Local family makes transformational gift to support student success at Tennessee Tech College of Business
A generous gift from a family of longtime Tennessee Tech University supporters will expand opportunities for students to develop professional skills needed for career success.
Thomas Lynn, a two-time Tech graduate and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, along with his wife, Kay, his sister, Pam Coonce, and her husband, Dr. Danny Coonce, have made a transformational gift to establish the “Tommy Lynn Professional Readiness and Leadership Room” in the College of Business’s Professional Readiness and Leadership (PRL) suite.
The space honors the legacy of Thomas and Pam’s late father, U.L. “Tommy” Lynn Jr., a respected banking leader in the Upper Cumberland who passed away in 2002.
The elder Lynn began his career as a farm agent with First National Bank in 1950 and rose through the ranks to become president by 1969. He later served as president and CEO of First American National Bank of Cookeville/Crossville before retiring in 1993 after more than four decades in banking leadership.
The room will be located on the first floor of Johnson Hall, currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, and will be part of the college’s Student Success Center.
In addition to naming the space, the Lynn and Coonce families have established the Tommy Lynn Professional Readiness and Leadership Endowment to support PRL student-focused programs for years to come.
The PRL provides hands-on opportunities for students to build essential career skills, including leadership retreats, career fairs and immersive experiences like Dress and Dine, which teaches professional etiquette. The center is also home to the Scarlett & Murphy’s Business Professional Closet, offering free professional attire, and Level Up, a gamified program that rewards students for completing career-readiness milestones.
Lynn said the decision to support the PRL was inspired by its direct impact on students.
“First of all, as you know, they’re renovating Johnson Hall. Years ago, we had sponsored a room in the old Johnson Hall, and we felt like that was a good way to give back,” Lynn said. “So, when they said they were going to renovate the hall, we wanted to take a room. They said most of the students go through the PRL to learn how to do a resume, learn how to dress professionally … and just how to conduct themselves in order to try to get a job.”
For Kay Lynn, a 1978 graduate who later earned her master’s degree from Tech, the gift reflects a lifelong connection to the university.
“Tennessee Tech has been a major part of our lives,” Kay said. “I met Thomas at Tennessee Tech after growing up in East Tennessee. Three of our four children graduated from there, and we feel like it’s such a vital part of our community, so we wanted to support it.”
Kay found a sisterhood of Golden Eagles through Tech's chapter of the Kappa Delta sorority, and said those friendships remain an important part of her life.
“The memories that I have are through Kappa Delta and the lifelong friendships,” she said. “In a few weeks, several of my Kappa Delta sisters are coming to stay for the weekend, and I’m excited to bring them back to campus.”
She added that the family was especially drawn to the PRL because of its tangible benefits for students.
“Anytime Thomas is around the students, he is so impressed with the quality of the students and their interactions with everyone,” Kay said. “We felt like this was a good way to help a lot of students in a very practical way.”
Pam Coonce, who began her connection to Tech as a child in the university’s nursery school and graduated in 1973, said her student experience helped inspire the family’s decision to give.
“I had a wonderful experience at the school,” Pam said. “Tech was such a friendly school, and the teachers were so good, so helpful.”
Like her sister-in-law, Pam was active in Kappa Delta and said those experiences helped shape her time at Tech. She also recalls Associate Professor Charlene Mullins, who taught her in nursery school and later in college.
“We feel good that we're able to do this,” Pam said. “We hope people realize how wonderful Tech is.”
Dr. Danny Coonce, a 1973 chemistry graduate who went on to a career as a radiologist, said his time at Tech laid the foundation for his success.
“The way I paid my way through school was working as the night watchman in the college infirmary,” Dr. Coonce said. “When I got to medical school, Tech had prepared me very well.”
“Students graduating from Tech can be proud of their campus and how the university prepares them for what’s coming up,” he added.
Thomas Payne, dean of Tech’s College of Business, said the gift reflects the Lynn and Coonce families’ commitment to student success.
“Thomas, Kay, Pam and Dr. Coonce are examples to our students of the kind of career success they can one day hope to achieve, but also the kind of community leaders and people they should aspire to be,” Payne said. “They have been steadfast supporters of Tennessee Tech—and particularly the College of Business—for many years. We are deeply grateful for this latest investment in our students and programs.”
Sherrie Cannon, associate director for professional development in the College of Business, said the endowment will have a lasting impact.
“When alumni and friends give to the PRL, they are directly supporting programs that help our students graduate career ready,” Cannon said. “The PRL is all about ensuring students have the skills, confidence and professionalism needed to succeed beyond the classroom. The Lynn and Coonce families are not only generous benefactors—they are role models for our students.”
Originally opened in 1970, Johnson Hall has long served as the home of Tech’s College of Business. Its renovation will modernize approximately 68,000 square feet and add 10,000 square feet of new space designed to foster collaboration, research and student success. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2027.
Learn more about the PRL in the College of Business at Tennessee Tech University at www.tntech.edu/business/readiness.