(Roane State press release) Oak Ridge resident Jason B. Rutledge, a
veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, has received the Tennessee Board of
Regents Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans.

The commendation was conferred in the form of a specially designed
Challenge Coin, and Rutledge, 47, was nominated for the honor by Roane
State President Chris Whaley.

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings established the
commendation in 2020 to honor the “service, bravery and sacrifices of
veterans in campus communities,” according to a TBR news releas

Challenge coins are a tradition in all branches of the military and signify
“special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect, and esprit
de corps,” according to the news release.

Recipients of the Chancellor’s Commendation “represent the spirit and
values of our colleges – student success, academic excellence, courage in
adversity, and service to campus and community,” Tydings said.

Rutledge was a law enforcement officer while in the Coast Guard. He said
he was also trained as a diesel mechanic and a canine behavior instructor.
He and his wife Angie are the parents of two sons, Austin and Justin.
One veteran from each of Tennessee’s 37 community and technical
colleges was chosen in 2021 for the annual honor.
Rutledge said he’s studying Mass Communications at Roane State, and
he’s expected to receive his associate degree at the conclusion of the 2023
spring semester. He’s planning to then transfer to the University of
Tennessee and seek a bachelor’s degree.