Executive Director, Leadership Institute at Columbus State University Is a leader born? Or is a leader made? “A leader is made. Absolutely. If leaders weren’t made, we’d be out of business. Our whole premise is built on the fact that people can grow. We all have opportunities to do better—to be better—all the time. That’s really what leadership is all about: Being the best version of yourself you...
Visits the Vietnam and Global War on Terror Memorial sites, National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, Georgia What inspired you to come visit this memorial today? “I have relatives who have served and gone before me. My wife had two grandfathers who served in Vietnam. Their prior service is a big part of the reason why I joined—to continue that tradition. So I thought today would be a perfect...
Vice-Chancellor, Troy University-Phenix City Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.) How did your military career help prepare you for becoming the head of a university? “The military spends a lot of time training leaders. That leadership and administration and supervision—which are all parts of higher positions at any organization—benefit from that type of training. I spent 26 years in the military. I got a...
Liberian, American, and (after Friday) Master of Public Administration Paul Yarwaye fled the violence of the Civil War that began 40 years ago in his native country of Liberia, the West African nation with deep historical and cultural ties to the Chattahoochee Valley. On May 17, Paul turns 59. On May 18, the United States citizen will graduate from Columbus State University with a Master of...
Executive Director, Youth Orchestra of Greater ColumbusFounding Member, Wolf & Clover What’s a typical work day like for you? “It all depends on what season I’m in. Right now, I’m in the middle of recruitment season. So yesterday I was in 3 meetings: [Columbus Cultural] Arts Alliance, I had my board meeting, and partners meeting with the RiverCenter and [Columbus] Symphony [Orchestra]. The...
Professor emeritus of history at Columbus State University, Dr. Virginia E. Causey’s book Red Clay, White Water & the Blues: A History of Columbus, Georgia will be published May 15 by University of Georgia Press. A comprehensive 344-page chronicle of the city’s nearly 200-year history, the book’s release will be celebrated at the Columbus Public Library at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26 This...
A Budding Blues Star and the Destiny of Success Baptized into blues stardom two years ago by the legendary Taj Mahal as “my wonderboy,” Greenville, Georgia native Jontavious Willis has already enjoyed a blockbuster 2019. His music drove the Kia “Just a Small Town in Georgia” commercial aired during the Super Bowl halftime in February. Last week, he dropped the album Sophisticated Class...
Head of Design / Aflac Co-Founder / Creative South Creative Director / Serve Studios Big and friendly with genuine warmth, he explains that the Athens brewery commissioned the mural a replica of its Tropicalia can. Mike says he’s going to add “some flair” in homage to Monday night ping-pong league that plays on the table a few feet away. “How does one become Aflac’s Head of Design?”“That’s...
What’s the biggest asset we have in this region in terms of economic development? I think our secret sauce is a couple of things. Our location, 98 miles to Atlanta airport, which will take you anywhere in the world. Couple hundred miles easy drive to Port of Savannah. Our climate. I have people tell me all the time that if you live anywhere above St. Louis, you’d do anything to live in a place...
What first attracted you to whitewater sports? I grew up canoeing with my dad [Kyle] from even before I could remember. We saw some freestyle kayakers doing it out on the Coosa in Wetumpka. It was us and a big group of people we would canoe with. Everybody said they were going to get into it. We bought kayaks on the way home but then we were the only ones that really got into it. It just stuck...