CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Chattanooga State Community College honored old traditions and established new ones last week during a three-day homecoming celebration that culminated with the crowning of the ChattState Homecoming Royals and the recognition of a notable alumnus. 

A celebration of the college’s almost 60-year history, homecoming week kicked off on Monday, Nov. 27, with the introduction of the ChattState homecoming court in the student cafeteria.  

The court consisted of six students: Kiera T., Exercise Science; Mason B., Fashion Design; Alanis B., Cosmetology; Trinity H., Computer Science; Dylan F., International Affairs; Tia-Marie A., Early Childhood Education. 

Amanda Jordan, Student Experience Director, asked the panel of royal hopefuls a series of questions so voting students could learn more about each nominee. 

When asked how she would solve the biggest of the world’s problems, Alanis said kindness holds the key. 

“How you treat someone can really change the outlook of their day,” she said. “If we were all kinder to each other, it would make the world a much better place.” 

Mason credited a former ChattState recruiting specialist with giving him the tools to be a stronger leader. 

“Blair Ryan pushed me to work here on campus, and she made me come out of my comfort zone by working as a tour guide,” he said. “That helped me become the person I am now.” 

Festivities continued into Tuesday with a celebration of school spirit. Students were encouraged to wear blue and orange and attend a pep rally at the ChattState amphitheater. 

As part of the homecoming celebration, ChattState graduates enjoyed an alumni reception Wednesday evening. Members of ChattState’s alumni club gathered over hors d’oeuvres to reminisce about their time at the college and take in all the changes to the campus. 

On Wednesday evening, the ChattState men’s and women’s basketball teams took on the Motlow Bucks. Between games, Student Experience Director Amanda Jordan introduced the homecoming court and crowned Mason and Alanis the 2023 ChattState Royals. 

After the crowning of the Royals, Dennis Tumlin, president of the ChattState Alumni Board, took to the gym floor to induct a new member into the college’s Half Century Alumni Club and announce the creation of an alumni awards program, which he said will be unveiled in full next year. The goal of the program is to recognize and honor successful ChattState graduates. 

Tumlin then introduced Lew Myers, a 1969 graduate of the college, who went on to have a successful career as a nuclear energy executive. 

“There’s so many doors that ChattState will open for you if you take advantage of the great resources here,” Tumlin said, referencing Myers’ achievements. “Your career possibilities are endless.” 

During the homecoming intermission, Tumlin presented Myers with a Half Century Alumni Club lapel pin. 

“You never really finish your education, so you must be driven,” Myers said. “I am 74 years old, and I’m still learning every day. Every time you go to a different company or new place to live, it’s a completely different education.”  

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