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President of UT Medical Center headlines Pellissippi Strong Luncheon

Dr. Keith Gray headshot
Dr. Keith Gray, president of the University of Tennessee Medical Center, will give the keynote address at the Pellissippi Strong Luncheon.

Pellissippi State Community College will celebrate outstanding alumni while supporting current students at the college’s Pellissippi Strong Luncheon this April.  

The event, presented by FirstBank and hosted by Tearsa Smith of WATE-TV, will be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Hilton Knoxville Airport, 2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa. Individual tickets for the program and lunch are $50, and proceeds benefit the college’s Greatest Need Fund.  

You can purchase tickets or select levels of sponsorship here.  

“We are delighted to help honor Pellissippi State’s distinguished alumni,” said Steve Pettit, Knoxville president of FirstBank. “It shows the amazing work they are accomplishing in the community and the real value of education they received from Pellissippi State. The investment you make in education will pay dividends your entire life.” 

Aneisa Rolen, executive director of the Pellissippi State Foundation, said the event will encourage the community to support the college’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable education. “Our student and alumni success stories shared at the luncheon leave me more motivated than ever to help the next student through a financial crisis or to seek resources to enhance teaching and learning. Our generous donors and sponsors make it all possible,” she said. 

Dr. Keith Gray, president of the University of Tennessee Medical Center, will give the keynote address this year as part of UT Medical Center’s role as Keynote Speaker Sponsor. Voted Physician Leader of the Year in 2014 by the Haslam College of Business, where he completed his Master of Business Administration degree while serving as class president, Gray is interested in health equity and eliminating health disparities in East Tennessee. He has been recognized as one of the “Top Docs” by Knoxville’s Cityview magazine and has received awards for his outstanding patient care, compassion and leadership. Gray also serves as chair of the Emerald Youth Foundation and as a trustee on the United Way of Greater Knoxville board.  

“Dr. Gray’s journey to becoming a surgeon is energizing, and the impact he continues to make in our community is immense,” said Britney Sink, director of Alumni and Donor Engagement for the Pellissippi State Foundation. “We hope attendees will connect with his resilience and leave the event feeling inspired.” 

Pellissippi State also will present the college’s annual alumni awards at the Pellissippi Strong Luncheon. The Distinguished Alumni Award, announced by FirstBank, highlights an outstanding graduate in recognition of significant professional achievement and service to the community, while the Peggy Wilson Volunteer Alumni Award, sponsored by Clayton, highlights an outstanding graduate in recognition of extraordinary service to the Pellissippi State community.   

For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.pstcc.edu/foundation/luncheon. 

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