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President Schwartz giving the State of the University Address on Thursday Sept. 29.

Schwartz says CSU should be quite proud

By Matthew Horvath

“That is the joy of urban life”, he said at the annual State of the University address Sept. 29 at Waetjen Auditorium. The president highlighted the university’s many accomplishments.

For example, the Nance College of Business faculty published one hundred peer-reviewed manuscripts in the last academic year.

The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs’ center for non-profit policy and practice is celebrating being recognized by U.S News and World Report as one of three noteworthy programs in non-profit management.

In the world of science, Schwartz recognized that there is “cutting edge research of profound importance” in chemistry where Professor Michael Kalafatis and students found a molecule that could replace Warfarin, a dangerous drug used to treat atrial fibrillation.

He also acknowledged that in the department of physics, the text book “Fundamentals of Physics” by Professor Jearl Walker is “the most successful physics text books in the history of publishing.”

The Fenn College of Engineering now has the first Master of Science in Software Engineering program any-where in Ohio, according to Schwartz.

The Gavel, the law school’s student newspaper, was “honored as the best law student newspaper in the country,” he said. Communication Quarterly rated the research productivity in the new School of Communication as eighth in the nation.

These are just some of many things that the president touched on during his address. Rather than presenting new initiatives, Schwartz focused on the projects already in motion.

To those who thought rebuilding the plaza outside of the University Center was a waste of money, Schwartz acknowledged the fact that many students, faculty and staff have been using it.

According to him, some people have gone as far as referring to the plaza as “The Quad.” “Imagine Cleveland State, old concrete U., with a quad,” he said.

Schwartz updated the progress of construction on campus, saying that both the recreation center and Fenn Tower are on schedule and on budget. In addition, work on the new parking facility began which, once completed, will add four hundred spaces. In addition, 60 additional spaces will be located underneath the recreation center.

“What I like most about being at Cleveland State University is the character and aspirations of the great majority of our students,” Schwartz said.

It was clear that the reason for all the building and renovation was done with the students in mind. “I will be content if the new buildings are places that inspire students to think of themselves as leaders, not just as worker bees,” he said.

Schwartz refuted the concept that students are drawn from the five surrounding counties as he said that the current student body consists of students from four Ohio counties, forty-six states and nearly 800 international students.

The convocation began on a sad note with an announcement that trustee David G. Hill had passed away the day before.

After a moment of silence, Dr. Njeri Nuru-Holm introduced the distinguished faculty awards. Categories included teaching, service, research, advising and excellence.

The Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award for Faculty Excellence was presented to Ravidra Kamath, professor of finance, who was also presented with the award for service. Cheryl McCahon, associate professor of nursing, also received the faculty award for service.

There was also staff awards for service that were presented to Abubakar Nasara, education technologist, and Sally Rollins Hendricks, administrative secretary. John Holcomb, associate professor of mathematics, and Eric Ziolek, associate professor of music, were both recognized for teaching.

In the area of research, Michael Kalafatis, associate professor of chemistry, and Catherine Hansman, associate professor of counseling, administration, supervision and adult learning, were recognized for their hard work.

Anne Nelson and Ben Rochester were awarded for their academic advising in the university and transfer advising offices.

“That was perfect,” Rochester said, referring to the fact that Schwartz, his former professor at Kent State University, was presenting him with an award. He said that Dr. Schwartz was a large influence on where he is today.

The President’s address is available in its entirety at http://www.csuohio.edu/ss050929.html.

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