A WORD FROM
President Richard Carvajal
President's Update
August 2024
Dear Blazer Nation,
I am excited for the fall semester, and I hope you are, too! This is such a special time each year when we welcome our new Blazers and see all our returning Blazers back on campus and in our online classes. As we get ready for another great year, I have some updates to share with you.
Tropical Storm Debby
I know many of us were nervous about Tropical Storm Debby making its way into South Georgia. While the damage was nothing compared to Hurricane Idalia, it still left its mark on our university. Thank you to those who worked during the storm to assess and respond to damage and power outages. I also want to thank everyone for your patience as we made sure campus was ready for a safe return. You may still see some clean up efforts continue over the next few days and possibly weeks. I know we are all hoping for a quiet remainder of the 2024 hurricane season.
Faculty and Staff Convocation
Faculty and Staff Convocation is coming up this Monday, August 12, and I hope all employees will join me for this year’s event. The focus will be on VSU2030, the future of our great institution, and all the things happening we should be excited about. You can read about the VSU2030 strategic plan at the link below. This year’s event begins at 10 a.m. in Whitehead Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building. We will also announce this year’s President’s Excellence Award Winners for both faculty and staff. Once Convocation concludes, I hope you will also join me in Palms Dining Center for our annual complimentary lunch. I will see you there!
Move-In and SPARK
Next week is also when our new and returning on campus students move into the residence halls and take part in SPARK. New or transfer students take part in SPARK to discover all the great things VSU has to offer. Lots of help is needed to ensure SPARK is a success, so please reach out to the Division of Student Affairs if you are able to assist. Then on Friday, August 16 is New Student Convocation. It begins at 9:10 a.m. at The Complex and is the formal welcome to VSU for all our new Blazers. The rest of the day that Friday is full of academic programs, a campus tour, and lots of spirit events. I hope all VSU faculty and staff will join me at New Student Convocation to show support for our new Blazers.
In Closing
As the fall semester arrives, I would like to encourage all faculty, staff, and students to get involved on campus. There are so many great things to do from joining a student organization, attending an athletic event, and enjoying the Arts. It is going to be a great semester!
Go Blazers!
Dr. Richard Carvajal
President