On September 30th, Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and Tipton County Public Library (TCPL) commemorated a decade of collaborative success at the Jimmy Naifeh Center (JNC) Learning Resource Center. This celebration marked ten years of shared commitment to enriching the educational experience for DSCC students and the Tipton County community.
Dyersburg State Community College President Dr. Scott Cook opened the ceremony with a warm welcome. Reflecting on the past decade’s journey, Dr. Karen Bowyer, President Emeritus of DSCC, and Mr. Jeff Huffman, Tipton County Executive, shared their insights and experiences, highlighting this partnership’s pivotal moments and achievements.
A particular segment titled ‘Display of Appreciation’ was led by Stacey Peeler, the Library Director of TCPL, and Amber Samoussev, Librarian of the Jimmy Naifeh Center. This underscored the mutual respect and gratitude between the institutions, celebrating the people who strive to foster a learning culture for students and community members. Those recognized included:
Dr. Scott Cook (President of DSCC)
Dr. Karen Bowyer (President Emeritus of DSCC)
Mr. Jeff Huffman (County Executive of Tipton County)
Mr. Jimmy Naifeh (former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives)
Dean Susan Charley (Dean of the DSCC LRC)
Susan Cheairs (previous TCPL library director)
Genny Carter (Library Director for the Hatchie River Regional Library)
Dr. Christie Hudnall (Dean of the JNC )
The gala entertained its guests with performances by the Munford High School Choir and the DSCC Choir, conducted by Kenneth Calhoun and Brianna Reilly, respectively. These performances added a harmonious backdrop to the celebration, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and community.
Dr. Christie Hudnall, Dean of the JNC, delivered the closing remarks, thanking each audience member for attending and Dyersburg State and Tipton County’s dedication to providing quality education to students and community members. Her words reinforced the commitment towards continued excellence and partnership.
The ceremony concluded with a library tour led by Stacey Peeler and Amber Samoussev. This gave guests a glimpse into the resources and services at the forefront of this successful partnership.
Reflecting on his experience attending the gala, DSCC President Dr. Scott Cook said, “This event celebrated the ten-year anniversary of an extraordinary collaboration between Dyersburg State Community College and the Tipton County Public Library. What began as a shared vision between our college, the government of Tipton County, and our community has flourished into a partnership that touches and enriches the lives of the citizens of Tipton County. This milestone is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and perseverance of state and county officials, the Tipton County Library Board and staff, and Dyersburg State employees. Together, we have empowered lifelong learners, prompted information literacy, and supported student success. This partnership has demonstrated that we can achieve remarkable outcomes when community members come together.”
This ten-year milestone celebrates past achievements and sets the stage for future endeavors. The ongoing collaboration between Dyersburg State Community College and Tipton County Public Library is a source of educational and community service.