TCC Foundation Announces 2024 Vision Dinner Honorees

The Tulsa Community College Foundation proudly announces the honorees for this year’s Vision Dinner: Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews and Mike Neal and the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Suzanne Reese, PT, DPT, MS, will serve as the Vision Dinner 2024 Chair.

Funds raised at Vision Dinner support students directly through scholarships, internships, new equipment for labs and much more. The TCC Foundation awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to students and invested more than $570,000 in student-focused programs during the last academic year.

“As we honor these distinguished community leaders, we celebrate their dedication to improving access to education and creating pathways for success. Their impact on Tulsa has been profound, making a difference in the lives of many and setting an inspiring example for all. These honorees embody the spirit of service and excellence that Vision Dinner seeks to recognize,” said TCC CEO and President Leigh Goodson, Ph.D.

Mayor G.T. Bynum
Sworn in as Tulsa's 40th mayor in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, Mayor G.T. Bynum has championed fiscal responsibility, innovation, public safety, infrastructure and equal opportunity for all Tulsans. As Chief Executive Officer, Bynum oversees a nearly $1-billion budget and 4,000 employees, striving to make Tulsa a globally competitive city. During his tenure, Tulsa has welcomed its two largest new employers in history and celebrated the largest investment in Downtown Tulsa to date. Bynum has also successfully navigated significant challenges, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating Tulsa's resilience and strength under his leadership.

Senator Kevin Matthews
State Senator Kevin Matthews is the Chair of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus and serves on several state committees, including Public Safety, Transportation and Appropriations. A native Tulsan, he is a board member for Lilyfield Foster Care Services, the Tulsa Area United Way and the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Planning Committee, among others. Matthews founded the 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Commission, leading to the creation of Greenwood Rising. After a 25-year career with the Tulsa Fire Department, he retired as the Administrative Fire Chief. Matthews was elected as a state representative in 2012 and as a state senator in 2015 and has received numerous awards for his civic leadership and community service.

Mike Neal and the Tulsa Regional Chamber
Mike Neal is in his 18th year as President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, which represents more than 2,150 member organizations and 178,000 workers in Northeast Oklahoma. The Chamber has been a key contributor to the Tulsa region for more than 120 years, driving regional prosperity by offering a range of programs and services to businesses of all sizes, from large corporations to small startups. Under Neal’s leadership, the Chamber has been named National Chamber of the Year four times and has earned several prestigious accreditations. Neal has been recognized with numerous awards including Tulsan of the Year in 2011.

“This year’s Vision Dinner theme, ‘Dream Big,’ reflects our dedication to inspiring ambitious goals and empowering students,” said TCC Vice President for Advancement and President of the TCC Foundation Kari Shults. “It’s a chance to celebrate those who have made extraordinary contributions to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for all students to succeed.”

“Support from our community and the generosity of our donors helps us make a real difference in our students' lives,” said Suzanne Reese, Vision Dinner 2024 Chair. “As a retired faculty member, I have personally seen the impact Vision Dinner has on TCC students by providing funding for support services like tutoring, food assistance, scholarships and state-of-the-art classroom equipment.”

Vision Dinner will take place on Sept. 5 at the Cox Business Convention Center. For more details about the event, visit the TCC Foundation’s website.

Vision Dinner Distinguished Graduate sponsors are Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies; George Kaiser Family Foundation; and Sanford & Irene Burnstein Foundation. University Transfer sponsors are Cherokee Nation Businesses; Caron and Shawn Lawhorn; and TTCU Cares Foundation. Additional sponsors are AAON, Inc.; The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation; The Chickasaw Nation; Jay Helm/American Residential Group; ONE Gas; Saint Francis Health System; and Security Bank.