The Volunteer State College Foundation held the annual Hal R. Ramer Society Dinner to honor donors with cumulative, lifetime gifts of $10,000 or more. Dr. Hal R. Ramer was the College’s Founding President and served in that capacity for 32 years until his retirement. The Foundation inducted eight new members into the Society and promoted five members to the next level of giving. At the dinner, the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year were also awarded.

The Volunteer State College Foundation makes a difference in the lives of students by awarding scholarships to those who might not otherwise be able to obtain a college education. Our donors make it possible to invest in the future of our community. The Foundation supports other programs of the College such as a food pantry, emergency fund, Tennessee Small Business Development Center and many others.

The eight new inductees into the Hal R. Ramer Society were 1.) The City of Mt. Juliet; 2.) Linda DeBaun; 3.) Waldfried Lamm; 4.) The National Board for Respiratory Care; 5.) Steven and Melinda Parker; 6.) Tyler A. Schultz Memorial; 7.) Upper Cumberland Foundation and 8.) the Estate of William Douglas Hawkins.

Moving to the Fellow level of giving were 1.) Bill and Nancy Boyers; 2.) Steve B. Teague. Moving the Chair level were Wilda H. Dodson and Meta Platforms Technologies. Moving to the Trustee level was Grace Tomkins.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was awarded to Ms. Brenda Payne, presented by Mr. Cris Perkins, Associate Vice Chancellor of External Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents (Cover Photo). Payne, who is an active community volunteer and has been for many years, also served as Vice President for Resource Development and Executive Director of the Foundation. She has remained a faithful giver and advocate for Volunteer State Community College and the students served.

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The Volunteer State Community College Distinguished Alumnus 2024 Award was presented to Kim Baker by Evan Jones, Distinguished Alumnus 2023. Baker is the President & CEO of the Gallatin Chamber and 2010 graduate of Volunteer State Community College. She serves on the Women Empowering Education Committee and the Volunteer State College Foundation Board of Trustees.