April 16, 2004
Contact: Rita Mitchell, University Editor
THEC approves new UT Martin Center of Excellence
Martin, Tennessee - The new UT Martin Center of Excellence for Experiential Learning in the Agricultural Sciences was approved April 15 by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Unanimous approval came during the board's regular quarterly meeting in Nashville.
The center received initial approval Jan. 30 by the UT Martin Liaison Committee, followed by approval March 4 by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. The THEC action officially establishes the new Center of Excellence. The center creates an experiential learning, research and service environment in agriculture to serve Tennessee and the region.
The center will be operated by the UT Martin Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, an academic unit in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. These areas oversee the university's farm, agriculture teaching center and the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex, all located on the UT Martin campus.
Dr. Jerry Gresham, chair of the department of agriculture and natural resources, said that the center will create many new learning opportunities for high school students and teachers from across the state, including FFA and 4-H groups, and improve hands-on learning experiences for UT Martin students.
"Initial funding for the center is dedicated to operational costs," said Gresham. "As the center develops, we expect to add facilities and services that will enhance our ability to offer 21st century experiences."
Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin vice chancellor for academic affairs, said that the process for reviewing and refocusing existing center resources may be patterned after the process used by UT Martin. "The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is reviewing all state Centers of Excellence over the next year with an eye toward refining or redesignating centers if needed," he said.
The new Center of Excellence is Tennessee's first center of this type to be designated for agriculture. Current UT Martin faculty and staff members from multiple academic disciplines will support the new center.
