Mar 30, 2018

Columbia State Foundation Hosts Donor Scholarship Breakfasts

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - March 30, 2018) - - - The Columbia State Community College Foundation recently hosted a donor scholarship breakfast at the Columbia Campus for scholarship recipients and donors.

The breakfast helps students and donors make a connection. Donors have the opportunity to see their contributions at work and see the lives they are impacting, while students are able to see that there are real people from the community supporting them.

Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation, started the event by asking students, donors and Foundation Board members to get to know each other and learn why they are involved with Columbia State.

"Students, look around this room and realize there are real people behind the scholarships you receive," Lay said. "Realize that these people are investing in you and your future.

Donors and students had the opportunity to talk to one another and share their stories. Many donors talked about their experiences with Columbia State and the impact on the community. Students shared the impact Columbia State has made in their lives and the goals they have moving forward in their education and careers.

Megan Walsh, a Columbia State nursing major, told the group about her aspirations to become a psychiatric nurse and earn her master's degree so she can one day return to Columbia State to teach and give back to students.

"When you hear stories like we have this morning, you know why these people are investing themselves in the college," said Darlene Baxter, Columbia State Foundation Board vice chair.

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, delivered closing remarks, commenting that each of the donors has made a difference in someone's life.

"To our donors - thank you for what you give to this college to help others," Smith said. "Your scholarships make all the difference for our students. They are your investment in the future. You are lifting them up and helping them achieve their goals - that is the best thing you can do for anyone."

Columbia Donor Breakfast Attendees
Photo Caption:
Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation, kicks off the donor scholarship breakfast at the Columbia Campus.

Megan Walsh, student, speaks at breakfast for donors
Photo Caption:
Columbia State student, Megan Walsh, shares her ambitions with the group.

Dr. BI Naddy talked to donor breakfast attendees about his experiences.
Photo Caption:
Dr. B.I. Naddy, former Columbia State professor of chemistry and current Columbia State donor, shared some of his many experiences with Columbia State.

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COLUMBIA, Tenn. - March 30, 2018) - - - The Columbia State Community CollegeFoundation recently hosted a donor scholarship breakfast at the Williamson Campus for scholarship recipients and donors to have the opportunity to come together and get to know each other.

The breakfast helps students and donors make a connection. Donors have the opportunity to see their contributions at work and see the lives they are impacting. Students are able to see that there are real people from the community supporting them.

"We are grateful for the students and donors that were able to make it," said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president of Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. "These donors represent our community and donate their time and resources to make these buildings and these scholarships possible. What they do makes a difference and impacts our students."

Columbia State students had the opportunity to share their stories with the group.

Megan Roberts, a Columbia State sophomore commercial entertainment major and recipient of the commercial entertainment scholarship, talked about her experiences in the program and the eagerness of the faculty to get her involved.

"I went from not feeling like I was good enough to perform to actually pursuing a career in performance, and it is all because of Columbia State," Roberts said. "The staff is so supportive of everyone and they make sure we are prepared."

Rodrick Harris, a Columbia State university parallel major and recipient of the Mildred L. Walker scholarship, talked about returning to college after being out of school for almost 20 years. He explained how the faculty and staff at Columbia State helped steer him in the right direction for his education to further his career.

"Coming back to college was terrifying," Harris said. "The faculty and staff sat down with me and helped me map out my education and find the path that would work best for me so I could still work and pay my bills while achieving my educational goals."

Other students in attendance thanked the donors for their contributions and for the scholarship dollars that have made their educational endeavors easier.

"The reason I love Columbia State is because everyone that goes to Columbia State goes for a reason even though they're juggling different things in their life," said Kirk Kelso, Columbia State Foundation Board chair. "Seeing the students today with their excitement and enthusiasm makes these contributions seem that much more special."

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, delivered closing remarks, commenting that each of the donors has made a difference in someone's life.

"The stories we have heard today are the stories of Columbia State," Smith said. "It is because of the support from our donors that we are able to do more for our students. We are appreciative of the community and all that they contribute."


Photo Caption: (Pictured, left to right):
Nancy Conway, Women of Williamson Scholarship donor representative; Alma McLemore, Columbia State Foundation Board Member; Columbia State freshman, Sarah El-Kayyali; Kirk Kelso, Columbia State Foundation Board chair and Tommy Hawkins Scholarship donor representative; and Paula Uhlir, Brentwood-Franklin Woman's Service Club Scholarship donor representative.

Donors and students talk about the impact Columbia State has had on them
Photo Caption:
Rodrick Harris talks to the donors and students about his journey at Columbia State.

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