Is that spring in the air… or is it a foot of snow?
It’s spring break at CSU, the students are long gone and a foot of snow is forecast along with freezing temperatures throughout the next 10 days. Wasn’t spring break supposed to be sunny, warm and filled with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello movies like “Beach Blanket Bingo”?
Though some of our students are, in fact, away enjoying warm weather and relaxing by the beach, many are working to save a few extra dollars, some are tending to family needs, others working long hours at their day jobs while enjoying evenings free, while others are taking part in CSU’s Viking Expeditions Alternative Spring Break program building a Habitat for Humanity House in Santa Fe.
Your Alumni Association recently wrapped up a few receptions and day-long learning experience in Florida. Our tour began north of Orlando at The Villages, followed by a reception in Sarasota, and CSU2U Alumni College in Ft. Myers. At each stop, we enjoyed meeting with CSU alumni and learning about their stories. Some have been involved with CSU throughout their lifetimes while, for some others, our trips were their first CSU engagement since graduation. We’re grateful to all our alumni and friends who participated, along with the faculty who presented superb lectures for our inquisitive alumni learners. Later this week we will be in Arizona (this snow is for the birds) for our annual Cleveland Indians Spring Training Alumni Outing with close to 100 alumni registered to attend a reception and baseball game.
Planning is fully underway for our third-annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on April 12th. Registration is now live. During this day-long event, participants will be immersed in thoughtful and inspiring programming and interact with amazing women. This is one of CSU’s crown jewel programs and I encourage all to attend.
Speaking of amazing women, we recently lost one of our own truly amazing women. Charleyse Pratt recently passed away after a long illness. Dr. Pratt was a remarkable educator, student advocate, trailblazer and colleague. Her passion for students was evidenced in all she did. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I invite you to learn more about Dr. Pratt and how she worked tirelessly to help students each and every day.