skip to main content
Search

Stay current with updates on our cyber incident page.

Southwest’s Foundation shows gratitude to community donors at inaugural appreciation luncheon

By Chris Caldwell 
 

(L-R) Nalo Frazier, Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall and Connor Taylor at the Foundation’s inaugural Donor Appreciation Luncheon May 17, 2022.
(L-R) Nalo Frazier, Southwest President Dr. Tracy D.
Hall and Connor Taylor at the Foundation’s inaugural
Donor Appreciation Luncheon May 17, 2022.

Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation hosted its first annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon May 17, 2022 as a tribute to the individuals and community partners who generously support the students and mission of the College. The occasion also kicked-off the formation of Southwest’s new Friends of Southwest donor group. 
 
“Each of you here today are instrumental to the progress of our students,” Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall said. “Our students are the beneficiaries of your support. For many of our students facing financial challenges, your contributions are often a critical lifeline of support. Thanks to your generosity, our students have persevered through the pandemic. Because of you, we were able to confer approximately 1,090 credentials at this year’s Commencement.” 
 
Dr. Hall also thanked several community partners in attendance for their ongoing commitment to the Foundation: Siemens, Staples, AT&T, Baptist Hospital, Building Block Mentoring Program and Legacy Wealth Management. 
 
The choice between taking care of her family or going to college was at the forefront of Nalo Frazier’s mind, before she learned she could attend Southwest tuition-free and apply for scholarships to help ease her financial burdens. 
 
“I am grateful to my Southwest family for their kind and attentive support in helping me secure the Foundation Book Scholarship,” Frazier said. “This scholarship was the added relief I needed to keep me moving forward. To the Southwest Foundation, I thank you from my heart. To everyone at Southwest, because you believed in me, I will obtain an associate degree in administrative professional technology this spring. Thank you for making Southwest my best choice.” 
 
Connor Taylor, this year’s student Commencement speaker, spoke on behalf of all students. “It is an immense honor and pleasure to be at such a cherished event,” he said. “I cannot fully express my gratitude that I and everyone at Southwest would like to extend to you all today. Your contributions have continued to make it possible for students such as myself and so many others from different walks of life to pursue our academic dream.” Taylor said his dream of becoming a medical doctor is coming true. He will be graduating in spring 2022 with an A.S. in psychology and will transfer to the UofM to obtain a Doctor of Medicine. 
 
The new Friends of Southwest group was announced by Vice President of External Affairs Cynthia Graham. “Today I’m excited to launch our new Friends of Southwest for donors who give an annual gift of $500 or more in support of our students and the College,” Graham said. “At this level of contribution, members will be invited to social events twice a year where there will be food, music and fun,” she said. “We also will have guest speakers but most importantly, Dr. Hall will give a state-of-the-college address on how our donor funds are advancing the college and student success.”
 
For information on how to join Friends of Southwest, contact Cynthia Graham at 901-333-4283 or email cgraham12@southwest.tn.edu.