CHATTANOOGA, TN -- It takes a village to build a strong workforce. That’s why Chattanooga State Community College gathered with leaders from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) on July 29 to recognize and honor two philanthropists who have worked hard to ensure community college students have the tools and resources to succeed. 

ChattState President Dr. Rebecca Ashford was joined by Regent Tom White and TBR Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Dr. Kim McCormick to present the awards. 

During the ceremony, Tennessee State Representative Greg Vital, President and Co-Founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living, and Brad Cobb, President of Bowers Automotive Group, were recognized for their significant contributions toward student success at ChattState. 

Vital has made contributions to ChattState for almost two decades, funding an endowed scholarship for health science nursing students and supporting Dinner of Firsts, the Chattanooga State Foundation’s premier fundraiser to support first-generation college students. 

“Excellence in Philanthropy Award nominees exemplify a generous giving of resources as well as an outstanding commitment to collaboration,” Regent White said. “A donor to the ChattState Foundation since 2007, Greg Vital and Morning Pointe Senior Living have contributed $147,024 to date.” 

In June of 2023, Cobb spearheaded an effort between Bowers Automotive Group and other local automotive dealers to raise $81,000 for the Chattanooga State Foundation to purchase 15 fully stocked toolkits for automotive technology students. 

“These toolkits allowed our students to start working in the shop on the first day of classes because they were not waiting for financial aid or for suppliers to deliver the tools for their classes,” Dr. McCormick said. “These tool kits are estimated to be worth $5,000 each. For some students, $5,000 is a game-breaker.” 

Dr. Ashford said the generosity shown by Vital and Cobb has fueled student success at ChattState and will continue to do so. 

“These two individuals and their organizations have not only demonstrated generosity, but also great leadership, and most especially, success for our students,” Dr. Ashford said. “Today it is an honor to officially recognize these two incredible individuals and partners to ChattState.”