Chicago IL: Chicago State University
student body of 5000 and its faculty is waiting for Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s
visit to its campus to receive an honorary doctorate. CSU first time in its
history announced an honorary doctorate to a foreign head of government Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu, Chief Minister of State of
Andhra Pradesh, India.
As university prepares to host him at a mega event, top
officials of university requested the Indian media to give
more insights about the Chief Minister’s visit and its impact on CSU and South
Side of Chicago.
Speaking about the CSU, Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr,
President of Chicago State University said that, the Chicago
State University
is one of the great universities in Illinois;
it was formed 150 years ago. Now it offers bachelor degrees to doctoral
degrees. 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,excited about our next 150 years.
Speaking on this awarding honorary doctorate to Mr.
Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,
India, Dr. Calhoun, Jr, said
that Chicago State University's
Board of Governors unanimously awarded an honorary doctorate to the Chief
Minister. We anticipate that he will be visiting our campus to be awarded the
degree. His work is world renowned. The way he utilized high technology to
bring a higher standard of living for the people of low or meagre resources,
and be very competitive in nationally and internationally in IT areas. He is
just a remarkable individual and we are very proud that he accepted our
offer. He will become an alumnus of our university. It is far
more of an honor for us than for him. He further 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.
On CSU acting as possible gateway for commerce between
Andhra and Illinois,
Dr. Calhoun said that, our two states have a lot to offer each other. The
CM will have the opportunity to visit with our top leaders. They all
will be invited. There will be significant announcements of new kinds of
partnerships, not only between Chicago
State University
and Andhra universities, but also between Illinois and Andhra Pradesh.
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 will be visiting us. His visit will
reverberate educationally, economically and having him visit us 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 whom
not have been served as properly as they should have been in the past, and
building a bridge to the future. Dr. Rowan further said that he is a very
impressive person, I love to meet him, I love for the university, May
colleagues to meet him, I love to have him the chance to get to know the people
in the south of Chicago.
Some of the same challenges and opportunities that he faces are faced by other
leaders here; I love to engage him in conversation; I love to thank him for
supporting Chicago
State University
with the opportunity to be a part of the Obama Singh grant and to
operationalize it with the wonderful people of his province and country.
Dr. David Kanis, Professor and Vice President in his
remarks said that, we are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Chief
Minister. What he could do to the South Side of Chicago is to inspire the
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. We would love to have him come here and inspire our
people to think of doing what he has done for the rights of women, higher
education, entrepreneurship, and innovation. I met the Chief
Minister twice myself, 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.
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. His greatest legacy and the one he
would cherish the most would be his inspiration of the young minds. They will
be inspired to create, innovate, and lead the communities we serve on paths of
upward mobility. No other Chief Minister will get this
marvelous and unique opportunity! The Chief Ministers 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 Mister
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.
Speaking about the Chief Minister’s visit, 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. Dr. Achanta said that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu is only
the second Head of a Government to receive an honorary doctorate from the
University.
Chicago
State University
faculty and student body of more than a five thousand, eagerly await his
visit. It will leave a long lasting impression on our minds
inspiring them to succeed, adopt IT and various technologies for the betterment
of their lives and contribute for uplifting of underserved communities
Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA
