McPhee says MTSU will proceed with Shelbyville project

MTSU President Sidney McPhee (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

Middle Tennessee State University president Sidney McPhee, speaking at the annual Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday, said Tennessee Board of Regents has given its approval for MTSU to begin offering classes in Shelbyville, working in partnership with Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville and with Motlow State Community College.

McPhee offered few if any specifics, saying that the program will offer "courses that will lead to a major set of programs right here in [Bedford] County," and "a comprehensive program over time," hinting that the program may start small and grow. County Mayor Eugene Ray said a 501(c)3 non-profit was being created in connection with the project, and asked those in attendance to contact him if they wished to support it.

MTSU officials announced last year that they intended to place a satellite campus in Shelbyville, in vacant space at the Medical Arts Building behind the old Bedford County Medical Center. The project as announced last fall would include offices and support services, not just classes, making it a true satellite campus. A web site, mtsusouth.com, was created with an interest survey related to the project.

Since that time, however, the state's higher education system has been hit with massive cutbacks.

Ivan Jones, right, the outgoing president of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, receives a plaque in honor of his service from incoming president Scott Cocanougher. Jones is director of Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville; Cocanougher is with First Community Bank of Bedford County. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

McPhee noted the impact of the economy on higher education but also noted that the economy increased the need of the workforce for education, job training and new skills.

"We must provide the access for our citizens who are seeking a college degree," said McPhee. He said the 25 fastest-growing occupations in Tennessee all require at least a bachelor's degree, and only 14 percent of Bedford County citizens have a college education, similar to the rate of surrounding counties. He said 4 million new job openings are expected in health care, education and computer science.

"We are going to build it, and they shall come," said McPhee. "We are looking forward to increasing our presence in this area."

The chamber's annual banquet was held as a luncheon for the first time. In addition to McPhee's highly-anticipated remarks, it included the ceremonial transfer of power between outgoing chamber president Ivan Jones and incoming president Scott Cocanougher, as well as the presentation of the chamber's four annual awards. City council member Kay Rose made the awards presentations.

Deery Eakin Volunteer of the Year

Linda Vannatta received the Deery Eakin Volunteer of the Year award for her work in organizing The Next Step Home. The presentation was made by 2009 chamber president Scott Cocanougher and 2008 president Ivan Jones. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

Linda Vannatta was honored for her work in establishing The Next Step Home, a facility to help women who have been incarcerated or in rehabilitation transfer back into normal life.

"She has stepped out of her comfort zone to make public speeches," said Rose. "She has made phone calls, written articles, raised money and begged, borrowed and recruited whatever it took to make The Next Step Home a reality."

Vannatta tried to deflect praise even as she accepted the award, Rose noted.

"She keeps saying 'It's collective, it's collective, it's collective,' but every program has to have a leader," said Rose.

The award is named for the late Deery Eakin, a local educator who was principal at the elementary school which now bears his name.

Outstanding Leadership Award

Corey Ewing, center, was given the Outstanding Leadership Award for his work as a School Resource Officer with Bedford County Sheriff's Department. Scott Cocanougher, left, and Ivan Jones made the presentation. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

School Resource Officer Corey Ewing was given the Outstanding Leadership Award. Ewing has had a 10-year career in law enforcement, and since becoming an SRO he has received the Giving Tree Award from the Central High School student council.

Special Services Award

Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program was given the Special Services Award. From left are Larry Murdock, two representatives who couldn't be identified by press time, Becky Nichols, Peggy Murdock, Alice Johnson, incoming chamber president Scott Cocanougher, Janet Farrar and outgoing chamber president Ivan Jones. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

The Special Services Award was given to the Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program, which arranges for horseback riding therapy for 30 to 40 children and adults each year. The program began in 1993 and involves 40 volunteers and one paid instructor.

Franklin Yates Lifetime Achievement Award

Billy Fox, right, was given the Franklin Yates Lifetime Achievement Award by outgoing chamber preisdent Ivan Jones, left, and incoming president Scott Cocanougher. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

The Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the late long-time Times-Gazette publisher Franklin Yates, was given to Billy Fox of National Pen Corp., for his leadership and management skills, his treatment of employees, and his support of programs like the Adult Learning Center, Child Development Center and Tennessee Technology Center. He was a member of Shelbyville Breakfast Rotary Club at the time the club transformed Shelbyville's old railroad depot into the Adult Learning Center.

Rose said that Fox worked hard to make National Pen Corp. more efficient so that jobs could be preserved here at home and not moved to foreign countries.