Murfreesboro, TN - On Thursday (3/13/2025) the Grand Ballroom in MTSU’s Student Union Building was packed for the Red Cross Heroes Luncheon. The 2025 Hero was Professor Emeritus Dr. Gloria Bonner, and the Red Cross Volunteer spotlight was on Ray Wiley.
The Red Cross Heroes Luncheon was co-hosted by the Red Cross chapter’s Executive Director John Mitchell and Board Chair Ginny Williams.
Mitchell told WGNS News…
Hero: Dr. Gloria Bonner
For over 40-years, Dr. Bonner has been a beacon of hope and inspiration in the Murfreesboro community. She has been a teacher, trailblazer, and two-time cancer survivor. Her story is one of triumph and determination, plus—she inspires everyone around her. In addition, Gloria is a longtime Red Cross volunteer, who continues to serve on the chapter’s board of directors.
Volunteer: Ray Wiley
Ray Wiley is a passionate Red Cross volunteer with an always growing passion for disaster assistance, blood drives, and teaching Red Cross first aid/CPR/AED classes. He created and continues to build the success of the MTSU vs WKU blood drive. The annual “100 Miles of Hope”, just before the grid-iron battle between the Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers has collected thousands of gallons of life saving blood. Wiley is the Interim Co-Director and Associate Director of MTSU’s Facilities at Campus Recreation.
Two more Red Cross awards honored Madison Henry and Gabriel Sutherland who saved the life of a Smyrna woman who was exercising at the YMCA when she suffered a medical challenge. At the exact moment one performed CPR while the other used the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device.
In addition, special remarks were shared by Nissan Americas Vice President and DEI Officer Chandra Vasser and Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital’s President and CEO Gordon Ferguson.
The Posting of Colors was done by the Oakland High School Junior ROTC, after which Kyla Overton sang our National Anthem. Then Sean Myers with River Oaks Church offered the invocation. Special thanks also to Video Story Productions Nick Paranjape who coordinated all of the video productions and volunteer spotlight segment.
For those who wish to learn more about the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, contact them at (615) 893-4272 or CLICK HERE for information about giving blood. The local chapter is located at 501 Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro.
