The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has named former Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable as a recipient of the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, recognizing his longtime support of workforce development and student success in Northeast Tennessee.
The award was presented at Northeast State Community College’s 60th Anniversary Gala at The Heritage in Jonesborough.
The Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy honors individuals whose leadership and commitment to higher education have made a lasting impact on students, institutions, and their communities.
“Richard Venable has been a strong supporter of Northeast State and workforce development for more than two decades,” said Northeast State President Jeff McCord. “He understands the connection between education and economic growth, and his support has helped create opportunities for students across our region.”
Through his service as former Sullivan County mayor and president and CEO of NETWORKS, Venable has championed initiatives that help students gain the skills needed for today’s workforce while strengthening the region’s economy.
When Northeast Tennessee faced economic challenges in the early 2000s, community leaders worked together to expand access to education and training. Venable supported those efforts, recognizing that a stronger workforce would be essential to the region’s future.
One of the most significant outcomes was the Sullivan County Educate and Grow Scholarship Program, launched in 2001. The program provided more than $1.8 million in tuition assistance to Sullivan County students before concluding in 2016 with the introduction of Tennessee Promise. For many students, it provided their first opportunity to attend college.
That commitment continued with the Sullivan County Career Readiness Scholarship Program, which began in 2016. The program has provided nearly $1 million to help high school students enroll in college-level technical courses and begin developing workforce skills before graduation.
Those initiatives also inspired similar programs in Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties, generating more than $350,000 in additional scholarship support for local students.
“Richard has always focused on bringing people together around a common goal,” McCord said. “His commitment to students, education, and workforce development reflects the spirit of this award.”
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