Col. Charles McGee, left, presents his scholarship to Mike Lederle, director of Veterans Services, who accepted the award on behalf of Orlando campus student and U.S. Army veteran Aron Gonzalez at Military Recognition Day May 21 on main campus.
Every May, Columbia College proudly celebrates its veterans and active duty servicemembers on Military Recognition Day.
The May 21 event was observed at Columbia College campuses across the nation and with a patriotic ceremony at the main campus on Bass Commons, featuring remarks by Tuskegee Airman and Columbia College alumnus Col. Charles E. McGee, Hon. ’14; Lt. Col. Eric Cunningham (U.S. Army, retired), dean for Adult Higher Education; Greg Ousley ’78 (U.S. Navy, retired); and Col. Mike Randerson, former vice president for Adult Higher Education.
The flag detail raises the Colors on Bass Commons as part of the ceremony.
“For the current academic year, the college has served 5,127 military servicemembers, 3,077 veterans and 1,620 military family members,” said Lt. Col. Tery Donelson (U.S. Air Force, retired), director of Market Analysis and Special Projects for Adult Higher Education, who emceed the event.
These numbers represent more than 35 percent of students served by Columbia College to date during the current academic year.
Administrative Assistant Jennifer Johnson prepares for Military Recognition Day at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego campus.
Congratulations to the following seven students, who were presented with scholarships at the event:
Col. Charles E. McGee Scholarship recipients:
Candace Woodson, Online Program, U.S. Air Force veteran
Aron Gonzalez, Orlando campus, U.S. Army veteran
Col. Mike Randerson Scholarship recipient:
Maria Howard, Fort Leonard Wood campus, dependent of a U.S. Army veteran
Ousley Family Veteran Scholarship recipients:
A servicemember enjoys cake at the Hunter Army Airfield campus’s Military Recognition Day celebration.
Theron Gertz, Guantanamo Bay campus, U.S. Navy veteran
Peter Jones, Evening Campus, U.S. Marine Corps veteran
Leanna Landreth, Online Program, U.S. Army veteran
Keith Lewis, San Diego campus, U.S. Navy veteran
To make a contribution to one of these scholarship funds that help support our servicemember men and women, please visit www.ChooseCC.org. #WeAreCC
