The Columbia State Community College 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, Mike Keny, the outgoing Foundation Board chair, was recognized by the incoming chair, Stacey Shedd. Then, Lee Maddox was recognized for his service on the board and for serving as chair of the Columbia State Foundation Trustees Committee.

The first awards presented were for William "Sonny" Shackelford and Vanessa English Alderson, who each received the President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Alumni. 

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.

Shackleford, a 1980 graduate of Columbia State, has been in the insurance industry for more than three decades. In addition to his work as a senior vice president and risk advisor at Sunstar Insurance Tennessee, he has also served his local community in roles including Maury County commissioner and chairman, as well as several philanthropic groups.

“Shackelford exemplifies the core values of Columbia State Community College for his distinguished career, commitment to lifelong learning and unwavering dedication to public service and community development,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “He was instrumental in securing county government support for the SRTC. Sonny is not only a seasoned professional but also a person who believes deeply in giving back. His legacy of service, leadership and philanthropy continues to benefit future generations. His accomplishments embody the spirit of a distinguished alumnus, making him a deserving nominee for this prestigious honor.”

After graduating in 1981 from Columbia State with an Associate of Science degree, Vanessa Alderson continued her educational journey before pursuing a career in education. She currently serves as an educational assistant at Randolph Howell Elementary School in Columbia. She has and continues to serve in community and professional roles, including serving on the Vanderbilt Medical Center Staff Advisory Board and being an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

“Vanessa, you demonstrate what doors can open for a Columbia State alumnus from this college,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “She's wonderful in so many ways and always with that smile and that wonderful laugh, demonstrating what it is to be an alumnus, not only at this college but others. She is a community member who thinks this community is tops. She shows it all the time, and she's in there, working not only for the college, but for the people of this area, and for their growth and their development. And she is always sharing the word on education and how it takes you to the next level.”

For the next award presentations, the family of Tommy Hawkins and Dr. Jeff and Tina Adams each received the President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Service.

The President’s Award of Honor for Distinguished Service is the highest honor bestowed upon community members 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.

Tommy Hawkins impacted the Lewisburg community through his work and civic engagement. He was the patriarch of Lewisburg Printing, publisher of the Lewisburg Tribune and Marshall County Gazette and co-founder of First Commerce Bank. He and his wife, Patricia Hawkins, connected throughout the community and invested themselves in their community. They passed these values on to their children and grandchildren. In 2017, the family established the Tommy Hawkins Endowed Scholarship for students attending Columbia State. Kirk Kelso, Hawkins’ son-in-law, who served as a Columbia State Foundation member and as Board chair for two years, and the family have been actively involved in supporting the J.R. Moon Golf Classic, benefiting Columbia State students.

Dr. Jeff and Tina Adams demonstrate service and leadership within the community. Since 1991, Dr. Adams has served as an orthopedic surgeon at TOA Columbia. He currently serves on the Maury Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and previously served as its chief of staff in 2008. Mrs. Adams, a registered nurse, previously worked at Maury Regional Medical Center. She also served on the Youth Education Foundation that provides scholarships to Maury County students attending Columbia State to help with books and fees not covered by the Tennessee Promise program. They have both served on many boards and have received several community honors for their expansive service to the local area.

“In 2021, Jeff and Tina established the Jeff and Tina Adams Family Foundation that focuses its giving on education, youth support and community well-being,” said Lay. “Dr. Jeff and Tina Adams are not only respected professionals, but they are also mentors, advocates and givers. Their work touches many lives in classrooms, clinics, sports fields and neighborhoods.” 

Concluding the luncheon was the presentation of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, presented to Williamson Health.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was established in March of 2001 as a way of recognizing outstanding community partners who 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.

The award was given to an organization with which Columbia State has had a strong partnership with for over two decades. Since 2000, Williamson Health has contributed more than $518,000 in gifts and pledges. The support was instrumental in helping construct Columbia State’s Williamson Campus and furthering the expansion of healthcare and other education opportunities in the region. Their support spans far beyond financial means, as Williamson Health helps provide crucial hands-on training for programs including radiologic technology, respiratory care, medical laboratory technology and paramedic. They also offer future careers to graduates in healthcare programs.

When presenting the award, Smith spoke about the many years of collaboration that Columbia State and Williamson Health have had and how it has benefited the college and community at large. 

“It is a partnership, one that is much greater than just opening their doors for clinicals — they provide preceptors — they schedule time and locations and provide supervision, and they greet us with all of the other students from other colleges that are using their facilities,” Smith said. “So, they are there to work with our students, and they provide exceptional learning experiences and help them learn what their role is. Together, we build a community of learning that provides an environment for student success. And that is a great, great contribution to this college."

“This collaboration is a powerful example of how philanthropy, education and healthcare can work together to meet community needs,” said Cris Perkins, associate vice chancellor of strategic advancement for the College System of Tennessee. “The result is a stronger workforce, better prepared graduates and healthier communities across Columbia State’s nine-county service area for their commitment to education, workforce development and student success.”

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.