MAG 2-06.indd - Wayne State College

I wish all of you could see the campus now. In the middle ofwinter, outside activity is usually curtailed because of cold andinclement weather. However, despite a burst of frigid temperatures,snow and ice in early December, weather more indicative of latefall or early spring has been in place for the past two months. As Iwrite this, it is 55 degrees outside and students are crossing campusin sweatshirts rather than heavy coats. The hum of cement trucksunloading concrete at the campus construction site reminds me thatthis has been an ideal, albeit unusual, winter for outside projectconstruction.President'sMessageDr. RichardJ. CollingsYou will read elsewhere in this magazine about campus projects thatare underway or have been completed. They are not only providinga visual face-lift, but are also enhancing safety and accessibilityissues. As we continue work on the campus master plan which willinclude a stunning pedestrian walkway across campus, I think youwill be pleased to see that we are holding on to our stately, traditionalcampus while taking the college well into the 21st century.We were all saddened in December to learn of the death of PresidentEmeritus Lyle E. Seymour. It's hard to imagine life at WayneState without Lyle. He was one of the most genuine, sincereindividuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Each springwhen he and Ginny would return from their winter home in Florida,Lyle would stop in my office--and many others up and down thehalls and across campus--to see how things were going. Lyle's lifewas intertwined with Wayne State from the time he was a youngboy. He once said his parents moved to Wayne when their childrenwere young because the college was located here. How proud theywould have been to know that Lyle dedicated his professional lifeto teaching and learning, the majority of it at Wayne State College,and that he did it with gusto.We are making arrangements to present a Lifetime AchievementAward posthumously to Dr. Seymour at our May commencement.His passing leaves a hole that will not be easily filled, and we atWayne State College want to honor his legacy.In the coming months, I will continue to meet with many of youat reunions and special events. Having been at Wayne State nearlytwo years, it is gratifying to establish friendships with you both personallyand professionally, knowing that we share a common bond:this wonderful "college on the hill."Wayne State Magazine 3