Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce that Jaeden Kennedy, Makayla Ogilvie and Annaleisa Matzirakis will deliver the commencement addresses to the graduating class during the spring 2023 commencement ceremonies that will take place May 6 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

For the first ceremony, Jaeden Kennedy and Annaleisa Matzirakis will deliver the commencement address.

A Franklin resident, Matzirakis is graduating from Columbia State as a dual enrollment student with an Associate of Science degree in biology. She has served as president and vice president of the Student Government Association as well as the vice president of service for Phi Theta Kappa. She is the recipient of the National Hispanic Scholar Merit Award and has also been named to the All-USA Community and Junior College Academic Team. Next, Matzirakis plans to attend Auburn University on a full ride scholarship and as part of the Honors College to major in applied biotechnology. She hopes to eventually work in pharmaceutical and experimental research for drug discovery.

A Chapel Hill resident, Kennedy is graduating from Columbia State with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. He has served as president of the Student Government Association and as the chair for the Student Government President’s Council for the Tennessee Board of Regents. He has also served in Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies as an officer. Next he plans to attend Lipscomb University to major in business entrepreneurship. Kennedy is also the owner of Jaeden Kennedy Films, a production company that specializes in creating high-quality videos for churches and non-profit organizations to communicate their message effectively through visual storytelling.

For the second ceremony, Makayla Ogilvie will deliver the commencement address. A Columbia resident, she hails from a long line of Columbia State alum, being the fourth member of her immediate family to graduate from the college. Ogilvie is graduating from Columbia State with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. During her time at Columbia State, she has been part of the Student Nurses’ Association as well as submitted poetry to the college publication, “Perceptions.” As a future registered nurse, she dreams of helping provide care and resources to underprivileged communities.

The commencement ceremony will take place in the Webster Athletic Center on the Columbia Campus.

The commencement ceremony will be streamed live for remote viewing. The ceremony can be found atwww.ColumbiaState.edu/Graduation. 

For the safety of students, faculty, staff and guests, security personnel will conduct a speedy inspection of all bags, purses and containers. The following items will not be allowed inside or outside during the commencement ceremonies: weapons, alcohol, laser pointers, lawn chairs, drones, glass containers or any other items deemed unacceptable by Columbia State security or staff. 

For a full list of prohibited items, parking, special seating information or further details regarding commencement, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Graduation.

Guests should plan to arrive early as seating is limited. The earliest guests may arrive is 8 a.m. for the first ceremony and 10:45 a.m. for the second ceremony. Overflow seating will be available in the Ledbetter Auditorium in the Frank G. Clement building. The Webster Athletic Center and the Frank G. Clement Building are on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike.