Columbia State Community College celebrated 333 degree and certificate candidates as they crossed the stage during the spring commencement ceremonies in the Webster Athletic Center on Saturday, May 9. In total, 617 students are anticipated to graduate in Spring 2026, which marks the record for the largest number of graduates in Columbia State’s history.

Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, opened the ceremony by welcoming degree and certificate candidates, faculty, staff and guests.

“Today is a special day for several reasons,” Smith said. “First and foremost, it is a day of celebration of accomplishments. It is a day of recognition that these soon-to-be graduates set a goal and accomplished it.”

Smith introduced Kayla DuBois as the guest speaker for the 9 a.m. Spring Commencement Ceremony.

DuBois began her speech by reflecting on how far she and her fellow graduates had come to make it to commencement.

“In many ways, today is not an ending at all,” she said. “It is proof. Proof of the late nights, the early mornings, the missed sleep, the hard lessons, the unexpected setbacks and the determination it took to keep going anyway.”

She then looked back on the start of her journey at Columbia State, wondering if she belonged or would fit in. And despite the doubts, she persisted and found a sense of belonging.

“As it turns out, this journey was never about being ready,” DuBois said. “It was about having the perseverance to keep going when things got hard, and the willingness to keep showing up, even on the days we questioned ourselves. It was about learning that confidence doesn’t always come first. Sometimes confidence comes later—after the failures, after the long nights and after the moments when you almost convince yourself you couldn’t do it.”

She also emphasized how roadblocks and struggles affected all graduates in one way or another. How having to overcome difficult tests, courses or life struggles doesn’t come at convenient times, but how students respond and overcome those issues is what defines them.

“Sometimes perseverance looks like studying one more hour when you are exhausted,” she said. “Sometimes it looks like walking into class when you feel defeated. Sometimes it looks like asking for help. Sometimes it looks like failing, learning, and having the courage to try again. And sometimes, perseverance simply looks like refusing to quit. And still—we kept going.”

DuBois ended her speech by thanking faculty, staff, family, friends and other supporters of each student’s journey, as well as looking to the future and the opportunities that lie ahead of each graduate. And stepping into countless different career fields and occupations as changemakers and people willing to work to make life better for others.

“As we leave here today, we’re stepping into a world that needs people who are willing to show up, work hard and make a difference. Not as people who have all the answers—but people who are willing to keep learning, keep growing and keep moving forward. People who understand that success isn’t about never struggling—but about continuing to move forward despite all of it. Because remember, not long ago, many of us were sitting in our cars, wondering if we belonged here. Wondering if we were enough. And today, we know the answer to that question. We did belong here. Not because the road was easy. Not because we never doubted ourselves. But because we kept going. And sometimes, that is the greatest achievement of all.”

Following DuBois’ speech, Smith introduced Alaya Walton as the guest speaker for the 12 p.m. Spring Commencement Ceremony.

Walton started her speech by looking back on her own journey from feeling uncertain to later growing self-assured after transferring from a four-year university to Columbia State. She shared that she initially struggled with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but found opportunity, support and a sense of community right here.

“My experiences here at Columbia State reflect that of opportunity, a clean slate, affordability, and though it sounds cliché, community,” she said. “If I hadn’t transferred to Columbia State, I would never have joined Phi Theta Kappa, taken the chance to run for chapter president, and helped formulate our Honors in Action Project and College Project. I would never have been to the Tennessee State Capitol as part of our school delegation for the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature. I never would have had the opportunity to stand before you today and speak. Being a Charger helped me to not only refine my studying muscle, but it also gave me essential vitamins in confidence.”

Walton also highlighted the impact of hearing astronaut Amanda Nguyen speak at a national conference, where the idea of “radical optimism” inspired her to rethink her mindset and pursue ambitious goals despite uncertainty. 

“Nguyen’s story not only resonated with me because of her historic space journey, but two words struck me in her speech: ‘radical optimism,’” Walton said. “They’re also two things I struggle with. The words ‘impossible’ and ‘unlikely’ have been part of my vocabulary for a while now. But hearing those words deeply resonated with how to reframe my thinking.”

In her message to graduates, Walton urged her peers to pursue opportunities, not let fear limit their potential and remain open to growth. She emphasized that while the future may be uncertain, success comes from taking initiative and continuing to try.

“Many of us will most likely transfer after our time here. Many of us are first-generation college students. Many will go into the workforce after graduation. My message to you is to continue to seize every opportunity that comes your way.”

She ended her speech by challenging graduates to approach obstacles with optimism and resilience, encouraging them to shape their own paths and make the most of every opportunity ahead.

“A fellow tutor gave me such interesting words to live by, as we go on

to pursue higher education, or a career,” Walton said. “She said, ‘When it’s rainy and it becomes muddy outside, do you let it swallow you, or do you make mud angels and mud pies?’ It seems silly, but it’s truly simple. Radical optimism is hard; I know that better than anyone. I challenge you, Class of 2026: when you go out to pursue your ambitions, will you let the mud swallow you, or will you make mud angels?”

Closing the 9 a.m. ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented by Shania Dubbert, nursing instructor and Columbia State alumna, and Katie King, Spring 2026 graduate. Closing the 12 p.m. ceremony, the alumni induction of new graduates was presented by Yolanda Neal, college success advisor and Columbia State alumna, and Taelor Deaton, Spring 2026 graduate.

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President’s Leadership Society graduates were also honored with a medallion at the commencement ceremony.

 “The establishment of this society was based on the belief that leadership is inherent to our lives and that we all have leadership roles,” Smith said. “The President’s Leadership Society is open to all students at Columbia State and requires only their commitment to involvement for learning, participation and helping others.”

Formed in spring 2011, PLS is a free leadership training program focused on developing a student’s unique leadership skills from their first semester through graduation. The program focuses on participation in college-sponsored programs that promote educational attainment, career choices, volunteerism and civic responsibility.

During the course of the program, students attend a leadership retreat, enjoy exposure to the arts, participate in workshops and campus life, develop civic understanding and give back to the community through volunteerism.