Fall 2007 semester has been a mixture of positive and, in some instances, firsts for UT Martin. These milestones range from a fall headcount enrollment of 7,173 students that is an all-time high to an all-time high in annual giving for our campus. Faculty accomplishments include a mixture of important grants, publication and national- or regional-level awards. UT Martin student groups in agriculture, business, chemistry and military science received national or regional recognition for outstanding achievements. We continue to make strides toward building capacity throughout the community and the region.
In addition to hosting several nationally prominent speakers as part of our Academic Speaker Series, Gov. Phil Bredesen was on campus Nov. 6 and met with business, education and political leaders as part of a roundtable discussion related to economic development in the region. Sen. Roy Herron and Rep. Mark Maddox, as well as Commissioners Matt Kisber and Regan Flynn, also participated in the discussions. I was particularly pleased that Gov. Bredesen spent more than an hour talking with several dozen UT Martin students to gain their perspective and respond to questions about matters ranging from jobs in Tennessee to his view of improving education in the state.
The UT Martin Ripley Center officially opened in September and was heralded by local officials as an educational and economic development beacon for the area. President John Petersen attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and noted the importance of UT Martin and its extended campuses to West Tennessee. Closely following was the announcement in September that UT Martin Parsons Center began fall classes with higher-than-expected enrollment numbers. The noticeable growth was attributed to scholarship support through an agreement between the Ayers Foundation and UT Martin. Jim Ayers, the City of Parsons, Decatur County and the local community joined in fund raising efforts to provide a new facility, expected to open in 2009.
This semester, we celebrated Don Chapman, the Skyhawk’s premiere running back, becoming the top rusher and scorer in Skyhawk history. The campus also received national attention when junior transfer, Lester Hudson, achieved a quadruple double, which was the first such feat in Division I basketball history.
Construction and renovation projects in excess of $70 million are on track, including phase two of University Village, renovation of the business building and planning for expansion of the fine arts building and a new recreation center.
Searches for a vice chancellor for academic affairs and vice chancellor for student affairs are under way. We anticipate a series of candidate interviews during February and March of 2008 and having individuals in place by July 1.
The spring semester holds potential for continuation of numerous academic- and leadership-focused happenings, including bringing more nationally prominent speakers to campus, hosting the 40-year reunion of our acclaimed Rodeo in April, opening our Alumni Center and an Animal Diagnostic Facility. I encourage you to watch for events you find interesting, and join us.
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