5th Annual Community First Award Winners Announced; Ceremony March 19, Tickets Available Online Monday

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Community First Awards, which honors those who have devoted their lives to making their community a better place. This week, the winners of the Fifth Annual Community First Awards, presented by Cleveland State Community College and premier sponsor SouthEast Bank, have been announced.

Nominations poured in from across Cleveland State’s service area of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe and Polk counties. Judges have selected the winners of nine of the ten categories that  make up the Community First Awards competition. The Community First Person of the Year will not be revealed until the Community First Gala on March 19.

“This class of honorees is outstanding and includes representation from all of the counties we serve,” said Cleveland State Community College President Dr. Bill Seymour. “We are fortunate to have such strong leaders who exemplify the ideal of always putting community first.”

The categories and the winners of each are:

•  Arts:
Sarah Pearson
Bradley County
founder, The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus of Tennessee

•  Business:
Sharon Sliger Brown
McMinn County
owner, State Farm Insurance

•  Education:
Paul Conn
Bradley County
chancellor, Lee University

•  Healthcare:
Laura Harris
Monroe County
CEO, Chota Community Health Services 

•  Non-Profit Leadership:
David and Mary Ketchersid
Bradley County
founders, Unity Center

•  Philanthropy:
Sam McReynolds
Bradley County
president/treasurer, McReynolds Family Foundation

•  Public Service:
Adrian Lambert
Polk County
director, Polk County Chamber of Commerce

•  Student Leadership:
Tayler Davis
Meigs County
student leader, Meigs County High School 

•  Volunteer Service:
Cheryl Dunson
Bradley County
executive director, Agape Love Foundation

“The Community First Awards program is the only award program that is literally open to all community members within our five-county service area,” added Dr. Seymour. “Now in its fifth year, this program has risen in stature and respect. We are happy that members of our communities now look forward to this event every year and get excited about celebrating those who will be honored.”

The Community First Awards Gala will be held on the campus of Cleveland State Community College at the L. Quentin Lane Center. Dinner will be included as part of the ceremony honoring each of the winners. The event is black tie optional.

Seats and tables are available for purchase, as well as sponsorship opportunities, by contacting the CSCC Foundation Offices at 423-614-8700. Beginning Monday, tickets can be purchased online at mycs.cc/communityfirstaward. All proceeds from the event will benefit the CSCC Foundation and its endeavors to help the students of Cleveland State Community College.

For more information, contact CSCC’s Director of Communications and Marketing Don Foley at 423-473-2341 or dfoley@clevelandstatecc.edu.