Representing the Tennessee College Association at its annual meeting, President Bob Bell presented Gov. Phil Bredesen with a gift of appreciation crafted by several Tennessee Tech faculty and staff members for the occasion.

As this year’s TCA president, Bell honored Bredesen on behalf of the organization for the governor’s outstanding commitment to all levels of education throughout the state.

The gift combined the artistic talents of Curtiss Brock, assistant professor of glass at the Appalachian Center for Craft, with the wood-working skills of several staff members under the direction of Deloy Webb, carpentry shop supervisor. Cabinetmakers Bill Trobaugh and Kevin Edwards, along with painter Howard Davis, created a custom wood base to hold an original glass vase by Brock.

President Bell presided over the annual meeting, themed “Higher Education — New Expectations, New Realities,” which featured a plenary session by Gov. Bredesen and a session by Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lana Seivers.

TCA, an 83-year-old organization formed to advance the cause of higher education, is made up of more than 70 public and private junior and four-year colleges and universities.