Chattanooga State Community College has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.  The Corporation for National and Community Service, which bestows the annual award, recognized Chattanooga State for accepting a leadership role in addressing the critical social issues of the community.  Chattanooga State was one of four Tennessee community colleges and one of three institutions in the tri-state region honored with this distinction.  This award acknowledges the exemplary efforts of Chattanooga State’s students, faculty and staff for the 2008-2009 academic year.

“Congratulations to Chattanooga State and its students and faculty for their dedication to service and to improving their local communities,” said Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  “Our nation’s students are an essential part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face.  They have achieved impressive results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through community service.”

According to Dr. Elaine Swafford, vice president for Student Services, the award compliments the college’s obligation to respond to the needs of the community.  “Chattanooga State’s faculty and students have been volunteering throughout the community for many years,” says Dr. Swafford.  “The college is an advocate for community service because fostering this ideal is an integral part of the school’s mission.  By supporting a culture of willing participation in and genuine concern for challenges that impact the larger Chattanooga community, we are enhancing the educational experience.”

Each honoree had to complete a nomination form and submit details about the college’s community service initiatives.  Colleges were required to provide specific examples of the community service activities, projects, and programs they implemented.  “The three community service projects we chose to highlight reflect the creative energy and innovative spirit of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Swafford.  “These projects were also very successful, which is a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone involved.”

The community service projects included in the nomination are noted below.

• Remote Area Medical Expedition to Grundy County High School Thirteen students from Chattanooga State's Dental Assisting Program initiated a special project to respond to the dental care needs of underserved individuals living in Grundy County.  Using space provided by Grundy County High School as a clinic, these students, with support of the program faculty, delivered dental care services to more than 700 Grundy County residents during the course of two days.
• Operation Kommando- Phi Theta Kappa Chattanooga State students-who are members of the national honor society for community colleges, Phi Theta Kappa-coordinated a project to collect toiletries, magazines, and other small items to send to U.S. troops living overseas.  The group initiated a communications plan to alert the college community of their project.  They designed and distributed flyers, wrote in chalk on sidewalks, and developed a series of notices to air on campus monitors to solicit support from students, faculty and staff.  Wanting to ensure success for their project, Phi Theta Kappa members also contacted area high schools, requesting assistance in collecting donations for the project. The response was robust, and Phi Theta Kappa members collected enough materials to fill 19 large flat rate postal boxes.  The boxes were sent to four locally-known soldiers and contained a letter asking them to share the items with their fellow soldiers.
• Spring Creek Playground Chattanooga State students, who attend the Tennessee Technology Center and are members of the Chattanooga State SkillsUSA chapter, were the recipients of a $10,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF).  The students prepared a proposal to LCEF requesting support to improve the playground for the students of Spring Creek Elementary School.  The project focused on the restoration and beautification of the school’s playground, the creation of a small kickball field, and the construction of a gazebo to provide a common area for shelter and gathering.  Spring Creek is a K-5 school with 78% of its student body designated as economically disadvantaged.  The school also has a large population of special needs students.  Prior to beginning the improvements, the Chattanooga State students asked the students at Spring Creek to make a wish list for their new playground.  From this list, the Chattanooga State students designed and built a playground to meet the needs of all of the Spring Creek students. 

For more information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.