The Rev. Lester Lattany, a member of Tusculum College’s Board of Trustees, was recognized Saturday (Jan. 17) for his contributions to higher education by a regional heritage group.
Rev. Lattany, who is also an alumnus of Tusculum College, was one of five honorees recognized during the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Langston Heritage Group at Wesley United Methodist Church in Johnson City. The historical organization is committed to documenting the history of African-Americans in the Northeast Tennessee region.
“There are not enough good things to say about Lester Lattany,” said Mary Alexander, director of the Langston Heritage Group, in presenting the award. Rev. Lattany came to the area from Brunswick, Ga., and “the sky has been the limit for him,” she added.
Rev. Lattany and the other honorees were recognized because of the type of people they are – men who have worked hard and prepared themselves for leadership as well as being men of strong character, Alexander noted.
The president and chief executive officer of the Johnson City Area United Way, Rev. Lattany is pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kingsport. An active community leader, his service to others includes membership on the boards of the United Way of America and Tennessee, the board of Washington County Court Services, and the board of Tri-Cities Christian School.
Rev. Lattany joined the Tusculum Board of Trustees last year. He also serves on the College’s Johnson City President’s Advisory Council. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum in 1987 and a master’s degree in 1991.
Also recognized by the Langston Heritage Group were Robert L. White who serves on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission; Paul Montgomery who serves on the Tennessee Board of Regents; Dr. Paul Stanton, president of East Tennessee State University; and the Rev. C. Danny Johnson, a member of the Board of Trustees of Milligan College.