50^th Anniversary

CSU Archivist Reagan Grimsley, author of Enriching Lives: A Pictorial History of Columbus State University, discusses the book with Gretchen Denham '75. Grimsley signed books April 5, at 50th anniversary homecoming activities. (Roger Hart photo)

One aspect of CSU's 50th anniversary celebration that will keep on giving beyond 2008 is the new book designed to celebrate the university's history.

Archivist Reagan Grimsley sifted through hundreds of photos from more than five decades, reaching back to include Columbus civic leaders who first proposed a two-year community college. The resulting 128-page Enriching Lives: A Pictorial History of Columbus State University is now available for online credit card purchase through the CSU Bookstore. Publication by Donning Co. Publishers of Virginia Beach, Va., was underwritten by the CSU Foundation.

The hardback book is packed with more than 180 photos, both color and black and white. But there’s also analysis that only a historian can offer.

“As time has passed, we can evaluate some events a little better,” Grimsley said. “In looking at the school’s early years, you’ve got to remember life was a lot simpler back when we had 500 students versus (the current enrollment of about 7,600).”

The book describes CSU’s history chronologically, each of its four chapters focusing on a different era:

Events leading up to the founding of Columbus College in 1958 and its first five years at the former Shannon Hosiery Mill on Talbotton Road.

From 1963 -1979, starting with the college’s move to what’s now the main campus and wrapping up with the retirement of founding President Thomas Y. Whitley.

The 1980s, which Grimsley calls a “volatile period of history,” when Columbus College experienced enrollment declines, budget cuts and second President Francis Brooke clashed with faculty before resigning. One bright spot was the college’s first, successful capital campaign.

The 1990s to the present, focusing first on the successful bid to achieve university status and wrapping up with development of CSU’s RiverPark campus in recent years.

Enriching Lives also has four appendices, on the original faculty, first graduates, emeriti faculty and award-winning alumni, faculty, staff and students.