Ann Tinnon’s contributions to serving students were the focus of her professional life.  Ann realized the importance of developing lines of communication among the various professional associations that focused on helping students in their transition from high school to postsecondary education.  Ann was not only a leader in TASFAA, but accepted leadership roles in the Tennessee Personnel and Guidance Association (now called the Tennessee Counseling Association) and the Tennessee College Personnel Association (now part of TCA).  Through her leadership, joint meetings were held and TASFAA membership was encouraged to be active in the other associations to coordinate the efforts to serve high school students in Tennessee. 

While Director of Financial Aid at U.T. Chattanooga, Ann was a strong supporter of TSAC.  During the spring state legislative session in 1985, a national guarantor made an attempt to take over TSAC legislatively going around the TSAC Board, TASFAA and THEC.  The newly appointed Executive Director of TSAC was a neophyte when it came to the state legislature and was extremely concerned about the impact on students and the agency.  It was Ann that said, “Have you talked to my friend, Paul Starnes?”  At that time Representative Starnes was Chairman of the House Education Committee and through that introduction to TSAC’s Executive Director, the legislation was stopped and TSAC protected.

Ann worked in public higher education and after retiring from UTC, she worked in financial aid at a private, for-profit institution in Chattanooga and continued her service to students and the profession. 

Ann was actively involved in the training of new aid officers for TASFAA, training high school counselors and college admissions officers.  She was a kind, compassionate friend to students and fellow professionals.  It is very appropriate that TASFAA honors her memory with the Ann Tinnon Scholarship. 

Shared by Ron Gambill