Dr. Zduy Chu Earns Blazer Creed Award for Civility

Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU, and Dr. Zduy Chu, deputy chief officer for the Division of Student Affairs.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University recently recognized an elite group of students, faculty, and staff for their steadfast commitment to uphold The Blazer Creed in everything they do, both on campus and in the community — and Dr. Zduy Chu, deputy chief officer for the Division of Student Affairs, was one of them.

As the Blazer Creed states, VSU is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect, in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The university is dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice the following:

Civility — A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity — Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship — Every Blazer has an interest in the wellbeing of the community and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

Chu serves as a shining example of what it means to be a Blazer, to treat others with good manners, to act with honesty and have strong moral principles, and to work hard and help others.

BLAZER CREED AWARD FOR CIVILITY

Dr. Zduy Chu, deputy chief officer for the Division of Student Affairs

VSU News: Who nominated you for this award?

Dr. Zduy Chu: Sandra Jones, director of the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion

VSU News: Why does practicing civility matter to you?

Dr. Zduy Chu: To me, civility means seeking to understand before being understood. We all come from different backgrounds and have different life experiences. This doesn’t make us good or bad, right or wrong; it’s just the lens through which we see the world. In the end though, you think about your core values and try to see those values in everything that you do. For me, it’s about understanding that as we are interacting with others, we are not walking a mile in their shoes, but instead we are walking beside them in their journey to understand what they are seeing and how they are impacted by what’s going on around them. Civility matters because deep down we all want to be respected, feel like we belong, and have value. 

VSU News: What went through your mind when you learned you had won this award?

Dr. Zduy Chu: I was honestly shocked, not because I think that I don’t practice civility but more so because I do things without a desire to be recognized. It was a welcomed surprise to see that how I live my life and how I interact with others is seen as civil and helping others become part of a larger community, like they belong.  I am proud and grateful to have received the award. 

The Nomination

If there is anyone who shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being, it is Dr. Zduy Chu. I have engaged Zduy in various capacities. When he arrived at VSU, I was coordinator and later became his colleague as a director in Student Affairs. Zduy treated me with the same level of respect and dignity as a coordinator that he did as a director. The title did not matter. He intentionally works to deal with everyone from a place of respect and compassion. He puts others first, sometimes to his detriment. Zduy has a strong conviction for doing what is right and working for what is best for our students and our university. I appreciate him as both a colleague and friend.