Columbus State University President Chris Markwood honored the CSU Police department with his inaugural Living our Values award, presented to a group on campus that best embodies the university’s values on a daily basis.

Markwood surprised officers and other University Police employees with the award during CSU’s Welcome Back Kickoff event Monday, August 8. All faculty and staff were invited to the welcome event, and they gave CSU Police a standing ovation when the award was announced.

“CSU’s values really got our attention when we started looking at the presidency here,” Markwood said. “During the investiture week, we celebrated those values, and I reiterated the importance of these values to an organization and to me. We established this award as a special recognition for a group that frequently goes beyond what is expected but expects nothing in return – for those unsung heroes who do what they do because they care, not because it’s their job or for any accolades or attention that may come their way.”

CSU Police Chief Rus Drew was stunned and proud.

“We are truly humbled to have received this award,” Drew said. “We take a great deal of pride in our job and in the relationships we have cultivated with CSU’s students and employees. It is very gratifying to have that work recognized, and even more rewarding to hear we reflect CSU’s values.”

The CSU police department is a fully authorized state police agency with 38 employees that provides services to both CSU’s RiverPark and main campuses.

The department collaborates with the city of Columbus and other regional law enforcement agencies, practicing a philosophy of community policing that integrates crime prevention, problem resolution and community involvement to provide support and service to students, employees and guests.

“We should be proud that it is our University Police that are frequently called upon in Atlanta for service and expertise,” Markwood said. “They are very visible on campus, stressing accessibility, excellence and servant leadership, participating in orientations, resident assistance training and many other student group sessions to stress crime prevention and personal safety.”

He also lauded the department’s partnerships with state and local agencies, and their participation in events such as Columbus’ recent National Night Out.