(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - May 17, 2017) - - - Room 216 of the Frank G. Clement Building at Columbia State Community College's Columbia Campus has been named for Dr. Chaitram Talele, retired professor of economics.

"Dr. Talele committed 44 years of his life to Columbia State and to aiding the success of others," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "His love of the college has continued to grow - he has demonstrated this throughout his time at the college and those years thereafter through his service to students, and through the donation of both time and personal funds to support the college."

Bethany Lay, Columbia State executive for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation, explained that the naming of an institutional space for individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to society or a college is an honored tradition of higher education.

Talele reflected on his time at Columbia State and the memories he has of sharing stories with friends, colleagues and students. Talele expressed his appreciation for Columbia State and the faculty and staff he worked with along the way.

"I enjoyed my years at Columbia State," Talele said. "My primary interest has been to accumulate knowledge and impart it to students - I am very satisfied as far as that goes.

Talele taught at Columbia State from September 1967 - July 2011. Before beginning his tenure at Columbia State, he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the University of Poona, India. He then earned a master's in economics from the University of Wisconsin, and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Photo Caption: Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Dr. Chaitram Talele, retired professor of economics pose with the plaque that will occupy the wall next to Room 216 of the Frank G. Clement Building.


Photo Caption: Dr. Talele reflected on his time at Columbia State.

The Columbia State Foundation supports and partners with Columbia State to positively impact communities and student success through the maintenance and enhancement of resources, which is achieved by excellence in relationship building, fundraising and investment management. The Columbia State Foundation was formed in 1971 as an institutionally related, yet independently chartered and separate 501(c)(3).

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.

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