Columbia Southern University Celebrates Commencement with Record Graduates at OWA

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Today, 993 graduates and more than 4,600 guests attended Columbia Southern University’s two commencement ceremonies at the Foley Event Center at OWA in Foley, Alabama today.  

“Our university’s very first graduation ceremony was held 30 years ago and was comprised of seven graduates. As we look around today, I’d say we’ve grown that number just a little bit. In fact, we have 993 graduates in attendance today—and are on track to have our largest graduating class to date!” said Ken Styron, CSU president.

Styron also talked about the commitment of getting an education and taking a break when you need it.

Local graduate, Crystal Bailey from Daphne, Alabama, attended the 9 a.m. ceremony with her family to celebrate earning her Associate of Science in health information science.

“I learned a lot about myself while attending CSU,” said Bailey. “I learned that I don't give up and I am a lot smarter than I give myself credit for.”

Included in the ceremony were 12 CSU faculty and staff members who received their diplomas.

This year’s keynote speaker was Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force #18 Kaleth O. Wright. Wright served in the Air Force for 32 years, where he also served as the personal advisor to the chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force. He is an organizational leadership consultant, executive coach and currently serves on CSU’s board of trustees.

“A great philosopher once said, ‘Education is the passport to our future,’ and each of you is receiving a stamp on that passport that will allow you to conquer the world in a way that speaks to you, your dreams, your goals and your aspirations,” said Wright. “I would like to extend a personal thank you to all the family, friends, bosses, coworkers and anyone else who helped support the graduates…You are the real MVPs.”

The commencement ceremonies featured the announcement of the 2024 Robert Mayes Sr. Distinguished Faculty of the Year Awards. This annual award recognizes and honors CSU faculty for their outstanding achievements and contributions in aiding the university in achieving its mission to change lives through education. This year’s recipients included the following professors:

• Heidi Sievers, Ph.D., curriculum lead faculty of forensics and criminal justice.
• Amy Hakim, Ph.D., behavioral sciences instructor and course writer.
• Leana Polston-Murdoch, Ph.D., lead faculty member of organizational leadership.
• Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Wendy Thi, lead faculty for the College of Military Studies and Leadership.

The ceremony also featured the special presentation of the university’s first honorary doctorate degree in public service which was bestowed upon CSU alumnus, retired Fire Chief Forney Howard. Howard served as Orange Beach’s Fire Department fire chief for seven years after more than 30 years of service in Birmingham. He also was the founding chairman of CSU’s Board of Trustees.

The commencement ceremonies were live-streamed on CSU’s YouTube channel. To watch the ceremonies on demand, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/Commencement.