RON HEATH Is NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT

A large crowd turned out Tuesday night for the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas gathering, which was held for the first time at Mulligan's Restaurant at the Pines at Lindsey Wilson.
While the majority of the evening was devoted to food and fellowship, the Chamber also installed a new president and three new board members, and heard from Lindsey Wilson College associate vice president for development Kevin Thompson, who spoke of the college's long relationship with Columbia and Adair County.
Ron Heath was installed as the new Chamber president, taking over the helm from Donna Stotts. Heath will serve a two-year term. The organization's remaining officers will serve another year in their positions. They are Steven Keen, vice president; Mindy Smith, treasurer; and Amy Thompson, secretary.
The new members of the Chamber's board of directors installed at the meeting were Lee Ann Collins, Billy Rowe and Robin Smith. They replace outgoing board members Charles Barnes, Arlinda Kessler and Dan Franklin, who were recognized for their service to the organization.
Guest speaker Thompson spoke about Lindsey Wilson's long association with the local community.
"This is a 104-year-old story of collaboration between Lindsey Wilson and Adair County," Thompson said, noting that there has been strong support for the college even before it was ever established.
"When it was decided (by the Methodist Church of Kentucky) that a new school would be established in this area, there was a lot of lobbying between Columbia, Burkesville and Glasgow to see who would get the school," he explained. "Due to the support of the community, Columbia was selected."
Thompson spoke about Lindsey Wilson's record enrollment for the fall 2009 semester - 2,341 students at the Columbia campus and off-campus sites, including 867 living on campus.
"This is 867 students buying gas, food, and a lot of other things here in Columbia," he noted. "Lindsey Wilson College's annual economic impact on Columbia and Adair County is estimated at $90 million dollars."
Thompson said that among the students at Lindsey, there are 308 from Adair County.
As for what Adair County has done for Lindsey Wilson, Thompson said that the average gift to Lindsey Wilson from individuals, businesses and churches in Adair County is $369 per year.
"Plus, last year $225,000 was given to the college that went directly to scholarship support," he stated. "Ninety seven percent of our students are in need of financial assistance, and 85 percent of our students are the first in their families to go to college.
"Thanks for being our partners, and helping students achieve their dreams," Thompson concluded.
Photo:NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT. Ron Heath, left, was installed as the new president of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce Thursday night at the Christmas gathering. Pictured with Heath are the Chamber's other officers, who remained the same. They are, second from left: Steven Keen, vice president; Mindy Smith, treasurer; and Amy Thompson, secretary. (Photo by Paul B. Hayes)