| Full remarks by Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti as Central State University's 10th President Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 Good morning, I am grateful to the Central State University Board of Trustees for the opportunity and privilege to serve as the 10th president of this great institution. As I said to trustee Gamblin, I intend to make the Board proud of its decision and together, we will take CSU to greater heights to become a premier Land Grant institution in teaching, research, and extension. I am looking forward to Trustee Gamblin’s guidance and support. Trustee Gamblin and I have several common interests. We are both Cincinnati Bengal Fans, both rooting for the Chiefs on Sunday, her as a long-term fan, me out of vengeance because the 49ers beat the Bengals twice in the Super Bowl, she used to live in my neighborhood. Trustee Gamblin and I also share the benefits of Wright State University education, she graduated from Wright State, and I married a Wright State graduate, my wife Bridget. Bridget has been my rock and steadfast supporter, and I would not be here today without her. She spoke this day into existence because she has been calling me president for the last 15 years. I also want to acknowledge my son, Akintoye, who will graduate from CSU this May and just like his mother was certain this day would come. I want to thank my brother Foluso, CSU class of 96. Family is important to me, that is why I have dedicated my professional life to my CSU family. My brother and I arrived on this campus in 1982. I was a student under Dr. Lionel Newsom and Dr. Arthur Thomas. I ask that we observe a moment of silence for Dr. Thomas, because today marks the first anniversary of his passing. I became a CSU employee under Dr. Thomas and have been privileged to serve under Presidents Garland, Jackson-Hammond, and Jack Thomas. Each of whom have contributed to my professional growth. I developed a great relationship with Dr. Alex Johnson even though we met just seven months ago. Dr. Johnson’s brief but meaningful tenure has set CSU on a path towards success. I am grateful to the CSU Leadership team for our collaborative efforts. I appreciate our professional and personal relationships and intend to build on them for greater success. To my CSU colleagues, faculty, staff, and students, thank you for your efforts and guidance. I stand here today as a symbol of our collective success. CSU’s greatest strength is our passion and love for the possibilities it represents to each of us. My three focus areas are one: improve the quality of student experience and academic outcomes. To students, the quality of your experience depends on you. This is your university, and you must own it. 98% of us are paid to be here but you pay to be here. You must hold all the faculty and staff accountable when we don’t fulfill our responsibilities. Two: develop and take further advantage of CSU’s Land Grant status, and three: increase efficiency and standards of business practices to improve customer service. How we treat each other is important, because as an institution of higher learning, our reason for our existence is to share knowledge, the greatest gift that one human being can give to another. We share knowledge when a faculty member teaches a freshman class about Harriet Tubman which leads to higher educational attainment. Knowledge is shared when Extension agents show a small farmer how to be more productive with new irrigation methods which leads to higher income for farmers. We share knowledge when CSU researchers provide evidence-based advice to policymakers and industry that solve societal problems. Knowledge is shared when CSU faculty and industry work together to design a curriculum, so graduates succeed in the workforce. We share knowledge when a career services staff member teaches students social skills to prepare them for internships thereby creating an excellent reputation at host organizations so that other CSU students are welcome. Knowledge is shared when the band director shows the drum major how to strut better which leads to a more enjoyable homecoming. We share knowledge when we provide certificates to individuals to join the workforce resulting in better socio-economic outcomes. We share knowledge when individuals earn an online CSU cybersecurity certificate from across the globe, resulting in a more connected world. It will take the entire CSU family, including the board of trustees, cabinet, faculty, students, staff, alumni, elected officials, community organizations and other individuals to achieve our mission. As the African Proverb says, if you want to go fast, travel alone, if you want to go far, travel together. For God! For Central! For State! |
