Tennessee
Tennessee universities, typically rivals, come together to encourage college enrollment
Ten public universities across Tennessee announced a joint campaign to promote awareness of the value of earning a four-year degree.
The consortium of schools kicked off its “Four the Future” campaign Tuesday that features billboards, TV spots and digital media. The campaign will also include community meetings across the state. The unifying theme of the campaign is emblazoned across all its ads: “Tennessee universities support Tennessee communities.”
“From Memphis to Mountain City, one of the hallmarks of Tennessee has always been our strong higher-education system, and this is an investment in our state,” UT System President Randy Boyd said in a campaign news release. “The goal of this alliance is to share that strength with everyone in the Volunteer State. From business owners to young adults, we want people to know the value of a degree from a public university in Tennessee.”
The campaign marks an unusual move for schools that typically compete for prospective students. It comes amid national declines in enrollment in colleges and universities, driven in part by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, enrollment numbers are slowly beginning to rebound statewide, according to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
The commission reported college-going rates dipped from 63.8% for the graduating high school class of 2017 to 52.8% for the class of 2021. The class of 2022 saw a slight increase with a 54.3% college-going rate. Data for the class of 2023 is not yet available. Public universities and community colleges saw a 2.2% bump in enrollment in Tennessee this fall. The University of Tennessee reported an all-time high enrollment, while several others posted significant gains.
‘A workforce crisis’
But the campaign is not just about enrollment — it’s also about workforce development and economic growth.
“We have a workforce crisis in our state and our country,” materials released by the campaign said. “At the same time that we need a more highly trained workforce, the number of students going to college is nationally declining.”
Around 70% of Tennessee business leaders said there are not enough appropriately trained workers for their needs, according to a 2022 survey by UT Knoxville’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research. Research also shows that earning a four-year degree can help boost the national economy and help degree holders earn and invest more, work in jobs with fewer safety hazards, forge valuable social connections and achieve economic mobility.
Financial aid awareness is also a key factor in the push by the schools, including a tuition program through Tennessee HOPE.
A look at the universities participating in the campaign
All public colleges and universities in Tennessee were invited to participate in the multiyear campaign. Here are the 10 that joined:
- Austin Peay State University (Clarksville)
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City)
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro)
- Tennessee State University (Nashville)
- Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville)
- University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Tennessee, Martin
- University of Tennessee, Southern (Pulaski)
The campaign costs $1.5 million for its first phase, with each university contributing part of the cost in proportion with its enrollment. The University of Memphis is the only school that did not join the campaign.
“In light of our recently deployed Ascend Strategic Plan and the ongoing reorganizations occurring at our institution, the University of Memphis has opted not to participate in the statewide value of education campaign,” interim executive vice president for university relations Leah Jones said. “The UofM offers its support to the campaign and the participating institutions.”
What university leaders are saying about the campaign
The campaign shared input from several university presidents as their efforts got underway. Here’s some of what they had to say:
“Many of our students are the first in their families to go to college, and you can see the positive results through the stories of our graduates. They become business leaders, scientists, medical professionals, artists, engineers and government leaders. These graduates help our state and regional economies continue to thrive.”
-Michael Licari, president, Austin Peay State University
“East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular purpose: to improve the quality of life for people in our region and beyond … Tennessee’s public universities are here to serve the people of this great state, and our higher-education system is among the best in the nation. At ETSU, we strive to make a positive impact in the lives of all Tennesseans, even those who never set foot on our campus.”
-Brian Noland, president, East Tennessee State University
“Tennessee State is proud to be a part of this first-of-its-kind campaign with the other public universities in the state … As a university that has a unique mission of ensuring equitable opportunities for students of color, we are proud to stand with our peers in this campaign. As Tennessee grows, it’s imperative that our students from all backgrounds take part in that growth.”
-Glenda Glover, president, Tennessee State University
“Tennessee’s public universities like Tennessee Tech are not simply preparing workers for jobs, we are preparing leaders for careers. When students entrust four years of their time and resources to Tennessee’s public universities, we multiply that to provide them the knowledge, skills and talents to last a lifetime … There is no better investment one can make in their future than a four-year public university degree.”
-Phil Oldham, president, Tennessee Tech University
“A bachelor’s degree increases the life trajectory of not only those who earn them, but also their families. That is why we are proud to be part of this unprecedented message, delivered loud and clear by our state’s leading public universities, of the great value, tremendous worth and tangible benefits of a four-year college degree.”
-Sidney A. McPhee, president, Middle Tennessee State University
Learn more
Information on the campaign, research and data on college enrollment and four-year degrees, and a wide variety of resources can be found at FourTheFutureTN.com.
Tennessee
President Biden approved emergency declaration for Tennessee, federal disaster assistance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance by issuing an emergency declaration in Tennessee.
With Tropical Storm Helene’s impact causing significant flooding and other issues across the state, the declaration will allow for more money and resources to help with the aftermath.
It also authorizes FEMA to coordinate the relief efforts in the community and keep everyone safe from further catastrophe as best as possible.
Specific counties mentioned include Cocke, Hawkins and Washington, along with Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
Tennessee
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was 'organized chaos'
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
-
Clearwater mother describes destruction of Florida home from Hurricane Helene
04:24
-
Now Playing
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was ‘organized chaos’
06:52
-
UP NEXT
Florida’s first responders perform dozens of rescues in Helene aftermath
02:37
-
Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene
01:13
-
Patients and staff stranded on roof of Tennessee hospital after Helene
00:27
-
‘I was in shock’: Steinhatchee resident describes Helene’s devastation
03:45
-
‘They just didn’t expect this’: First responder describes high water rescues
02:17
-
Drone footage shows flooding from Helene in Atlanta
01:05
-
Helene’s devastation stretches from Florida into the Carolinas
06:51
-
Atlanta mayor on Helene: ‘This was one that we’ve never seen before’
04:37
-
WATCH: Rescues captured on camera during Helene flooding
02:09
-
‘Damage and destruction’: Florida police chief describes Helene
03:17
-
Where is Tropical Storm Helene moving next?
05:53
-
Full extent of damage from Helene is still unknown but could be ‘catastrophic’
03:19
-
Tallahassee avoids the worst of Hurricane Helene as the storm weakens
02:31
-
WATCH: Hurricane Helene viewed from the International Space Station
00:40
-
WATCH: Doorbell camera captures Hurricane Helene’s storm surge in Cedar Key
00:40
-
Hurricane Helene will affect a huge area as it heads toward the Tennessee Valley
01:46
-
Steinhatchee hit with severe flooding as Hurricane Helene makes landfall
01:09
-
Hurricane Helene floods streets in downtown Tampa
00:39
-
Clearwater mother describes destruction of Florida home from Hurricane Helene
04:24
-
Now Playing
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was ‘organized chaos’
06:52
-
UP NEXT
Florida’s first responders perform dozens of rescues in Helene aftermath
02:37
-
Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene
01:13
-
Patients and staff stranded on roof of Tennessee hospital after Helene
00:27
-
‘I was in shock’: Steinhatchee resident describes Helene’s devastation
03:45
Tennessee
Dozens saved in East Tennessee as floodwaters overcome a hospital
EAST TENNESSEE (AP) — Patients and their caregivers sought shelter Friday on a Tennessee hospital’s roof after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene drove them from the building’s interior and conditions made rescue efforts difficult.
The dramatic scene at Unicoi County Hospital near the North Carolina border was one of several that played out across the southern U.S. in Helene’s wake, as flooding caused by its storm surge and rain sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds were saved, but at least 40 died.
Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and 43 others Friday morning after the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks and flooded the facility, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The decision was made to take everyone to the roof.
“The water there simply came up faster with more debris than was safe to operate in the rafts to ferry from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s emergency operations director.
After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital because of the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof. Three National Guard helicopters with hoist capabilities were on the way, officials said.
“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on-scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” said Ballad Health, the hospital’s owner, on social media.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
Business1 week ago
Video: Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates for the First Time in Four Years
-
News7 days ago
Video: Who Are the Black Swing Voters?
-
Politics1 week ago
Dem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
Politics1 week ago
'I've never seen this': Top Republican details level of Secret Service 'lack of cooperation'
-
News1 week ago
Election 2024 Polls: Florida
-
World1 week ago
Critics slam landmark EU competitiveness report as 'one-sided'
-
Finance1 week ago
This ETF uses ChatGPT to invest like Warren Buffett