Nearly 60 years have passed since Lew Myers crossed the graduation stage at Chattanooga State Community College in 1969, but he never lost sight of his roots. A man brought up in humble homes in Tennessee and Georgia, Lew went on to build a successful career in nuclear power before returning home to invest in a legacy of success. 

On August 28, Lew and his wife, Linda, returned to campus for the dedication of the Lew & Linda Myers Technology Wing. The ceremony honored the couple’s $1 million investment in the ChattState Foundation, the largest single donation from an individual or family in the Foundation’s history. 

Both Lew and Linda dedicated their lives to education in different ways: Lew, through his career in engineering and leadership, and Linda, through her work as an educator. Their decision to create an endowed scholarship reflects their shared belief in the power of education to change lives. 

Lew, who served on the ChattState Alumni board after his retirement, credited the College as the first steppingstone to his success while investing in the education of future generations of engineers. 

“We’re here today because Chattanooga State is where my life began,” Lew Myers said. “Chattanooga is my home, and I’m a very proud alumnus of ChattState. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here.” 

A teacher herself, Linda acknowledged that education is more than just attending classes. Building a successful future requires sacrifice from both students and their families. Through their endowed scholarship, the Myerses are helping to ease that burden for generations of students to come. 

“Like my own education journey, I know it is not done alone. It’s done with the sacrifice and encouragement from parents, teachers, and more,” Linda said. “It is with great humility that we are being honored with this dedication." 

ChattState President Dr. Rebecca Ashford thanked Lew and Linda for their generous contribution to student success through financial aid. 

“His story is one of hard work, integrity, and leadership,” Dr. Ashford said. “Today, we celebrate the Myers and their remarkable journey. We also celebrate their incredible generosity. Through their commitment to education, Lew and Linda are ensuring future generations of students will find the same opportunities and pathways to success that have shaped their own lives.” 

Nancy Patterson, vice president of advancement and public relations, noted the dedication celebrates one of its earliest graduates during a College milestone. 

“It is especially fitting that on the 60th anniversary of Chattanooga State, one of our earliest graduates and his incredible life partner became namesakes for a wing in our engineering facility,” Patterson said. “If I had to sum up Lew and Linda in one word, that word is love.” 

With their generosity, Lew and Linda Myers have ensured their story will inspire not only today’s students but also generations still to come. 

Read more: From ChattState to C-Suite: Lew Myers Looks Back on Successful Career