The Chattanooga State Foundation’s Dinner of Firsts will be held on Thursday evening, November 29 at The Chattanoogan. The Dinner of Firsts is Chattanooga State’s signature “FUNdraising” event with a toast and roast honoring a community leader who is the first in their family to attend college.
This seventh annual dinner event will honor local community leader David Wade, with Reggie Piercy serving as event chair. In addition to being a first generation college student, Mr. Wade is a Chattanooga State graduate and the president and CEO of EPB.
Those roasting Mr. Wade include Todd Crawford, Joe Ferguson, Richard Rogers, Steve Rogers, Justin Wade and Aaron Webb. Jed Mescon will serve as the master of ceremonies.
Chattanooga State once again welcomes Jeff Jackson, market president of First Tennessee Bank, along with Greg Vital, president and CEO of Independent Healthcare Properties and Morning Pointe, as presenting sponsors and evening co-hosts.
Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for first-generation students and are divided equally between the annual First in the Family Scholarship and the Tom Edd Wilson First in the Family Endowed Scholarship. "Nearly half of Chattanooga State students that apply for financial aid are the first in their families to attend college. Earnings from the first six years have provided more than $340,000 in scholarship support for first-generation students," official said.
For information on sponsorship levels and donations for Dinner of Firsts 2018, visit chattanoogastate.edu/dof or contact Tammy Sawyers at 423-697-3359 or tammy.sawyers@chattanoogastate.edu.