Our
History

Dr. Carl Christian Andersen became the second president on July 1, 1981. Under the Andersen administration, DSCC became the fastest growing educational institution in Tennessee, and enrollment grew by 40%. Improvements were made in instructional technology, computer support and community involvement. Grants from the new federal Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA) were secured to purchase advanced-level individualized learning technology, enabling many students to fast track into employment with local industry.  In 1982, College for Kids was inaugurated to enculturate young children of the community to a “life of learning” on a college campus, and in 1984, the main classroom building was named in honor Dale Glover.

In November of 1984, Dr. Karen Bowyer became the third president. Dr. Bowyer continued the work of her predecessors to improve the quality of instruction and the service to students and the community. She worked to build partnerships with the College’s constituents and began the Annual Fund Campaign in 1985 to raise local dollars to match state funds for DSCC’s first Center of Emphasis. Citizens in each of the seven counties in the College’s service area made contributions to support scholarships and programs. Advisory committees were established in Gibson and Tipton counties to involve community members in planning DSCC’s future direction.

During the summer of 1985, two buildings on the Dyersburg State Campus were dedicated in honor of men who played significant roles in DSCC’s development and in education in the state. The E. B. Eller Administration Building was named for a lifelong educator and DSCC’s founding president. The Dale F. Glover Education Center honored a former member of the State Board of Education, State Board of Regents and Tennessee Legislature.

The DSCC Student Center was renovated in 1985 and 1986. The large cafeteria was converted to an auditorium, and a new grill and television room were created. When the new Student Center opened in 2008, the former student center became the Campus Activities Building (CAB). A bookstore and a student activities room replaced the grill and television room in the CAB.

The DSCC Foundation was chartered in 1988. The Board of Directors set a goal of raising $5 million by the turn of the century. Contributions and pledges totaled approximately $5.9 million in December 2000.

Approximately two-thirds of an acre of the DSCC Campus was sold to the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1986 for the development of a Baptist Student Center. A Center was built and dedication services were held on April 1, 1990. Later, the ownership of the property was transferred to the Dyer Baptist Association.

The DSCC Gymnasium was renovated in 1987 and 1988. Racquetball courts, an aerobics room, a weight room, saunas and hot tubs were added, and the original surface of the basketball court was replaced.

A new Gibson County facility next to Peabody High School in Trenton was opened on December 19, 1991. On January 28, 1994, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, upon the recommendation of the Tennessee Board of Regents, approved the establishment of an educational center in Gibson County and the extension of Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degree programs to that Center.

The Tennessee Board of Regents approved a master plan for the DSCC Campus in September 1991. As a result of this plan, additions were scheduled for the Learning Resource Center and the Student Center during 1992-93. A leased facility was opened in Covington in August 1992. Day and evening classes were offered at this new location. This facility was made possible by gifts from the City of Covington, Tipton County government, First State Bank, Union Savings Bank, Tipton County Bank and Cole Lumber Company. Evening classes continued to be offered at Covington High School. Land use and facility plans were proposed in 1993 for the 64-acre site purchased by the Tipton County Education Task Force for DSCC’s use.

Planning for a 30,000 square-foot facility in Tipton County was completed during 1993-94. The General Assembly made an appropriation for the 1994-95 academic year of $2.1 million to build the first phase of an 18,800 square-foot facility. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I took place on November 17, 1994. The new Tipton County Center opened on February 26, 1996. Construction on Phase II began in February 1997, and it was opened in January 1998. Phase II contained 13,000 square feet. The total budget for Phases I and II was $5.1 million.

On June 19, 1998, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the naming of the first building at the Tipton County Center in honor of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. The building was dedicated in Mr. Naifeh’s honor on October 26, 1998.

On September 17, 1999, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the naming of the gymnasium in memory of Ed Lannom, Jr., a longtime supporter of the College. The E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium was dedicated at the 30th anniversary celebration on October 16, 1999.

2000s

The expansion of the Tipton County Center was a major change for DSCC in the 2000s. On September 14, 2000, the State Building Commission approved a Master Plan for the Tipton County Center. The plan called for the construction of 157,000 square feet over the next 20 years. The Covington Industrial Board donated 38 acres of property adjacent to the existing 64-acre site for the Tipton County Center in the spring of 2001.

2003

The Union Planters Bank Community Classroom at the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 18, 2003, in appreciation of the foresight shown by the Bank when its board made an initial investment that enabled a higher education center to be built in Tipton County.

The City of Covington Lobby of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 22, 2003, in appreciation of the generous support shown by the city and the Industrial Development Board.

The BancorpSouth Computer Laboratory of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on August 21, 2003, for the role BancorpSouth played as a charter investor in a higher education center for Tipton County and for the Bank’s continuing support of the Annual Fund throughout the years.

2004

The Tipton County Center was named in honor of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh on October 1, 2004. The Center is now known as the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County.

2006 -2007

DSCC assumed ownership of the Academic Building at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on November 29, 2006. The Grand Opening was held on January 5, 2007. Thirty-two nursing students were in the first class in the New Academic Building in January 2007. Forty-eight students were accepted for the class that began in August 2006 in Dyersburg.

With the generous assistance of the Tipton County Legislative Body, a new parking lot was constructed at the JNC in spring 2007. A new chemistry laboratory was constructed on the second floor of the Glover Building during the summer and fall of 2007. The existing laboratory on the first floor of Glover was converted into two classrooms.

2008

Twenty-five nursing students were in the first class to complete the regular Nursing Program at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in December 2008. Fifteen students in the LPN to RN Fast Track Program also finished in December 2008.

2001 – 2004

On the Dyersburg Campus, the Richard E. Donner Arboretum and Nature Trail was named on September 23, 2001. The arboretum and nature trail are located northeast of the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium. On October 1, 2002, the DSCC Foundation purchased the former Dyersburg Country Club property at a cost of $300,000. The property was purchased for use as classroom space for continuing education and for use as a temporary library facility when the Learning Resource Center was renovated. The Martha W. Donner Outdoor Classroom on the Dyersburg Campus was dedicated on October 5, 2003, in honor of a generous, longtime DSCC supporter. The Dyersburg Fabrics Student Center Grill on the Dyersburg Campus was dedicated on October 23, 2003, in appreciation of the historic role played by Dyersburg Fabrics in the growth and development of Dyer County and as a loyal supporter and a steadfast friend of Dyersburg State. The Country Club building was dedicated to Security Bank on April 8, 2004, for its generosity to DSCC, and was named the Security Bank Community Learning Center. Security Bank received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for its generous support of DSCC. The Master Plan for the Dyersburg Campus was approved by the State Building Commission on August 12, 2004.

2002

DSCC, the Obion County Industrial Development Corporation, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and community leaders from Obion County worked together to develop an innovative associate degree program in Manufacturing Systems Technology combined with six technical certificate programs. A facility was leased in Union City to provide a location for the instruction, thereby creating the Obion County Training and Education Center and providing greater access to education in West Tennessee. This program was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 20, 2002, and by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission on November 14, 2002.

2003

Contributions from alumni and friends were of increasing importance to DSCC. First Citizens National Bank was presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy in January 2003. The Chancellor’s Award is given to individuals and organizations which have given generously to a Tennessee Board of Regents institution and have provided leadership in fundraising for an institution.

2004

On October 18, 2004, DSCC purchased the former Country Club from the DSCC Foundation for $308,000. The building was used for offices and classrooms.

On August 23, 2004, the chemistry laboratory was named in honor of Colonial Rubber. Wendell West and Karen Hotaling Horn accepted the honor on behalf of the employees of Colonial Rubber. The music room in the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium was named in honor of the Union City Rotary Club on April 30, 2004. The Union City Rotary Club conducts a highly successful scholarship drive each year. Many DSCC students have benefited from these efforts.

2005

In the spring of 2005, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee and Governor Bredesen approved a budget that included funds for construction of the New Academic Building at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County and funds to plan and build a new student center and renovate the former student center in Dyersburg. The total state funding for planning and constructing the 31,000 square-foot Academic Building at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County was $5.26 million. Groundbreaking for the new facility took place on November 4, 2005. Omega General Contractors of Memphis submitted the low bid and was chosen as the principal contractor.

The State of Tennessee provided $10 million to renovate the Eller Administration Building, plan and construct the new Learning Resource Center, renovate the former LRC and construct a parking lot on the west side of the Eller Administration Building. RFW Construction Company of Dyersburg submitted the low bid of $1.4 million to renovate 22,852 square feet in the Eller Administration Building. The Eller Administration Building renovation began on July 25, 2005, and ended on December 21, 2005. During the renovation, the faculty and staff were relocated from the Eller Building to the Student Center, E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium and the Security Bank Community Learning Center.

2005 – 2006

The “Good to Great” Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,045,017.08 during 2005-06. Katie Winchester, CEO and Chair of the Board of First Citizens National Bank, was the campaign chair. For her extraordinary and generous support of DSCC, Katie received a Benefactor Award from the Tennessee Council on Resource Development at Rippavilla Plantation near Columbia, Tennessee, on September 14, 2006.

The Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was awarded to Mary and Bill Adcock at Volunteer State Community College on June 10, 2005, and to Baptist Healthcare Corporation on December 8, 2006, at a quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents held at Columbia State Community College. Stephen Reynolds, President and CEO of the corporation; Paul Betz, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton; Keon Falkner, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Lauderdale; and Don Hutson, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, accepted the award on behalf of the corporation.

2007

Groundbreaking for the new LRC in Dyersburg occurred on December 21, 2005. The new facility contained 28,000 square feet. The Grand Opening was held on April 27, 2007. The old LRC was renovated during the summer and fall of 2007 to house mathematics faculty, classrooms, offices and a computer laboratory.

DSCC leased approximately 3 acres of land to the Dyer County Legislative Body for the construction of the Dyer County Health Department on Parr Avenue. As part of the project, a new campus road was constructed from the intersection of Parr and Wilkinson toward the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium. The road was completed in October 2006, and the Dyer County Health Department facility opened in April 2007.

Chancellor Charles Manning and community leaders participated in the groundbreaking for the new 14,000 square-foot Student Center in Dyersburg on August 20, 2007.

Chancellor Charles Manning and Foundation Chair Katie Winchester joined President Bowyer in the dedication of the newly renovated Mathematics Building, the Chemistry Laboratory in the Glover Building and the LRC Fountain on December 5, 2007. The LRC Fountain was named in memory of E. H. Lannom, Jr.

2008

DSCC hosted the quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 25-26, 2008. The new Student Center was dedicated on September 25, 2008. The renovated former Student Center was renamed the Campus Activities Building.

2009

Nursing was named the Center of Emphasis at DSCC in the spring of 2009. Computers and Information Technology was the former Center. The Division of Nursing and Allied Health began a new Technical Certificate Program in EMT-Paramedic during the fall semester 2009.

The Economic Impact Study of DSCC in 2009 showed that the College contributed over $43 million each year to the region’s economy for the previous 5 years. DSCC was the fastest-growing public institution in Tennessee for the fall semester 2009 as the College’s full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment grew by 28% to 2234, and its headcount grew by 23% to 3416.

The Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was presented to First Citizens National Bank at the Grand Opening of the new Student Center. Jeff Agee, CEO of First Citizens and a DSCC Alumnus in the class of 1981, accepted the award.

2007-2010

The 2007-08 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,021,109 under the capable leadership of Ms. Kerrie Heckethorn, Vice President for Human Resources at First Citizens National Bank.

DSCC celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a dinner and dance on February 5, 2009. Entertainment featured the Dempseys and their brand of high-octane, rockabilly music and stage show. Quebecor World, Inc., of Dyersburg and Covington received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy from Chancellor Manning during the evening for their generous support of DSCC over the years.

The 2008-09 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,007,226.40. This was an impressive amount because of the economic recession which affected the entire nation and world. Wendell West provided the regional leadership for the Campaign.

The 2009-10 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,116,506.55 under the leadership of Danny Watson. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $85,113.50.

Fundraising continued to grow in the 2010s. On November 16, 2010, Methodist Healthcare was presented the Chancellor’s Award. The 2010-11 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,155,371.54 under the leadership of Tommy Allmon. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $123,493.04. On April 28, 2011, DSCC dedicated the Caterpillar Dean of Student Services Suite in the Student Center on the Dyersburg Campus.

The 2011-12 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,046,843.26 under the leadership of Patrick Williams. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $355,934.71. DSCC kicked off the Leaving a Legacy Campaign on August 31, 2011. On November 16, 2011, DSCC presented West Tennessee Healthcare/Madison County General Hospital with the Chancellor’s Award. Also on this day, DSCC celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 54,000 square-foot addition to the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. This new addition includes a state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library. On March 23, 2012, DSCC presented the Chancellor’s Award to the Assisi Foundation of Memphis.

November 15, 2012, Mr. Wayne Karlgaard was presented the Pinnacle Award for his support of Dyersburg State Community College by establishing and contributing to the Doris Ann Parmenter Karlgaard Endowed Scholarship in memory of his late wife.

Ms. Mary Lynn Smith, Mr. Craig Smith, and Ms. Madeline Eddlemon were presented the Leaving a Legacy Award for Mr. Percy Smith’s support of Dyersburg State Community College and for the planned gift he gave to DSCC.

The 2012-13 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,022,318.19 under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Cook. Additionally, a $3,000,000.00 gift was received from the Tipton County Legislature for the construction project for the new DSCC Learning Resource Center, Student Center, and the Tipton County Public Library at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County.

On November 12, 2013, Chancellor John Morgan presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to the family of Darrell and Dottie Sells, Darren Sells and Dena Quertermous.

On November 20, 2013, a naming ceremony was held at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in Covington to rename the Academic Building to the Baptist Memorial Health Care Academic Building in honor of Baptist Memorial Health Care for their support of Dyersburg State Community College.

On May 10, 2014, Mr. John Farris, member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, presented the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to West Tennessee Healthcare for their generous support of the DSCC Nursing Program.

DSCC continued to grow during the 2010s, both at the Dyersburg Campus and at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. On March 15, 2013, a Construction Celebration was held at the Jimmy Naifeh Center to commemorate the beginning of construction on the 54,000 square-foot addition that includes a new state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library. Attending the celebration were Chancellor John Morgan, Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, Senator Mark Norris, Representative Debra Moody, Tipton County Mayor Jeff Huffman, Covington Mayor David Gordon, Covington Library Director Susan Cheairs and DSCC Foundation Board members.

In addition to new buildings, DSCC saw growth in new programs. On September 17, 2013, Governor Haslam came to the campus to announce that Dyersburg State had been awarded a $589,000 workforce development grant to establish an advanced manufacturing program at DSCC. The grant was used to establish two advanced manufacturing labs – one in Dyersburg and one at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. December 5, 2013, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved a new A.A.S. Degree in Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced the consolidation of the Dyer County and Gibson County Adult Education programs effective July 1, 2013. In 2016, due to statewide redistricting of Adult Education, the Adult Education program housed at DSCC for over a decade was closed.

2014-2015

The Grand Opening of the new DSCC Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library was celebrated on September 30, 2014. Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, TBR Chancellor John Morgan, Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman, and DSCC President Karen Bowyer participated in the celebration. The opening also featured 27 local artists who displayed their work throughout the building.

DSCC celebrated its 45th Anniversary on November 8, 2014. Over 225 guests enjoyed an evening of reminiscing through proclamations from Dyer County Mayor Chris Young and Dyersburg Mayor John Holden, both of whom are DSCC alumni, and through a video presentation. Entertainment included performances by DSCC’s Jazz Choir “Syncopation” and DSCC alumnus and comedic-magician Brian Staron. The night concluded with dancing to the music provided by Memphis-based band Jamie Baker and the VIPs.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and Tennessee State University (TSU) met on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, to sign a Reverse Transfer/Dual Admissions agreement. This partnership established an articulation agreement between the two institutions and formalizes the process for DSCC students transferring to TSU.

The Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor’s Award was presented to Wayne Karlgaard for his generous support of DSCC on November 18, 2014. The funds that Karlgaard has contributed have provided numerous scholarships to deserving students throughout the past several years. This, as well as his dedication to the College through participation in numerous events and programs, was recognized during the presentation.

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced that the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board reserved funding of $850,000 for a Labor and Education Alignment Program (LEAP) in partnership with Dyersburg State Community College (fiscal agent), Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Covington, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Jackson, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – McKenzie, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Newbern, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Paris, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Ripley for the Certified Production Technician (CPT) Pathway to Advanced Manufacturing Program. The LEAP grant provided funds to assess and remediate, as necessary, secondary students in participating high schools in up to 17 secondary school systems to achieve a Silver Level National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and to offer the four courses of the CPT Program to students in each high school.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held a Naming Ceremony for the main lobby inside the new Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. During this event, DSCC President Karen Bowyer, along with Dr. Mark Bowers, Chair of the Donor Recognition Committee for the DSCC Foundation, officially unveiled the new Ripley Power and Light Company Lobby.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held a Naming Ceremony for the main lobby inside its Learning Resource Center on the Dyersburg Campus on Thursday, April 2, 2015. DSCC President Karen Bowyer, along with Chancellor John Morgan, Tennessee Board of Regents, and Dr. Mark Bowers, Chair of the Donor Recognition Committee for the DSCC Foundation, officially unveiled the new Sells Family Lobby.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) hosted its Annual Fund Campaign Celebration Dinner for the 2014-15 academic year where it was reported that $1,033,615.84 had been raised for the College’s Annual Fund. Co-Chairs Chris Heckler of First Citizens National Bank-Arlington and John Tucker of First Citizens National Bank-Dyersburg, directed the successful campaign with the help of committees from Dyer, Gibson, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties. A total of 693 donors contributed to the campaign this year.

2015-2016

Dyersburg State Community College hosted its final GED/HiSET graduation ceremony at the end of June 2016 after sponsoring the Adult Education program since 1996. Over 1,400 individuals earned their high school equivalency diploma during the 20 years that Dyersburg State hosted the program. Due to a state reorganization of how Adult Education services would be delivered starting on July 1, 2016, Dyersburg State opted not to apply for the grant which would serve a 17-county region. Henderson County Schools in Lexington, TN, is the new grant holder for Dyer County which is a part of the new 17-county region. Dyersburg State Community College still serves as an official testing center for the High School Equivalency Diploma Exam.

In the 2015-16 year, $1,349,572.23 was raised for the Annual Fund under the leadership of John Tucker and Chris Heckler, both of First Citizens National Bank.

In the spring of 2016, the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a reception, photo presentation, and sharing of memories related to the history of the Center.

Sandra Rockett, Director of Financial Aid, retired from the College in the spring of 2016 after serving 47 years. Sandra was hired when the College opened in 1969 as secretary to the President.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was presented to John Ford and Ford Construction by Regent Barbara Prescott in March 2016. This Award recognizes generous donors to the Annual Fund and to the Foundation Endowment Fund.

Former Congressman John Tanner discussed the importance of the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and U.S. Foreign Policy issues at a Great Decisions Forum on the Dyersburg Campus on April 8, 2016.

2016-2017

n Fall 2016, the new Paramedic to RN Program was started at the Jimmy Naifeh Center to provide a pathway for advancement into the nursing field for licensed paramedics.

The 25th anniversaries of the Gibson County Center and of the TN Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) were celebrated on November 4, 2016. The program recognized the early support of the following community leaders who attended the celebration: Bill Woods, Paul Carson, and Mrs. Tommie Goodson. Current students who represented the more than 7,000 students who had benefited from the Gibson County Center reminded the audience of the difference that the educational opportunities offered at the Center had made in their lives.

In 2016, DSCC was awarded a federal TRIO Education Opportunity Center (EOC) grant for $236,000 per year for five years, Cutbacks in the federal budget led to this grant’s defunding effective December 31, 2017. Student Support Services and Upward Bound funding through the TRIO program was set to continue for the next five years.

Dr. Erskine Ausbrooks, Professor of Psychology, passed away in July 2016 after serving over 20 years at Dyersburg State.

Two Student Support Services grants for $2.2 million were awarded to DSCC in August 2016 for five years. These two grants will enable Dyersburg State to offer peer tutoring and counseling to 260 high risk students.

Dr. Carol Feather, Charter Faculty Member and Professor of Music and Speech, retired in 2016 after 47 years at the College.

In the fall of 2016, DSCC’s Division of Continuing Education began to offer the only critical care paramedic program in West Tennessee. The first cohort of students completed the program in January 2017, and 11 of the 12 students passed the national certifying exam on the first try with the twelfth student passing the exam on the second attempt.

The College in Prison Program was reinitiated in January 2017 at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. DSCC had a successful prison program during the 1980s and early 1990s before Pell grants were ended for students in prison.

Coach Robert White, Head Baseball Coach at DSCC, was selected by the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) as Coach of the Year for a second time in 2016. The first time was in 2013. Coach White was named Coach of the Year for the Division I East Central Region of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The presentation was made at the 73rd Annual American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Anaheim, California in January 2017.

In February of 2017, the College hosted the Harlem Legends. The Harlem Legends, a group of former Harlem Globetrotters, NBA players and other professional athletes, played against the Dyersburg State All Stars in a friendly game of hoops. Dyersburg Mayor and DSCC Alumnus John Holden led the All Stars, and former Harlem Globetrotter and DSCC Alumnus Michael Douglas led the Legends in front of a standing room only crowd in the DSCC E. H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium.

DSCC hosted a community panel which addressed “Appreciating the Diversity of Race, Religion and Culture in our Community” in April 2017 at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center. Local business, community and religious leaders shared how their different faiths and beliefs have similarities and how the community can work together to encourage tolerance and understanding of others.

The DSCC Eagles baseball team ended their season with a 48-9 overall record and a first-ever trip to the 2017 Alpine Bank JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. Head Coach Robert White was presented with the TN Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Coach of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Student-athletes receiving awards for their outstanding performance on the baseball team were Andrew Swanson, Seth Hougesen, Kameron Armstrong, Ronnie Broyles, John Ham and Bentley Jones.

Wayne Karlgaard, DSCC Alumnus and longtime contributor, was honored on June 15, 2017, by having the One Stop Center in the Student Center named in his honor. Mr. Karlgaard has been the recipient of the DSCC Pinnacle Award and the TBR Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for his extraordinary contributions to DSCC totaling more than $500,000.

2017 – 2018

The College honored its 60th nursing class with a pinning ceremony for 47 graduates in the traditional nursing program on December 15, 2017. Over the past 37 years a total of 1656 nursing students have graduated from DSCC.

The Alpha Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at DSCC received several awards and recognitions during the Society’s Tennessee Regional Convention and Awards Banquet on March 23-25, 2018, at Cleveland State Community College. PTK chapter officers Emily Camp and Erin Hein won literary awards. Second Place in poetry was presented to Emily Camp and third place in creative nonfiction was presented to Erin Hein. Their works were published in “Tennessee Mosaic,” a regional literary anthology. The Chapter received recognition as a Five Star Chapter and a Chapter of Light.

On April 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development announced the approval of the Delta Health Care Services Grant for $476,280 to DSCC. The grant will enhance funding to DSCC programs to provide additional rural health care workers to fill shortages for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics, critical care paramedics, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Over the past eight years 209 DSCC degrees and certificates have been awarded to EMTs, Advanced EMTs and Paramedics in the Emergency Medical Services Program.

DSCC held its first Pinning Ceremony for four Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program completers from Peabody High School on May 2018 at Trenton Healthcare. Tuition was paid for these high school seniors by the dual enrollment scholarships from the Tennessee Education Lottery. All four students passed the state board exams in June to become licensed CNAs.

The highlight of the year was the 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony for 425 candidates for degrees and certificates. The ceremony was held on May 5, 2018, in the Dyer County High School Gymnasium. State Representative Johnnie Turner was the commencement speaker.

2018-2019

DSCC honored 15 graduates from the College’s second Paramedic to RN Fast Track Nursing Program on August 15, 2018. Over the past 37 years, 1,709 nursing students have graduated from DSCC’

DSCC kicked-off its 50th year by honoring members of the Charter Class on August 16, 2018. Danny Walden was president of the Charter Class in 1969-1970, DSCC’s first year of operation.

The College and the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the newly renovated nursing labs on September 11, 2018, on the second floor of the Dale F. Glover Education Center. The Drive to 55 Capacity Building Grant of over $1.0 million funded the renovation project which included three state-of-the-art nursing labs with equipment to simulate the hospital environment. The new capacity allowed DSCC to begin its Paramedic to RN fast track three-semester program at the Dyersburg campus beginning in the fall of 2018. The first completers will graduate in August 2019.

DSCC hosted the fall quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 27 and 28, 2018. State Representative Bill Sanderson, owner of White Squirrel Vineyard and Winery, hosted a wine tasting seminar for the attendees. This event recognized DSCC’s plan to plant a vineyard in partnership with the Future Farmers of America at Halls High School. The evening reception and dinner on September 27 was held at the home of Eddie Burks. DSCC alumnus Kirk Stephenson and his wife, Andrea Stephenson, mathematics assistant professor at DSCC, and their bluegrass band provided the entertainment.

The DSCC Criminal Justice and Sociology Departments and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society presented a program on A Broken System: Perspectives on the Death Penalty in Tennessee on October 18, 2018, at the Jimmy Naifeh Center. Panel members included the Director of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, an exoneree from Mississippi’s Death Row and a murder victim’s family member.

The Dyersburg Theatre Department under the direction of Meleia Lewis presented the play, The Big Meal, by Dan LeFranc on the second weekend of November 2018.

On November 7, DSCC President Karen Bowyer and MTSU President Sidney McPhee signed an agreement to extend the MTSU Promise Scholarships to DSCC students. This agreement will enable DSCC students to transfer to MTSU knowing that all courses will apply to the degree they intend to complete. DSCC students who accept the MTSU Promise Scholarships will sign reverse transfer agreements if they fail to complete their associate degrees prior to transfer. By signing the reverse transfer agreements students will automatically receive their Associate Degrees from DSCC once sufficient credits have been earned at MTSU.

DSCC hosted the annual Holiday Show with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on December 1 in the Ed Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium.

The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Luncheon was co-hosted by the College and the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce on January 18, 2019. Dr. Robin Gadsden-Dupree, President of the Crockett County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and an Instructor at Western Kentucky University, served as the guest speaker. Over her career she has served as a preschool teacher, Head Start Director at Morgan State University and Director of the College Child Care Center at LaGuardia Community College in New York City.

A recent Economic Impact Study showed that DSCC generates an Annual Economic Impact of $61 million. The study estimated that an associate degree graduate could expect to earn about $470,000 more over their work lifetime than if they only had a high school diploma. For the most recent class of DSCC graduates, this difference could produce an additional $169 million in lifetime earnings, plus about $682,000 in additional annual tax payments. This study clearly demonstrates that DSCC continues to be a major contributor to the economic base of Northwest Tennessee.

In an effort to increase the number of work-ready residents in the state, Country Music Television (CMT) has joined forces with TBR – The College System of TN, for a free multi-city concert tour targeting rural areas of the state in the spring of 2019. The first concert was co-hosted by DSCC and TCAT -Newbern/Covington/Ripley on the Dyersburg campus. Courtney Cole was the featured CMT performer before a crowd of approximately 100 high school and other prospective students.

The DSCC Theatre Department presented Ken Ludwig’s Fox On the Fairway in the First Citizens National Bank Auditorium in early April.

The Harlem Legends Celebrity Basketball Show returned for exciting game against the Dyersburg State All-Stars on April 6, 2019.

DSCC hosted a 50th Anniversary Reception in the Student Center on April 12, 2019. Alumni, current and retired faculty and staff and community supporters attended the festive event which featured tables of memorabilia and photographs from the past 50 years.

Head baseball coach Robert White achieved his 600th career win on April 13, 2019, against Conference rival Walters State Community College. White is in his 18th season as head coach at DSCC, and has been named the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Coach of the Year for Region VII in 2013, 2016, and 2017. He was named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Region Coach of the Year and the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017. Coach White led the Eagles to a first-ever No. 1 national ranking and trip to the Alpine Bank JUCO World Series during the 2017 season.

On May 4, DSCC honored its 65th and 66th nursing classes with a ceremony for 24 graduates in the Advanced standing LPN to RN Fast Track program and 29 graduates in the traditional nursing program.

DSCC held its 49th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 4, 2019, in the Gymnasium of Dyer County High School. There were 439 candidates for degrees and certificates with 198 of the candidates graduating with honors.

DSCC celebrated another successful year of fundraising with $2,036,801.98 raised by the DSCC Annual Fund Committees and the DSCC faculty and staff. The funds came from 442 generous donors and from various entities who awarded grants to successful proposals from DSCC for new programs and equipment. During the celebration on June 11, 2019, TBR Regent Leigh Shockey presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Eddie Burks and his daughters, and the TBR Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Richard and Connie Donner.

DSCC honored its first Dyersburg Campus Paramedic to R Nursing Class on August 9, 2019. There were 12 graduates in the first-ever Paramedic to RN Fast Track Program at the Dyersburg Campus. With these new graduates there has been a total of 1,806 graduates from the DSCC Nursing Program.

The 50th Anniversary Gala was held on September 27, 2019, in the DSCC Gymnasium which was transformed into a festive ballroom with a canopy of white draping and lights for the special celebration. Over 340 guests enjoyed dinner, dancing, reminiscing and a silent auction. One special guest was the widow of founding president, Dr. Edward B. Eller. Mrs. Eller at age 105 joined the celebration with a big smile and lots of memories. Entertainment was provided by DSCC Alumnus Steven Whitson and his band.

Since 1996 Ms. Barbara Flowers McBride as a member of the Tipton County Art League has arranged art exhibitions at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center. On October 29, 2019, the Tipton County Art League hosted a reception for artists Jo Byrd Cole and Addie Byrd Simpson (age 11). Jo is Addie’s aunt. Jo graduated from DSCC in 1986 from the Nursing Program. Addie is a sixth-grader at Brighton Elementary School.

Dr. Karen Bowyer, president of DSCC, was honored with a surprise reception on November 5, 2019, to celebrate 35 years of dedicated service to DSCC. Regents Barbara Prescott and Bill Summons presented President Bowyer with a framed certificate from Governor Bill Lee proclaiming November 5 as a Day of Recognition for Dr. Bowyer. Dr. Foster Chason, Commissioner of the TCCAA, was on hand to formally induct Dr. Bowyer into the TCCAA Hall of Fame. She is the 7th college president to be inducted, and the first woman president to receive this honor.

DSCC celebrated the Grand Opening of the Softball Multipurpose Building on November 8, 2019, with a ribbon-cutting sponsored by the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce. The new building houses a concession area, restrooms for men and women, a press box and media room and changing facilities for umpires. Head Softball Coach George White and several softball players gave remarks on behalf of the team. Natalie Burks Patterson from Burks Beverage announced plans to support a new digital scoreboard for the softball field, and Chad Webb from Dot Foods announced Dot’s commitment to install a new digital billboard on the side of the building.

The DSCC Theatre Department presented the play Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro on November 7-9, 2019

President Bowyer served on a panel with Governor Bill Lee and other guests at Comcast’s Digital Access Forum on November 25, 2019, at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center (JNC). During the forum Comcast announced improved broadband access and a digital inclusion initiative in Tipton County.

2020

The DSCC Foundation sponsored Casino Night, a successful fund raiser, on February 7, 2020.

Black History Month in 2020 featured a performance by the ZuZu African Acrobats performing traditional Kenyan acrobatics to high energy drumming at the Dyersburg Campus, presentations by Jackie Murray of Harriet Tubman: One Woman’s Journey at the Dyersburg Campus and the JNC, and a performance by Jonathan Blanchard of the Soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement.

It was no longer business as usual at DSCC as we switched from in-person classes to classes using Zoom on March 23, 2020, due to concerns for everyone’s safety as COVID – 19 spread around the world. Faculty and staff worked from home until May 4, 2020, when staff began to return to their offices while following strict procedures for checking into buildings each day, for wearing masks and for getting tested for COVID – 19 on a regular basis. Faculty continued to teach from home in most cases until the fall of 2022. Nursing classes were held at DSCC locations as were some lab classes.

DSCC held its 50th Commencement via virtual video on June 11, 2020. The College recognized 449 candidates for graduation inside the First Citizens National Bank Auditorium on the Dyersburg Campus. The virtual event was available for viewing on the College’s website and on its Facebook and YouTube pages.

2020-2021

DSCC was notified in September 2020 that the U.S. Department of Education funded the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grants for another 5 years. The SSS grants will serve 268 students using the total of $2,618,880 over the next 5 years to provide academic tutoring, course and program advising, financial aid counseling, career and college mentoring, transfer assistance and personal counseling.

The U.S. Department of Education approved funding for the fourth year of a 5-year grant for TRIO Upward Bound. These grant awards are examples of the faculty and staff at DSCC pursuing external grant funding to support student success. These efforts have helped improve graduation rates.

On September 29, 2020, DSCC and Crown Winery co-hosted a signing ceremony for the first winery apprenticeship program in Tennessee. Through the DSCC Agriculture Program, the College is promoting the growing of food-quality grapes as a specialty crop. The production of grapes can have a value of $3,000 to $5,000 per acre.

In the spring of 2021, DSCC celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. A history of the development of the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County is presented at the end of the highlights of 2021 – 22.

On March 4, 2021, there was a ceremony in the Glover Building to name the Nursing Intensive Care Unit Simulation Lab in honor of Bill and Mary Adcock. As of this date Bill and Mary Adcock have provided 170 students with scholarships.

In response to a need expressed by the Tennessee Department of Health the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center became a COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Site in April 2021.

In spring 2021, Coach Chad Kline, DSCC athletic director and head coach of the men’s basketball team, won his 200th game with a 113-87 victory over Premier Prep.

Head Baseball Coach Robert White was selected as the 2020-21 TCCAA Coach of the Year. This marks the fourth time Coach White has been named the TCCAA Coach of the Year, with the first time being in 2013.

On May 20, 2021, President Karen Bowyer announced her plan to retire on January 4, 2022, after 37 years of dedicated leadership of DSCC. At the June meeting of the TN Board of Regents the criteria for the national search for the 4th president were approved. Interviews took place virtually to narrow down the field of applicants in September. Finalists were invited to the College for in-person interviews in October with various constituent groups of DSCC. On November 12, 2021, Dr. Flora Tydings announced that Dr. Scott Cook, Provost at Madisonville Community and Technical College in Kentucky, would become the 4th president of DSCC on January 4, 2022.

Richard and Connie Donner and Jack and Mary Todd were recognized during DSCC’s Donor Recognition Dinner on June 3, 2021. The Nursing Simulation Lab was named in honor of the Donner Family and the Nursing Lecture Room was named in honor of Hugh M. “Jack” Todd. Both newly named facilities are in the Glover Building.

On June 3, Regent Nisha Powers presented the 2020 TBR Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Senator Paul Rose who accepted on behalf of the Rose Companies.

Regent Powers presented the 2021 TBR Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Martha Brasfield and her daughter, Sara Brasfield Carter. Martha and Sara accepted the Award on behalf of the Duke Brasfield Family.

Regent Powers presented the 2021 TBR Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to John Ford who accepted the Award on behalf of the Ford Family.

2021-2022

Chuck Thomas, III, Director of External Affairs for AT&T, presented a $10,000 contribution to DSCC on August 7, 2021. The grant will provide last-dollar scholarships for minority and underserved students.

DSCC’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Luttrell was named the 2021 Region VII Coach of the Year by the TCCAA. Coach Luttrell has been at the helm of the Lady Eagles Soccer Team since 2018 when the College formed its first-ever soccer team which is based at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center (JNC) at Tipton County. With financial support from Patriot Bank, DSCC will open its new Patriot Bank Soccer Field at the JNC in 2023.

On August 28, 2021, the Student Government Association of DSCC and the Alpha Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society hosted their first annual Eagle Run. The winner of the Eagle Run 5K was Baker McCool, EMS Program Director for DSCC.

DSCC celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on November 5, 2021. A history of the development of the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County is presented at the end of the highlights of 2021 – 22. The Tennessee Board of Regents, Dyersburg State’s governing body, approved a master plan for a DSCC center at Tipton County in September 1991. A leased facility was opened in Covington in August 1992, and day and evening classes were offered at this new location. This facility was made possible by gifts from the City of Covington, Tipton County Government, First State Bank, Union Savings Bank, Tipton County Bank, and Cole Lumber Co. During this time, evening classes continued to be offered at Covington High School. Land Use and Facility Plans were proposed in 1993 for the 64-acre site which was purchased by the Tipton County Education Task Force for DSCC’s use. Plans for a 30,000-square-foot facility in Tipton County were completed during 1994. An appropriation of $2.1 million was made by the General Assembly in 1995 for the center’s first building phase. This facility contained 18,800 square feet. A ground-breaking ceremony for Phase I was held on November 17, 1994, and the new Tipton County Center opened on Febru¬ary 26, 1996. Construction on Phase II began in February 1997 and was opened in January 1998. Phase II contained 13,000 square feet. The total budget for Phases I and II was $5.1 million. On June 19, 1998, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the naming of the first building at the Tipton County Center in honor of the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives and Covington native Jimmy Naifeh. The building was dedi¬cated in Mr. Naifeh’s honor on Oct. 26, 1998. On September 14, 2000, the State Building Commission approved a master plan for the Tipton County Center of Dyersburg State Community College. The plan called for the construction of 157,000 square feet over the next 20 years. The Industrial Board of the City of Covington donated 38 acres of property adjacent to the existing 64-acre site for the DSCC Tipton County Center in the spring of 2001. The Union Planters Bank Community Classroom at the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 18, 2003, in appreciation of the foresight shown by the bank in making an initial investment that enabled a higher education center to be built in Tipton County. The City of Covington Lobby of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 22, 2003, in appreciation of the generous sup¬port shown by the City of Covington and its Industrial Development Board. The BancorpSouth Computer Laboratory of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on August 21, 2003, for the role Bancorp¬South played as a charter investor in a higher education center for Tipton County and for its continuing support of the scholar-ship program throughout the years. The Tipton County Center of Dyersburg State Community College was named in honor of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh on October 1, 2004. The Center is now known as the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. The Tennessee Legislature and Governor Bredesen approved funds in the spring of 2004 for the planning of an Academic Building. In the spring of 2005, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee and Governor Bredesen approved a budget that included funds for construction of the building. The total state funding for planning and constructing the 31,000-square foot building was $5.2 million. Omega General Contractors of Memphis submitted the low bid and was chosen as the principal contractor. Ground-breaking for the new facility was held on Nov. 4, 2005. After construction was completed, DSCC assumed ownership of the Academic Building on November 29, 2006. The Grand Opening of the Academic Building was held on January 5, 2007, and the Peter and Gracey McNeely Fyfe Learning Resource Center was dedicated at this time. During the celebration, the City of Covington and the government of Tipton Coun¬ty were also recognized for their on-going philanthropic support, and officials from each governing body were presented the Chancellor’s Award. On February 18, 2007, the new grand piano was dedicated to the memory of the Rev. and Mrs. Paul Earle Sloan. The building’s conference room was named in honor of Houston and Debbie Gordon. In February of 2008, the State Building Commission approved planning money for a new LRC/student center. Twenty-five nursing students were in the first class to complete the regular Nursing Program at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center in Tipton County in December 2008. Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held a grand opening celebration for its new Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.
The building offers students and users of the public library access to over 500 computers in open labs and the Computer Information Technology classrooms and labs. Other features include the Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology (AIIT) Lab, a Learning Emporium with 78 computer workstations, Interactive Television classrooms, the Peter Fyfe Genealogy Room, a children’s library with the Rose Companies Children’s Multi-Purpose Lab, Duke’s Cafe off of the lobby, an Outdoor Perfor¬mance area and a Lab for Recreation, Health and Physical Fitness. As you enter the front door near the fountain you will find the Office of Jimmy Naifeh, Speaker Emeritus, Tennessee House of Representatives.

DSCC celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Gibson County Center on November 3, 2021. Alumni, community leaders, current and former faculty and staff and students attended the celebration.

On November 11, 2021, the College and the DSCC Foundation hosted a retirement reception and dinner for President Karen Bowyer at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg. The celebration was attended by approximately 150 family members, friends, community leaders, faculty, staff and DSCC retirees. Tributes were made to Dr. Bowyer for her 37 years of service to DSCC, the state of Tennessee and the nation by Governor Bill Lee; U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander; Dr. Belle Wheelan, CEO of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; David Baime, Vice President of the American Association of Community Colleges; Larry White, past president of the Board of Directors of the DSCC Foundation; State Senators Paul Rose and Ed Jackson and Representative Rusty Grills; Vice Chair of the Board of Regents Emily Reynolds; Dr. Flora Tydings, Chancellor of the TBR – College System of Tennessee and Seela Newbill, representative of Phi Mu Fraternity.

On November 15, 2021, Chancellor Flora Tydings announced that she would recommend Dr. Scott Cook, Provost at Madisonville Community College in Kentucky, the 4th President of DSCC beginning on January 4, 2022. In a special called meeting of the Board on November 16, 2021, the Board of Regents unanimously approved Dr. Cook’s appointment.

On December 10, 2021, the College hosted a retirement reception for Dr. Karen Bowyer. Faculty, staff, community supporters and local and state political leaders attended.

The Board of Regents, Chancellor Tydings and DSCC President Scott Cook approved a President Emeritus Contract for Dr. Karen Bowyer, effective March 2, 2022. The contract listed the assigned duties and responsibilities for Dr. Bowyer. The duties include activities to assist with the transition of Dr. Cook as the 4th President of DSCC. Two major tasks are assisting Dr. Cook and his staff with a Planned Giving Campaign and with the development of a more complete history of the College.

In March 2022, Dyersburg State hosted the TCCAA Basketball Tournament. Men’s forward Greg Gordon was named NJCAA Division I Third-team All-American, All-TCCAA Freshman of the Year, and All-TCCAA Player of the Year. Mr. Gordon finished the season ranked #5 in the country for points (685), #1 in the country for field goals (307), and #2 in the country for rebounds (12.2/game).

At its PTK’s Catalyst 2022 in Denver, Colorado, April 7-9, Dr. Karen Bowyer received the Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award.

On April 22, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) presented Dyersburg State a check for $327,262 to start the Eagle Access Program, which offers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities traditional college experiences, employment training and skills development, and socialization skills. Dyersburg State was the first two-year college in the State of TN to begin such a program.

2022-2023

One of the major accomplishments of Dr. Cook in his first year as the President of DSCC was to work with Jackson State Community College to develop a more equal division of the 19 rural counties in West Tennessee between the two community colleges. The Board of Regents approved the revised service areas for DSCC and JSCC at the September 2022 Quarterly Board Meeting. Dyersburg State’s new areas became effective on July 1, 2023, and includes Crockett, Dyer, Haywood, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Tipton, and Weakley Counties. The Henry County Center began operations on July 1 , 2023, at the Central School Building in Paris.

Also, on July 1, Dyersburg State initiated its police appointment, and Michael Peeler began his duties as inaugural Chief of Police.

On September 9, 2022, the college celebrated President Emeritus Karen Bowyer by naming the Dr. Karen A. Bowyer Mathematics Building in her honor.

The Women’s Soccer team accepted the TCCAA Region VII Runner-up trophy on October 27.

Police Chief Michael Peeler received the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Service in a ceremony at the Jimmy Naifeh Center on November 11, 2022.

On Friday, December 2, Dyersburg State held its first annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Eller Administration Building in Dyersburg.

In January 2023, DSCC’s Women’s Soccer Keeper, Carissa Carvella, was named NJCAA Division I Saves Champion after leading the 2022 NJCAA Division I in saves. On January 11, Men’s Basketball forward Greg Gordon scored his 1,000th career point at Dyersburg State.

At the 2023 TCCAA Basketball Tournament in Harriman, TN, Men’s Basketball finished the season as Region VII Runners-up. Wynton Brown and Greg Gordon were named to the All-TCCAA First Team, and Greg Gordon was TCCAA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Lady Eagle Ava Craddock was named TCCAA First Team.

On April 21, 2023, the college recognized its second president by renaming the Campus Activities Building as the Dr. Carl Christian Andersen Hall in his honor.

At the Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention, April 20-22, President Cook received the Paragon President Award.

At the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce Annual Chairman’s Awards Dinner, Dyersburg State won Large Business of the Year Award on April 22.

At the request of Chancellor Flora Tydings, the Dyersburg State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program opened operations in Brownsville in support of Ford’s Blue Oval City in April. The EMS Program leased space at a fire station adjacent to the Blue Oval campus and began offering workforce training for Basic and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification.

Mrs. Helen Curry Eller, former “first lady” of DSCC, passed away on May 4, 2023, at the age of 106. On June 27, 1939, she married the late Dr. Edward B. Eller who served as the first president of DSCC. He preceded her in death on August 18, 2007.

DSCC held its 53rd Commencement Ceremony to recognize a record number of 542 candidates for degrees and certificates, with 319 graduating with honors. Dr. Mary Lou Apple, member of the Tennessee Board of Regents and former president of Motlow State Community College, was the guest speaker.

DSCC recognized 24 incarcerated students in Henning, Tennessee on May 18. Twelve men from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary and twelve women from the Women’s Therapeutic Rehabilitation Center graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from DSCC. These students earned this degree through the Governor’s Correctional Education Initiative (CEI), which paid for the students’ tuition, fees and materials for all their courses. Male students are also enrolled in DSCC courses at the Northwest Correctional Facility in Tiptonville.

2023-2024

Beginning in July 2023, the Ed Lannon, Jr. Gymnasium underwent a renovation, starting with a new gym floor. Through the generous support of Coca-Cola of Jackson, Forcum Lannom, Kirk Nissan, and Security Bank, a wood floor was installed with new paint throughout the building.

President Cook appointed Dr. Amy Johnson as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success effective July 1, 2023. Dr. Johnson graduated from DSCC in 2002 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, served as adjunct instructor of nursing during the 2007-2008 academic year, assistant professor of nursing from 2012 until 2014, dean of nursing and associate professor of nursing from 2013 until 2022 and interim vice president of academic affairs and student success during the 2022-2023 academic year.

In August 2023, Dyersburg State opened a new Surgical Technology program at the Jimmy Naifeh Center, under the direction of Jeff Bidwell. The program began with newly renovated spaces for state-of-the-art laboratory experiences and started with 12 students.

In fall 2023, Dyersburg State led Tennessee Community Colleges in headcount growth (16%) and full-time equivalency (FTE) growth (9%), with a 14th-Day enrollment of 3,145. There was growth throughout the service area but the new enrollment in Henry County and the new program at the JNC helped DSCC achieve this major accomplishment.

The Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the DSCC’s Henry County Center on September 25. The standing-room-only event was attended by college employees, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway, Paris Mayor Kathy Ray, and Chamber and community leaders.

On October 13, 2023, Dyersburg State dedicated the new Patriot Bank Soccer Field at the Jimmy Naifeh Center. Charles Ennis, DSCC alumnus from the Charter Class of 1971 and Chair of the Board of Patriot Bank, and the Patriot Bank Board made a leadership gift of $100,000 in 2021 to support the construction of the new soccer field.

On November 7, at the Annual Dinner meeting of the DSCC Foundation Board of Directors, Mr. Cris Perkins, representing Chancellor Flora Tydings and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), presented the TBR Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to the Sells and Quertermous Families (McDonald’s Corporation, under Sisbro Management). Only 4 TBR Regents’ Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy are given statewide each year.  In 2003, TBR created two awards: the Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, to honor the dedicated philanthropists who graciously donate their time and finances to TBR institutions. Since 2003 the following DSCC supporters have received the TBR Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy: Mary and Bill Adcock, the Ford Family, Baptist Memorial Health Care of Memphis, Richard Donner Family, Dyersburg First Citizens National Bank and Board of Directors, Wayne Karlgaard, the Lannom Family, West Tennessee Healthcare, Security Bancorp of Tennessee and Security Bank.  Mr. Perkins presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Barry and Julie Frazier of Frazier Roofing and Sheet Metal Co, Inc.

On November 8, Dr. Wayne Corlis received the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Service.

In spring 2024, Dyersburg State led Tennessee Community Colleges in headcount growth (13.6%) and FTE growth (9.2%), with a 14th-Day enrollment of 3,001.

The 1st Annual Henry County Center Golf Tournament took place at the Paris Landing State Park Golf Club on April 12, 2024.