Archive for the ‘Blount County’ Category

College hosts ‘Raise the Roof’ celebration at future Blount County Campus

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

On Friday, Nov. 6, Pellissippi State Community College marks another milestone in construction of the Blount County Campus, set to begin offering classes fall semester 2010.

College officials, donors and other guests plan to gather at 11 a.m. at the Friendsville site for a “Raise the Roof” celebration of the progress achieved on the two-story, 70,000-square-foot building. The event is open to the public.

“The shell structure of the building is basically completed, with offices and classrooms framed in,” said David Walton, Pellissippi State’s director of Facilities, Safety and Security. “Once the roof is done, the interior finishes will soon follow. The project is still on schedule for a May 2010 completion.”

Blount County resident Peggy McCord, a Pellissippi State Foundation board member and co-chair of the college’s Connecting Communities, Changing Lives Major Gifts Campaign, encourages community members to attend the celebration and take a hard-hat tour.

“Wear your comfortable shoes,” McCord said. “We are proud to see this new campus reaching completion. It will support the education of Blount County residents for years to come. We still need your financial support!”

The college broke ground on the $22 million state-of-the-art campus in May 2008. Funding for the new site comes from the state, sale of the former campus property in Alcoa and private donations generated through Connecting Communities, Changing Lives.

The campaign, conducted by the Pellissippi State Foundation, has earmarked the Blount County site as one of its top priorities. The fundraising goal is a minimum of $2 million. Campaign gifts and pledges to date are $1,855,240.

The college began offering classes in Blount County in 1985. For now, Pellissippi State continues to maintain classrooms at the Blount County Center, which is housed in the former Bungalow Elementary School on Middlesettlements Road in Alcoa. More than 1,800 Blount County residents are enrolled at Pellissippi State.

The new Blount County site is located at 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway (U.S. Highway 321) in the Friendsville community.

To learn more about the event or how to donate, contact the Pellissippi State Foundation at (865) 694-6528 or visit www.pstcc.edu/foundation.

Pellissippi State hosts financial aid workshop at Blount County Center

Monday, October 5th, 2009

The prospect of paying for college can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Pellissippi State Community College is offering a workshop to help students, future students and parents learn about all the financial assistance options available.

The workshop takes place at the Blount County Center on Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Financial Aid representatives will be on hand to help students complete paperwork for various financial assistance, including Pellissippi State Foundation scholarships, and check on applicants’ financial aid status.

Lenders also will be available to talk to parents and students about student loans.
For more information, contact LeChelle Davenport or Melanie McCammon at (865) 694-6565.

Pellissippi State’s Blount County Campus construction progresses on schedule

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Construction of Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County Campus continues on schedule for completion in May 2010.

“We expect to have the building under roof by late October,” said David Walton, director of the college’s Facilities, Safety and Security.

The walls are going up, the underground utilities are installed, and the parking area grading is near completion at the 40-acre site. The Blount County Campus will be home to a two-story, 70,000-square-foot building that can accommodate up to 1,000 students.

The college broke ground on the $22 million state-of-the-art campus in May 2008. Funding for the new site comes from the state, sale of the former campus property and private donations generated through a major gifts campaign by the Pellissippi State Foundation. The goal of the ongoing campaign, Connecting Communities, Changing Lives, is $2 million. Campaign gifts and pledges to date are $1,855,240.

The Blount County Campus is expected to open in time for fall 2010 classes.

The college began offering classes in Blount County in 1985. Pellissippi State currently offers classes at the Blount County Center, which is housed in the former Bungalow Elementary School on Middlesettlements Road in Alcoa. Last fall, 850 students took classes at Blount County Center.

The new Blount County Campus is located at 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway (U.S. Highway 321) in the Friendsville community.

Free diversity festival at Pellissippi State’s Blount County Center

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Native American drummers. Step dancers from Alcoa High School. An interpretive dance group performing to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

These performers and more will join artists, community organizations and international presenters in the Fifth Annual Race Unity Day celebration hosted Saturday, June 27, by Pellissippi State Community College. The event takes place at Pellissippi State’s Blount County Center.

The purpose of Race Unity Day is to introduce attendees to different cultures, help community members connect with each other, promote friendship and cooperation, and showcase the unity and diversity that already exist within the community.

The event features displays by local artists, booths hosted by community organizations and international presentations. Performers include Southern Echo, a Native American drum group; Alcoa High School’s step dance team; Circle Modern Dance, performing an interpretive dance to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech; and Anne Armstrong from Knoxville Pipes and Drums.

Race Unity Day also offers special activities for children. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free for adults and children. The event is 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

For additional information, contact Betsy Boyd at Pellissippi State, (865) 981-5303 or bboyd@pstcc.edu.

Pellissippi State’s Blount County Center Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Who dunnit? Come and find out at the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre hosted by Pellissippi State Technical Community College’s Blount County Center.

The audience will enjoy dinner and games at the event, which will have an ancient Roman theme. The “PG-13″ production is April 4, 6-9 p.m., in the Student Lounge. The audience is encouraged to come in costume.

Dorothy Donaldson, associate professor and the production’s director, expects a large crowd.

“I’ve done three other murder mystery dinner theatres,” she said. “We’ve had as many as 100 people come.”

The murder mystery takes place in Rome 30 B.C.

“The audience will be encouraged to interact with the actors as the story unfolds,” Donaldson said, “and will decide who the murderer is.”

Prizes will be awarded for the correct answer to the mystery and for the best costume.

The Blount County Center is located at 1010 Middlesettlements Road in Alcoa.

Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens, $15 for community members and $25 for couples. The proceeds will be used to fund an educational trip to Atlanta for the Theatre students.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Blount County Center main office or at the Pellissippi Campus in the Student Life and Recreation office, Room 225S, Goins Administration Building.

Tickets must be paid for by April 2 at 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Dorothy Donaldson, (865) 981-5322, or the Blount County Center, 981-5300.

East Coast Swing class begins March 18 at Pellissippi State’s Blount County site

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Triple step, triple step, rock step. Now you’re doing the East Coast swing!

Join in the fun when Pellissippi State Technical Community College’s Business and Community Services Division offers a non-credit class in the popular dance March 18-April 22 at the Blount County Center. The class meets Wednesdays 7-8 p.m.

East Coast Swing is designed for both beginners and those who want to brush up on their dance skills.

“This dance is popular with all age groups and is danced to fast-paced music,” said instructor Carolyn Holden.

“East Coast swing is a circular dance that is done with a bounce. It is very grounded–not high in the legs,” she said. “This bounce requires the dancer to stay very smooth and not jump around much.”

The steps work well with a wide variety of music, including oldies, country, big band and Top 40.

The cost of the class is $60 for singles and $90 for couples. To register or find out more, contact BCS at (865) 539-7167. Deadline for registration is March 16.

Pellissippi State hosts job fair at Blount County Center

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Pellissippi State Technical Community College hosts the Blount County Job Fair at the Blount County Center in Alcoa on March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

“We’re inviting the whole community,” said Carolyn Carson, Pellissippi State’s director of Placement.

Blount County service-industry employers such as banks, restaurants and hotels will participate. The deadline for employers to sign on is March 20.

To register or find out more, call Holly Burkett, assistant dean, Blount County Campus, at (865) 981-5300.

Pellissippi State achieved major milestones in Blount County in 2008

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Jan. 27, 2009

Pellissippi State Technical Community College strengthened its commitment to Blount County in 2008 to the tune of $22 million with groundbreaking for the new Blount County Campus, to be located on Highway 321/West Lamar Alexander Parkway in the Friendsville community.

And it was only one of a series of positive developments that reaffirmed that Pellissippi State’s expanded presence is good for the county.

In fall 2008, nearly 850 students attended the Blount County Center, which is housed in the former Bungalow Elementary School in Alcoa, yet close to 1,500 Pellissippi State students live in Blount County. That means an additional 600 students could possibly benefit from the move to the new campus.

The new facility, set on 39.5 acres, is slated for completion in time for the start of fall 2010 classes. The College has been offering courses in Blount County since 1985.

“Our enrollment continues to expand there,” said Allen Edwards, Pellissippi State president. “We want to add new programs that will help meet the expectations of our students and the needs of local business and industry. The new campus will move us toward that goal.”

According to Edwards, the project is being funded by three sources: $17.2 million is coming from the state, $2.9 million from the sale of the Blount County Center property and $2 million in private money raised by the Pellissippi State Foundation.

In 2008 the Foundation received major gifts from the Clayton Family Foundation, the Tennessee Community Enhancement Grant Program and the Alcoa Foundation. The Pellissippi State Foundation will complete its two-year “Connecting Communities, Changing Lives” fundraising campaign this year and is hoping total gifts will surpass the original $6 million goal.

In April State Rep. Joe McCord presented the Pellissippi State Foundation with a check for $50,000 for the new Blount County Campus. The funds are part of an allocation to the local representative from the state’s Community Enhancement Grant Program.

“Pellissippi State is a tremendous asset to Blount and surrounding counties,” said McCord, “and will provide students with an affordable opportunity to continue their education.”

In November the Pellissippi State Foundation received one of the largest gifts in the College’s 35-year history. At the time, the Clayton Family Foundation announced a gift of $1 million, half of which will be directed to funding the Blount County Campus.

“Educational institutions,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes, “are the single greatest way to improve a community from all aspects: economic development, quality of life and opportunities for individuals to pursue their dreams.”

Another 2008 highlight of Pellissippi State’s presence in Blount County was the naming of Maryville native Holly L. Burkett to assistant dean of the Blount County Campus last summer. An alumna of Maryville High School and the University of Tennessee, Burkett was previously director of admissions and also alumni relations coordinator for the College.

She is the daughter of Shirley and Clifford H. “Bo” Henry of Maryville. Bo Henry is a former member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Pellissippi State’s governing body.

Other milestones in 2008:

The remaining $500,000 from the Clayton Family Foundation was designated for the newly named Clayton Performing Arts Center on the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road.

Rounding out the year’s top gifts was an $88,000 grant over two years from the Alcoa Foundation. The contribution will be used to purchase and upgrade equipment and technology for the Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology degree programs.

The College experienced another year of growth in the student population. In fact, the College hit a record fall enrollment of 8,742. Several students excelled beyond the classroom:

Video Production Technology student Jason Richards won a national award, Photographer of Tomorrow, from Olympus Imaging America, Inc.

A team of six Electrical Engineering Technology students made the top eight in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers SoutheastCon Robot Competition.

Pellissippi State began a $2 million upgrade on the Pellissippi Campus’ J.L. Goins Administration Building, the first in the building’s 22-year history. The project, which includes relocation of the Safety and Security Office to the main entrance, will be completed this May.

In 2008 the College–in partnership with the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies, an organization based at Pellissippi State that consists of 19 Tennessee Board of Regents colleges and universities–offered study-abroad opportunities to nine countries. The number increases to 11 in 2009.

Closer to home, Pellissippi State continues to be a major partner in the economic vitality of the community.

“Our direct economic impact on Knox and Blount counties over the past five years was more than $711 million, or about $142 million per year,” said President Edwards. “In addition, 24,641 local full-time jobs were created from 2003 to 2008 as a result of the College’s presence.”