CHATTANOOGA – WGU Tennessee – a nonprofit, online university that is part of the Drive to 55 effort – surprised an employee of a local nonprofit with a $10,000 scholarship Tuesday afternoon.
Director of Marketing, Development and Volunteer Services at Signal Centers, Inc., Christopher Berryman learned that he had won WGU Tennessee’s Tenn-K Scholarship during a special ceremony held at his office. Berryman was surprised with a commemorative check from WGU Tennessee Chancellor Kimberly K. Estep, Ph.D.
“It’s always special to award a hardworking professional with our annual Tenn-K Scholarship,” Estep said. “Christopher is a dedicated nonprofit leader, and I’m honored to help him progress toward his goals.”
Berryman is pursuing his master’s degree in business administration. He hopes to use his degree to further his career and continue to serve his community.
“I had been contemplating returning to school for several years but found it difficult to fit with my work schedule,” Berryman said. “Finding WGU Tennessee with the help of my co workers has helped me realize my dream of getting my master’s. Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor.”
Berryman is one of 10 Tennesseans to earn WGU Tennessee’s 2019 Tenn-K Scholarship this year.
The scholarship – which covers roughly two-thirds of WGU Tennessee’s already-low tuition of $3,500 per term for most programs – is awarded based on students’ academic records, readiness for online study, and demonstrated financial need.