The second annual Chattanooga State Dinner of Firsts will be held at the Chattanoogan on Thursday. A reception will start at 6 p.m., while the dinner and program begin at 7 p.m.
This year’s roast will honor Grady Williams, a philanthropist, volunteer and businessman. Many ChattState students are first-generation college students. One of six children, Mr. Williams was the first in his family to go to college. Led by a passion to help others, he has successfully led many community organizations in their fundraising efforts.
Event chair Leonard Fant along with Patsy Hazlewood, Tom Edd Wilson, Sonia Young, Craig Holley and Fletcher Bright will “roast” Mr. Williams during the evening.
Proceeds of the event fund First-In-The-Family Scholarships. More than 40 sponsors representing the business sector, and individuals, are supporting this event with a record number of reservations. All sponsor tables have sold out, but a limited number of individual tickets remain.
The Foundation hopes to raise more than $60,000 for this scholarship fund. More than 80 percent of ChattState students apply for financial aid and over half of them are the first in their family to attend college.