CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Chattanooga State Community College this week took time to honor three outstanding faculty members for their professional aptitude and dedication to quality in education. 

In two ceremonies attended by students directly affected by the educators, Kristi Argenbright, Lauren Fox, and Michael Largent were named Faculty Chairs of Excellence. 

Kristi Argenbright and Lauren Fox were recognized by the college and Erlanger Health System executives for both their work as ChattState professors and as nurses. 

Argenbright was named the Erlanger Nursing Chair of Excellence for Adults. She has worked in orthopedics, gynecology, neurology, urology, general medical-surgical care, and cardiac ICU since she began nursing in 1990. She has served as an Assistant Professor at ChattState for 6 years. 

Argebright was nominated for her skill in inspiring students to make a positive difference in patients' lives, and for providing them with the knowledge and experiences needed for the future nursing workforce. 

Fox was named the Erlanger Nursing Chair of Excellence for Children. She is a nurse practitioner who worked in pediatric orthopedics until 2020. Fox began teaching at ChattState in 2021, but she continues to work as a nurse practitioner at Galen North Pediatrics in their after-hours and weekend clinic. 

Erlanger President and CEO Jim Coleman helped present the faculty commendations.  

“Success happens because you work hard and you prepare yourself for when those opportunities arise,” Coleman said. “Nursing is a noble and worthy profession.” 

Rachel Harris, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Erlanger, said working at a hospital like Erlanger helps nursing students prepare for a career in any field. 

“We appreciate the initiative ChattState students have,” Harris said. “If you can work at Erlanger, you can work anywhere. It’s more than just a job. When you hire on and join one of our teams, it becomes a family.” 

The Erlanger Nursing Chairs of Excellence program was established by Erlanger through the Chattanooga State Foundation to recognize faculty excellence in nursing. 

Largent, an associate professor of graphic arts technology, was named First Horizon Business Chair of Excellence. The award was presented by Richard Shaffer, First Horizon Bank Regional President, East Tennessee. 

“The recipient has a genuine passion for his profession and his students,” Shaffer said. “He has a 40-plus year career path as an award-winning executive level professional with experience and skills he passes on to his students in the art and science of marketing, advertising, branding, graphic design, production, and photography.” 

Before beginning his teaching career, Largent worked with organizations like American Express, The Atlanta Falcons, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, General Electric, Marriot Hotels, NASA Space Camp, and Porsche of North America. 

“This is what work ethic will get you,” Largent said. “I am very, very appreciative of First Horizon Bank. It is an honor because there are a lot of amazing faculty. I am humbled, and I couldn’t do it without the students.” 

The First Horizon Endowed Chair of Excellence in Business was established through the Chattanooga State Foundation to recognize a distinguished faculty member within the Business Division each year.