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HUNTSVILLE (November 11, 2026) — In honor of Veterans Day, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Oneida/Huntsville instructor Tim Gibson has been presented the Chancellor's Commendation for Military Service, President Tim Smith announced Wednesday.
As part of the ceremonies recognizing and honoring all who served, one veteran at each college is being awarded the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans, a special recognition launched in 2020 by TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings.
The Chancellor’s Commendation honorees are nominated by each college’s president. Nominees may be students, members of the faculty and staff, alumni, or members of the broader community who are veterans or active-service members and exemplify service, honor, courage, commitment, and integrity as they pursue their education.
The 35 Chancellor’s Commendation honorees for 2026 include 15 students, 11 faculty, and nine college staff members. Nineteen are veterans of the U.S. Army, six of the U.S. Navy, four of the U.S. Air Force, four of the U.S. Marines, and two of the National Guard.
The Commendation is represented by a specially designed challenge coin. Challenge coins have a long tradition in all military branches, where they are awarded by commanders and signify special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, and respect.
“Our college communities are strengthened by all the veterans and active-service personnel on campus. The unique experiences, perspectives, and leadership they bring are an important part of the broad diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses that benefits everyone,” Dr. Tydings said.
The 2026 Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans honorees and their military branches are:
COMMUNITY COLLEGES:
Chattanooga State: Jesse Barnes, Student, Marines
Cleveland State: Luis Ruiz, Student, Army
Columbia State: Sherrell Summers, College Staff, Army
Dyersburg State: Mike Samples, College Staff, National Guard
Jackson State: Chris Hodges, College Staff, Air Force
Motlow State: Larry Flatt, College Staff, Army
Nashville State: Howard Anderson, College Staff, Army
Northeast State: Allen Bowman, Faculty, Navy
Pellissippi State: Paula Penson, Faculty, National Guard
Roane State: Darrell Christmas, College Staff, Army
Southwest Tennessee: Kenneth A. Woods, College Staff, Marines
Volunteer State: Heather Brewer, College Staff, Navy
Walters State: Dr. Terry Rawlinson, Faculty, Navy
TENNESSEE COLLEGES OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY:
TCAT Athens: Michelle Riden, Student, Navy
TCAT Crump: Tim Moore, Student, Army
TCAT Dickson: William Herring, Student, Army
TCAT Elizabethton: Johnny Murray, Student, Marines
TCAT Harriman: Michael Lunnemann, Faculty, Army
TCAT Hartsville: Nicholas Gilbert, Student, Navy
TCAT Henry/Carroll: Shane Smith, Student, Army
TCAT Hohenwald: Austin Drago, Student, Army
TCAT Jacksboro: John Sibirtzeff, Student, Navy
TCAT Jackson: Roy Naylor, Faculty, Army
TCAT Knoxville: Miranda Bednar, Faculty, Army
TCAT McMinnville: Dave McDonald, College Staff, Air Force
TCAT Memphis: Christopher Leggett, Faculty, Army
TCAT Morristown: Daphne Mikronis-LaCuesta, Student, Air Force
TCAT Murfreesboro: Kyle Wix, Faculty, Army
TCAT Nashville: Mark Thomas, Faculty, Army
TCAT Northwest: Susan Payne, Student, Army
TCAT Oneida/Huntsville: Tim Gibson, Faculty, Air Force
TCAT Pulaski: Rob Mayo, Student, Army
TCAT Shelbyville: Patrick Sanders, Student, Marines
TCAT Upper Cumberland: Greg York, Faculty, Army
TCAT Upper Cumberland/Livingston: Tyler Maples, Student, Army
“We are wholeheartedly committed to serving veterans and active-duty service members, their spouses and children. It’s a privilege to honor all those who served and are serving our nation, not only on Veterans Day but throughout the year,” the chancellor said.
That commitment includes a range of benefits and services for veterans and their families, including:
All 13 community colleges and 14 TCATs have achieved VETS Campus certification by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission – including the latest, TCAT Elizabethton, certified in August – by meeting criteria for excellence standards for services designed to help military-affiliated students succeed in pursuit of their education. In August, TCAT Elizabethton became the latest TCAT to earn VETS Campus certification. In September, TCAT Upper Cumberland became the first TBR institution, and only the second college in the state, to earn the higher-level VETS Bravo Campus designation. All remaining TCATs are working to earn VETS Campus certification.
All colleges within the system are approved for veterans educational benefits and work closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs and state approving agencies to ensure that student benefits are used appropriately.
Veterans may be eligible for academic credit for their military training and experience.
Eligible military spouses may use the MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) scholarship at all our TBR institutions. We participate in Skillbridge programs for transitioning service members.
Several colleges have Veterans Centers – places on campus where veterans can gather, relax, socialize, study, and meet with staff members.
For more information on services offered by the TBR system, including financial assistance and credit for military training, visit the Veterans and Military Families Support webpage(https://www.tbr.edu/student-success/veterans-and-military-families-support).
For more information on Tennessee Veterans Initiatives, VETS Campuses, and Veteran Initiatives Grant Information, visit the Tennessee Higher Education Commission webpage(https://www.tn.gov/thec/for-institutions/veteran-initiatives.html)