Graduating from high school, she witnessed the transformation of the private University of Chattanooga into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This transition was not just a change in name but a blessing for her family and countless others in the community. Suzanne’s dedication to her education led her to earn both a BS and a Masters in English Education at UTC before teaching in the Chattanooga Public Schools and later attending the University of Tennessee Law School.

In 2014, Suzanne and Charles decided to pay forward the opportunities they received by establishing a scholarship endowment for UTC’s Honors College. This act of generosity marked the beginning of their commitment to nurturing academic excellence. Recently, they expanded their support, creating an endowment for experiential learning within the College of Arts and Sciences, recognizing the pivotal role such experiences play in shaping students’ lives.

“Formative experiences such as travel abroad, internships and undergraduate research require resources beyond tuition support, and this gift is a notable commitment to ensure these opportunities are available to students,” according to Pamela Riggs-Gelasco, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Suzanne, now a Trustee of the UC Foundation, and Charles Forlidas’ unwavering support ensures that future generations of UTC students have the same opportunities that shaped their own lives.

Suzanne and Charles Forlidas