Feb 05, 2013
COLUMBIA STATE FOUNDATION HONORS ANTHONY RICKETTS AS ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Photo Caption:Tony Ricketts, third from left, was honored recently as Columbia State Community College's 2012 Alumnus of the Year during a special ceremony at Columbia State's Maury County campus. Pictured with Ricketts, are Gina Eason of People's Bank in Clifton; Ricketts' wife, Teresa Ricketts; Columbia State president, Dr. Janet Smith; Clifton Campus director, Stephen Milligan; and Columbia State Foundation executive director, Bethany Lay.
(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - July 2, 2012) - - - Anthony Ricketts has been named 2012 Alumnus of the Year by Columbia State Community College, according to President Janet F. Smith, Ph.D., who presented the annual award.
A 1982 graduate of Columbia State with an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, Ricketts went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala.
"Tony has been an active member of the Clifton community, having served in civic organizations, local government and development boards," said Gina Eason, who nominated Ricketts for the annual honor.
Ricketts has served his hometown of Clifton as an alderman and as mayor. He is a member of the Joint Economic and Community Development Board and is a former president of the Rotary Club of Clifton.
As a certified public accountant, his professional achievements include having served as assistant financial officer for Clifton Manufacturing and group controller for Kolpak. He is currently chief financial officer for The Praxis Companies, having began there as vice-president of finance. Additionally, Ricketts serves as a part-time faculty member at Columbia State in the business department.
"He has continued to support Columbia State by securing a donation from Praxis of a whirlpool tub for the Clifton Campus Golf Classic for the past eight years," noted Bethany Lay, executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. "Proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the Foundation, which provides additional support to the college for the Clifton campus through scholarships to area students."
In receiving the honor, Ricketts said he continues to be impressed by the impact Columbia State's extended campuses have on the region.
"The extended campuses, such as the one at Clifton, provide the opportunity for a lot of young people to obtain a college education," Ricketts observed. "I was fortunate to begin my education at Columbia State and have been grateful for the chance to support the college as it serves Clifton and the surrounding communities."
Stephen Milligan, the Clifton Campus director, said that Ricketts is a worthy recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award.
"Tony is a great example of what can be accomplished when a person takes advantage of educational opportunities," Milligan said. "His ongoing commitment to Columbia State is a great example to the community and is deeply appreciated by the college."
For more information about the Columbia State Foundation, email foundation@columbiastate.edu or call (931) 540-2512.
Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.