, goals or hobbies. Participating on campus will help you discover your passions, grow your strengths and bring about some incredible leadership opportunities. CSU wants you to be your best self." And, he said, join at least one organization "that stretches you to learn new things, to meet different types of people and to have new experiences."

Take advantage of what the community has to offer "and find a place for you to give back," he said. " Being part of a community means that we are all responsible for each other."

Markwood listed CSU's core values: excellence, engagement, creativity, servant leadership, inclusion and sustainability. Then he quoted the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education."

CSU's new president concluded his first freshman convocation keynote address by noting the tassel the new students were given "as a reminder of what lies ahead. At the end of this journey is graduation, a time when friends and family will celebrate all that you have accomplished as you receive your diploma.

"My hope for you is simple: Enjoy this beautiful campus, your new brothers and sisters, and make it your place to grow, to be inspired and to serve. Graduation is only a few, short years away. Make these years count. Welcome to Columbus State University. Welcome home."

Mark Rice, 706-576-6272. Follow him on Twitter@MarkRiceLE.

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 8:11 PM with the headline "First-year Columbus State president advises first-year students ."