(Columbia, Tenn. – May 7, 2008) – - – Perseverance, dedication, drive
and the ability to prioritize are all descriptors of recent Columbia
State graduate Melanie Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt graduated with honors,
awards and an associate degree from Columbia State Community College on
Tuesday, May 6, and will now start to take all of the support she’s
received in recent years and begin to pay it forward.

“Columbia state has had a tremendous impact on my life. The
opportunities for me to gain knowledge, be exposed to different ideas,
serve, and get involved were endless,” said Hildebrandt. “I have
personally benefited in innumerable ways from the fact that the faculty,
staff and administration are here for student success, and they show it
everyday.”

Hildebrandt plans to transfer to Austin Peay State University in the
fall to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Her pursuits of higher
education will not stop there; she also plans on completing her master’s
degree, and ultimately achieving a life-long goal to be a college
instructor.

“The junior college level is of great interest because of it being so
representational of the local demographics. The opportunities to
positively affect lives are many,” said Hildebrandt.

Columbia State held the annual student honors convocation on Friday,
April 18, 2008, where Hildebrandt was named Columbia State Community
College’s 2007-08 Outstanding Student of the Year. She also received the
Ricky Martin Award, Geography Award and was named to the All-USA
Community and Junior College Academic Team.

During Hildebrandt’s academic career at Columbia State, she compiled an
impressive list of achievements and accolades. She was the chapter
president of Phi Theta Kappa, student peer leader, nominated to Who’s
Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, the charter member of
the “It’s Never Too Late” student organization for non-traditional
students, and most recently she is credited for organizing the first
Student, Faculty and Staff Art Show held in April of this year.

“Under her leadership, the Columbia State Phi Theta Kappa chapter has
enjoyed one of its most successful and productive years ever, said Barry
Gidcomb, Columbia State’s professor of history and Phi Theta Chapter
Advisor.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a
nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in
Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee’s
first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing
access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a
member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher
education system in the nation. For more information, please visit
www.columbiastate.edu .