May 07, 2022 | Featured , Student Success

Columbia State Celebrates Graduates at Spring 2022 Commencement

Columbia State Community College Spring 2022 Commencement
Columbia State Community College Spring 2022 Commencement

Columbia State Community College celebrated 283 degree and certificate candidates as they crossed the stage during the commencement ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center Saturday, May 7.

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 alum James Washington as the guest speaker for the spring commencement ceremony. Washington earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer information technology in December 2018. He is currently an associate computer systems analyst at Northrop Grumman Corporation and has his own IT business, Jwash Computer Fixins’.

Smith highlighted Washington, who during his time at Columbia State was one of the first students to participate in an internship with the Tractor Supply Company via a special capstone class. He then went on to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville to earn a bachelor’s degree in information systems with a concentration in cybersecurity and information assurance.

Washington began by thanking the college for the opportunity to speak and congratulating the class of 2022. He then reflected on his time at Columbia State, and the uncertainty he felt as a student about his future.

“Some of you may share the same thoughts and feelings of uncertainty, but my message today reassures you to not be afraid; it is okay not to know sometimes,” Washington said. “It is okay to go with the flow of things because life is more fun that way.”

Washington urged students to find the path that best suits them, whether that be through obtaining a bachelor’s degree, joining the workforce or becoming an entrepreneur.

“As I am sure you are all aware, the Great Resignation resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing us to reevaluate how we are treated in all aspects of life,” Washington said. “You should not have to put up with disrespect, lack of pay, or insufficient career growth to pursue the ‘American Dream.’ Even if you are in a situation where going to school is the best option for you at this time, never lose sight of what you are passionate about. Do not live to work; work to live.”

Washington closed his address with offering a piece of advice to the graduates: “Don't let this be the only time you are a part of history. Whether you participate in a protest, start an organization, donate to a good cause, or start something never done before, keep adding to your impressive skill set and continue to be a part of history.”

Closing the ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented at the 9 a.m. ceremony by Kellie Gwin, Columbia State alum and administrative secretary for student affairs, and Sandra Wall, Gwin’s mother and spring 2022 graduate. At the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, the graduates were inducted by Matthew Lewis, Columbia State alum and financial aid director, and Alena Daniel, spring 2022 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): Tia Miller, Columbia State coordinator of student development; Christopher Smith; Brianna Dipoalo; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Rachel Jones; and Pearl Mullins. Not Pictured: Alena Daniel and Marie Wallner.

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): Tia Miller, Columbia State coordinator of student development; Christopher Smith; Brianna Dipoalo; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Rachel Jones; and Pearl Mullins. Not Pictured: Alena Daniel and Marie Wallner.

 

Columbia State alum and Spring 2022 Commencement speaker James Washington.

Columbia State alum and Spring 2022 Commencement speaker James Washington.

 

Summertown resident Sandra A. Wall graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in business management. Wall is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta. She is a Tennessee Reconnect student and earned recognition of outstanding service to Sigma Kappa Delta for serving as vice president. Both her granddaughter and daughter are Columbia State alumni. Wall missed her high school graduation due to being pregnant with her daughter, so she was excited to walk in her first commencement. She would recommend Columbia State to others because, “It is a place where the professors really care that you do well and understand the process.”
Summertown resident Sandra A. Wall graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in business management. Wall is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta. She is a Tennessee Reconnect student and earned recognition of outstanding service to Sigma Kappa Delta for serving as vice president. Both her granddaughter and daughter are Columbia State alumni. Wall missed her high school graduation due to being pregnant with her daughter, so she was excited to walk in her first commencement. She would recommend Columbia State to others because, “It is a place where the professors really care that you do well and understand the process.”

 

Saint Joseph resident Rachel Jones graduated Summa Cum Laude with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree in agriculture: animal science. Jones is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies, as well as a Tennessee Promise and President’s Leadership Society graduate. She plans to transfer to the University of Tennessee at Martin to complete her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to eventually attend a college of veterinary medicine to achieve her dream of becoming a large and small animal veterinarian. “Being virtual my first three semesters had its ups and downs, but Columbia State made it work,” Jones said. “Even in the midst of COVID, college was still a thing, and I am so grateful that I could start my college studies here!”
Saint Joseph resident Rachel Jones graduated Summa Cum Laude with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree in agriculture: animal science. Jones is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies, as well as a Tennessee Promise and President’s Leadership Society graduate. She plans to transfer to the University of Tennessee at Martin to complete her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to eventually attend a college of veterinary medicine to achieve her dream of becoming a large and small animal veterinarian. “Being virtual my first three semesters had its ups and downs, but Columbia State made it work,” Jones said. “Even in the midst of COVID, college was still a thing, and I am so grateful that I could start my college studies here!”

 

Nashville resident Bakari Corley graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Corley is a recipient of the Sam H. Odom and the St. Thomas Foundation scholarships and is a Tennessee Reconnect student. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Student Nurses Association. Corley plans to work as a registered nurse at St. Thomas West hospital in the emergency department for a year before pursuing his bachelor’s degree. “Columbia State is a great place to start your educational foundation or even obtain an associate’s degree in a career,” he said. “I feel that the staff really care and do what they can to help students obtain their goals.”
Nashville resident Bakari Corley graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Corley is a recipient of the Sam H. Odom and the St. Thomas Foundation scholarships and is a Tennessee Reconnect student. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Student Nurses Association. Corley plans to work as a registered nurse at St. Thomas West hospital in the emergency department for a year before pursuing his bachelor’s degree. “Columbia State is a great place to start your educational foundation or even obtain an associate’s degree in a career,” he said. “I feel that the staff really care and do what they can to help students obtain their goals.”

 

Puerto Rico native Victoria M. Mercado graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical laboratory technology. A Tennessee Promise student, Mercado was honored with the Medical Lab Technology Academic Discipline Award from the Health Sciences Division at Columbia State. She plans to transfer to Austin Peay State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree. She said that Columbia State, “has helped me earn a degree and prepared me to get certified as a Medical Lab Technician. The professors and staff have been very helpful. They want the students to be successful and are willing to help those who reach out to them.”

Puerto Rico native Victoria M. Mercado graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical laboratory technology. A Tennessee Promise student, Mercado was honored with the Medical Lab Technology Academic Discipline Award from the Health Sciences Division at Columbia State. She plans to transfer to Austin Peay State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree. She said that Columbia State, “has helped me earn a degree and prepared me to get certified as a Medical Lab Technician. The professors and staff have been very helpful. They want the students to be successful and are willing to help those who reach out to them.”

 

Ripley, Tennessee, resident Jamari Bostic graduated with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree. A Tennessee Promise student, Bostic is a member of TRiO and the M.E.N.T.O.R. program. During his three years on the basketball team, Bostic was named TCCAA Freshman of the Year. He plans to transfer to a four-year university on a basketball scholarship. He said that Columbia State was, “a great environment with great people to be around.”
Ripley, Tennessee, resident Jamari Bostic graduated with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree. A Tennessee Promise student, Bostic is a member of TRiO and the M.E.N.T.O.R. program. During his three years on the basketball team, Bostic was named TCCAA Freshman of the Year. He plans to transfer to a four-year university on a basketball scholarship. He said that Columbia State was, “a great environment with great people to be around.”

 

Franklin resident Suchit Vyas graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Next, he plans to transfer to Western Governors University to complete his bachelor’s degree. Vyas eventually hopes to, “provide expertise and volunteer in the community to help students like me who join college at a later stage in life.” A Tennessee Reconnect student, he said of his time at Columbia State: “Education is a key to professional and financial growth and I think Columbia State does an incredible job at giving me the tools to achieve my goals.”

Franklin resident Suchit Vyas graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Next, he plans to transfer to Western Governors University to complete his bachelor’s degree. Vyas eventually hopes to, “provide expertise and volunteer in the community to help students like me who join college at a later stage in life.” A Tennessee Reconnect student, he said of his time at Columbia State: “Education is a key to professional and financial growth and I think Columbia State does an incredible job at giving me the tools to achieve my goals.”

 

Huntsville, Alabama, native Malique Oates graduated with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree. A basketball team member, Oates is also a member of TRiO and the M.E.N.T.O.R. program. He plans on transferring to Eastern New Mexico University and eventually playing basketball overseas. “Coach Neal put his trust in me and gave me an opportunity to play basketball and go to school again,” Oates said. “Columbia State helped me become a leader.”

Huntsville, Alabama, native Malique Oates graduated with a university parallel (general transfer) Associate of Science degree. A basketball team member, Oates is also a member of TRiO and the M.E.N.T.O.R. program. He plans on transferring to Eastern New Mexico University and eventually playing basketball overseas. “Coach Neal put his trust in me and gave me an opportunity to play basketball and go to school again,” Oates said. “Columbia State helped me become a leader.”

 

California native Pearl Mullins graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. A Tennessee Reconnect student, Mullins was a member of President’s Leadership Society, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Sigma Kappa Delta honor society. Next, she plans to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in integrated studies – applied leadership. Obtaining her degree while working full-time and caring for her family, Mullins said, “I will be graduating with my degree because of the support and compassion of the Columbia State staff, instructors and professors during the pandemic. They were educators first but soon took on the role of friends and confidants. In the scariest and most uncertain of times, they allowed students an opportunity to be vulnerable without judgment. I will never forget my years at Columbia State because of this.”

California native Pearl Mullins graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. A Tennessee Reconnect student, Mullins was a member of President’s Leadership Society, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Sigma Kappa Delta honor society. Next, she plans to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in integrated studies – applied leadership. Obtaining her degree while working full-time and caring for her family, Mullins said, “I will be graduating with my degree because of the support and compassion of the Columbia State staff, instructors and professors during the pandemic. They were educators first but soon took on the role of friends and confidants. In the scariest and most uncertain of times, they allowed students an opportunity to be vulnerable without judgment. I will never forget my years at Columbia State because of this.”