The Clayton State University Retirees Association (CSRA) is 10 years old in 2012, and, although the members may be retired from Clayton State, they’re not so retired that they don’t know how to celebrate.
The first major event of the 10th Anniversary Celebration will begin on Thursday, Sept. 27, with the preparation of the University’s new Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden, located between Swan Lake and the James M. Baker University Center. On Friday, Sept. 28, the University’s Landscape Management Department will spend all day planting the new garden, located directly across the lake from Spivey Hall.
The official anniversary celebration will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25 with a 12:30 p.m. luncheon in the Harry S. Downs Center, with CSRA member Dr. Harvey “Hardy” Jackson as the speaker. According to CSRA President Dr. Gene Hatfield, Jackson will be speaking on “Clayton State in the old days,” certainly an appropriate topic for someone who started at Clayton Junior College as an associate professor of history in 1973.
The Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden is a joint effort between CSRA and the Landscape Management Department, originated by Dr. Martha Wicker, former head of Clayton State’s Center for Instructional Development. Also involved are Hatfield, his wife, Carol Hatfield, former Biology Professor Helen Brown, former Drafting and Design Professor Dr. Tom Eddins, and former Psychology Professor Dr. Sandra Golden.
“The goal of this project is to create a lasting legacy which will be enjoyed by Clayton State retirees, faculty, staff, and students for decades to come,” says Wicker. “In planning this project, we discovered that there are four Master Gardeners among our members: Helen Brown, Tom Eddins, Sandy Golden, and Carol Hatfield.
“The garden will include both host and nectar plants that attract butterflies at all stages of development. In addition to native perennials and annuals, the garden will include a natural stone spillover fountain, a copper-capped red cedar trellis, landscape boulders, and wooden benches. A commemorative bronze plaque, dedicating the garden to the University on behalf of the Clayton State Retirees Association, will be erected in the garden.”
Naturally, to maximize the educational value for Clayton State students (biology majors and others) and visitors, markers identifying each plant will also be placed in the garden, courtesy of Master Gardner/Botanist/Biology Professor Brown. CSRA will also donate funds toward purchasing the garden items and provide assistance in planting and maintaining the garden.
Jackson served as a history professor at Clayton State from 1973 to 1990. He was also coordinator of history and political science from 1975 to 1978, and chairman of the division of social sciences from 1978 to 1986. He is currently Jacksonville State University professor and eminent scholar in history.
Jackson is the author, co-author, or co-editor of eleven books on various aspects of Southern History, including “Georgia: The Empire State of the South,” which he co-authored with another retired Clayton State history professor, Dr. Bradley R. Rice, in 1988.
Jackson currently lives in Jacksonville, Ala., with his wife, Suzanne, their son Will and daughter Anna. His daughter, Kelly teaches in Peachtree City, Ga.