Alumnus of the Quarter

Lewis Smoot, Jr. Class of 1987, is chairman and CEO of the Smoot Construction Company, a general contractor and construction management firm with offices in Columbus, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. Its hard to think of a major construction project in Central Ohio that hasn't involved Smoot's business. Clearly, Smoot has developed a name for himself and his company with the powers-that-be in Columbus.

Smoot is deeply committed to his alma mater. He says, "I believe in Columbus State Community College because I've experienced it firsthand. In 1985, I had just returned form the Navy, was working full-time for my family's construction business and needed a place that could help me build my business as well as my future. Although a number of options were available to me, Columbus State's educational culture worked best for my needs."

Smoot serves on the Columbus State Community College Foundation Board and was recently appointed to lead "Support What Works," Columbus State's first-ever multi-year fundraising campaign with a full-scale outreach effort to increase donations from Central Ohio businesses, alumni and individual friends of the College who believe in our mission to provide high quality, affordable education and training.