RSCC – Greg and Kim Gheen, of Knoxville, have been named “Outstanding Alumni” of Roane State Community College due to their passionate support of their alma mater as well as other exceptional service to the East Tennessee community.

“Greg has been instrumental in helping lead a successful capital campaign for our newest campus — the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center,” said Dr. Chris Whaley, president of Roane State. “As vice-chair of the campaign, Greg spent countless hours and resources to connect and engage donors. In addition, Kim and Greg made a generous gift to support the campaign. Now that the building is open, they continue to be involved as the campaign enters its final phase of raising scholarship funds for students.”

The 130,000-square-foot health science campus, which includes a state-of-the art simulation center and shared space with TCAT Knoxville, is located across the street from Parkwest Medical Center on Sherrill Boulevard. The three-story facility is situated on 10 acres of land donated by Covenant Health ahead of construction, leading to its designation as Roane State’s Covenant Health Campus. Classes began for both Roane State and TCAT Knoxville in January.

The $75 million project, funded largely by the State of Tennessee, is also the beneficiary of a $5 million campaign to furnish and outfit the center thanks to many donors and supporters like the Gheens. Roane State Foundation is now working to raise $2.5 million more to fund an endowment that will help health science students pay tuition and other expenses as they complete their degrees.

“Health science students often incur a number of special costs that are necessary for success in their programs,” said Scott Niermann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “They have to purchase scrubs, medical supplies, and cover the costs of tests and training materials. To reach our goal of staffing the medical needs of East Tennessee, we need to be sure that, in addition to providing this new learning facility, we also make it possible for students from our rural and urban areas to attend.”

Niermann said more than 50% of Roane State students are from low-income families whose health science certificates and degrees put them and their families on a firm path to economic security. Many are also first generation college students.

As part of its effort to honor those who help make higher learning more accessible for these students, Roane State’s Alumni Recognition Committee chooses a recipient for the “Outstanding Alumni” distinction each year.

Winners are judged based on noteworthy professional accomplishments and contributions to “the spirit and values of Roane State Community College.” They also must have contributed to the East Tennessee community through public service or volunteer work.

For 2025, the committee selected both Greg and Kim Gheen as its award recipients. The couple met as students at Roane State; he was a basketball player and she was captain of the cheerleading squad.

President Whaley further highlighted the Gheens’ service to the college and the community during a recent donor recognition event.

“The Gheens are leaders in East Tennessee, dedicated to helping others and deeply invested in projects that benefit all our friends and neighbors,” President Whaley said. “And like so many who have walked that path, they were Roane State Raiders first. We are blessed to have been part of their journey and we thank them for giving back through their work on this important project.”

After graduating from Roane State, Greg Gheen went on to earn a Master of Business Administration in finance and new venture analysis from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Maryville College. Kim Gheen also transferred to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she graduated with a degree in nursing.

Greg Gheen is one of the founding members of Realty Trust Group and has served as president since its formation in 1998. He announced his retirement at the end of December. Kim Gheen worked as a nurse at Baptist Hospital in the Cardiovascular Surgical Unit and the recovery room. She later took a position as a nurse consultant for a private company that provided medical management services for employees that were hurt on the job.

Greg and Kim Gheen co-chaired the successful 2025 fundraising campaign for United Way of Greater Knoxville and have been involved in multiple other community efforts. He is past chair of the Knox County Industrial Development Board and the Knox County Health and Education Board and is a graduate of Leadership Knoxville’s 2000 class. She was a long-time board member and active volunteer with Susannah’s House, a program that aids mothers and babies caught in the cycle of substance misuse.

For more information on Roane State Foundation’s Outstanding Alumni Award, which is now open for 2026 nominations, visit roanestate.edu/outstandingalumni.

Details on the new Roane State campus, the fundraising campaign for student scholarships, and the expanded programs that will be offered can be found online at thrive.roanestate.edu.