Tennessee Tech Foundation Board honors four departing members
The Tennessee Tech University Foundation Board of Directors recognizes departing members
as they conclude their board service. From left: David Cooley, Tom Jones, and Nathan
Tudor, shaking hands with Tech Foundation Board Executive Director and Tech Vice President
for University Advancement Kevin Braswell. Not pictured: Mary Graves.
The Tennessee Tech University Foundation Board of Directors honored four departing
members for their years of distinguished service at the board’s most recent meeting.
The board members, representing a combined 46 years of volunteer service to the university,
were each paid tribute by Kevin Braswell, Foundation Board executive director and
Tech’s vice president for University Advancement, and presented with a placard to
commemorate their service.
David Cooley concluded 17 years of board service, which included a previous term as board chair.
Cooley is a 1984 Tech graduate, former deputy governor for the State of Tennessee,
veteran of more than 115 political campaigns and the 1996 recipient of Tech’s Outstanding
Young Alumnus Award.
Today, Cooley serves as founder and principal of the Nashville-based Cooley Public
Strategies and is a generous financial supporter of the university.
In remarks concluding his service, Cooley challenged fellow board members to “keep
raising that horizon” and praised the university as “an amazing place producing amazing
people.”
“Serving on this board has been an amazing honor,” said Cooley. “It’s been gratifying
over the last 17 years to watch this group grow, to watch the participation and the
big brains around this table really step in, lean in and make a difference.”
Mary Graves, a 1976 Tech graduate with a degree in chemistry, concluded five years of board service.
A renowned leader in biotechnology, Graves retired from her day-to-day work in 2011
after a nearly quarter-century career with Roche, a multinational healthcare company,
that culminated in a role as global head of virology partnering.
Braswell feted Graves as an “especially active” board member that has led “effectively
and steadfastly” with a commitment to service that has also driven her to volunteer
with organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
In a lighter moment at the board meeting, Braswell additionally recalled how Graves
once explained that her bountiful support of the university was due in part to the
fact that she broke a piece of expensive lab equipment decades earlier as a student.
“Mary, I assure you, in so many ways, you have more than paid Tech back,” Braswell
said with a laugh.
Appearing remotely from her home in New Jersey, Graves called her board service “very
gratifying” and lauded her fellow board members as “an impressive group, very friendly
and very giving.”
Tom Jones, a 1986 Tech graduate with a degree in electrical engineering, also rotated off the
board following a 14-year tenure, including previous service as board chair.
A Cookeville native and U.S. Navy veteran, Jones today serves as president of Research
Electronics International (REI), one of the leading designers, developers and manufacturers
of counter surveillance equipment.
Known for his commitment to philanthropy, Jones most recently pledged $500,000 to
Tech for the establishment of a new running track. He was also the inaugural chair
of Tech’s Board of Trustees and remains a member of that board, a role he will continue
through 2028.
Braswell celebrated Jones as “an incredibly consequential and effective leader” who
has been “a principal architect of the contemporary Tennessee Technological University.”
In parting remarks, Jones explained, “This university has a special place in my heart.
I am from Cookeville. I live here. This is my home, and the university is a tremendous
part of that home.”
Lastly, board members recognized Nathan Tudor, who departed the board after 10 years of service. Tudor is a 2002 Tech graduate
and sought-after healthcare leader who today serves as CEO of Monroe County Hospital
in Monroeville, Al.
A longtime financial supporter of the university, Tudor and his family endowed the
Roy and Nathan Tudor Nursing Scholarship – named also for his father – to support
future nursing professionals from the Putnam County area.
In remarks to Tudor, Braswell noted that “Tennessee Tech University is stronger for
your service and your commitment.”
Tudor, a Cookeville native whose career has taken him to Texas, Louisiana and now
Alabama, recalled how he has taken the memories and lessons from his years on Tech’s
campus everywhere he has lived.
“Tennessee Tech has always been a big part of my life, and it always will be,” he
explained.
Foundation Board Chair M. Dianne Murphy thanked each of the departing board members
for their service and commitment.
“Dave, Mary, Tom and Nathan, thank you so much for your service to Tennessee Tech
and all that you do for our students and our alumni,” said Murphy. “We’ll miss you.”
The Tennessee Tech University Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation helping to
secure and oversee gift support for the university and provide advice and assistance
to the university president on strategic issues impacting Tech’s future, among other
tasks. Board directors are some of Tech’s most distinguished supporters and alumni.
Learn more about the Foundation Board at https://www.tntech.edu/univadv/foundation/index.php.