Investiture Ceremony to Install Dr. Stuart Rayfield as Columbus State's Sixth President
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
Columbus State University will officially install Dr. Stuart Rayfield as its sixth president in an investiture ceremony on Friday, Oct. 20. The ceremony, open to the public, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on the university’s Main Campus.
The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents named Rayfield as the university’s sixth president on March 9. She began her tenure on June 1, 2023 — succeeding Dr. John M. Fuchko III who served as the university’s interim president for a 12-month period.
“[Dr. Rayfield] lives in the community, has taught on campus and has an immediate grasp of how Columbus State helps [the University System of Georgia] be the leading provider of a highly skilled workforce in Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said at the time of the announcement.
A university’s presidential investiture ceremony is a formal and academic occasion to celebrate a new president’s official installation. Distinguished guests, elected officials and higher education leaders from around the region and nation will gather with students, employees, alumni and community partners to show support for the start of Rayfield’s leadership tenure.
The program will include greetings from various dignitaries, musical performances celebrating the occasion, and a presidential address during which Rayfield will outline her vision for the university. During the ceremony, she will receive the university’s presidential medallion and other symbols relating to her role as Columbus State’s chief executive officer.
The university’s website has information about the Presidential Investiture Ceremony, including guidance for navigating campus on the day of the event and other details for those visiting from out of town. For those unable to attend in person, the website will also include a livestream the day of the event.
Innovating the student experience
During the first few months of her presidency, Rayfield has emphasized a university-wide focus on student success both academically and professionally. This has led her to establish, in conjunction with her investiture activities, the President’s Innovation Fund.
“Now more than ever, students and their future employers require universities like ours to be on the leading edge of knowledge and experience — no matter the discipline,” Rayfield said. “To me, that means being nimble, and by supporting this President’s Innovation Fund, our alumni, friends and partners can invest in making Columbus State more responsive and adaptive to the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and community.”
Specifically, donations to this fund will equip the president to promptly implement newly identified strategic and tactical opportunities that enhance our students' experiences, grow the impact of our faculty and programs, and partner more effectively with our broader community.
Rayfield has already begun work with faculty to unify the university’s core curriculum in a way that strengthens what some refer to as “soft skills” — or, as Rayfield prefers, “career competencies” — like communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and conflict resolution. These, she said, remain highly sought after by the local employers and Columbus-based Fortune 500 leaders she has talked with about the future of the region’s workforce.
“Chancellor Perdue has accentuated higher education’s role in the overall success of our state’s economy as we prepare Georgia’s college students for the jobs of the future. The President’s Innovation Fund will assist us in delivering that level of excellence to our students and thus, our community,” she said.
“What you’ve heard throughout our [First-Year Student Convocation] is that you are meant to be here,” she said to students in attendance. “More importantly, we want you to know that we are here for you. We are here to make sure your hopes and dreams are going to be realized during your time at Columbus State.”
She is also looking to strengthen programs that support and enhance students’ academic experience — as highlighted by the recently launched Well-being at Columbus State website and recently reconceptualized Military-Connected Student Services program.
Maximizing the Homecoming Week experience
The Presidential Investiture Ceremony takes place at the height of Columbus State’s annual Homecoming Week festivities. Related events around the ceremony will include:
Thursday, Oct. 19
CSU Alumni Association Annual Awards Program and Dinner, 6:00 p.m., Green Island Country Club
Join the CSU Alumni Association in honoring alumni and friends who are bettering their alma mater and the Columbus community. The dinner program will recognize six award recipients with awards that include the recipients of the association’s highest recognitions — Jerry “Pops” Barnes ’01, who will receive the Thomas Y. Whitley Distinguished Alumni Award, and Teddie Ussery, this year’s recipient of the Frank D. Brown Achievement and Leadership Excellence Award. [ more info | purchase tickets ]
Friday, Oct. 20
CSU “Downtown Domination” Homecoming Parade, beginning at 6:30 p.m., RiverPark Campus
Line up on Broadway to celebrate our students, alumni and community through a colorful and spirited parade. Wear your red, white and blue! The parade will conclude with a concert as a part of Uptown Columbus’ Fall Concert Series.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Homecoming Festivities, beginning at 12 p.m., Main Campus
Spend the afternoon on the Main Campus enjoying the CSU Alumni Association’s Oktoberfest-inspired CougarFest (tickets required), cheer on the Women’s Soccer Team as they take on USC Aiken at 2 p.m. (free admission) and congratulate this year’s Homecoming king and queen at halftime. Head over to Kinnett Stadium later in the day as the CSU Club Football team meets Central Georgia Tech on the gridiron at 4 p.m. ($5 per person admission fee).
