The Columbia State Community College Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of a scholarship in honor of Mitchell Earwood, a firefighter, father and Spring Hill community member.

Earwood, who tragically lost his life during a severe storm in 2020 at his family’s farm in Bethesda, Tennessee, had been a dedicated member of the Spring Hill Fire Department since 2008.

Mike Pinkerton, a training captain at the SHFD, working with Mitchell’s family, led the effort to establish this scholarship at Columbia State.

“Mitch was important to so many of us and demonstrated in his life and work qualities that make a department strong in service to its community,” Pinkerton said. “Coworkers, family, friends and even those who didn’t personally know him have come together to establish this scholarship in his honor and memory. It pleases us that it will help students at Columbia State who are studying to go into emergency services. We want to grow this scholarship and keep it going in his memory.”

The scholarship funds will be available for degree-seeking or certificate-seeking students enrolled in an emergency service-related program of study.

“We are pleased to have this scholarship as a resource for students wanting to prepare themselves for service in times of greatest need,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We thank everyone involved for their efforts and generosity.”

The city of Spring Hill will be honoring Mitchell Earwood with the opening of a new fire station on Duplex Road by the end of 2025. 

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.