Columbia State Community College recently invited the community to honor Dr. O. Rebecca Hawkins, third president of Columbia State, with a naming ceremony for the Dr. O. Rebecca Hawkins Plaza and Graduate Promenade.

“It is such a pleasure for me, as well as those gathered here today, to celebrate you and your accomplishments as president of this college,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “Graduation is a highlight of this college, and what a wonderful way to celebrate Dr. Hawkin’s impact on Columbia State and her dedication to students.”

Hawkins served as Columbia State’s third president from December 1996 until February 2008. During her term, she accomplished the opening of the Clifton Campus in 1997, formalized the Columbia State Foundation, established the President’s Medal for faculty and staff, and renovated the original John W. Finney Memorial Library into the Walker Building for health sciences. She also opened the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus in 2001. This building included the Pryor Art Gallery and the Cherry Theater, the latter of which allowed her to launch the first season of the Performance Series, a staple in the community ever since.  

In addition, she established the Hickman Building Endowment and endowments for the arts. She also welcomed additions to the Lewisburg Campus in 2001, and to the Lawrence Campus in 2002. There are also two endowments that bear her name.

Since her retirement, Hawkins has remained a fixture at Columbia State through the Foundation, and has continued to support any events the college has to offer. She is a Silver member of the President’s Society, as well as a member of the Heritage and Legacy Society and the '66 Circle.

In her honor and as thanks for her ongoing dedication to Columbia State, the plaza in front of the J. H. Warf Building on the Columbia Campus was named the Dr. O. Rebecca Hawkins Plaza. Also established by Hawkins in her tenure, students congregate and pass through this plaza every day. In addition, graduation has always been a special time for Hawkins. Graduates march the walkway spanning from the sculpture of “The Graduate,” gifted by Hawkins, to the Webster Athletic Center. This walkway is now marked by bronze medallions and lightpole banners identifying it as the Dr. O. Rebecca Hawkins Graduate Promenade.

“You’re paying tribute to me for a part of my life that I hold truly dear,” said Hawkins. “You have named the graduate walkway in my honor; I’m grateful and I’m humbled. You couldn’t have done anything or given me anything that stirs my soul like recognition and tribute to what I fondly remember as the best part in my life each academic year. You have made my face very happy!”