Outstanding alumnus

Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp’s friends, family and colleagues turned out recently when Roane State Community College honored him as their 2006 Outstanding Alumnus.

The event occurred on Oct. 17 in the Gary Hensley Auditorium at the Maryville Municipal Building.

Crisp is a 2002 graduate of Roane State. "I was very much surprised," said Crisp. "I was flattered to be nominated and
didn’t think anything more about it until August when I got a call," he said of being told he was the male Outstanding Alumnus. "I’m honored and humbled to receive it."

Crisp started at Roane State a number of years before he graduated and attended off-and-on while advancing up the ranks of the Maryville Police Department.

Crisp said he was attracted to the school because of its strong criminal justice program and the staff’s willingness to work with individuals to obtain their degree. Crisp praised professor Scott Teeter for his willingness to shepherd Crisp through the program.

"When I first went to talk to him about completing my education, he was helpful. When you’re a middle-aged person walking into class, it’s different," Crisp said. "He walked me through the process. He was good mentor. He has a passion for law enforcement people obtaining a degree in criminal justice."

Crisp said that on the night of the event, it was raining, but that didn’t appear to dampen the crowd. "We just had a realoutpouring of people to come support me that night. It was a cool, wet Tuesday night, and people had places they could have been or should have been, but chose to come out," he said. "I just want to say thank you for those many, many friends who came out and those many, many friends who couldn’t make it."

Crisp’s wife, Phyllis, said graduating from college was a big accomplishment for her husband. Being honored as an Outstanding Alumnus was even better. "It was really a dream come true for him," she said.

Phyllis Crisp talked about how her husband’s father died when Tony was 14. Throughout the years he worked long hours while trying to go to school and take care of his wife and two daughters. "He always knew he wanted to be a police man. He advanced in the department. He not only raised a family while doing that, but worked extra jobs so I could stay at
home," she said. "It was an honor for him to get (the award.)"