GALLATIN (Nov. 9, 2022) – Volunteer State Community College honored staff member and Army veteran, Curtis Malone today by awarding the Tennessee Board of Regent’s Chancellor’s Commendation Medal. Each of Tennessee’s community and technical colleges honored a nominated veteran today. The group as a whole is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The medal is regarded as the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans, a special recognition launched three years ago by Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings.
The Chancellor’s Commendation is conferred in the form of a specially commissioned challenge coin featuring the military branches on one side and the Chancellor’s Commendation designation on the other. Challenge coins have a long tradition in all military branches, awarded by commanders in recognition of special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect, and esprit de corps.
The honorees throughout the system were nominated by their college president. Presidents may nominate a student, a member of the faculty or staff, or an alumnus who is a veteran or an active-service member and who exemplifies characteristics of honor, courage, commitment, integrity, duty, respect, discipline, and sacrifice. Presidents describe how their nominees demonstrate those traits and how they embody the values of the College System of Tennessee, such as commitment to student success, service to campus and community, courage in adversity, and academic excellence.
“Our college communities are strengthened by the presence of veterans and active-duty personnel – as students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” Dr. Tydings said. “They – and the experience and perspective they bring – are an important part of the broad diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses that benefits everyone.
“We are committed to serving them as they served our country. It’s a privilege to honor them, not only on Veterans Day but all year. I thank our presidents, our faculty, and our entire campus communities for their work in ensuring that veterans are served and welcomed,” the chancellor said.
