Dr. Tristan Denley
Dr. Fannie Hewlett, interim president of Chattanooga State Community College will preside over the 41st annual commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Dr. Tristan Denley will present the commencement address.
Dr. Denley earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Trinity College Cambridge, and held positions in Europe and North America before becoming vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents in August 2013.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kimberly McCormick, will offer the presentation of 1,538 candidates for degrees and certificates, assisted by Dr. Kenneth Goldsmith, faculty senate president.
Dr. Sonja Rich, principal, will present 56 Collegiate High School candidates for graduation, 28 of whom also will receive an associate degree, while Mr. Rick Smith, superintendent, Hamilton County Schools, will award diplomas. Co-valedictorians from Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State 2015 are Hannah Faith Ledford and Collin Maurice Vanderwalle. Salutatorian is Halle Louise Camilleri.
Statistics about the class of 2015 show that there are 19 countries represented, 58 percent of students are female and 42 percent are male. Approximately 29 percent of Chattanooga State graduates are between the ages of 22-25 years and 49 percent are over age 25. A total of 403 students earned academic honors.
Chattanooga State’s top five college division programs include Associate of Art/Associate of Science transfer, Nursing, Tennessee Transfer Pathway, Engineering Technology, and Applied Science. The top six technical certificate programs are Acting, EMT Basic, Dental Assisting, EMT Paramedic, Advanced EMT, and Pharmacy Technician.
The following faculty members will be recognized as Faculty Fellows: Engineering Technology, The Richard K. Lamerand Fellow: Beth Ruta; Mathematics and Sciences, The Dr. Gladys Crates Fellow: David Wollert and Sherri Barnes; Adjunct Faculty, The Dr. Herbert Hooper Fellow: Andrew Maginniss; Business and Information Technologies, The Floyd Eaves Fellow: William Shifflett; Humanities and Fine Arts, The Amanda Wynn Fellow: Shawn Brabham; Nursing and Allied Health, The Dr. Howard Yarbrough Fellow: Jody Hancock. 2015 Excellence Awardees to be recognized include Juliette Biondi, Professional Staff and Tina Ewton, Support Staff.
With a combined total of more than 327 years of service, 19 faculty and staff members retired during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Patricia Gardner, manager of Corporate Services, led in the number of years served at 26.5. Additional retirees include Bill Bankston, Joyce Brinkmeyer, James Catanzaro, Tom Crum, Carolyn Dodson, Frank Gordy, David Guinn, Tommy Hayes, Robbie Henry, Jackie Hill, Linda Jarrett, Aleta Lenyard, Gayle Maul, Donald Porter, Darrell Sharp, Libby White, Judy Wilke, and Andrea Wilson.