CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Chattanooga State Community College gathered last week to celebrate student, staff, and faculty excellence with many events including graduations, award shows, and ceremonies. 

In addition to graduation ceremonies for credit and TCAT students, the college also highlighted the hard work of students and the many people who work to ensure a top-tier educational experience at ChattState with ceremonies like Hats Off to Excellence and The Chatty Awards. 

College President Dr. Rebecca Ashford said recognizing the dedication of each award recipient underscores the College’s dedication to cultivating a culture of achievement and creating a place where everyone can learn without limits.  

“Recognizing our outstanding students, faculty, and staff not only celebrates their individual achievements but also reflects the collective spirit of excellence that defines ChattState,” Dr. Ashford said. “Each honoree represents a story of dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. By acknowledging their accomplishments, we affirm our commitment to fostering a culture of success and empowerment within our community." 

Hats Off to Excellence 

Festivities kicked off April 23 with the Hats Off to Excellence Awards, which honor students who have gone above and beyond in academics, overcome personal difficulties, and made a difference in the campus community. 

Individuals were recognized across nine categories, including the 4.0 Awards, Advisor of the Year, and the Eye of the Tiger Award, which recognizes a student who has shown perseverance and determination to persist to graduation despite obstacles. 

The 4.0 awards recognize students who have completed at least 40 credit hours at ChattState and have a 4.0 GPA at the end of the current semester. All told, 50 students were recognized with a 4.0 award for their hard work. 

Harambee Ceremony 

The college celebrated its spirit of unity in a Harambee Ceremony.  

Harambee is a Swahili word meaning “all pulled together.” The celebratory cording ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, brought together graduates and their friends and family members to hear from speakers and cheer on graduates who received graduation honor cords.   

Dr. Ashford said the Harambee ceremony embodies the values that guide ChattState.  

“Harambee reminds me of Chattanooga State’s values: Cultivating an inclusive environment, caring about the well-being of each other, instilling trust through transparency, and collaborating to build a better future,” Dr. Ashford said. “It is through the daily demonstration of our values that we fulfill our purpose: To support and empower everyone in our community to learn without limits.”  

Chatty Awards 

The college also took time on Wednesday, April 24, to celebrate excellence and service among faculty and staff members with the Chatty Awards. Amid the revelry, nine college professionals were recognized for their dedication to improving student experiences and learning.

Faculty Fellows: Dr. Kristi Strode, Rebecca Aslilnger, Mary White, and Gary Morrill-Carpenter 

Council Presidents: Kelli Yates, Jeff Lemon, and Nancy Schurr. 

NISOD: Janaria McIntosh, Dale Grisso, and Nancy Schurr. 

Employee Excellence Awards:  

• Teaching Excellence Community College: April Crenshaw 
• Teaching Excellence Technical College: Tim Chastain 
• Teaching Excellence Adjunct: Yonna Jones 
• Support Staff Excellence: AJ Coleman 
• Professional Staff Excellence: Ann Cho 

2023-2024 Chatty Award: Samantha Smith 

Harambee Honorees

Francena Bibbs, Justice Bush, Keisha Caperton, Tamyra Carter, Aaliyah Casteel, Joshua Clay, Akiyah Davenport, Ariyunna Eaton, Ashley Green, Tanique Harden, Jordan Harris, Alayna Harrison, Mya Hathaway, Brittany Herman, Nicolette Holmes, Tama’Ra Jarquin, Jada Jiminez, Domanique Kimble, India Lee, Kody Lewis, Annika Love, Valorie Marcellus, Natasha McDowall, Roshawn McGee, Brian McKibben, Hannah Nunez, Jocelyn Price, Rayshon Reed, Jacquiesce Rodgers, Jeriyah Schropshire, Alisa Scott, Adasha Simmons, Alexander Smith, Angelique Smith, Tyrone Smith, Zephyr Smith, Amanda Sovagoroyal, Darria Stinson, Kaleb Stovall, Adriana Wellington, Jerrold White II, Aliah Wilkerson, Keiaira Williams, and Tristan (Skyler) Wilson. 

Hats Off to Excellence Awards

4.0 Award: Ramzy Alahmad, Wesley A. Biggs, Rebecca E. Boling, Addison G. Broome, Aaron L. Brown, Lynsey C. Butt, Lulu C. Centurion, Hannah M. Christian, Lily A. Deems, Stephanie J. Dotson, Ryan S. Dunn, Emma I. Gentry, Alicia Gomez, Amelia B. Hardy, Katherine M. Haskin, Jon T. Haynie. Rebecca B. James Catalano, Ashley P. Keck, Sofia L. Kim, Aleah L. Larson, Austin T. Lawyer, Ryan Leun, Eric A. Loffland, Rylan D. Marr, Jaxon A. Martin, Brinlea F. McCullough, Megan G. McGarvey, Emmanuel L. Meryfield, Lucero Morales, Siyeon I. Mun, Marissa S. Patel, Misty A. Quarles, Jessie R. Rankin, Joshua D. Ray, Isabella M. Riggs, Luke M. Riggs, Matthew A. Riggs, Siliva K. Rist, Erin D. Schultz, Carolina S. Shank, Madeline R. Simms, Rylie S. Smith, Mary J. Stafford, Brandon Sterrett, Aliah S. WIlkerson, Arianna J. Willemain, James D. Wilson, Brooke L. WIngfield, and Tamara K. Zuidema. 

Business Division: Martin Jaxon, Aubrey Hall, Michelle Santiago, Katherine Haskin, Aliah WIlkerson, Misty Quarles, Addison Broome, Stephanie Dotson, Brooke Wingfield. 

Engineering & Information Technology Division: Eric Yother, Annalee Hooten, Antonio Snipes, Raymundo Gonzalez, Angela Oliver, Ryan Heisner, Donovan Rivard, Christopher Aslinger, Michael Barron, Zachary Lemerand, Benjamin Boals, Madeline Goins, Seamus Murphy, Jacob Church, James Wells, and Donald Cahilly. 

Humanities & Fine Arts Division: Chad Miller and Savannah Betro-Gross. 

Mathematics & Sciences Division: Connor Vinson and Matthew Riggs. 

Nursing & Allied Health Division: Mariel adams, Saylor Mills, Randa Iteim, and Carrie Bettis. 

Social & Behavioral Science Division: Aubrey Bell, Carolina Shank, Faith Gardner, Tatyana Zharova-Smitherman, Camila Perez, Lynsey Butt, and Taylor Anderson. 

Division of Excellence Awards: Michelle Santiago, Alex Driscoll, Luke Trueblood, Sofia Kim, Jayde Durham, and Emmanuel Merryfield. 

Clubs & Organizations: Aniyla Clark, Nalani Sims, Gavin Creed, Alexandra Lepley, Jasmine Castellano, Mattie Tabor, James Wells, Tiffany Mellott, Bailey Bell, Jasmine Castellano, Allisa D’Apice, Mia Vines, Beatrice Eichenberg, Penelope Fredrico, Silvia Rist, Audrey De Credico, EmmaLea Linebarger, Megan Turner, John Jordan, and Zachary Taylor. 

Additional Honors & Distinctions: Kylie Brady, Thomas Geralds, Anatoly Sandryka, Sadie Sheppard, John Wright, Kallie Hixson, Jasmine Castellano, Melissa Curtis, Allisa D’Apice, Emmanuel Merryfield, and Allisa D’Apice. 

Distinguished Service Awards: Brittany Cooper, Allisha Coyne, Juan Abraham Diaz, Caleb George, Jasmin Lopez, Natasha McDowell, Stacia Powell, Mark Skrypkar, Crochet Club, Terry Newman, Pam Weeks, Elizabeth Berberich, and Brook Hale.