(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Dec. 22, 2016) - - - First Farmers and Merchants Bank recently honored Columbia State Community College with a commissioned portrait of Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, in formal regalia.

"We are honored to continue the tradition of presenting of the college with a portrait of the Columbia State president," said T. Randy Stevens, First Farmers chairman and CEO." The relationship between First Farmers and Columbia State has been strong for many years and we look forward to our continued partnership."

"Partnerships with businesses have always been central to the community college mission, the connection between Columbia State and First Farmers exemplifies the highest level of that partnership in service, education, and opportunity for our community," Smith said. "We are privileged to work with the leadership of First Farmers and I am honored to receive this gracious gift."

Connie Erickson, artist, painted the commissioned portrait. Erickson was also the artist for the portraits of Columbia State presidents emeriti Dr. Harold S. Pryor, Dr. L. Paul Sands and Dr. O. Rebecca Hawkins.

The portrait will hang in the lobby of the Pryor Administration Building at the Columbia Campus. In addition, a print of the portrait will be installed in the Administration Building at the Williamson Campus.

Photo Caption: Pictured (left to right): Timothy E. Pettus, First Farmers Vice Chairman; Bethany Lay, Columbia State executive for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Randy Stevens, First Farmers chairman and CEO; Brian Williams, First Farmers president and Barry White, First Farmers general counsel and honorary trustee and former chair of the Columbia State Foundation Board.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.