Campaign launched publicly, 70 percent of goal already raised

April 17 Pellissippi State went public on a major gifts campaign to raise $6 million—and the College has already reached 70 percent its goal.

“Connecting Communities, Changing Lives,” the theme of the campaign, is under way to raise funds for programs that will benefit students and faculty, furnish new facilities and provide technology upgrades, and strengthen the College’s overall endowment.



The campaign is the largest major fundraising initiative in the institution’s 33-year history and represents the culmination of a two-year feasibility study conducted to determine the critical needs of the College and how those needs can be met in fulfilling long-term goals.

President Allen Edwards announced the $6 million target to a large kickoff crowd at the Performing Arts Center, saying that $4.2 million of the goal has already been raised, including $127,000 in gifts and pledges from faculty and staff.

Among the largest gifts already announced is $1 million from Dee Bagwell Haslam, CEO of Knoxville’s RIVR Media, and her husband, James Haslam III, to equip the new Bagwell Center for Media and Art. The College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last fall for the new building, which is scheduled to open later this year.

Robin Wilhoit, news anchor at WBIR-TV Channel 10, emceed the kickoff program, which also featured remarks by key volunteer campaign leaders.

“‘Connecting Communities, Changing Lives’ represents a broad effort to attract new private funding that will benefit students and the communities where they live and work,” said Edwards.

Pellissippi State’s rapidly growing enrollment is a major factor in the need for additional financial support. The four campuses in Knox and Blount counties attracted a record 8,188 credit students last fall, and this spring’s enrollment increased by more than 7 percent over last spring’s numbers.

Edwards says he is pleased that the community has come to rely on the College to meet the technical and academic needs of the region.

“The growth in student enrollment represents great things for our community,” he said. “But it also presents certain challenges for us. If we are to continue to meet the expectations of our students and the local businesses and industries we serve, it is increasingly clear that we will have to reach out to individuals, corporations and foundations for private support to help us meet our long-range goals.”

Co-chairing the Knox County campaign are Cathy Ackermann, president of Ackermann PR; John Fisher, a wealth management financial consultant with the Fisher Group/Smith Barney; and Joseph L. Johnson, owner of A&W Office Supply.

Blount County campaign co-chairs are Maryville businesswoman and community leader Peggy McCord and Steve West of West Chevrolet in Alcoa.

Speakers at the kickoff included David Wooley, 2007-2008 chair of the Pellissippi State Foundation Board of Trustees and chair/COO of BarberMcMurry architects, and Heather Overton, alumni campaign co-chair and marketing executive with Denark Construction Company.

Honorary co-chairs for the campaign are Tutt Bradford, retired publisher of The Daily Times, and Ross Bagwell Sr., a pioneer in the media industry in Knoxville.

The Pellissippi State Variations Ensemble, directed by Bill Brewer, sang two selections. Brewer, along with Kathy Byrd and Regina Collins, co-chaired the faculty and staff campaign.

A tour of the new Bagwell Center for Media and Art, now under construction, and an outdoor luncheon in the Courtyard concluded the event.