The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge welcomes the community to Lunch With the League from 11:30 AM EST – 1:00 PM EST on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. All are welcome to bring their lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for a nominal fee. Coffee and tea will be served. The presentation will begin at noon.

Roane State Community College - The New Health Science Campus

Dr. Chris Whaley has a personal understanding of the college’s value to its communities. Dr. Whaley’s father, Lowell, worked at Roane State from the college’s early days, and Dr. Whaley began his college education at Roane State. He earned Roane State’s highest student award, continued his education at Middle Tennessee State University and earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee.

After three years in private practice as an attorney, Dr. Whaley returned to the college in 1997 as program director of the A.A.S. Paralegal Studies program, a position he held until 2010. Since then he has served in positions of successively greater administrative responsibility at the college. He was named dean of social science, business and education in 2002, and in 2010 was promoted to vice president of student learning/chief academic officer. Dr. Whaley became Roane State’s fifth president on November 1, 2012.

Dr. Whaley’s experience as a Roane State student, program director, faculty member, dean and administrator gives him a unique perspective on the college’s role. He understands that the community college is a place where students — many of them first-generation college students — gain access to world-class higher education and the outstanding opportunities it provides. Dr. Whaley also understands that Roane State is a place that drives economic development by working closely with employers to offer relevant programs that meet employers’ workforce needs.

Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this informative presentation. The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.