The Columbia College Alumnae Association honors four women for their professional achievements and contributions to the College at its annual meeting on April 21, 2007.
 
Receiving awards are:
Kathryn Verdery Cannon ’55 - Distinguished Service Award
Kathy Rudder Ligon ’74 - Career Achievement Award
Libby Wilson Patenaude ’74 - Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award
Marley E. Lybrand ’04 - Young Alumna Service Award


Cannon has been active with the Columbia College Alumnae Association since she graduated in 1955, and served on the Columbia College Board of Trustees from 1992-2004.  As a board member she served on the Student Affairs Committee, Honorary Degree Committee, Presidential Search Committee (2000), and as secretary of the board. Her numerous leadership roles with the association have included two terms as president, Alumnae Council member since 1983, class agent and 50th reunion committee for Class of 1955, and Surcie Shop volunteer.  In 1998, she retired as director of human resources for Graf Metallic of America after 18 years of service.  Her other volunteer efforts are centered in her community and with her church, Walnut Grove United Methodist. She resides in Spartanburg, S.C., with her husband and has three children, two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.


Ligon was recently elected president of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (PCSC), one of the oldest and largest retirement homes for the elderly in the state. She is credited with leading the effort that raised $13M for an endowment fund benefiting needy residents of the facility, which serves 900 residents and employs 700 staff. Regarded by her colleagues as a skillful and compassionate leader, she rapidly advanced to leadership positions in PCSC’s corporate office, serving as vice president for development and as secretary to their board of trustees. Early in her career, Ligon worked with the South Carolina Tuition Grants agency in support of higher education. Her professional memberships include the South Carolina Association of Non-profit Homes for the Aging, Presbyterian Association of Homes for Aging, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Ligon is an active Alumnae Association member, having served on the association executive committee and the Alumnae Council. She resides in Camden, S.C., with her husband Bill, and they have two grown children.


Patenaude graduated from Columbia College with a degree in biology only to return in 1976 after receiving her Master of Fine Arts degree in dance. She went on to serve as chair of the dance department for 20 years, and is credited with building her alma mater’s program to become one of the nation’s premier dance departments at a liberal arts college. She served as co-chair of the team that wrote the art education curriculum for grades K-12 for the S.C. Department of Education. Patenaude established the first professional modern dance company in the state, served as director of the Southeastern Dance festival, and served as regional coordinator and vice president for regional development of the American College Festival Association. Patenaude left Columbia College in 1997 to head the Florida State University department of dance. Among her many accomplishments at FSU during her nine year tenure, she crafted the plan that became the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography. In June 2006, she returned to home state to become the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University. She and her husband Don reside in Rock Hill and have two sons.


Lybrand is known for her willingness to serve in any capacity needed, and is a steadfast supporter of family, church, community and alma mater. She contributed much time and effort to the Sesquicentennial History Book project, an effort spearheaded entirely by alumnae volunteers. Prior to graduating from Columbia College with a BA in Public Affairs and Communication, she interned and then accepted a full-time position with J. Edgar Eubanks and Associates where she gained valuable experience. In May 2006, Lybrand joined the South Carolina Bar Continuing Education Division where she serves as seminars coordinator. She resides in Sumter, S.C., and currently serves on the Alumnae Council.