CHICAGO: Chicago State University student body of 5000 and its faculty are waiting eagerly for the visit of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to its campus to receive an honorary doctorate.
CSU is conferring the honorary doctorate to a foreign head of government and it is in this context that they are gearing up for the occasion to ensure that no stone is unturned to make the event a great success.
As the university prepares to host a mega event, top officials of the university are pitching for creating a good degree of awareness among members of the Indian community about this visit and its impact on CSU and South Side of Chicago.
In a talk to this correspondent, Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr, President of Chicago State University said that one of the top ranking educational institutions in Illinois, it offers bachelor and doctoral degrees program. “We welcome all students; particularly, those who seek upward mobility, first generation in family go to college; from underserved areas, minorities; who are working students, raising children, returning back to school. We are a university of people, we are proud of our accomplishments.”
He further said that CSTU Board of Governors unanimously decided to award an honorary doctorate to Chief Minister Naidu. “His work is world renowned. He utilized high technology to bring a higher standard of living for the people of low or meager resources, and has been very competitive in nationally and internationally in IT areas. He is a remarkable individual and we are very proud that he will become an alumnus of our university. It is far more of an honor for us than for him.”
Dr. Thomas Calhoun added that the Chief Minister is a person who believes in people. “When he sees the young people whose minds are benefiting from the excellent education they get at Chicago State University and to know that his vision that we share and that we want to expropriate so that we can expand and provide the same kind of opportunities that he gave to his people to our students. I think it will put a smile on his face,” he observed.
Dr. Angela Henderson, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said that entire CSU community is very excited and deeply honored that the Chief Minister would be visiting here.
His visit will reverberate educationally, economically and having him visit from India to speak to us and work with us will offer hope and inspiration to all.
Noted political science Professor Dr. Bernard Rowan in his comments described the Chief Minister as a great leader and a person open to other cultures and societies and in the mission of serving those who may not have been served as properly as they should have been in the past, and building a bridge to the future.
Dr. David Kanis, Professor and Vice President in his remarks said that he had met the Chief Minister twice and it was sort of like meeting Abraham Lincoln or Ronald Reagan! “I have been so impressed with his vision, and I really like to see him do the same in Chicago where thousands of people can hear him.
What he could do to the South Side of Chicago is to inspire both old and young to do special things with their lives. The Chief Minister has done phenomenal things to the State of Andhra Pradesh, both the divided and undivided. ”
Professor Rohan Attele, Chairman of Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, said that the Chief Minister’s address will leave an indelible mark on our minds. The Chief Minister’s visit will also promote commerce between Illinois and Andhra Pradesh. The two states have a lot to offer to each other.
“We will benefit from our expertise in construction sector, IT, pharmaceuticals, energy, and education. The Chief Minister will meet the political leadership at local, state, and federal level. Our two states will be forever linked in an unshakable bond because of this historic visit,” he observed
Dr. Rao Achanta, Chairman University-Industry Partnerships, said that, “for past few years we have made tremendous progress in collaboration with universities in the Telugu speaking states.” He said that Chandrababu Naidu is only the second Head of a Government to receive an honorary doctorate from the University.
Suresh Bodiwala
