[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6251-6252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Columbus State 
Community College in recognition of its 50th anniversary and the 
opportunities it has provided to students throughout Ohio. On September 
30, 1963, Columbus State was founded in the basement of Central High 
School in Columbus, OH. Since its inception, Columbus State has grown 
tremendously by expanding

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its enrollment and academic offerings from an initial 67 students to 
more than 25,000 students. The diverse student body has come from more 
than 130 countries and all of Ohio's 88 counties.
  The mission of Columbus State is ``to educate and inspire, providing 
[its] students with the opportunity to achieve their goals.'' This 
mission is vital to the Columbus community. Throughout its 50 years, 
Columbus State has provided exemplary educational opportunities through 
more than 200-plus degree and certificate programs. It has awarded 
nearly 50,000 degrees and has a nearly $1 billion annual impact on the 
local economy. The school also provides several transfer options and 
continuing education opportunities to students.
  I have visited Columbus State and seen firsthand the excellent 
education and training it provides to students, including the resources 
available through the Center for Workforce Development. The center 
collaborates with companies in the Columbus region to address workforce 
needs through innovative approaches to education and customized 
training. It is helping to ensure that students are prepared with the 
skills they need for the jobs of the 21st century.
  I am pleased to honor Columbus State Community College and 
congratulate everyone who was a part of making its first 50 years a 
success.

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