Chattanooga State Dinner of Firsts 2023 was a sold-out success! Net proceeds for the event totaled $91,522, setting a new record for the College’s signature fundraising event to benefit first-generation college students. 

This year’s dinner event honored and roasted Diane Parks. Diane is a local community leader, first-generation college student, and ChattState alumna. She served as the Director of Leadership & Community Development at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce where she retired in 2020 after 46 years. While there, she directed the Leadership Chattanooga Program for 21 years. The event was chaired by Julie Cook Elsea. Those roasting Diane were Julie Baumgardner, Marcus McKamey, Peterson Hostetler, David Roddy, and Janie Parks Varnell. Jim Kennedy was the Master of Ceremonies. 

The evening began with an opening toast by co-hosts Jay Dale, Market President of First Horizon Bank, and State Representative Greg Vital, President and Co-Founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living. 

Chattanooga State is grateful to First Horizon Foundation and Morning Pointe Senior Living, along with 43 other corporate and individual table sponsors, the many individuals who reserved seats, and all those who made donations to the Tom Edd Wilson First in the Family Endowed Scholarship for their support of this important fundraiser. Chattanooga State was also honored to have Brewer Media Group and the Chattanooga Times Free Press as our media sponsors, while the beautiful floral arrangements were provided by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 

The event would not have been possible without support from a talented and hardworking group of volunteers that included Duffy Franck, Eddie Grant, Linda Hisey, Miles Huff, Sharon Law, Bobby Lusk, Ronelle Sellers, Edna Varner, and Tammy Zumbrun.  

Since 2012, the Dinner of Firsts has provided $747,000 in scholarship support for first-generation students including 259 scholars from thirty-four different majors.