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TBR—The College System of Tennessee and the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee are saddened at the loss of Mr. Brian F. Collins, who passed away August 6, 2025.
Mr. Collins began his dedicated service to the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) in January 1996, when they were known as Tennessee Technology Centers, serving as Assistant Director at TCAT Jackson. In 1998, he became Director of TCAT Ripley, faithfully serving Lauderdale County. In 2007, he also assumed the role of Interim Director at TCAT Newbern, continuing to lead both campuses until his full-time appointment as Director of the Newburn campus on July 1, 2011. (Both the Ripley and Newbern campuses are now TCAT Northwest.)
Mr. Collins retired in late 2012 after 16 years of distinguished service – but his commitment to students didn’t end there.
In 2019, he and his his wife Janie established the Brian and Janie Collins Make a Difference Scholarship to support students at TCAT Northwest’s Newbern and Ripley campuses. The scholarship assists students with demonstrated financial need and may be used for tuition, fees, program-required materials and equipment, certification exams, or in cases of extreme hardship – living expenses. Awards are granted based on student applications, validated by the institution and may total up to $1,000 per fiscal year.
In August 2023, Brian and Janie Collins were honored by the Tennessee Board of Regents with the Regents’ Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. They were presented the award by Board of Regents Vice Chair Emily Reynolds and TCAT Northwest President Youlanda Jones at the first TCAT Northwest Fish Fry Fundraiser.
Mr. Collins’ impact on TCAT students, both during and after his time in leadership has been profound. His legacy of service, compassion and support will continue to impact the lives of students in Northwest Tennessee for many years to come.
Mr. Collins was also very active in community affairs in West Tennessee. For more details, his obituary is posted here:
https://www.arringtonfuneraldirectors.com/obituaries/briam-collins
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