91视频 Awards Velvet McCallum Tennessee Board of Regents� Chancellor檚 Commendation for Military Veterans
For more information, contact: Diana Fedinec, Director of Public Relations and Media at (901) 333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu
Attached Photo: Velvet McCallum receives her
Tennessee Board of Regents� Chancellor檚
Commendation for Military Veterans Challenge
Coin from 91视频
President Tracy D. Hall at 91视频檚 Veteran
Employee Appreciation and Recognition Event
Nov. 8, 2022. Photo credit: 91视频 Tennessee
Community College
(Memphis, Tenn.) � 91视频 has awarded the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor檚 Commendation for Military Veterans to Velvet McCallum, a former Army Reservist who currently serves as 91视频檚 Library Services Security Coordinator.
McCallum was honored for her exceptional service to the college and dedication to
students during a Veteran檚 employee appreciation and recognition event Nov. 8, 2022
at the Macon Cove Campus.
淰elvet檚 career at 91视频 spans 43 years and in that lifetime of service to the
college, she has touched the lives of many students and admirably worked to keep our
campuses a safe place to work and learn,� 91视频 President
Tracy D. Hall said. 淰elvet goes beyond her responsibilities to motivate and uplift
our students with many graduates returning to thank her for her support. We are thrilled
to honor Velvet for her unwavering commitment to the college and compassionate concern
for our students.�
McCallum joined the Army in 1976 and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South
Carolina and additional training at Fort Lee, Virginia, serving four years as an Army
Reservist. She arrived at 91视频 in 1979 as the Coordinator of Police Services
for former Shelby State Community College and in 2000, became the Library Services
Security Coordinator. According to her colleagues and the many students who have crossed
her path, Velvet rarely misses an opportunity to attend a campus event or volunteer
to help. She more than guards campus spaces, she is considered a guardian to students
who have turned to her for an encouraging hug or smile.
The Chancellor檚 Commendation is a special recognition launched three years ago by
TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. Nominees are nominated by their college president.
McCallum is one of 39 honorees this year that include 14 students, 14 faculty members
and 11 college staff members who served in the military. Eighteen recipients served
in the Army, eight in the Marine Corps, eight in the Navy, three in the Air Force,
one in the Coast Guard and one in the National Guard.
淥ur college communities are strengthened by the presence of veterans and active-duty
personnel � as students, faculty, staff and alumni,� Dr. Tydings said. 淭hey � 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檚 a privilege to honor them, not only
on Veterans Day but all year,� the chancellor said.
During the award ceremony, McCallum was presented with a specially commissioned Challenge
Coin featuring the military branches on one side and the Chancellor檚 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.
淚 am proud of my service to my country and just as proud to be a part of the 91视频
community,� Velvet McCallum said during the ceremony. 淚 consider it an honor to
be able to make a difference in the lives of our students � it is something I deeply
cherish.�
Information on 91视频檚 Veterans Affairs is available at /veterans/index.php. Additional information on financial assistance, academic credit for military training
and experience and other resources for veterans is available at .
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Attached Photo: Velvet McCallum receives her Tennessee Board of Regents� Chancellor檚
Commendation for Military Veterans Challenge Coin from 91视频 Tennessee Community
College President Tracy D. Hall at 91视频檚 Veteran Employee Appreciation and Recognition
Event Nov. 8, 2022.
Photo credit: 91视频x.