Dec 11, 2021 | Featured

Columbia State Celebrates Graduates at Fall 2021 Commencement

Columbia State Fall 2021 Graduates
Columbia State Fall 2021 Graduates

Columbia State Community College celebrated 102 degree and certificate candidates as they crossed the stage during the commencement ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center Saturday, Dec. 11.

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, opened the ceremony by welcoming degree and certificate candidates, faculty, staff and guests.

“Today is a special day for several reasons,” Smith said. “First and foremost, it is a day of celebration of accomplishments. It is a day of recognition that these soon to be graduates set a goal and accomplished it.”

Smith introduced alumna Corey Cummings as the guest speaker for the fall commencement ceremony. Cummings earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in business with an administrative professional technology concentration in spring 2020. She currently is a technical assistant at an insurance brokerage firm.

Smith highlighted Cummings, who during her time at Columbia State served as president of the Student Government Association and as vice president of public relations in Phi Theta Kappa. She also helped to establish Columbia State’s Student Veterans Organization and served as secretary/treasurer and public relations officer. Cummings organized and participated in many community service projects during her time at Columbia State including the Veterans History Project, Sigma Kappa Delta’s children’s book drive and Phi Theta Kappa’s food and hygiene drive. For her involvement on campus, she received the Columbia Campus Leadership Award. She was also a student worker in the Student Engagement and Disability Resources offices. Cummings is an Army veteran, first-generation college student and a single mother to her son Cody. 

Cummings thanked the college for allowing her to deliver the commencement address. She began with details of her life before attending Columbia State and her struggles as a single mother. This is what ultimately drew her to earning her degree: the opportunity to change her and her son’s life.

“Those dreadful times made me realize I wanted more out of life and led me down the path to where I am now,” Cummings said. “I am a first-generation college graduate. I have an amazing job that values my contributions, and I no longer have to worry about how I'm going to buy groceries. Plus, I get to spend so much time with my son he's getting sick of me.”

Cummings detailed her “priceless memories” from her time at Columbia State and expressed how proud she was of the graduates for their accomplishments throughout immense change.

“The past year and a half has been difficult for everyone but you didn't quit,” Cummings said. “You showed tenacity when the world around you stopped moving. Facing the colossal change of classes completely online and navigating the constant uncertainty of how the future would progress seemed discouraging and overwhelming, and yet you pushed forward.”

Cummings closed her address with offering a piece of advice to the graduates: “You adapted to the extensive changes that the world went through and overcame all obstacles in your path. I want to leave you with the words of the inspiring Maya Angelou, ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’”

Closing the ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented at the 9 a.m. ceremony by Rose Hobby, Columbia State alumna and associate professor of radiologic technology, and Faith Kennedy, fall 2021 graduate. At the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, the graduates were inducted by Shane Hall, Columbia State alumnus and assistant professor of English, and Destiny Parrish, fall 2021 graduate.   

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President’s Leadership Society graduates were also honored with a medallion at the commencement ceremony.

“The establishment of this society was based on the belief that leadership is inherent to our lives and that we all have leadership roles,” Smith said. “The President’s Leadership Society is open to all students at Columbia State and requires only their commitment to involvement for learning, participation, and helping others.” 

Formed in spring 2011, PLS is a free leadership training program focused on developing a student’s unique leadership skills from their first semester through graduation. The program focuses on participation in college-sponsored programs that promote educational attainment, career choices, volunteerism and civic responsibility.

During the course of the program, students will attend a leadership retreat, enjoy exposure to the arts, participate in workshops and campus life, develop civic understanding and give back to the community through volunteerism.

Students received the President’s Leadership Society medallion for completing all requirements of the leadership training program prior to graduation. Throughout the program, students attend a leadership retreat, enjoy exposure to the arts, participate in workshops and campus life, develop civic understanding and give back to the community through service. (Pictured, left to right): Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, Faith Kennedy and Robert Perry Austbrooks.
Students received the President’s Leadership Society medallion for completing all requirements of the leadership training program prior to graduation. Throughout the program, students attend a leadership retreat, enjoy exposure to the arts, participate in workshops and campus life, develop civic understanding and give back to the community through service. (Pictured, left to right): Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, Faith Kennedy and Robert Perry Ausbrooks. 

 

Corey Cummings
Corey Cummings, recent Columbia State alumna and Fall 2021 Commencement speaker.

 

Robert Perry Austbrooks
Columbia resident Robert Perry Ausbrooks graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in social work. He is a President’s Leadership Society graduate and a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Austbrooks will attend Trevecca University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in social work and plans to also go on to earn a master’s degree. He said Columbia State helped him prepare for his future by, “enabling me to complete my associate degree while staying close to home.”

 

Faith Kennedy
Chapel Hill resident Faith Kennedy earned an Associate of Science degree in sociology. Kennedy served on the Student Government Association and is a Tennessee Promise and President’s Leadership Society graduate. Kennedy plans to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University and eventually pursue a career in a federal agency. She said that Columbia State gave her, “readily available resources and mentors to help guide and grow me into the person I am today.”

 

Destiny Parrish
Waynesboro resident Destiny Parrish earned an Associate of Arts degree in public relations. She graduated Magna Cum Laude through Tennessee Reconnect and was a member of TRiO student success services, the Columbia State Cinema Society, Sigma Kappa Delta honor society and served as the public relations secretary for Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She plans to attend the University of North Alabama in the spring for her bachelor’s degree. “Thanks to Columbia State I have developed stronger communication skills and time management skills. I learned how to study better and to present myself in a more professional manner,” she said.

 

Lacey Gross
Wayne County resident Lacey Gross graduated Summa Cum Laude with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree. A Tennessee Promise student, Gross was a member of TRiO and Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She plans to continue her education at either Middle Tennessee State University or the University of North Alabama and wants to work in an art museum. “Each Columbia State campus I attended for my courses provided a very welcoming atmosphere, and I always felt very comfortable making friends or speaking to anyone if I needed help,” Gross said. “Most importantly, I met the most encouraging professors and advisors who went above and beyond to assist me, encourage me, and push me to succeed in my college journey. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend and graduate from such an encouraging institution that truly cares about its students.”

 

Patrina Mitchell
Columbia native Patrina Mitchell graduated Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. Mitchell was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and a Tennessee Reconnect student. She plans to continue her education at Middle Tennessee State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in commerce. She said she would recommend Columbia State to friends and family because, “It doesn't matter if you are straight out of high school, a working adult, a single parent, disabled, or even an older student like me; they offer flexible schedules and many resources you can utilize to ensure success.” Currently an online reputation specialist at an IT web development company, Mitchell has plans to begin her own craft supply business in 2022 and hopes to start a nonprofit organization to provide traumatic brain injury patients with medical equipment not covered by insurance. “My experience at Columbia State has been a long, hard road,” she said. “However, I have learned that sometimes life is a marathon, not a race, and success is always possible as long as you are persistent and never give up fighting for what you want! I also learned to have as much faith in myself as my children have in me.”

 

Ian Hammonds

Kentucky native Ian Carter Hammonds graduated magna cum laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer information technology with a concentration in programming. He plans to continue his education at Middle Tennessee State University to earn his bachelor’s degree. Hammonds was involved with TRiO on campus, and what he loved most about his time at Columbia State was that “All of the staff and the people I studied with were friendly.” 

 

Keyari Cooper

Mount Pleasant resident Keyari Cooper graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in social work. Cooper plans on taking a gap year before continuing her education to receive her bachelor’s degree. A member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, she said her favorite professor at Columbia State was Barry Gidcomb.

 

Rolanda Edwards

Columbia native Rolanda Elizabeth Edwards graduated Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in pre-allied health sciences with a focus in nursing. She will be continuing her education at East Tennessee State University to earn her bachelor’s degree. During her time at Columbia State, Edwards was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. She said the things she loved most about Columbia State were, “The teachers and getting to meet new people, and being around this new atmosphere.” 

 

Elizabeth Salah

A New York native raised in California; Elizabeth Salah graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in accounting. She plans on continuing her education at Belmont University to earn her bachelor’s degree. A memorable instructor for her at Columbia State was Judith Broadbent. She said she enjoyed, “Being a part of a community that’s very nice and welcoming.”

 

Brandt Woodward
Franklin native Brandt Woodward graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in engineering systems technology. He plans on entering the workforce and has a job lined up with Tennessee Distilling Group. “The staff at Columbia State were really friendly and I really enjoyed getting to learn from them,” he said. “One of my professors was Walter Tatar, and I really liked him.”