Now celebrating its fifth year, the Chattanooga State Foundation’s Dinner of Firsts is the signature “FUNdraising” event for Chattanooga State Community College. Each year the College honors a community leader who is the first in their family to attend college.
This year’s honoree is Edna Varner, a major advocate for public education and a first generation college student. Those roasting Edna include Pete Cooper, Wade Hinton, Stacy Lightfoot, Keith Sanford, and Elaine Swafford.
This annual dinner event will be on Thursday evening, Nov. 17, at The Chattanoogan, with Stefanie Crowe serving as event chair. Jeff Jackson, market president of First Tennessee and Greg Vital, president and CEO of Independent HealthCare Properties & Morning Pointe will be the presenting sponsors and evening co-hosts. Jed Mescon will once again serve as master of ceremonies.
Proceeds from the event fund Chattanooga State Foundation’s First in the Family Scholarship for first-generation college students. Nearly half of the college's students that applied for financial aid in 2015/16 are the first in their families to attend college. Earnings from the first four years raised more than $226,000 to support 113 students with First in the Family Scholarships.
Learn more about Dinner of Firsts at www.chattanoogastate.edu/dof. For additional information on sponsorship levels and tables for Dinner of Firsts 2016, please contact Tammy Sawyers at tammy.sawyers@chattanoogastate.edu or call 697-3359.