The Columbia State Foundation recently hosted a luncheon in the Pryor Art Gallery where board members, alumni and award recipients were recognized for their service to the college and community.

To begin, the luncheon honored five board members whose terms ended. These members included Nancy Conway, Barry White, Con Vrailas, John Langsdon and Dr. Jeff Kegarise. Members were awarded with a photo plaque to represent their dedication to the Columbia State Foundation.

Kenneth “Bo” Bollinger and Kim Meek each received the President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni.

“Bo and Kim, we are pleased that Columbia State has played such an important part in you following your passion and chosen career,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We trust you will continue to be a proud alum and represent the College well.” 

The President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of Columbia State Community College and is given by the Office of the President in conjunction with the Office of Advancement. It is presented to those alumni for their meritorious service in furthering the interests of Columbia State or for bringing honor to the college through their professional or community endeavors.

Bollinger graduated from Columbia State in 1995 with an Associate of Science degree. He then continued his education at Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and communication with an emphasis in theater in 1997. Bollinger was employed at Columbia State for 20 years as coordinator of theater/event services, retiring in 2021. He was recognized by his peers as Professional Staff of the Year in 2015. Though retired, he is active with the Performance Series. He has served on the Maury County Arts Guild for 12 years. In addition, over the years, he has given personally to the Columbia State Foundation.

Meek graduated from Columbia State in 2014 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Inspired by her experience with NICU nurses after giving birth to her daughter as a micropreemie, Meek decided to attend nursing school. Today she is a registered nurse in the NICU at Ascension St. Thomas and is a Certified Family Support Specialist. Meek is known for starting a support group for parents of preemie babies, for making “scent pads” that mothers can rub on their skin to be placed in the incubator with their babies, and for creating Halloween costumes for NICU babies every year.

Darlene Baxter was recognized with the President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Service.

The President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Service is the highest honor bestowed by the Office of the President in conjunction with the Office of Advancement. It is presented to those for their meritorious service in furthering the interests of Columbia State or for bringing honor to the college through their professional or community endeavors.

Baxter has had various terms of service on the Columbia State Foundation for a combined 13 years. During her time as chair of the Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic, she implemented efficient Zoom meeting protocol, kept morale up and led the Foundation through two real estate transactions. She is a season ticket holder and patron of the Performance Series, attends many college events and has established an endowed scholarship in honor of her mother—the Mary S. Potts Scholarship Endowment—to help nontraditional students. Baxter is also a member of the President’s Society, Heritage Society and the ’66 Circle. 

“Darlene always supports this college and supports the success of our students,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “I’m very proud to call her my friend and to thank her not just for what she does for Columbia State, but for the community.”

Following this, National HealthCare (NHC) South Central Region received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was established in March of 2001 as a way of recognizing outstanding community partners that donate their resources and efforts to Tennessee Board of Regents colleges. Honorees are selected through a Donor Recognition Committee comprised of representatives from Tennessee community and technical colleges, donors, Trustees, Regents and employees.

NHC South Central Region has been a partner of Columbia State for many years, enhancing the educational experience of students through equipment provisions and valuable clinical opportunities. In addition, NHC employees actively collaborate with college faculty by serving on program advisory boards.

Notably, several of NHC’s directors of nursing have generously contributed to in-class activities through participation in panel discussions, focusing on guiding nursing students through the transition into professional practice during their final semester. Furthermore, Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of Health Sciences Division, serves on NHC’s NCS Advisory Committee. She and Amy Huff, Columbia State nursing program director, oversee the various nursing clinical site partnerships with NHC.

“NHC’s involvement in the work and mission of Columbia State Community College will continue to equip students with opportunities to serve the communities in our nine-county area with compassion and expertise,” Smith said.

The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation.