Centralight

president New takes CMU helm A familiar face with a driving desire for student success has been named CMU's 14th president. Dr. George Ross, president of Alcorn State University in Mississippi and former vice president of fi nance and administrative services at CMU, will assume his new responsibilities March 1. Ross says that while the economy and budget concerns are a reality everyone in the country must deal with, they can't cloud CMU's focus on educating students. President Ross at a glance Education: Bachelor's degree: Michigan State University MBA: Michigan State University Ph.D.: University of Alabama Postdoctoral studies: Harvard University Family: Ross was vice president for fi nance and administrative services at CMU from December 2002 through December 2007. daughters, Roshaunda and Joronda. Familiar face: Wife, Elizabeth, and two adult "We have to remember that we are a university, and our mission has to be about our students – about student success, about student learning, about faculty scholarship," says Ross. "I want to have a conversation that is focused on how we shape the future. Flint Northern High School "I believe in students, and I believe we should give them an opportunity for an education. They should have access, and it should be aff ordable." Before his presidency at Alcorn State University and his vice presidency at CMU, Ross held the positions of executive vice president, Clark Atlanta University; executive vice chancellor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and vice president for business aff airs, Tuskegee University. • Ross says he and his wife, Elizabeth, are "excited to come home." centralight spring '10 7 PHOTO BY PEGGY BRISBANE

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