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Held on October 3 at The Signal in downtown Chattanooga, Southern Adventist University’s annual A Taste of Southern gala invited guests to experience a taste of what Southern has to offer. Nearly 300 local professionals attended the gala, raising approximately $222,000 with proceeds adding to Southern’s endowed scholarship for first-generation college students.

“We want to make a difference for students, and one way we do that is through hosting A Taste of Southern for our community,” says Ken Shaw, EdD, president of Southern Adventist University. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for businesses and organizations in Chattanooga to learn more about our university, to connect with our top-notch students as they prepare to enter the workforce, and to show support financially by donating to our first-generation college student scholarship.”

Barbara McKinney, MD, MPH, says, “As an alumnus and board member of Southern Adventist University, I am thrilled to provide scholarships for first-generation students!”

Jennifer Estrada, senior social work major, is one recipient of the 2024 First-Generation Student Endowed Scholarship. “Some of the challenges that I have faced as a first-generation student are feeling very burnt out and overwhelmed with financial stressors. It honestly takes a mental toll having to feel like you’re kind of alone in it,” she shares. Upon learning she was receiving a scholarship from funds raised at A Taste of Southern, she responded, “It just feels like a weight lifted off when you’re being told that people want to help you. I know God is going to bless them in so many other ways.”

Geoff Sewell, MD, was a first-generation college graduate in his family. Now, as a board member of Southern, he loves that students have this scholarship opportunity. “This is another way that Southern is thoughtful about its students and finding ways to support and encourage them in their educational journeys,” he says.

The gala’s entertainment included music from multiple GMA Dove award winners Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, along with smooth sounds from Southern’s Jazz Ensemble, a cooking demonstration from Southern’s Vegetarian Culinary Arts program, and a silent auction. Guests also had the opportunity to meet handpicked intern candidates from Southern’s student body.

Sewell shares that he enjoyed interacting with students at the event. “It was great to see their reactions to the accolades and accomplishments presented by President Shaw,” he says. “The great work done by Southern’s students and faculty was an obvious point of pride for them.”

Part of the Chattanooga region for more than 130 years, Southern provides a quality, Christian education to more than 3,200 students currently earning degrees ranging from associate to doctoral. It has been identified in “Best Colleges” rankings for 23 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report and is listed as one of the most diverse regional universities in the South.

Sponsors for this year’s event included San Sebastián Development, Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Irvin and Evea Bainum Foundation, Morning Pointe Senior Living, SouthEast Bank, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Grant and Pam Tuttle, and other community partners.

Visit southern.edu/tastephotos to view photos of the event.

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