Past Presidents

Three presidents led Columbus College, CSU until mid-2008 -

Thomas Y. Whitley, 1958-1979

Worked for the state Board of Regents when he was tapped to harness strong community support for a new college.
Oversaw school's transition from its start in an abandoned hosiery mill to the former dairy farm that became main campus.
Successfully advocated a move from two-year, junior college status to senior college status in 1965.
Handed out first bachelor's degrees in 1970.
Master's degrees in education and business were available by his retirement.

President Thomas Y. Whitley, left, receives a plaque from Alumni President Charles Eason at an April 1978 recognition banquet. (CSU Archives)

President Francis Brooke, left, welcomes the donation of papers from former U.S. Rep. Jack Brinkley in May 1983. (CSU Archives)

Francis J. Brooke, 1980-1987

Oversaw Columbus College during a difficult period of declining enrollments and shrinking state budgets.
Reorganized the college's administrative structure, which had been based on junior college-style divisions, into schools. (These became the basis for CSU's academic colleges, established in 1998.)
A former provost at Virginia Commonwealth University, he introduced new standards for faculty research and outreach.
Worked to hire more African-American faculty and staff.
Organized the college's first capital campaign in 1983-1984 that raised more than $6 million,
Resigned after a no-confidence vote by faculty.

Frank D. Brown, 1988-2008

Guided the university through a capital campaign that raised $100 million, an amount unheard of for a university of Columbus State's size and age.
Served as catalyst for major campus advancements, including the move to university status, much building construction, development of international studies and servant leadership programs, expansion of outreach efforts and enhancement of several existing programs.
Developed CSU's RiverPark campus, the downtown Columbus home to CSU fine arts programs. That effort, which involved more than $112 million being invested into downtown Columbus by or on behalf of CSU, helped revitalize the downtown area.

President Frank Brown receives a proclamation from Mayor Jim Wetherington recognizing CSU's 50th anniversary at a Jan. 24, 2008 kickoff event.