Roane State Community College

November 17, 2025

As part of its weeklong Salute to Service for student veterans, Roane State Community College presented the 2025 Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans during a special event on November 10.

Roane State's student recipient of the award, Matthew Winstead, was recognized during a legislative luncheon held at the college’s new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center in Knoxville. College leadership, local lawmakers, representatives from TCAT Knoxville, and other special guests were present for the event.

Winstead enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2002, spending his first eight years as an Airborne Infantryman. He was deployed to Iraq from 2004-2005 and received numerous awards, including the Expert Infantryman Badge, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, five Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Jumpmaster Badge. Winstead was honorably discharged in December 2012.

“Matthew has proven to be an asset to Roane State with his dedication and determination to complete his degree and become a high school history teacher,” Director of Veterans Services Lynzee Patrick said. “[He] is a testament to how perseverance can benefit an individual and he continues to garner awards during his time at Roane State.”

This past spring, Winstead was awarded the Beulah Davis Outstanding Freshman Writing Award in the expository essay category by the college’s humanities division.

His writing skills were on display during his service as well, earning him multiple Keith L. Ware Communication Awards. The annual competition honors soldiers and Department of the Army civilian employees for excellence in achieving the objectives of the Army Public Affairs Program.

Winstead wrote several articles for the United States Army Alaska, three of which garnered the award recognition. He earned a fourth Keith L. Ware Communication Award for a photo of Army Engineers building an ice bridge outside Fort Wainwright in -60 degree weather.

In a letter written to Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Chancellor Flora W. Tydings recommending Winstead for the commendation, Patrick added that dedication to selfless service does not end with Matthew; his wife, Julie, possesses this same spirit.

Having learned many of the ins and outs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the nomination letter noted that Julie helps other veterans navigate appointments and complete important paperwork.

During the legislative luncheon, Roane State President Chris Whaley recognized Winstead and presented him with the Chancellor's Commendation challenge coin. Whaley stated that Winstead’s career goals will allow him to continue serving his community.

"We thank Matthew for joining us today, for his commitment to the power of education, and, most of all, for his service," Whaley said. "We are so thankful that students like Matthew continue to choose Roane State. We are beyond blessed to have him here and cannot wait to see what else the future holds."

The Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans was launched in 2020. Nominees may be students, members of faculty and staff, an alumnus of the college, or members of the community who are veterans or active-service members and exemplify characteristics of service, honor, courage, commitment, and integrity.

“Our college communities are strengthened by the veterans and active-duty personnel on campus. The experiences and perspectives they bring are an important part of the broad diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses that benefits everyone,” Chancellor Tydings said. “We are wholeheartedly committed to serving our veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members, reserve members, military spouses and children. It’s a privilege to honor them, not only on Veterans Day but all year.”

A total of 35 Chancellor's Commendation recipients were honored across the State of Tennessee this Veterans Day – one at each of the system’s 13 community colleges and 22 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.

Roane State students, college leadership, faculty and staff members, and special guests will also gather later this week on the Roane County Campus for the Veteran Wave Flag Retirement ceremony. The event will begin on the campus front lawn at 6 p.m. ET on November 20.

For information on Roane State's resources for student veterans, visit roanestate.edu/veterans.