Pellissippi State formally broke ground September 26, on a 27,000-square-foot facility that will house the College’s Media Technologies program, as well as fine arts.

Featured speaker Dee Haslam, CEO of Knoxville’s RIVR Media, which produces video entertainment programming, addressed the need for highly qualified employees in the area’s booming media field.

Additional speakers were Frank Barnett, a TBR regent; Bill Haslam, mayor of Knoxville; Susan Packard, president of international development for Scripps Networks; and William Kouns, president of Jewelry Television.

Margaret Ann Jeffries, department head of Engineering and Media Technologies, served as master of ceremonies. Pellissippi State students sung the National Anthem.

The target date for completion of the two-story structure is July 2007.

“We received $6.25 million in state funding for the art and Media Technologies building,” said Allen Edwards. “But since the state dollars will only pay for the building, we still have to raise at least $2 million more to furnish it.”



ADDENDUM: The College has since received a $1 million donation to be used to equip the facility. See “Haslams give College $1 million” in this issue of “Inside Pellissippi” for details.