CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – June 30, at their Tuesday meeting, Clarksville’s Downtown Kiwanis Club heard from APSU President Alisa White, who gave an update on Austin Peay in light of continued growth, COVID-19 and her upcoming move to Texas.
President White recently accepted a position as President Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. White’s open letter to the Clarksville and Austin Peay community can be found here.
She began by offering insight into Austin Peay’s current plans for reopening in the fall. White said that, while Austin Peay currently plans to reopen in the fall for classes as well as sports activities, the situation is evolving day by day, and APSU leaders must prioritize the safety of students and faculty.
“We are planning to be back on campus this fall but we are following and monitoring guidelines from the CDC,” said White. “We want athletics competitions to take place. We want classes on campus, and that is the plan. We have a very robust and detailed plan for that to happen. If we don’t get a handle on the spread, if it spikes to where our hospitals are going to be close to capacity, we will not be able to do that.
She went on to urge the community’s cooperation and support reducing the spread of COVID-19 so that APSU can enjoy as regular a fall semester as possible.
“We really believe we will be able to compete. We have a killer football team this year. They are on it. I want them to be able to play with you watching them, so please do everything you can to not get sick and not to get anybody else sick.”
White went on to praise APSU’s students, faculty and staff for stepping up and contributing to the battle against COVID-19, particularly noting the GIS Center’s work in producing over 150,000 acetate face shields and 15,000 frames for use by essential health workers.
White shared an update on growth at APSU, including an upcoming makeup graduation for spring graduate. Approximately 500 students will be recognized across 4 ceremonies so as to preserve health and safety precautions.
Austin Peay will also soon feature a program in speech pathology, which will begin in the fall, as well as a new national security program.
White also shared that the planned health professions building for has been put on hold for this year, but that the project will maintain its place in line for consideration in 2021.
White also thanked the Clarksville community for welcoming her and her family and supporting the school.
“What I love about Austin Peay today is what I loved about Austin Peay six years ago. I started six years ago as the president of Austin Peay knowing that it was a student focused organization, and I am so proud of the work that this institution. I am just gonna miss the relationships we have made here,” said White. “What is different about this town is that you let people in… The Austin Peay way was already the Austin Peay way, I was just lucky enough to join it. I did not create the culture. I was just able to get involved with it.”
APSU’s Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, June 6, to select at interim president. According to President White, an candidate will be selected internally from Austin Peay State University.