Author: Buddy Pearson

At its recent meeting, the Audit and Business Committee of the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to honor Marc Burnett by naming the university’s new student recreation and fitness center for him.

The committee passed the recommendation to the full board where it was approved unanimously. The building will be known as the Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation and Fitness Center.

Marc Burnett spent more than 36 years influencing students on Tennessee Tech’s campus, including his years of service as an administrator and advocate for diversity.

“It is fitting that Marc’s name will be associated with a building that students funded, helped design, and will enjoy,” said Tennessee Tech president Phil Oldham. “Marc has held so many roles on our campus, from student-athlete to executive administrator, and his passion has always been for helping students finish their degrees, find their passions and have some fun.”

A standout basketball player for the Golden Eagles, Burnett graduated from Tech in 1982 with a degree in English/Journalism. Burnett is part of one of Tech’s iconic moment in scoring the first point in Hooper Eblen Center history. In addition, he was a five-time captain of the men’s basketball team and also earned a master’s degree from Tech.

“I would like to say that it is a dream come true, but it’s not something I ever imagined,” Burnett said. “I was speechless, almost at the point of tears, when I got the news. I just didn’t expect that.”

Burnett retired from Tech in December as the Vice President for Student Affairs. As the lead administrator in student affairs, he worked with students, faculty, and staff to create and maintain student development. He oversaw policies and programs performed within the Division of Student Affairs which included: Campus Recreation & Fitness Center, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Disability Services, Eagle Card, Health Services, Multicultural Affairs, Residential Life, Orientation and Student Success, Roaden University Center, Service Learning Center, Student Activities & Greek Life, and University Police.

“I served the university to the best of my ability,” Burnett said. “When I look back, I think I did the best that I could.”

Burnett has always been an advocate for diversity. A year ago, he was appointed Tech’s first Chief Diversity Officer. He has raised approximately $1.2 million for the diversity scholarship fund, was instrumental in the founding and leadership for what is now the Leona Lusk Officer Multicultural Center, and is the first – and only – African-American vice-president at Tech. The naming of this building after Burnett will be the first building named for an African-American.

“My job was to work with the entire student body, but diversity has always been important to me,” said Burnett. Being African-American and being an African-American student on campus, it is important. An African-American student at Tennessee Tech, while being in the minority, comes into an environment that is conducive to learning and there is so much to learn by being a student.”

Burnett worked with the students when it came to the new fitness center. He was extremely instrumental in getting the student body to approve a fee for the purpose of building the new center. He worked closely with the SGA and other students to show the benefit the center will have for student use and also the University’s image and reputation.

“We realized that Tennessee Tech was going to grow. We knew the current fitness center would be too small if we had our way and our student population grew and our campus grew,” said Burnett. “The first fitness center was built for about 7,500 students and we have grown past that. Hopefully, the new fitness center will help with recruiting and other things that go on at Tennessee Tech.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennessee Tech is making higher education even more affordable for students.

The Tennessee Tech Promise is a scholarship that ensures more students have access to an education.

“Tennessee Tech is committed to helping students have access to a quality education while exploring ways to be financially supportive so they can truly focus on their academic success,” said Mary McCaskey, director of financial aid and veteran’s affairs. “The Tech Promise is one of the many ways we strive to make this happen.”

As a last-dollar scholarship, Tech Promise covers any outstanding tuition and mandatory fees not met by other scholarships or grants. Qualified students are eligible up to four years.

To qualify, students must have:

• Have a total adjusted gross income of $40,000 or less
• Receive the Tennessee Educational Lottery HOPE Scholarship and federal Pell Grant
• Be a full-time new freshmen or transfer starting in Fall 2020 and beyond

“The best part is that students will be automatically awarded, if eligible,” said McCaskey. “The only thing they will need to do is complete their FAFSA. We are excited the University is able to financially assist our students in this way.”

Students will not have to complete a separate application for the Tech Promise. The university’s financial aid office will determine if a student is eligible using information it already has as part of a student’s application. If a student is eligible, Tech Promise will automatically be awarded to them.

According to data from Payscale.com, Tech graduates have the highest average starting salary of any public university in Tennessee, and second highest of any university in the state. They also have the lowest average debt of any university in the state, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

For more information about Tech Promise or financial aid, contact Tech’s financial aid office at https://www.tntech.edu/financialaid/ or by calling (931) 372-3073.

 

 

After hearing the ideas and wishes of many spring graduates, we have set times for the three ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Students who graduated in Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 are invited, including those receiving master’s degrees and doctorates. (Note, this is a change from the original announcement. Graduates receiving advanced degrees will be included in the Saturday ceremonies and will be grouped by their college).

All graduates may invite family members to attend. We will send instructions for how we will gather in Hooper Eblen Center in late July. We will modify the floor seating, name card distribution and diploma cover presentation to help keep participants socially distanced.

Spring and Summer 2020 graduates who choose not to attend Aug. 8 may choose one of two future ceremonies, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, by making a request at https://www.tntech.edu/commencement/schedule.php. The special requests must be received by either Oct. 15 for this fall or March 15, 2021, for spring in order for graduates to walk.

9 a.m.
College of Education
College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Noon
College of Engineering
College of Fine Arts
Whitson-Hester School of Nursing

3 p.m.
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Business
College of Agriculture & Human Ecology

Please reply to this email if you have questions. We look forward to celebrating with you. Wings Up!