Adair County Resident Named DuoCounty Scholar

Joseph Thomas Payne of Columbia (third from left) is a DuoCounty Telephone Cooperative Corp. Scholar at Lindsey Wilson College. Pictured with Payne are Duo County Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Bill Magruder (left); his father, Joseph Payne; and Lindsey Wilson Fund Director Brady Button.

COLUMBIA, Ky. - An Adair County resident has been named a DuoCounty Telephone Cooperative Corp. Scholar at Lindsey Wilson College.

Joseph Thomas Payne of Columbia has received the telephone cooperative's scholarship at Lindsey Wilson.

Payne, the son of Joseph and Majorie Payne, is a 2009 graduate of Adair County High School. He will be a freshman this fall at Lindsey Wilson, where he plans to prepare for a career in music. And he will get a good start to his major - beginning this fall, the college is adding a bachelor of arts in fine arts administration. It will be the 22nd undergraduate program offered at the college.

DuoCounty Telecom founded the scholarship program for one year for a first-time, full-time freshman to attend Lindsey Wilson from DuoCounty's service area, which includes parts of Adair, Casey, Cumberland and Russell counties.

"It's an honor to receive this scholarship from DuoCounty," Payne said. "I appreciate everything DuoCounty has done to help me attend college."

And DuoCounty officials say they are equally excited about supporting the scholarship program at Lindsey Wilson.

"We are pleased to be able to help a good student like Joseph attend a wonderful college like Lindsey Wilson" said Duo County Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Bill Magruder. "Duo County Telecom is dedicated to education in our community. We hope Joseph achieves his goals at Lindsey Wilson College."

At Adair County High School, Payne was a member of marching band, concert band, district honors band and pep club. He was a recipient of several honors, including the honors award, outstanding musician and most improved musician.