CSU News

CSU will be sponsoring the third annual "KIDS" Night Out on August 4 at the Orange Beach Waterfront Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Orange Beach Police Department is hosting the event and many local businesses will be sponsoring.

With the Independence Day weekend approaching, the American Red Cross (ARC) is preparing for the most critical blood shortage month of the year – July. Columbia Southern University (CSU) will be joining forces with the ARC on July 1st to host the first Red, White and Give Blood Drive. Be a part of this life saving initiative from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new CSU facility just off the Foley Beach Express and two miles South of County Road 12 at 21982 University Lane.

Columbia Southern University (CSU) is proud to announce the launch of myCSU, the new official student portal. Students now need to visit myCSU at https://myCSU.columbiasouthern.edu and login with their Blackboard username and password to access all content previously located on the Student Center section of the website. The myCSU Student Portal will also replace the CSU Student Access site.

Lights, camera, action! Columbia Southern University (CSU), one of the nation’s first completely online universities, recently launched its first promotional video. The eight-minute video features faculty, staff, students and alumni along with an overview the history, academic offerings and key benefits of CSU. The new 67,000 square foot headquarters located in Orange Beach, AL is also highlighted in the video.

Oklahoma's largest fire and rescue department, Oklahoma City Fire Department, protects the more than half a million residents of the state's capital. Through a recent partnership with Columbia Southern University (CSU), Oklahoma City Fire Department employees are now eligible for special educational benefits. An application fee waiver and 10 percent tuition discount are now available to over 1,000 Oklahoma City Fire Department personnel, along with their spouses and children.

CSU is now accepting registrations for the 2009 CSU Graduation Ceremony. The date and location are set for Friday, October 16, 2009 at the world's second largest air and space museum, the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Students must have submitted their petition to graduate prior to registering.

The competition for jobs in fire departments across the U.S. is heating up. Although a degree has not traditionally been essential for firefighters, the demand for more educated applicants is increasing. Firefighters are now competing for positions with candidates who hold associate and bachelor's degrees.

Today Columbia Southern University (CSU) employees, public officials, local business leaders, students, and alumni celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new 67,000 square foot Orange Beach home. Students from all over the world also participated by watching over the Internet through live streaming video. The event opened with remarks from CSU President Robert Mayes, City of Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, and Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce President Mark Berson.

Earning a degree has never been more essential for firefighters looking to climb the “career ladder.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many fire departments are now requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in fire science or a related field, to be promoted higher than battalion chief.

This week online universities and colleges across the U.S. will be celebrating National Distance Learning Week. The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is sponsoring the celebration and will be conducting online webinars demonstrating different aspects of distance learning and showcasing various institutions.