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Columbia State Celebrates Graduates at Fall 2024 Commencement
Columbia State Community College celebrated 141 degree and certificate candidates as they crossed the stage during the fall commencement ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center on Saturday, December 14.
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 Ryan Egly as the guest speaker for the fall commencement ceremony. Egly began his economic development career as the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce’s project manager in August 2015 and became the president and CEO in July 2019. Since 2015, Egly has worked with community leaders and stakeholders to attract $272 million in private sector investment, creating 1,327 new jobs, and worked to secure $17.5 million in state and federal grants supporting site development, tourism enhancement, marketing, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, higher education, entrepreneurial development and infrastructure projects.
Smith highlighted Egly, who graduated from Columbia State in 2012 with a general transfer Associate of Science degree. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb University.
Egly began his speech by sharing his gratitude to the college for helping shape him personally and professionally.
“As an economic development practitioner, I understand the important role community colleges play in retaining and recruiting businesses while simultaneously giving our families, friends, and neighbors the boost they need to access those ever-changing opportunities,” Egly said. “Without the programs and services offered by Columbia State, our region would not be the place of opportunity it is today.”
Egly went on to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates for “the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and the refusal to give up when things got tough.”
Egly shared several key lessons for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their life based on the lyrics of Smash Mouth’s 1999 hit, “All Star.”
“Graduates, you are the shooting stars”, he explained. “You’ve already broken molds simply by being here. Maybe you were the first in your family to attend college. Maybe you’ve overcome barriers others couldn’t. Maybe you pursued a field that people don’t understand, or they underestimated. As you move forward, don’t be afraid to continue breaking molds. Push boundaries. Challenge the status quo. The world doesn’t need more people who play it safe—it needs innovators, dreamers, and disruptors.”
“Let me leave you with this: life is unpredictable,” Egly stated. “It’s messy, beautiful, challenging, and rewarding all at once. You won’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep showing up, keep trying, and keep shining. Go out there and be the all-stars we know you are. Get your game on, go play!”
Columbia State alum and Fall 2024 Commencement speaker Ryan Egly.
Closing the ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented by Jolene Gairrett, Columbia State associate director of Financial Aid, and Sammy Gairrett, fall 2024 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 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): Front row, Tia Miller, Columbia State student development coordinator; Diana Hernandez; and Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. Back row, Samuel Childress and Hannah Fritsch. Not pictured: Edgar (Tony) Robles-Cedeno.
Belfast resident Cayden Flickinger graduated as a Tennessee Promise student with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. During his time at Columbia State, he was a member of Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies and TRiO Student Support Services. Next, Flickinger plans to transfer to the University of Memphis to complete a bachelor’s degree in business. He then plans to enroll in a pre-physical therapy program to prepare for graduate school. His ultimate goal is to open his own physical therapy clinic. “I would definitely recommend Columbia State to my friends and family. The experience was amazing overall, from the supportive faculty to the strong sense of community on campus. I had the opportunity to gain valuable connections that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. The small class sizes and approachable professors made it easy to receive individualized attention, and the campus environment was welcoming and inclusive. Columbia State provided me with a solid foundation for my academic and career goals, and I believe it would be a great choice for anyone seeking an enriching college experience.”
Lewisburg native and Tennessee Reconnect student, Samuel Childress graduated with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. He served as a sophomore senator and member of the House of Representatives for the Student Government Association, and is a President’s Leadership Society graduate. His sister, Claire, is also a Columbia State alum. Next, Childress plans to attend the University of North Alabama to earn a bachelor of business administration in professional management. “I chose Columbia State because it was located near my hometown. I preferred the smaller classroom setting with a smaller teacher-to-student ratio. I also chose it because of the friendly professors and the encouraging staff that work so hard to maintain a positive campus atmosphere. I also chose it to further my education and to have a better understanding of the business world in which I am planning to pursue in my future.”
Summertown resident Cody Frazier graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in history. His wife, Sarah Frazier, is also a Columbia State alum. During his time at Columbia State, he served as the treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa. Frazier hopes to one day become a professor and teach Early American History. Frazier shared that he would recommend Columbia State “because of the caring and nurturing nature of all the professors and staff. They have a huge positive impact on the culture of Columbia State.”
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Smyrna resident Edgar (Tony) Robles-Cedeno. Robles-Cedeno graduated with a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Science degree. A Tennessee Promise student, Robles-Cedeno was a member of the Student Government Association and was a President’s Leadership Society graduate. Next, he plans to enroll in a nursing program. He shared that his favorite thing about Columbia State is the “strong sense of student community.” In addition, he stated, “professors are here to help and actually care for you and your success.”
Antioch resident and Tennessee Promise student Diana Hernandez graduated with a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Science degree. Hernandez was a President’s Leadership Society graduate. Next, Hernandez plans to attend Belmont University to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She hopes to one day work in the NICU. When asked if she would recommend Columbia State, Hernandez responded, “Yes, I have actually recommended it to my sister and she’s in the process of applying. I loved my time at Columbia State and the personal relationships that I was able to build while being there.”
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Columbia native Hannah Fritsch. Fritsch, a Tennessee Promise student, graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in history. In addition, her brother, Levi, anticipates graduating from Columbia State in spring 2025. During her time at Columbia State, Fritsch was a member of the President’s Leadership Society, Student Government Association, and Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. Notably, Fritsch placed first in Columbia State’s academic and research fair in fall 2023 and spring 2024. She is currently attending Lipscomb University and is majoring in history. In terms of what had the biggest impact on her at Columbia State, Fritsch shared, “The interest professors took in my work and the encouragement they gave me.”
Pictured (left to right): Santa Fe resident Sammy Gairrett and his mother, Jolene Gairrett. Sammy earned a technical certificate in accelerated advanced emergency medical technology. Jolene is also a Columbia State alum and serves as associate director of Financial Aid. When asked why he chose Columbia State, Sammy responded, “I’m working to become a firefighter, so I knew I want the best of the best, so that’s why I joined the AEMT accelerated program—just to better myself and to improve. It was a challenge, but it was well worth it.”
Columbia native and Tennessee Promise student Olivia Loud earned an Associate of Science degree in history. Her brother, Elijah, is currently attending Columbia State. Next, she plans to attend Hillsdale College in Michigan to earn a bachelor’s degree in history. Ultimately, she plans to teach at the collegiate level and to earn her doctorate degree. Loud shared how Columbia State helped prepare her for her future, she stated, “I really think it helped me fine-tune what I really wanted to study. I was interested in history, but meeting some of the professors here—particularly Dr. Gidcomb and Dr. Duch—really solidified it in my mind that I really wanted to go toward a teaching history career.”
Williamsport native and Tennessee Reconnect student Jason Levar McClain earned a university parallel/general transfer Associate of Science degree. McClain served as a student worker for the Columbia State Student Engagement department, and assisted with many student events during his time at the college. McClain shared that he has many family members that have attended Columbia State, including his sister, Gwen, and his cousin, Sharon Bowen, who served as the Columbia State director of records before her retirement. Next, he plans to attend Tennessee State University and will continue his studies toward a bachelor’s degree. McClain shared his appreciation for faculty and staff that have helped him along his journey, “I want to thank everyone who has helped me to re-enter college being a non-traditional student. It was definitely a lot easier, I think, than if I had started when I was younger. It’s never too late to learn, so continue to keep growing and keep learning and keep developing. It never stops.”
Pictured (left to right): Tiffany Odom, Joseph Tobey and Kim Tobey. Leoma native and Tennessee Promise student Joseph Tobey earned a university parallel/general transfer Associate of Science degree. During his time at Columbia State, Joseph was a member of the TRIO Student Support Services program. For Joseph, attending Columbia State is a family affair; his mother, Kim works in the Columbia State Facility Services department, and his sister, Tiffany, is the Workforce Solutions coordinator for the Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education department. Next, Joseph plans to attend University of Tennessee – Southern to earn a bachelor’s degree in English. He chose Columbia State because “it was close to home.” He also shared that attending Columbia State “helped him to become more independent.”
Pictured (left to right): Ryan Egly, Columbia State alum and Fall 2024 Commencement speaker and Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president.
