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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TBR Honors First Farmers Bank for Philanthropy to Columbia State


First Farmers and Merchants Bank has been honored with the Tennessee Board of Regents 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.
 “Since 1983 First Farmers has gifted more than $400,000 to Columbia State,” commented Columbia State Community College President Dr. Janet Smith. “Their support of student scholarships, athletic programs, building campaigns, performing arts and educational outreach programs has been invaluable to the educational experience of Columbia State students and the community at large.”
Notable among the numerous contributions has been the bank’s commitment to the Columbia State Performance Series, which brings a variety of music and theater performances to Southern Middle Tennessee annually.
“This series exposes students and the general public to symphony orchestras, Broadway productions and local musicians – experiences otherwise inaccessible to many,” observed Bethany Lay, Executive Director of the Columbia State Community College Foundation, which manages the performance series.
Lay said that beginning in 2010 First Farmers became the presenting sponsor for the series by contributing $20,000 annually.
“The bank’s current CEO Randy Stevens as well as former CEO Wayman Hickman have recognized the need to invest in the college as a way to strengthen communities throughout the region where extended campuses and bank offices are located,” Lay said.
In addition to financial support, Lay noted that First Farmers allows personnel to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Columbia State Foundation, an institutionally related, yet independently chartered 501(c)(3).
“Representatives of the bank volunteer at fundraising events, such as our annual golf tournament, and support classroom instruction,” Lay said. “First Farmers is a most worthy recipient of the Chancellor’s Award, and we are proud that the bank’s philanthropic activities have been highlighted statewide through this prestigious award.”
For more information email foundation@columbiastate.edu or call (931) 540-2513.