Columbia, Tenn. ? March 8, 2006) – - – The Tennessee Board of Regents awards the 2006 Chancellor?s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to the Lawrence County Education Foundation for its continuous support of Columbia State Community College.
?The Education Foundation has been a strong force in making higher education increasingly accessible to the residents of Lawrence and surrounding counties,? stated Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Charles Manning.
Since 1995, the Education Foundation has made $175,000 in scholarship contributions to Columbia State. In addition to its scholarship support, the Foundation also purchased $12,000 in microscopes and donated $80,000 for the purchase of land for a 2002 expansion of the College?s Lawrenceburg campus. The Foundation has also agreed to match a donor?s support for high school students enrolled in the College?s dual enrollment program.
The Education Foundation and its members have provided leadership in the development and growth of the Columbia State campus in Lawrenceburg. Local private and public funds built the original 12,484 square foot campus in 1987. In 2002, the Lawrence County government provided $1.16 million toward a $1.4 million expansion of the campus.
?We?re honored to receive this recognition,? states Ben Boston, the Lawrence County Education Foundation?s chairman. ?The credit for this award is shared by all those who have assisted in the Foundation?s growth over the years, especially those who have generously contributed resources to help provide better educational opportunities for Lawrence County students.?
In addition to its support of Columbia State, the Foundation has contributed over $500,000 toward K-12 technology projects and is the sponsoring organization for the Lawrence County Imagination Library.
Today, Columbia State?s Lawrenceburg campus serves over 700 students, sponsors children?s programs, parenting programs, law enforcement and other training programs.
The Tennessee Board of Regents governs the University of Memphis and five other universities, 13 two-year colleges, and 26 technology centers in Tennessee. It is the nation?s sixth largest system of higher education, with more than 180,000 students enrolled throughout the state.