Perimeter Interim Dean Dr. Cynthia Y. Lester
Dear Faculty and Staff:
Our spring 2024 semester is solidly underway, with lots of exciting events and activities slated for the month ahead. On Feb. 12, we will welcome Dr. Barbara Johnson to our campuses as Perimeter’s new dean. I invite you to join me in extending warm wishes to Dr. Johnson as she settles in for a successful start at the college.
Dr. Johnson’s arrival is just in time for one of Perimeter’s flagship events. Our week-long Mario A.J. Bennekin Black History Symposium, scheduled for Feb. 19-23, promises a dynamic lineup of breakout sessions that kickoff with a keynote presentation from Dr. Daniel Black, award-winning novelist and professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University. Please visit the symposium webpage for developing details. It is my hope that you will attend one or more of the symposium sessions—and that you will encourage students to participate as well.
Other February highlights include:
- 37th Annual Mathematics Conference – Friday, Feb. 2, Clarkston Campus.
- Spring Business Meeting – Friday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m., JCLRC Auditorium, Clarkston Campus. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format. Watch your email for further details.
- Daffodil Festival – Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 20-21, Newton Campus. The annual festival celebrates the history of the campus, its students, faculty and staff—and its abundance of daffodils.
Our 2024 Faculty Awards Ceremony quickly follows February’s full event schedule. On Friday, March 1, we will recognize this year’s standout faculty for their classroom innovation, creativity and effectiveness. Please mark your calendar now for this special ceremony which will spotlight those among us who go above and beyond to help students succeed.
In closing, although I’m moving to another position at the university, Perimeter College will remain near to my heart. Since starting at Perimeter as the founding executive director of the STEM Initiatives Office in 2012, I’ve been steadfast in serving our students and encouraging their success, right alongside each of you. I’m grateful that my role as associate provost for strategic initiatives will enable me to continue on this path.
With this, I celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish at Perimeter over the past two years as I’ve served in the dean’s role. I wish each of you and the college even greater achievement as we remain committed to the same Georgia State University goals and values.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Y. Lester, Ph.D.