Tennessee Technological University, popularly known as Tennessee Tech, is an accredited public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, United States, a city approximately 70 miles (110Â km) east of Nashville. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (1915), and before that as University of Dixie, the name under which it was founded as a private institution in 1909. It places special emphasis on undergraduate education in fields related to engineering and technology, although degrees in education, liberal arts, agriculture, nursing, and other fields of study can be pursued as well. Additionally, there are graduate offerings in engineering, education, business, and the liberal arts. The university is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees. Its athletic teams compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.
As of the 2017 spring semester, Tennessee Tech enrolls more than 9,600 students (8,563 undergraduate and 1,046 graduate students), and its campus has 87 buildings on 235 acres (95Â ha) centered along Dixie Avenue in north Cookeville. The average class size is 26 students, and the student to faculty ratio is 20:1. Fewer than one percent of all classes are taught by teaching assistants with the rest of the classes being taught by professors. The ethnic breakdown of the student population is: 81.5% White/Caucasian, 3.8% African American, 2.3% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, 8.4% Non-resident alien, and 2.8% Other.
Buildings on campus
Educational or administrative
- Roaden University Center (RUC), often simply called the "UC". Built in 1971 and named for Arliss Roaden, president of the university from 1974 to 1985, this building houses the campus information center ("Campus Compass"), administrative offices for the Financial Aid, Disabilities, Communications and Marketing, and Eagle Card offices, as well as the university bookstore, post office, and primary dining areas. The Joan Derryberry Art Gallery and the university's student-run radio station, WTTU, are also located here.
- Bartoo Hall (BART), houses offices for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Constructed in 1916 as the men's dormitory for Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, this building was originally known simply as "West Hall". It was later home to the university's Biology Department, and is named for Dorr R. Bartoo, a former head of the Biology Department.
- Brown Hall (BRWN), home to the Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering departments. Situated on the southern side of the Engineering Quad, this building is named for James Seay Brown, former chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
- Bruner Hall (BRUN), home to the Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science departments. Situated on the northern side of the Engineering Quad, this building is named for Clarence V. Bruner, Dean of Faculty from 1961 to 1963.
- Bryan Fine Arts Building (BFA), home to the Music and Art departments, as well as the Wattenbarger Auditorium. Constructed in 1981, this building is named for Charles Faulkner Bryan, head of the Department of Music from 1936 to 1939. The artwork of faculty and students is exhibited in the building, and several instruments from the Charles F. Bryan Folk Instrument Collection, including numerous Appalachian dulcimers, are on display in the lobby.
- Clement Hall (CLEM), home to the College of Engineering and the Department of Basic Engineering. The building is also home to the D.W. Mattson Computer Center, which includes the administrative offices and data center of the Information Technology Services department. Situated on the eastern side of the Engineering Quad, Clement Hall was constructed in the mid-1960s, and is named for Frank G. Clement, former Governor of Tennessee (1953â€"1959, 1963â€"1967). The computer center is named for Dale W. Mattson, an engineering professor who acquired the university's first computer, an IBM 650, in the 1960s.
- Derryberry Hall (DBRY), the signature building on campus, home to the offices of the President and Provost, the administrative offices of Admissions, the Bursar, Records and Registration, Institutional Research, University Development, University Advancement, Graduate Studies, and International Affairs, as well as the university's main auditorium. The oldest building on campus, Derryberry Hall was constructed in 1912 for the university's predecessor, Dixie College, though it has undergone numerous renovations since then. It is named after Everett Derryberry, president of the university from 1940 to 1974. The building's iconic colonial-style clock tower is equipped with a carillon that chimes every quarter-hour, and plays selected pieces at 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. daily.
- Foundation Hall (FNDH), currently used as surge space for offices undergoing renovation. The university police department is located on the first floor. This building was originally home to Prescott Middle School. The non-profit TTU Foundation purchased the building from Putnam County in 2009.
- Foster Hall (FOST), home to the Department of Chemistry. Constructed in 1964, the building is named for Dr. F.U. Foster, a former department chairperson.
- Foundry (FDRY), used by the Manufacturing and Engineering Technology department for metalcasting.
- Henderson Hall (HEND), home to the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Extended Education, and the English and History departments. Constructed in 1931, the building is named in honor of James Manson Henderson, the first director of the university's School of Engineering. Henderson Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, primarily for its architecture. The building was designed by Benjamin F. Hunt, who worked for the firm of noted regional architect R. H. Hunt.
- Jere Whitson Hall (JWB), or Jere Whitson Memorial Building, houses the Alumni Relations Office, as well as classrooms and laboratories for the School of Agriculture and the School of Human Ecology. The building also houses the Backdoor Playhouse. Named for the founder of Dixie College, this building was constructed in 1949, and served as the university's library until 1989.
- Johnson Hall (JOHN), home to the College of Business and its associated academic departments (Accounting and Business Law, Economics, Finance, and Marketing, Decision Sciences and Management, and MBA Studies). Constructed in 1970, the building is named after Louis Johnson, the first dean of the College of Business. Johnson Hall includes the 150-seat Don Ervin Auditorium and the Heidtke Trading Room.
- Kittrell Hall (KITT), home to the Department of Earth Sciences. This building was constructed in 1916 as a women's dormitory for Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (Bartoo Hall, on the opposite side of the quad, was the men's dorm). Originally known simply as East Hall, the building was renamed for Tom William Kittrell, the university's longtime bursar. Kittrell Hall is nicknamed "Rock Lodge" for the numerous rocks and geologic formations on display in and around the building.
- Lewis Hall (LEWS), home to the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology. Constructed in 1920 as an engineering and industrial arts shop, the building is named after William H. Lewis, former chairperson of the university's Department of Industrial Arts. The building is equipped with several instructional laboratories, including the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory.
- Matthews-Daniel Hall (MATT/DANL), home to the Department of Sociology and Political Science, the Criminal Justice program, the Tennessee Alcohol Safety Education Program, as well as several faculty offices for Counseling and Psychology, and Curriculum and Instruction. The building is named for Charles D. Daniel, the university's first dean, and his wife, Mary Matthews Daniel.
- Memorial Gym (MGYM), home to the Department of Exercise Science, Physical Education and Wellness. The building includes a large gymnasium with a basketball court, two smaller intramural gymnasia, handball courts, and a swimming pool.
- Oakley Hall, formerly South Hall (SOUT), home to the School of Agriculture, the School of Human Ecology, and the Department of Foreign Languages. The building was constructed in 1928 for the school's home economics department, and renovated in the early 1950s. Oakley Hall is home to the Friday Cafe, which serves meals prepared by Human Ecology students and faculty. It was renamed in 2015 in honor of Millard and J.J. Oakley.
- Old Maintenance Building (OLDM), used primarily as lab space by different departments.
- Pennebaker Hall (PENN), home to the Department of Biology, the Cooperative Fisheries Unit, and the Women's Center. Constructed in 1968, the building is named in honor of Gordon B. Pennebaker, former chairperson of the department. The Paul Hollister Herbarium, located within the building, contains over 10,000 pressed plant specimens. Birds, snakes and other wildlife are on display on the third floor.
- Prescott Hall (PRSC), home to the Chemical, Civil, and Industrial Engineering departments, as well as the Center for Energy Systems Research. Situated on the western side of the Engineering Quad, this building was constructed in the 1960s, and is named in honor of Wallace S. Prescott, a longtime university faculty member and administrator who served as President of TTU from 1985 to 1987.
- Ray Morris Hall (RMH), home to the Millard Oakley STEM Center, which coordinates the university's STEM outreach programs. The STEM Center opened in 2010. The building and the STEM Center are both named in honor of businessmen who provided funding for the center's establishment.
- Robert and Gloria Bell Hall (BELL), home to the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing and the J.J. Oakley Campus Health Services unit. Constructed in 2008, the building is named for Robert Bell, the university's president from 2000 to 2012, and his wife, Gloria. The building is equipped with a 60-station computer lab and patient care labs that simulate hospital settings. The building was constructed on the site of Smith Quad, a complex of dormitories demolished in the early 2000s.
- Southwest Hall (SWH), home to the Environmental Sciences program, the Water Resource Center and the Child Development Laboratory. Formerly the Upper Cumberland Regional Health Facility, the university acquired this building in 2011.
- T.J. Farr Building (FARR), home to the College of Education, the Department of Counseling and Psychology, and the university's Honors Program. The building is named for the former chairperson of the English and Education Departments.
- Volpe Library and Media Center (LIBR), the university's library. The library's main floor consists of a learning commons (including a coffee shop), and the third floor contains the library's stacks. Constructed in 1989, the library is named for Angelo Volpe, who served as the university's president from 1987 to 2000.
Residential buildings
Traditional halls
- Browning Hall (BRNG), men's residence hall located along the western end of Capitol Quad. This building, which shares a breezeway with Evins Hall, was constructed in 1966, and is named in honor of Gordon Browning, former Governor of Tennessee (1937â€"1939, 1949â€"1953).
- Cooper Hall (COOP), coed residence hall located along the southern end of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1966, this building was named in honor of Prentice Cooper, who served as Governor of Tennessee from 1939 to 1945. Cooper Hall shares a breezeway with Dunn Hall.
- Crawford Hall (CRAW), women's residence hall located at the southwestern corner of the Main Quad. Constructed in 1962, this building is named in honor of Leonard Crawford, the university's former Director of Alumni, Placement and Field Service.
- Dunn Hall (DUNN), coed residence hall located along the southern end of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1966, this is named in honor of Winfield Dunn, former Governor of Tennessee (1971â€"1975). It shares a breezeway with Cooper Hall.
- Ellington Hall (ELLG), coed residence hall located along the northern end of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1971, it is named in honor of Buford Ellington, former Governor of Tennessee (1959â€"1963, 1967â€"1971). Ellington Hall shares a breezeway with Warf Hall.
- Evins Hall (EVIN), men's residence hall located along the western end of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1966, it is named in honor of Joe L. Evins, who served in Congress from 1947 to 1977. Evins Hall shares a breezeway with Browning Hall.
- Jobe Hall (JOBE), coed residence hall for College of Business students, located on the northern side of the Pinkerton Quad. Constructed in 1969, it is named for Elsie Jobe, the university's former Dean of Women. The building's eastern end is connected to the northern end of Murphy Hall.
- M.S. Cooper Hall (MSCP), coed residence hall for international students, located along the western side of the Pinkerton Quad. Constructed in 1969, it is named for Mattie Sue Cooper, a former university reference librarian. M.S. Cooper Hall shares a breezeway with Pinkerton Hall.
- Maddux Hall (MDDX), coed residence hall located along the eastern side of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1966, the building is named in honor of Jared Maddux, a former Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. Maddux Hall shares a breezeway with McCord Hall.
- McCord Hall (MCRD), men's residence hall located along the eastern side of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1966, the building is named in honor of Jim Nance McCord, who served as Governor of Tennessee from 1945 to 1949. It shares a breezeway with Maddux Hall.
- Murphy Hall (MURP), coed residence hall for students enrolled in the Honors Program, located along the eastern side of Pinkerton Quad. Constructed in 1969, it is named in honor of Elizabeth Swallows Murphy, the university's former Dean of Women. The northern end of Murphy Hall is connected to the eastern end of Jobe Hall.
- Pinkerton Hall (PINK), coed residence hall located along the western side of Pinkerton Quad. Constructed in 1969, it is named in honor of Herman and Marguerite Pinkerton, longtime university administrators. It shares a breezeway with M.S. Cooper Hall.
- Warf Hall (WARF), coed residence hall located along the northern side of Capitol Quad. Constructed in 1971, it is named in honor of Howard Warf, who served as the Tennessee Commissioner of Education from 1963 to 1971.
Suites
- New Hall North (NEWN), coed residence hall located along the south side of the Pinkerton Quad. It was constructed in 2010.
- New Hall South (NEWS), coed residence hall located adjacent to New Hall North, at the southern end of the Pinkerton Quad. It was constructed in 2003.
Tech Village
Tech Village is a complex of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments located on the west side of campus.
Maintenance buildings
- Facilities/Business Services Building (MTNO), houses offices and storage space for the Department of Facilities.
- George and Ridley Carr Building (MTNS), houses shop space for the Department of Facilities.
- Motor Pool Garage (MTNG), houses offices and storage space for the Department of Facilities, as well as garages for the fleet of university-owned vehicles.
- Otis Carroll Building (CHIL), houses the university's chiller plant.
- University Police Building (UPD), houses Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Office of Telecommunications. The building originally served as the campus infirmary.
- University Services Building (USVC), houses the university's heating plant and the Office of Printing Services. The building was constructed in 1929.
- Warehouse (WHSE), houses offices and storage space for the Department of Facilities.
Parks and open spaces
- Gerald D. Coorts Memorial Arboretum, located in the area between the buildings on the eastern side of the Main Quad and Dixie Avenue
- Main Quad, a large grassy lawn surrounded by trees located at the center of the Main Quadrangle. The adjacent road has been designated a greenway, and is generally off-limits to vehicular traffic.
- Sherlock Park, a partially wooded park located west of the Engineering Quad.
- Centennial Plaza, a partially wooded courtyard located south of the Roaden University Center.
Off-campus units
- Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion, a 3.5-acre (0.014Â km2) complex located about a mile west of the main campus on Highway 290 (Gainesboro Grade). Operated by the School of Agriculture, the pavilion includes a main show arena, sales arena, barn, and picnic shelter. Constructed in the mid-1990s, the pavilion is named for W. Clyde Hyder, a former animal sciences professor, and Tommy Burks, a former state senator.
- Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft, or "Craft Center", a satellite campus of Tennessee Tech located near Smithville, Tennessee. The 87,000-square-foot (8,100Â m2) facility was constructed in 1979, and is named in honor of Congressman Joe L. Evins (the nearby state park is named after Evins's father, Edgar). The Craft Center offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in clay, fibers, glass, metals and wood, and supports an artist-in-residence.
Academics
Departments
Tennessee Technological University has a total of 44 bachelor's degree programs and 20 graduate programs as well as doctoral programs in the fields of education, engineering, and environmental sciences. TTU emphasizes a focus in STEM degrees but also provides infrastructure for traditional programs including liberal arts and nursing.
- College of Agriculture and Human Ecology
- School of Agriculture
- School of Human Ecology
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Counseling and Psychology
- Earth Sciences
- English
- Foreign Languages
- General Education
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Pre-professional Health Sciences
- Sociology and Political Science
- Web Design
- Women and Gender Studies
- College of Business
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Business and Information Technology
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- General Management
- Human Resource Management
- Production and Operations Management
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
- College of Education
- Art
- Counseling and Psychology
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Physical Education
- Music
- College of Engineering
- Basic Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Manufacturing and Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
- College of Graduate Studies
- College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- School of Environmental Studies
- School of Interdisciplinary Studies
- School of Professional Studies
- Whitson-Hester School of Nursing
Programs
- Cooperative Education
- Educational Technology
- Distance MBA
- Honors
- Military Science
Research Centers
- Center for Energy Systems Research (CESR), an interdisciplinary facility dedicated to research in various problems pertaining to energy and infrastructure. The facility pursues research in "solar energy, energy storage, smart grid power systems, power electronics, wind energy, distributed power plant performance improvement, cement, concrete, bridge and structure health monitoring, flood flow modeling, advanced communications, and cyber security".
- Center for Manufacturing Research (CMR), a facility appropriated by the College of Engineering for the research in areas related to manufacturing.
- Center for the Management Utilization & Protection of Water Resources
- Center for Teaching & Learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)
- Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (TNCFRU)
Rankings
Tennessee Tech was ranked among the Top Public Universities in the South in U.S. News & World Report's 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 editions of "America's Best Colleges" as well as a Top Public Regional University in the South in its 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006 college guides. The Princeton Review also listed TTU as a "Best College Value" in 2007, 2008, and 2010. TTU was one of "America's 100 Best College Buys" as reported by Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc. in 2006.
Athletics
The Tennessee Tech athletic program is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The school's teams are known as the Golden Eagles, the team colors are purple and gold, and the mascot is Awesome Eagle.
Student activities
Honors societies
- Alpha Kappa Delta â€" Sociology
- Alpha Kappa Psi â€" Business
- Alpha Lambda Delta â€" Freshman
- Alpha Mu Gamma â€" Foreign Languages
- Alpha Psi Omega â€" Theatre
- Beta Alpha Psi â€" Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems
- Beta Beta Beta â€" Biology
- Beta Gamma Sigma â€" Business
- Chi Epsilon â€" Civil Engineering
- Delta Tau Alpha â€" Agriculture
- Eta Kappa Nu â€" Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering
- Kappa Delta Pi â€" Education
- Kappa Mu Epsilon â€" Mathematics
- Kappa Omicron Nu â€" Human Ecology
- Mortar Board â€" Senior
- Omega Chi Epsilon â€" Chemical Engineering
- Omicron Delta Epsilon â€" Economics
- Omicron Delta Kappa â€" Leadership
- Order of Omega â€" Greek system
- Phi Alpha Theta â€" History
- Phi Kappa Phi â€" Scholastic
- Pi Kappa Delta â€" Speech and Debate
- Pi Sigma Alpha â€" Political Science
- Pi Tau Sigma â€" Mechanical Engineering
- Psi Chi â€" Psychology
- Scabbard and Blade â€" ROTC
- Sigma Pi Sigma â€" Physics
- Sigma Tau Delta â€" English
- Sigma Theta Tau â€" Nursing
- Society for Collegiate Journalists â€" Journalism
- Tau Beta Pi â€" Engineering
Religious organizations
- Baptist Collegiate Ministries
- Campus Outreach
- Canterbury Club
- Chi Alpha
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
- LDS Student Association
- Newman Campus Ministry
- Presbyterian Student Association
- Reformed University Fellowship
- Secular Student Alliance
- Servants of Christ
- University Christian Student Center
- Wesley Foundation
Fraternities
- Alpha Gamma Sigma
- Alpha Phi Alpha
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Kappa Sigma
- Omega Psi Phi
- Phi Beta Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- Phi Gamma Delta
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Sigma Chi
- Sigma Phi Epsilon
- Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sororities
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Delta Gamma
- Delta Phi Epsilon
- Kappa Delta
- Phi Mu
- Zeta Tau Alpha (zeta chi - currently inactive)
Chemistry
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Affiliates Network
- Chem-Med Club
- Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society
Engineering
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Institute of Transportation Engineers
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- TTU Aviation Society
- TTU Mini Baja Team
Decision Sciences
- Association of Information Technology Professionals
Notable faculty
- Phillip Barham, Professor of Saxophone; Internationally recognized saxophone performer and pedagogue.
- Greg Danner, Professor of Music; composer
- Michael M. Gunter, Professor of Political Science; Fulbright lecturer, authority on the Kurds and the Middle East.
- Joseph Hermann, Director of Bands; President of the American Bandmasters Association.
- R. Winston Morris â€" Professor of Tuba; innovator in the fields of tuba performance, education, and chamber music,
- Tor Guimaraes -Chairholder, J.E.Owens Chair of Excellence, College of Business Administration
Notable alumni
- Blanton Alspaugh, Grammy-winning producer
- Rodney Atkins, Country music singer
- Paul Bailey, Tennessee state senator.
- Jimmy Bedford, sixth master distiller at Jack Daniel's
- Roger K. Crouch, NASA astronaut
- Trae Crowder, professional comedian
- Lincoln Davis, former U.S. congressman
- Ron Estes, U.S. congressman from Kansas
- Rich Froning Jr., four-time CrossFit Games Champion
- Elois Grooms, former NFL player
- Johnny H. Hayes, former TVA director and presidential campaign finance manager
- Mike Hennigan, former NFL linebacker
- Dwight Henry, former Tennessee state legislator and gubernatorial candidate
- Bill Jenkins, former U.S. congressman
- Kenneth Jernigan, advocate for the blind, former head of the National Federation of the Blind
- Andy Landers, women's basketball coach at the University of Georgia
- Adam Liberatore, MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Barbara McConnell, New Jersey state legislator
- Kevin Murphy, NBA player for the Utah Jazz
- Frank Omiyale, NFL player
- Da'Rick Rogers, NFL player
- Erik Sabel, former MLB player
- Daron Schoenrock, college baseball coach at Memphis
- David Simmons, Florida state senator
- Ken Sparks, football coach at Carson-Newman College
- Scott Stallings, professional golfer
- Carl Stiner, former Commander in Chief of the United States Special Operations Command
- Harry Stonecipher, former CEO of Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and Sundstrand
- Barry A. Vann, author, lecturer
- Lonnie Warwick, former NFL player
- Dottie West, country singer
- Barry Wilmore, NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot
- Jim Youngblood, former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins
Traditions
Campus lore
- The golden eagle statue atop Derryberry Hall was stolen by three students â€" Tom Moran, Roy Loudermilk, and Lewis Brown â€" from the lawn of the burned-out Monteagle Hotel in Monteagle, Tennessee, in November 1952. The three had hoped the eagle would provide the ultimate prop for the pep rally prior to the football game against then-rival MTSU. The hotel's owner, John Harton (a former state treasurer), demanded the return of the statue, and initially rejected all offers to purchase it. He finally relented and sold the statue for $500 after Governor Frank G. Clement intervened. The eagle, which weighs 70 pounds (32 kg) and has a 6-foot (1.8 m) wing span, was initially placed atop Jere Whitson Hall. It was moved to its current position atop Derryberry in 1961.
- "Dammit the Dog", a former university president once said "dammit" to a dog in front of a crowd. He covered by saying that was the dog's name The dog has his own tombstone, an operable fire hydrant, on TTU campus opposite Derryberry Hall.
- T.J. Farr Building is one of the few buildings on campus not called "Hall." It is said this is because when you say "Farr Hall" in the South, people think you're referring to something other than an academic building, namely a Fire Hall.
- The "Blizzard" is a tradition which started in 1984 when students celebrated the first successful shot made by Tennessee Tech in a basketball game against MTSU by throwing showers of "Tech Squares" (toilet paper) into the air. Since MTSU moved to the Sun Belt Conference, the Blizzard is now performed against Austin Peay State University.
References
External links
- Official website
- Tennessee Tech Athletics website