Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce that five Lewis County High School students who graduated in Columbia State’s Spring 2025 Commencement were the college’s first class of Lewis County High School Middle College graduates.

Jaxon Cagle, Lane Cunningham, William Rogers, Jeremiah Wiebe and Faith Wishaw walked across the stage during Columbia State’s commencement ceremonies and received their associate degrees. They earned the following degrees: Cagle earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Science degree; Cunningham earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Arts degree; Rogers earned an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in history; Wiebe earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Arts degree; and Wishaw earned an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in social work.

As part of the Middle College program, they will also be graduating with their Lewis County High School diploma on May 16.

All five students began the Middle College program in their junior year and took dual enrollment classes toward their degree in a hybrid-class structure taking both online and in person courses at the Columbia Campus and at Lewis County High School.   

Middle College is a partnership between a high school and a community college. Through this partnership, high school students beginning their junior year have the opportunity to pursue an associate degree. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible in the program. Upon completion of the program and after graduating from high school, they will receive an associate degree and are prepared to transfer as a junior to a four-year institution.

“Columbia State is so proud of these students and their commitment to being full-time college students while in high school,” said Cissy Holt, Columbia State vice president for Student Affairs. “These students continued to engage in activities at their high school and participated at the college level as well. We are equally proud of the partnership with Lewis County Schools and Dr. Tracy McAbee, director of schools. The collaboration with Dr. McAbee and his senior-level staff has been amazing.” 

Middle College students are full-time college students who are degree-seeking. Approved students can receive up to $2,000 a semester in state funding while taking courses in the program. Columbia State also accepts students using the Middle College Scholarship through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

“This program is an exceptional opportunity built through a Lewis County High School and Columbia State partnership for high school students to achieve two years of college credit, their associate degree, as they receive their high school diploma,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “It's exciting, my congratulations to the graduates!”

For information on Columbia State’s Middle College partnership program, email Admissions@ColumbiaState.edu.