(Columbia, Tenn. - June 15, 2011) - - - Columbia State Community College held its quarterly board meeting Wednesday, June 8 honoring Bill Marbet, Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy; Roxanne Howell, Alumnus of the Year; and Randy Stevens and Lynn Fox, the first recipients of the President's Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni.

Bill Marbet, a long-time Columbia State Community College supporter, was recently awarded the 2011 Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for his continued support of the College's Athletic Program. Marbet was recognized for devoting thousands of hours and close to $500,000 over the past 20 plus years to help develop Columbia State's Dave Hall field into a showcase with few equals among community colleges.

He has also served Columbia State as president of the Athletic Booster Club, member of the College Foundation Board and good will ambassador for the college anytime the opportunity rises. "It is through individuals like Bill Marbet that Columbia State will continue to thrive and provide a place where students in our community can find their own personal success for many years to come," said Chancellor, John Morgan.

The criteria for the Chancellor's Award include generous giving of time and resources to TBR institutions, influencing volunteers to become involved in fundraising, setting an example through actively promoting the importance of and supporting higher education, ethical leadership in philanthropy, and exceptional civic responsibility and integrity.

Roxanne Howell - 2011 Columbia State Alumnus of the Year
Howell a 1992 cum laude graduate was one of the first female Real Estate Agents in Maury County. She was a member of the "Million Dollar Club: for sales and has an excellent reputation in the community as a hard workers who also adhered to the highest ethical standards. Ms. Howell says, "one of my greatest pleasures has been working with young couples seeking to buy their first home. She was a member of the "Million Dollar Club: for sales and has an excellent reputation in the community as a hard worker who also adhered to the highest ethical standards.

Howell served for several years on the Board of The Family Center in Columbia, was instrumental in having Mt. Pleasant declared a Main Street Community, was recognized by the city for her efforts in helping to maintain Mt. Pleasant's status as a Governor's Three Star Community and has served on the Maury County Planning Commission for the past five5 years.
The Alumnus of the Year honor is granted once a year to a Columbia State graduate who has met criteria established in four key areas: accomplishments at Columbia State, career achievements, personal advancement and service to their community.

Randy Stevens and Lynn Fox - 2011 President's Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni recipients. The President's Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni is a new award created by the President's office in collaboration with the Office of Advancement. It is the highest award given to alumni and is in recognition of their meritorious service in furthering the interests of Columbia State and for brining honor to the college through their professional or volunteer endeavors. "For some time now, I have wanted to find a way to build on the Alumni Association's annual recognition of a deserving alumnus by personally recognizing contributions of our alumni," said Janet F. Smith, president of Columbia State.

Stevens, a 1971 Columbia State graduate, began his career in banking with First Farmers and Merchants in 1973 and today serves as the bank's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.

His commitment to serving the community is long and extensive, including currently serving as president, director and treasurer of the Maury County Mental Health Association, and chairman of the Maury County Red Cross Blood Drive. Throughout his life and life's work, Stevens has shown his appreciation for his Columbia State education. This is evidenced through donations of time and generosity for student assistance, college activities, fundraising campaigns, and the First Farmers and Merchants Bank Performance Series Performance Series presented by Columbia State.

Fox was a 1971 graduate of Columbia State and was the recipient of the Award for Music Excellence.

Fox's passion for music started at the age of eight when he performed for the first time with his younger brothers, Randy and Roy, at their home church in Bending Chestnut, TN. He and his brothers went on to form the group, The Fox Brothers, and have found great success in following their passion - writing, and performing Christian Country music.

The group's career catapulted in 1999 and 2000 when they won three major awards from the Christian Country music industry. In November 1999, the group was presented the "Entertainers of The Year" award by the Nashville-based Christian Country Music Association, which they repeated again in 2000 and 2011.

In 1968, 37 students graduated from Columbia State's first graduating class. In 2011, approximately 700 students graduated in one of the College's degree or certificate programs. To date, Columbia State has more than 13,000 success stories.

The Tennessee Board of Regents is the nation's sixth largest higher education system, governing 45 post-secondary educational institutions. The TBR system includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 26 technology centers, providing programs in 90 of Tennessee's 95 counties to more than 180,000 students.