History and Mission

Located in gently rolling hills overlooking the Mississippi Delta, Dyersburg is the hub of commerce, industry and agriculture in Northwest Tennessee. Because of its strategic access to rail, river and highway transportation, Dyersburg has become a thriving commercial center that retains the warmth, character and tradition of its rural past. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, the more than 100-acre campus of Dyersburg State Community College is only minutes from a bustling business district and just a pleasant drive from the serenity of beautiful Reelfoot Lake or the excitement and rich musical heritage of Memphis.

History

The Early Years

In 1957, the Pierce-Albright Report, a study ordered by the State Legislature, was made to the Tennessee Legislative Council. It recognized the increasing need for easy availability of education throughout an individual’s lifetime. The 1963 General Assembly appropriated funds to be used over a two-year period to initiate recommendations of the report. Plans were developed for a network of community colleges in the state that would place an institution of higher education within 50 miles of each person living in Tennessee. On June 13, 1967, the State Board of Education selected Dyersburg for the location of the second community college in West Tennessee. A portion of Okeena Park was chosen as the site, and groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted on May 29, 1968.

Dr. E. B. Eller, educator and former assistant commissioner of instruction in the State Department of Education, was selected as the first president. He filled this position from December 18, 1968, until June 30, 1981, at which time he was awarded president emeritus status upon his retirement.

In February 1969, temporary offices were opened in a small frame building in the east portion of the campus. A classroom building was completed by the fall of 1969, and the other buildings were ready by the end of the year. The first class graduated in June 1971.

The 1980s

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.

The 1990s

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.

The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 2010s

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 20^th 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 25^th 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.

2019 -2020

DSCC honored its first Dyersburg Campus Paramedic to RN 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.

Fun Facts about DSCC in 1969

• Dr. Edward B. Eller was the first president.

• The mascot for the first DSCC basketball team was the Saints.

• 588 students enrolled at DSCC and began classes on September 30, 1969.

• DSCC had 6 buildings in 1969 built on 115 acres. Land was donated by the City of Dyersburg, initial funds were donated by the Dyer County Government.

• The College was designed by the architectural firm of Thomas, Ross and Stanfill. Forcum-Lannom Construction Company built the College. 

• The Dyersburg Municipal Golf Course occupied the 115 acres before the College was built. The Golf Course was part of Okeena Park. 

• There were 30 faculty and staff employed in 1969.

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. 

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. 

2020-21

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 - Present

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.

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.

Dr. Karen Bowyer retired at the end of 2021, following 37.5 years of service to DSCC and 50 years of service to the Tennessee Board of Regents.

On November 16, 2021, the Tennessee Board of Regents appointed Dr. Scott Cook the 4^th President of Dyersburg State, following a national search, and he assumed the role in January 2022.  At its September 2022 meeting, the Board approved a service area change for DSCC, effective July 1, 2023.  DSCC assumed Crockett, Haywood, Henry, and Weakley Counties; transitioned the Gibson County Center to Jackson State Community College; and opened the Henry County Center in Paris. 

On September 9, 2022, DSCC dedicated its Mathematics Building the Dr. Karen A. Bowyer Mathematics Building in honor of its 3^rd President and President Emeritus, and on April 21, 2023, the College dedicated its Campus Activities Building the Dr. Carl Christian Andersen Hall in honor of its 2^nd President.

In fall 2023, Dyersburg State led Tennessee community colleges in headcount growth (16%) and FTE growth (9%).

Statement of Vision

As the area’s premier institution of higher learning, Dyersburg State Community College will transform the lives of our students and the communities we serve by providing innovative and creative opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve.

Statement of Mission

Accreditations

Dyersburg State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the associate level. Dyersburg State Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Dyersburg State Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA  30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

In addition to regional accreditation through SACSCOC, DSCC has several academic programs that are accredited by nationally-recognized accrediting agencies. The agencies are as follows:

The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Health Information Management is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800 (www.cahiim.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at Dyersburg State is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 (http://acenursing.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in the Business Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213 (www.acbsp.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1313 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202-232-8777, 800-424-2460 (www.naeyc.org).

The Dyersburg State Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP, www.coaemsp.org). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org. The Associate of Applied Science degree in the Emergency Medical Services major with a concentration in Paramedic is approved by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088 (www.coaemsp.org) and collaborates with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 (www.caahep.org).

Two courses of study, Emergency Medical Technician and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, are approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment; successful completion of these courses of study and a passing score on the state examination lead to state certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Services major with a concentration in Advanced EMT and/or Paramedic is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law may submit a Letter of Complaint to Dyersburg State Community College, Office of the President, 1510 Lake Road, Dyersburg, TN 38024. All complaint records are kept on file and maintained in the President’s office. Complaints are reviewed immediately by the President and the appointed complaint committee. An appropriate response and action will take place within 30 days from the receipt of the complaint.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 or may go online and fill out the form electronically at http://www.tbr.edu/GenericForm.aspx?ekfrm=7529. Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Complaints regarding accreditation may also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4500 (www.sacscoc.org).

Memberships

Dyersburg State Community College holds membership in the following national, regional and state organizations:

American Association of Community Colleges

National Junior College Athletic Association

National Collegiate Honors Council

National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development

Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education

Tennessee Association on Higher Education and Disability

Tennessee Community College Athletic Association

Tennessee College Public Relations Association

Tennessee College Association