Chattanooga, TN (July 20, 2016) --- Chattanooga State Community College President, Dr. Flora Tydings, presided over the 2016 Hats Off to Excellence Awards and announced that five students were named winners of the President’s Award, the most prestigious award on campus. Nominees are personally reviewed and selected by the president of Chattanooga State. This year’s recipients included Desiree Decker of Jasper; Rebeca Toro, Hannah Diamond, Gus Pearson, and Maggie Frakes of Chattanooga.

Dr. Mosunmola George-Taylor, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, recognized the following Summa Cum Laude students who have completed at least 40 hours of coursework and maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average.

Residing in the greater Chattanooga/Hamilton County area: Virginia Allen, Mason Bice, Eva Bound, Justin Cabe III, Lindsay Carr, Jason Cobb, Lisa Comito, Emily Duffey, Angela Dugan, Abby Eldridge, Yolanda Fernandez, Ashley Forbeck, Alexander Francisco, Sarah Hall, Katey Hayes, Jeffrey Iley, Jason Johnson, Clarissa Kropp, Jordan Madrigal, Darrell Mann, Julie Manno, Anthony Maxwell, Leslie McCormick, Lin Miao, Casey Miles, Troy Nelson, Stephen Norwood, Derek Pendleton, Ashley Prak, Justin Roberts, Autumn Schult, Holly Seiler, Hunter Smith, Chelsea Stephens, Chastity Sutterfield, Eric Swales, April Tate, Katherine Torner, Rebeca Toro, James Varnell, Sarah Wallace, Kathryn Wesley, Paul Whitehead, Shristopher Wilson.

Bledsoe County: Stacy Prokop, Briley Stults.

Bradley County: Brandon Babbitt, Austin Henderson, Gabrielle Olsen, Rod Thomas, Elena Tsvetkova.

McMinn County: Lavinnia Taylor.

Polk County: Ryanna Potts.

Rhea County: Timothy Hampton, Austin Travis.

Catoosa County, GA: Tiffany Greene, Amanda Griffin, Stephanie Holderfield, Ashley Owens.

Dade County, GA: Brandon Middlebrooks.

Walker County, GA: Angel Blake, Bobbie Carey, Benna Curole, Emily Foy, Sarah Murdock, Kristen Skidmore.

Whitfield County, GA: Diana Bayne, Autumn Oliver.

Hamilton County Collegiate High School at Chattanooga State named Chloe Russell-Verson as Valedictorian and Kara “KC” Walsh as Salutatorian.

Each academic division of the college named one student of excellence who stood out among the rest. Business & Information Technologies: Alexis Wolff, Soddy-Daisy; Engineering TechnologyJordan Madrigal Chattanooga; Humanities & Fine Arts: Madeleine King, Chattanooga; Mathematics & Sciences: Jeremy Money, Chattanooga; Nursing & Allied Health, Nursing: Sally Bartlett, Chattanooga; and Social & Behavioral Sciences: Marcus Brummett, East Ridge.

The American Nuclear Society Student Chapter (ANS) and their advisor, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Power Engineering Technology, Lisa Miller, won Club of the Year and Club Advisor of the Year.

Debbie Waggoner, a former counselor who passed away in 1995 from cancer at age 43, left an indelible impression upon the campus because of her commitment to students. So much so that an award, the “Debbie Waggoner Above and Beyond Award,” was named after her. Mary Knaff, director of Multicultural Services and SGA co-advisor, won the award this year.

Eye of the Tiger Awards are presented to students for outstanding contributions to the student life of Chattanooga State and/or to the community, or to students who have achieved academic success against seemingly insurmountable odds. This year’s recipients included Brooke Bonilla, Dunlap; LaTasha Miree, Hixson; and Fabeionia Story, Chattanooga.

Community Awards are given in special recognition to individuals or entities within the community that have performed a special service for Chattanooga State. The 2016 award was presented to Charlynne M. Parson, a retired nurse with more than 32 years of service to Moccasin Bend. Ms. Parson continually volunteers to provide content lecture for Psych Mental Health nursing classes and is always willing to accommodate student’s clinical needs.

To explore opportunities for students, or to enroll at Chattanooga State, call 423.697.4401, visit the main campus or one of our satellite sites, or click on www.chattanoogastate.edu.