(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Dec. 9, 2015) - - - Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce the fall 2015 commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. in the Webster Athletic Center. Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president will deliver the commencement speech in honor of the college's 50^th Anniversary.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to address our students on this special occasion," Smith said. "I invite the community to come and be a part of this first commencement of our 50^th anniversary and to celebrate the accomplishments of those who are graduating."

Graduates include residents of Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Perry, Wayne and Williamson Counties, as well as Bedford, Davidson, Hardin, Rutherford and Wilson Counties and other areas of Tennessee.

The Webster Athletic Center is on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating availability.

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.