About the Columbia State Community College Foundation

The Columbia State Community College Foundation’s mission is to support and partner with Columbia State to positively impact our communities and student success through the maintenance and enhancement of resources through excellence in relationship building, fundraising and investment management. Foundation management is under the direction of Bethany Lay, Executive for Advancement for Columbia State. Advancement also includes annual giving, alumni relations, community events and grants management.
In addition, for more than a decade the Foundation has partnered with Columbia State Community College, First Farmers Bank and other sponsors and patrons have successfully brought local and world-renowned artists to perform on the Cherry Theater stage as part of the Performance Series. The Foundation also supports the mission of the Pryor Art Gallery, located on the CSCC campus in Columbia, which strives to a first-class artistic venue where appreciation for all forms of visual art is enhanced through presentation of stimulating exhibits and programs that inspire, educate, enlighten, challenge and entertain.


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Chris Henson heads giving for Columbia State

Chris Henson, Right, and Trustee Will Wilson
As a development officer Chris Henson is responsible for the college’s annual fund, major and planned giving and special campaigns. He was the assistant athletic director for private giving for 12 years at East Tennessee State University. While at ETSU, Henson successfully directing the Buccaneer Athletic Scholarship Association Annual Fund, the Letterwinners’ Club and Buc Wild, the ETSU student organization. Henson also assumed major responsibility for the Athletic Facility Capital Campaign, resulting in the completion of the Summer-Taylor Soccer Stadium, Betty Basler Softball Stadium and the initial work for the Thomas Baseball Stadium. Henson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in sports medicine from Wingate University in North Carolina and his Master of Science degree in organizational leadership and management from University of North Carolina at Pembroke.