COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 16, 2005) — It's time for the community to pull out the purple and gold welcome mat with pride for Tennessee Tech University students this fall.

TTU’s annual Pride Days celebration, from Aug. 21 to Sept. 3, allows the community to put its best foot forward and encourage new and returning students to stop in and shop. Each year the number of participating area businesses has grown as organizers spread the word that Pride Days offer a chance for businesses to cultivate new customers.

"Our community is one of the key selling points when we talk to prospective students,” said Monica Greppin, director of TTU’s Public Affairs. “Students develop good feelings from being welcomed by the people who live here. As TTU Pride Partners, businesses reap the benefits of reaching the campus community with promotions, and the university enjoys the visible show of support,” she said.

TTU Pride signs have become a hot commodity for businesses and other community members who want to take part. This year's distribution locations include on-campus locations — Roaden University Center Information Desk, Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, University Bookstore and Alumni Relations Office — and community locations — Kroger, Bi-Lo, Regions Bank (W. Broad Street location), First National Bank and First Tennessee Bank (Jefferson Avenue locations), Student Book and Supply and the Leslie Town Centre Chamber of Commerce.

Any business can become a TTU Pride Partner by planning a special promotion or discount or by contacting the university about any TTU specials already offered. Partner promotions and discounts will be posted on the Pride Days web site, and campus-wide e-mail messages will encourage students, faculty and staff to support TTU Pride Partners.

Pride Partners also receive Partner decals to place on TTU Pride yard signs or on inside displays to identify their businesses to area customers. There is no charge for participating in the program.

Businesses are also encouraged to plan special TTU Pride Days events — such as “welcome back” parties with drawings, door prizes or other incentives — and those events will be posted on the TTU web site’s calendar of events too.

Business owners or managers who wish to participate may download from the university’s Pride Days web site a registration form outlining the details of the discount they choose to offer. Completed forms can be faxed to the Public Affairs Office at 931/372-6138. A list of early TTU Pride Partners is already posted on the university web site.

Students will begin arriving on campus when residence halls open Thursday, Aug. 25. Classes begin Aug. 29. For more information, visit www.tntech.edu/pridedays or call Public Affairs at 372-3214.

--Karen Lykins
This information posted 18 AUGUST 2005