The Columbia State Community College Foundation recently received a large gift during a luncheon held at Graymere Country Club. The gift was given unrestricted. This means the Columbia State Foundation Board can have flexibility in using the funds to meet the needs identified by the College and the Foundation.

Clay Buttrey, vice president and associate financial advisor at Baird Wealth Management, gave a personal contribution to the Columbia State Foundation to support the college and its impact on the students and communities of southern Middle Tennessee.

“Clay has talked to me over the years about his support for what Columbia State means to the community,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We are appreciative of this significant gift.”

The check was presented to Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, during a luncheon hosted by Buttrey. Columbia State Foundation Board chair, Stacey Shedd, Lay and other community members and friends were present.

“As board chair, thank you, Clay, for helping the Foundation support the work of the college,” Shedd said. “As a former Columbia State student, I know what a difference this college can make.”

“Your gift makes a difference in the lives of students,” Smith said. “It provides an opportunity that sometimes they can't get anywhere but here. Education changes lives. We know that's what getting an education does, that it opens doors. This provides an opportunity for our students to go and to grow. One, go to college, and two, is to grow to become who they want to be. Through this gift, you are giving back for years to come. It's a continual thing. It continues to grow, and as we have one student grow, then hopefully they will help someone else to grow along the way.”

Buttrey began his career in mechanical engineering following his graduation from Tennessee Technological University. He then transitioned careers to begin financial advising with Merrill Lynch and then became a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in 1999. Now a resident of Columbia, he joined Baird Wealth Management in 2020.

“Over the years, I've invested my money and done well,” Buttrey said. “And it's allowed me to do this. I'm happy to give and I hope to continue to be able to do so.”

The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation.