Columbia State Community College celebrated 102 degree and certificate candidates as they crossed the stage during the commencement ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center Saturday, Dec. 11.
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 alumna Corey Cummings as the guest speaker for the fall commencement ceremony. Cummings earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in business with an administrative professional technology concentration in spring 2020. She currently is a technical assistant at an insurance brokerage firm.
Smith highlighted Cummings, who during her time at Columbia State served as president of the Student Government Association and as vice president of public relations in Phi Theta Kappa. She also helped to establish Columbia State’s Student Veterans Organization and served as secretary/treasurer and public relations officer. Cummings organized and participated in many community service projects during her time at Columbia State including the Veterans History Project, Sigma Kappa Delta’s children’s book drive and Phi Theta Kappa’s food and hygiene drive. For her involvement on campus, she received the Columbia Campus Leadership Award. She was also a student worker in the Student Engagement and Disability Resources offices. Cummings is an Army veteran, first-generation college student and a single mother to her son Cody.
Cummings thanked the college for allowing her to deliver the commencement address. She began with details of her life before attending Columbia State and her struggles as a single mother. This is what ultimately drew her to earning her degree: the opportunity to change her and her son’s life.
“Those dreadful times made me realize I wanted more out of life and led me down the path to where I am now,” Cummings said. “I am a first-generation college graduate. I have an amazing job that values my contributions, and I no longer have to worry about how I'm going to buy groceries. Plus, I get to spend so much time with my son he's getting sick of me.”
Cummings detailed her “priceless memories” from her time at Columbia State and expressed how proud she was of the graduates for their accomplishments throughout immense change.
“The past year and a half has been difficult for everyone but you didn't quit,” Cummings said. “You showed tenacity when the world around you stopped moving. Facing the colossal change of classes completely online and navigating the constant uncertainty of how the future would progress seemed discouraging and overwhelming, and yet you pushed forward.”
Cummings closed her address with offering a piece of advice to the graduates: “You adapted to the extensive changes that the world went through and overcame all obstacles in your path. I want to leave you with the words of the inspiring Maya Angelou, ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’”
Closing the ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented at the 9 a.m. ceremony by Rose Hobby, Columbia State alumna and associate professor of radiologic technology, and Faith Kennedy, fall 2021 graduate. At the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, the graduates were inducted by Shane Hall, Columbia State alumnus and assistant professor of English, and Destiny Parrish, fall 2021 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 will 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.
Kentucky native Ian Carter Hammonds graduated magna cum laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer information technology with a concentration in programming. He plans to continue his education at Middle Tennessee State University to earn his bachelor’s degree. Hammonds was involved with TRiO on campus, and what he loved most about his time at Columbia State was that “All of the staff and the people I studied with were friendly.”
Mount Pleasant resident Keyari Cooper graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in social work. Cooper plans on taking a gap year before continuing her education to receive her bachelor’s degree. A member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, she said her favorite professor at Columbia State was Barry Gidcomb.
Columbia native Rolanda Elizabeth Edwards graduated Cum Laude with an Associate of Science degree in pre-allied health sciences with a focus in nursing. She will be continuing her education at East Tennessee State University to earn her bachelor’s degree. During her time at Columbia State, Edwards was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. She said the things she loved most about Columbia State were, “The teachers and getting to meet new people, and being around this new atmosphere.”
A New York native raised in California; Elizabeth Salah graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in accounting. She plans on continuing her education at Belmont University to earn her bachelor’s degree. A memorable instructor for her at Columbia State was Judith Broadbent. She said she enjoyed, “Being a part of a community that’s very nice and welcoming.”
