Homecoming festivities continue

at Clayton College & State University through Saturday, when for the

first time two Grand Marshalls will ride in the homecoming parade, winners

of the 2003 Alice Smith Awards as the University's Faculty and Staff

Members of the Year.

Dr. Michael Deis and Tammy Wilson will be riding in the lead car on Saturday

at 11 a.m. The Parade will also feature floats, clowns, and baton twirlers,

the Fort MacPherson Military Band, Morrow High School's ROTC Color

Guard, the Clayton County Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), and The World

Famous Kazoo Band.

Deis is Clayton State's 2003 Alice Smith Award winner as the University's

outstanding faculty member. An associate professor of Management in Clayton

State's School of Business, Deis has been a Clayton State faculty

member for six years. He also served in the University's Career Center

for two years as retraining administrator and educational consultant for

dislocated airline workers.

Deis and his wife Sandra live in Newnan. One of their four children, Kendall,

just completed his B.B.A. from Clayton State's School of Business

in the summer of 2003.

A native of Griffin and a graduate of Griffin High School (class of 1989),

Wilson has worked as secretary/administrative assistant for Clayton State's

Office of Academic Affairs for six years. Academically, Wilson is enrolled

as a student in the University's School of Technology's Associate

of Applied Science Degree program, majoring in Office Technology. A three-time

Dean's List member, she expects to graduate in May 2004.

An annual event since 1995, the Smith Awards are presented to the faculty

member and staff member ranked most outstanding as determined by committees

of their peers. Local philanthropist Joseph Smith established the two

awards (one for the faculty and one for the staff) in honor of his wife,

Alice.

Other events scheduled this week:

- Thursday, Oct. 23 - Students, faculty and staff will show

their Laker Spirit by donning the blue and orange of the 34-year-old institution

in Morrow. The athletic department will host the Athletics' Extravaganza,

a day filled with activities, beginning with the Lady Lakers vs. Spellman

College soccer match, and culminating that evening with the faculty/staff

and student basketball game and free-throw contest.

- Friday, Oct. 24 - The Student Life Activities Committee

will host a Pep Rally in the campus courtyard, where Clayton State's

cheerleaders, athletes and coaches will get the opportunity to see and

be seen by the entire campus community. They will be working hard to get

everyone fired up for Saturday's Homecoming Day Soccer Games. Homecoming

T-shirts will be available for only $5.

- Saturday, Oct. 25 - Beginning early Saturday morning at 8

a.m., President Dr. Thomas K. Harden will don his toque, apron and spatula,

in honor of all Clayton State Alumni, at the annual Homecoming Pancake

Breakfast in the Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education. At 9

a.m., The McElroy Mile, the first event sponsored by the Clayton State

Track Club, will be held on campus. At 11 a.m., the Homecoming Parade

begins, to be followed immediately afterward by the Clayton State Home

Carnival, a free event. Beginning at 1 p.m., the Lakers soccer teams will

begin the Homecoming Game activities against UNC Pembroke, starting with

the women and followed by the men at 3 p.m.

For more information on Clayton State's 2003 Homecoming events, to

register an entry in the parade, or the McElroy Mile, or to attend the

Pancake Breakfast, visit the Homecoming website at adminservices.clayton.edu

or call Reda Rowell, director of Alumni Relations, at 770-961-3681, or

Jeff Jacobs, director of Student Life, at 770-961-3510.