Joaquin Ortiz, Columbia State technical assistant of film crew technology, was recently honored as a recipient of the 2022 Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans.

Established in 2020 by Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings, the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans recognizes one military veteran each year from each of Tennessee’s community and technical colleges to honor the service, bravery and sacrifices of military veterans in campus communities.

“Our college communities are strengthened by the presence of veterans and active-duty personnel – as students, faculty, staff and alumni,” Dr. Tydings said. “They—and the experience and perspective they bring—are an important part of the broad diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses that benefits everyone. We are committed to serving them as they served our country.”

Recipients of the commendation are nominated by the respective college presidents, and Ortiz was one of 39 Tennesseans to receive the commendation.

“Mr. Ortiz not only exemplifies what it means to be a student soldier and project leader, but also what it means to come home as an alum and be a Columbia State Charger,” said David Smith, professor of film crew technology at Columbia State, in his nomination letter. “It is a great honor that we nominate Joaquin Ortiz for the third annual Chancellor's Commendation for Military Veterans.”

A Phoenix, Arizona native, Ortiz joined the Army National Guard after graduating from Independence High School in 2016. After basic training, Ortiz went on his first deployment to the Middle East from 2018 – 2019. With his unit, he conducted missions in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. Within five years he was promoted to Sergeant, then Staff Sergeant, and trained to be his unit’s Master Resilience Trainer, which deals with soldier’s mental health training. He also became his unit’s public affairs representative, which allowed him to take photos and conduct videography.

After his deployment, Ortiz graduated from Columbia State in 2021 with a film crew technology technical certificate and was then hired at Columbia State as a technical assistant in the program where he has since worked with two cohorts of students.

Ortiz was also instrumental in the execution of the 2021 Veterans History Project in collaboration with the Student Veterans Organization where he managed three recording studios simultaneously to film over 20 veterans’ stories during a Saturday event. After the event was completed, he continued to work on the project to prepare the footage for the Library of Congress.

“When I first decided to enter the film crew program after my deployment, I thought I wouldn’t have any transferable skills,” Ortiz said. “I ended up having a lot of experiences that transferred well into the film industry such as punctuality, professionalism, leadership, preparation and working on your feet for long periods of time. Whether you are a veteran or an average person with some life experience, there is a place for everyone in film.”

Ortiz was presented a special TBR Challenge Coin from Dearl Lampley, Columbia State vice president of the Williamson Campus and extended services, on behalf of the chancellor. Challenge coins are a rich tradition in all branches of the military and signify special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect and esprit de corps.

Ortiz is currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University pursuing a Bachelor’s in Accounting with a focus in forensic accounting. In the future, he plans to retire as a Staff Sergeant in the Army, acquire his bachelor’s degree, and eventually to become a forensic accountant for the FBI. He also hopes to invest money to support local filmmakers and fellow students from the Film Crew program at Columbia State.

“This is one of the highest compliments that has been given to me in a long time,” said Ortiz. “But this award is as much an achievement for me as it is the people that helped me along the way. And some of those people include family, friends, mentors and of course my team. As military men, we all know that we need a team to operate. There's no one-man army. I have so much appreciation to my family and to one of my most influential mentors, and now—the best boss ever—David Smith, and appreciation to all the veterans and my fellow colleagues here. Special thanks to Columbia State Community College for presenting me with opportunities in my life.”

View the full list of 2022 Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans recipients at www.tbr.edu.