Chattanooga State’s Dwight Hunter is the 2019-2020 recipient of the “Making a Difference Award” by the Tennessee Library Association (TLA). Hunter, an assistant librarian in the Kolwyck Library and Information Commons (KLIC), holds a Master of Science in Information Systems degree (MSIS) from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is KLIC’s policy writer, a lead in accessibility, heads the library’s Social Media team, and also sits on the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Library Accessibility Task Force.

“Dwight is a wonderful librarian and we appreciate his work here at KLIC as well as out in the community,” says Susan Jennings, dean of Library Services at Chattanooga State.

As a passionate volunteer for the Tennessee Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Dwight made literacy and information for children and adult learners his primary focus. “He created a 300 Hours of Literacy program for more than 35,000 members in PTA units across Tennessee. The program encouraged members to hold meetings about the importance of reading and information literacy, hold family reading nights, and to have book clubs,” states Lori Warren, KLIC librarian who nominated Hunter.

Mr. Hunter is president-elect of Tennessee PTA and will begin his two-year presidency in July 2021. “His work with PTA has informed his work as a librarian and his work as a librarian has informed his work as a leader in PTA. It’s a winning combination! We at KLIC are proud of his accomplishments,” adds Jennings.

At Chattanooga state, Hunter serves on the Campus Policy Review Board and the Paralegal Advisory Council, and he will wrap up his term as president of the 2019-2020 Professional Staff Association in June.

Statewide, as a TLA member, Dwight serves as co-chair of the Bylaws and Procedures Committee, chair of the Membership Committee, and the is lead for the New Members Roundtable.

A lifelong volunteer, Dwight was awarded the Corporation for National and Community Service President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2006. Established in 2003, this award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities and inspires those around them to take action too.

“I did not think about volunteering as a passion until my children were in school, but when volunteering took off as a passion, I’ve been involved in decision-making, learning information, and most of all, helping make a difference. What I like most about volunteering – it’s not for the glory nor the pat on the back – it’s about serving others, helping others,” asserts Hunter.