Columbia State Community College recently honored Constantine “Con” and Mary Vrailas for their ongoing support of the college with a naming ceremony for a student and community commons area on the Columbia Campus. Family, friends and colleagues attended for a night with hors d’oeuvres and a string quartet.
“Con and Mary have touched countless people and organizations - giving of their time, talent and treasure,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “Today we celebrate their commitment to Columbia State and students.”
Con came to the United States from Greece in 1961 with just a couple hundred dollars in his pocket. He attended the University of Maryland to study Food Science. Having trouble with the English language, his college advisor recommended a smaller college in upstate New York. There, Con graduated with an associate degree in Food Science and met Mary in a chemistry class.
Con then transferred to the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Science. He made his way through college through scholarships and by working in food processing plants, at the college cafeteria and in university labs.
On July 4, 1972, Con became a United States citizen. He was offered a position at the Burger King Corporation Headquarters in Miami, Florida where he consolidated their food supply and developed several new products. He and Mary became involved with the Burger King franchise and moved their family to Columbia in 1985. They were in the restaurant business for 29 years before retiring.
“The Columbia State Community College Foundation is glad to be a part of this time to honor Con and Mary,” said Mike Alexander, Columbia State Foundation Board Chair. “They have truly showed us leadership by example through service to your community, to the college, to students, and to people of all backgrounds.”
Con has served as a Foundation Board member for 16 years and is currently in his sixth term of service. He has shared his business expertise by serving on the Foundation’s investment/finance committee, as well as playing in Columbia State’s J.R. Moon Golf Tournament held annually to benefit Marshall County students and the Lewisburg Campus. Con and Mary are patrons of the Performance Series, Pryor Art Gallery supporters and have provided funds for the beatification of the Columbia Campus. They are also distinguished members of the President’s Society recognized for lifetime giving, members of the Heritage Society with named endowments and part of the ‘66 Circle.
Con and Mary have created scholarships and grants such as the Constantine and Mary Vrailas Scholarship, the Constantine and Mary Vrailas Food Assistance Grant, the Constantine and Mary Vrailas Textbook Assistance Scholarship and the Constantine and Mary Vrailas Tuition and Fees Assistance Grant. While they owned Burger King restaurants, they provided scholarship assistance to their employees to help further their education. They also created the Burger King Public Service Scholarship, also known as the Red, White and Blue Scholarship, which assists first responders by providing an endowed scholarship that offers opportunities for higher education to officers and their families.
“Con and Mary have heart for other people,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “It is my pleasure to have had the opportunity to work alongside Con in the Foundation. The very quiet guidance and knowledge that you give has made us better as a Foundation, as a College and most importantly, as a community.”
“I think this is wonderful, very wonderful,” said Mary Vrailas. “We don’t advertise what we do, but this was very nice and subdued.”
“Education is one of your most valuable assets.” said Con Vrailas. “We can lose jobs, we can lose homes and we can lose cars. But nobody can take education from you.”
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