There’s nothing too bold and nothing too big for Tennessee Tech University.
For the 600-plus campus and community members who participated in or visited the Tennessee Tech Tomorrow event in Bryan Fine Arts a couple of weeks ago, the energy created by students and faculty left us all more sure of this statement than ever.I challenged the audience there, and I challenge you here, to think about your role in this university’s future. My thoughts that day capture my belief we are ready to change the course of our university in a positive way by embracing change, risk and unlimited possibilities.
If you did not get a chance to visit the building project showcase on that day that features the Science Building, Jere Whitson Building, new Student Recreation Center, and golf course, the same video and presentation board display will be set up in the Tech Pride Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 17. I encourage you to drop in if you have a few minutes.
As you read the following thoughts, I encourage you to see yourself as a vital part of Tennessee Tech Tomorrow.
There’s a natural humility here. That’s part of our character.
But I challenge you to say: WE ARE TENNESSEE TECH!
Technology is the currency of the 21st century. That means we own the bank!
I challenge you:
- To dare to fail and learn
- To never settle for good enough
- To take a risk that scares you and excites you at the same time
For those of you who are innovators, entrepreneurs and risk takers, I challenge you to take one, or two, or ten people on your journey.
Here’s the deal: There is no secret plan for Tennessee Tech Tomorrow.
Tennessee Tech Tomorrow is YOU. It’s each one of us.
Many of you are already dreaming it, pursuing it, living it.
The examples are both numerous and compelling, from the innovations occurring in the iCube, to the student entrepreneurs in the Eagle Works competition, to our growing national leadership in cybersecurity, to the development of next generation agriculture and healthy food options, to our computer science faculty support of new high tech, high paying jobs for our local community. These are just a few of the most recent examples of the Tennessee Tech of Tomorrow.
There is not enough room here to list them all. However, there is enough energy, and talent, and courage at Tennessee Tech to carry us out of the past and into a more exciting future. What do we learn from these efforts?
Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do next.
Don’t sit on the dock waiting for your ship to come in. Row out and meet it!
Be Bold. Fearless. Confident.
And don’t wait for Tennessee Tech Tomorrow. Make Tennessee Tech Tomorrow.
Wings Up!
