Community residents and elected officials joined University of Tennessee leadership and others to officially open the new UT Martin Ripley Center in September. The ceremony drew an overflow crowd to the 21,000 square-foot newly renovated and technologically advanced facility that culminated several years of collaborative planning and work.
“It is a locally based initiative through UT Martin, but it’s all part of a much greater university picture,” said UT Martin Chancellor, Dr. Thomas Rakes. “Your children, neighbors, friends and maybe even some of you may want to take part in the collegiate experience through UT Martin. You’ll be participating with a top-tier master’s southern institution, one of the best in the Southeast, that’s right here at home. That makes a real difference.
“The primary service area is right around us,” he added. “It includes not only Lauderdale, but Dyer, Tipton, Haywood and Crockett counties. There will be some students from other areas, as well, so this really is a regional effort.”
Rakes thanked local officials whose leadership led to initial classes beginning early 2006 at the Tennessee Technology Center. He also commended former Chancellor Nick Dunagan for his guidance of the Ripley Center project that gained approval of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in fall 2006. Rakes pointed to community businesses, donors and partners he said were critical to the center’s governance and continued success.
He praised the center’s higher education committee, as well. The group symbolized the overall community involvement in making the center a reality. The committee was involved from planning and construction of the facility all the way to raising funds for scholarships so that high school students can take dual-credit classes. Students can earn as many as 15 hours of college credit while they are completing a high school diploma.
Noting the importance of the facility to area residents, the community and the state, Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, of Ripley, who was instrumental in securing state funding for the center, said, “I hope it will be a beacon. You can get a four-year degree right here in this building. That’s unbelievable. It’s going to make us a better community and make our children better citizens.” Fitzhugh tied the success of the center to hopes for overall economic development resurgence for the area.
“We’re proud to be in your community and join in the celebration,” said Dr. John Petersen, University of Tennessee president. “One of the most significant things that our Martin campus does is the fact that the outreach sites … are the most extensive spread of any university that we have within the UT system.” Petersen noted that UT touts “the state is our campus.” He added, “Having a UT campus here in the community is enormously important for us.”
Speaking about the University of Tennessee, he said, “This institution is about student access, student success, research, economic development, outreach and globalization.” Noting the importance of UT Martin and its satellite campuses to West Tennessee, he added that residents look to the university as a source to help with economic development and to improve the quality of life in the area.
Petersen thanked Fitzhugh and others adding, “The future is bright for all of us as we continue to develop the opportunities for our young people in this part of the state.”
Ripley Mayor Jon Pavletic, one of several local officials who pursued the center’s concept through the ribbon-cutting, said, “This college will have far-reaching effects.” Pavletic praised other local residents for their support and involvement in the center.
“Now is a time for excitement,” said Youlanda Jones, center director. “I want to thank the students, and to thank the community for caring enough to make a difference, and I guarantee we will make a difference.”
Those attending were invited to tour the wireless facility, a former Wal-Mart building, which includes eight master classrooms, a technology transfer facility, science laboratory, library resource center, bookstore, conference room, administrative offices and other amenities.
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