A groundbreaking ceremony in Parsons marked construction of a new UT Martin Parsons Center. The new center will be located on Hwy. 641/Tennessee Avenue North, and construction is funded by The Ayers Foundation, the City of Parsons, Decatur County and private funds. Beginning in spring 2009, the 19,000 square foot center, will house college classes that have been offered since early 2007 at Decatur County Riverside High School and the Parsons Municipal Building.

Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony, from left, are Frank Wagster, TLM Associates, Inc.; State Sen. Roy Herron (‘75); State Rep. Steve McDaniel; State Rep. Randy Rinks; UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes; UT President John Petersen; Jim Ayers, Chairman of the Board, Ayers Asset Management Inc.; Parsons Mayor Tim David Boaz; Decatur County Mayor Jason Scott; Parsons Center Director Jason Rushing (‘04); and Jon Ayers, Melvin Taylor and Tom Leitch, UT Martin Parsons Center building committee members.