Photo Caption: Eddie Allred, Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club president, presents the scholarship donation check to Bethany Lay, Columbia State executive for advancement, and Chris Henson, Columbia State development officer.

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Aug. 20, 2014) - - - On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club donated $1,000 to the Columbia State Community College Foundation in support of student scholarships.

"We are glad Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club can provide these funds for student scholarships," said Eddie Allred, CBRC president.

Each year, the foundation awards the CBRC scholarship to a current full-time student in good standing who meets scholarship requirements and is a graduate of Maury County schools.

"We are appreciative of the support for Maury County students attending Columbia State," said Bethany Lay, Columbia State executive for advancement. "This scholarship makes a difference for the students that receive it and serves as an encouragement to continue towards accomplishing their educational goals."

The CBRC is an organization of business, professional and community leaders who take an active role in serving their community, and their scholarship donation increases opportunities for local students to advance their education.

"Organizations, such as the Breakfast Rotary, that continue to support student scholarships year after year are important and provide opportunities for student support that might not be available otherwise," said Chris Henson, Columbia State development officer.

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, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.