Tusculum leaders clip the ribbon and officially open the new Tusculum College Knoxville Regional Center in ceremonies Tuesday in Knoxville. In the top photo, from left, are Tusculum College President Dr. Dolphus Henry and Board of Trustees members Tom Garland, Sam Doak, Joe Vogt, and Scott Niswonger. Trustees present at the event but not visible in the picture were the Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson, Carol Bailey, Jim Durham, and Bill Edmonds. In the lower left photo, a portion of the library facility in the new building is shown. At lower right, Dr. Henry shares a laugh with a cameraman just before on-camera interview with a Knoxville television station. (Tusculum College photos)

Tusculum College's commitment to education celebrated during dedication of new Knoxville Center

Standing in a warmly lit foyer beneath a large brick archway, Tusculum College officials on Tuesday (Aug. 27) officially snipped a ribbon that opened the college's new Knoxville Regional Center to the public.

"Tusculum College now has two campuses: the Greeneville campus and this new one in Knoxville," said Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry in his comments during the dedication ceremony at the 30,000-square-foot center. The building is the central site for the college's Professional Studies program for working adults in southeastern Tennessee.

Speaking at an event that attracted such dignitaries as Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, Dr. Henry reflected on Tusculum's beginnings in bringing to the frontier educational opportunity and a nurturing of community spirit. These remain as a focus for the college 208 years later, he said. "We are not just educating students, we are educating students who will make a difference," Henry said.

Dr. Jonathan Franz, provost and academic vice president at the college, described the new Knoxville Center as a representation of the "continuing commitment and dedication of the college to meet the educational needs of all its students. In 208 years, thousands of people have been educated at Tusculum College. . . . We are committed to continue to provide a wealth of educational opportunities for all of East Tennessee."

Connie Dunn, a student in Tusculum's adult program, described her experience at Tusculum as a challenging but rewarding one.

"I learned that you are never too old to learn," she said. "There are challenges, but those challenges are going to create profound memories. I would not trade my experience at Tusculum College for anything."

Knox County government and business representatives also joined in welcoming the opening of the new center.

John Griess, a Knox County Commissioner, said the community appreciates the opportunities that Tusculum College offers to the adult learner.

Wayne Heatherly, president and CAO of Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center, said his son-in-law is a "living commercial for Tusculum," who gives the credit for his career success to his degree from the college. "What you do here is more important than a bricks-and-mortar building. You are building careers," Heatherly told the Tusculum staff. "You're adding to people's dreams and aspirations and we thank you for that. Tusculum College has had a great past, but I am convinced that you will have an even better future.

Other guest speakers included Tusculum College faculty member Edith Wagner, East Tennessee Historical Society Executive Director Kent Whitworth, and ALSTOM Power President and Managing Director Jim Yann.

In welcoming visitors to the ceremony, Dr. Denise Wood, director of the Knoxville Regional Center, recognized representatives from the construction of the new building including Barber & McMurry architects, Merit Construction Co., the general contractor; and Lawler-Wood LLC, who provided oversight for the $4.5 million project. Wood is also dean of instruction for Graduate and Professional Studies.

After the ceremony, visitors toured the new facility, which provides almost double the space of the Knoxville facility previously occupied by Professional Studies.

Several members of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees took part in the event. They were the Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson, Carol Bailey, Bill Edmonds, Jim Durham, Joe Vogt, Thomas Garland, Scott Niswonger, and Sam Doak.

Tusculum College offers offers four degree programs through Professional Studies. The college began offering courses in Knoxville in 1989. The new center serves 600 to 700 students at present.

Opened during the last week of July, the Knoxville Regional Center features 12 classrooms, a technology work room, a library/learning resource room, and computer laboratory facilities. Each classroom is designed to incorporate state-of-the art technology. Tusculum has entered a partnership with Covenant Health that allows the health-care managerial company to use the facilities for training and development during the day. Most of Tusculum's classes are held in the evening at the Knoxville Center.