Retired Northeast State employee Fred Lewis was one of 34 military veterans honored on Veterans Day with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) inaugural Chancellor’s Commendation award.
The Tennessee Board of Regents and Chancellor Flora W. Tydings established the new commendation as a system-level award to honor the service, bravery, and sacrifices of military veterans at community and technical colleges. It supplements the Veterans Day ceremonies, observances, and recognitions that the colleges traditionally conduct.
Lewis, the College’s former Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief Information Officer, served in active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1976 to 1980. He was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va., serving as an intelligence Operations Specialist in the 9th Tactical Intelligence Squadron and the 460th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron. Lewis attained the rank of Staff Sergeant during his Air Force service.
After graduate school at East Tennessee State University, Lewis served as an Intelligence Officer in the Naval Reserve. His duty stations were in Knoxville, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. He worked at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Naval Technical Intelligence Command in Washington, D.C., along with the Atlantic Intelligence Command in Norfolk, Va. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander during his Navy years.
“While undeserving of the award compared to the service of so many other dedicated veterans, I am honored and humbled to be named as a recipient,” Lewis said. “It was an honor serving our country and wearing the uniform of its military service. Many sincere thanks to the college for nominating me for this recognition.”
Lewis worked at Northeast State Community College from 2001 to 2019.
Recipients of the new Chancellor’s Commendation were nominated by the college presidents and include students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
As part of their Veterans Day observances, the college presidents will present recipients of the commendation a special Challenge Coin on behalf of the chancellor. Challenge coins are a rich tradition in all military branches and signify notable achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect and esprit de corps.
“Our college communities are strengthened by the presence, the experience and the perspective of veterans and active-duty military personnel – as students and faculty and staff,” said Dr. Tydings. “They – and the many different skills and leadership abilities they acquired during their service – are an important part of the great diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses, which are all the richer as a result of their presence.”
During the 2019-2020 academic year, 3,436 students in the College System of Tennessee self-reported as veterans and active-duty military personnel on their admission materials. Since such reporting is not required, there are likely more student veterans–and they are in addition to the many veterans in the faculty, staff and alumni ranks.
Nine of the 13 Tennessee community colleges have earned the VETS Campus Designation, as established in 2014 by the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act. To earn VETS Campus certification, an institution must prioritize outreach to veterans and successfully deliver services necessary to create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education.
“These 34 men and women represent the spirit and values of our colleges, their communities, and the highest ideals of military service,” Tydings said.
Congratulations to a deserving Airman, and later, Naval Officer. It was a true pleasure to be able to serve alongside Fred.
Thanks, Darrell. It was a pleasure to serve with you as well. Brothers.
Congratulations. Very well deserved. Fred Lewis is a wonderful example of a true patriot. It’s an honor to call him my friend.