Tennessee Tech board appoints new student trustee, plans for strong fall enrollment at quarterly meeting
Newly-appointed student trustee Claire Myers speaks to the board ahead of the unanimous vote to confirm her appointment.
The Board of Trustees at Tennessee Tech University appointed a new student trustee,
approved tenure for eight faculty members, received an update on the university’s
positive enrollment projections and approved a modest tuition adjustment in line with
other state universities at its quarterly meeting on June 20.
Board members unanimously approved the nomination of Tech graduate student Claire
Myers to serve as student trustee for the 2024-2025 year. Myers is a Jackson, Tenn.
native and is pursuing a Master of Science in chemical engineering after graduating
magna cum laude from the university last month. She is also the immediate past vice
president of Tech’s Student Government Association.
“I am so excited to continue my education at a university that I already know and
love,” said Myers in remarks to the board. “I believe it’s important to expand horizons
while remaining rooted and informed in the history and by the mission of our university.”
Board members also took time during the day’s meetings to recognize fellow trustee
and Tech alumnus Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who is currently docked at the International
Space Station as part of the Boeing Starliner flight crew.
“He is a great representative for Tennessee Tech. He is the best of all of us,” said
President Oldham in remarks to the board. “[Students] learn at Tech to reach the boundless
heights of their own dreams, just as Barry has.”
During the day’s earlier committee meetings, board members learned from Karen Lykins,
vice president for enrollment and communication, that the university is currently
ahead in projected fall enrollment compared to this time last year and has already
registered more than 2,060 students for freshman orientation, known as “SOAR,” with
expectations to register additional students over the remainder of the summer.
Similar to other universities across the state, the Board of Trustees additionally
improved a modest tuition increase of roughly five percent after avoiding tuition
increases for the 2022-2023 and 2020-2021 academic years. The tuition adjustment will
allow the university to continue investing in the student experience while recruiting
and retaining faculty and staff and adhering to recent changes under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
“We don’t take these considerations lightly at all,” explained President Oldham during
the board’s Audit and Business Committee meeting. “It’s really important that we maintain
the quality of the educational experience for students here at Tennessee Tech … We
want to make sure that’s as affordable as possible, but also the highest quality possible.”
Tech President Phil Oldham delivers a report to the Board of Trustees.
Board members additionally learned of 37 recent faculty promotions and approved a
slate of eight faculty members for tenure, bringing Tech’s share of tenured faculty
to 55 percent for the fall semester.
In other business:
- Enrollment update: Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication, shared a profile of
Tech’s incoming freshman class, noting that incoming students hold an average GPA
of 3.67, with some 680 students boasting a perfect 4.0 high school GPA.
- Provost’s report: Tech Provost Lori Mann Bruce shared a presentation with trustees, including highlights
of recent faculty and staff awards. Provost Bruce noted that Addison Dorris, Tech’s
outgoing student trustee, was the recipient of the 2024 Derryberry Award, Tech’s highest
student honor. The provost also recognized Troy Smith, associate professor of history,
Ada Haynes, professor of sociology, Susan Wells, lecturer of decision sciences and
management, and Ismail Fidan, professor of manufacturing and engineering technology,
for earning 2023-2024 faculty awards.
Later, the provost provided an update on academic programs, noting that, over the last year, the university had approved 11 new or revised concentrations, four revised degree programs, three new degree programs, two new or revised minors and a new certificate program.
The provost also introduced Lisa Zagumny, dean of the College of Education & Human Sciences, for an update. Dean Zagumny noted that Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences continues to graduate the most teachers in the state of Tennessee. - Athletics update: Mark Wilson, athletic director, noted that Tech student-athletes recorded their 31st
straight semester with an average GPA of 3.0 or better. Wilson also highlighted the
Tech men’s golf team 2024 OVC championship win and provided an update on plans for
Tech’s rebuilt football stadium, noting that demolition of the west side of the current
Tucker Stadium is slated to begin within the coming weeks.
- Recognition of students: Trustees heard remarks from three student-athletes who shared about their experiences
at Tech, including Tim Coutras, football, Reghan Grimes, women’s basketball, and Grant
Slatten, men’s basketball.
Coutras called his experience at Tech “love at first sight” while Grimes noted, “I wanted to come somewhere that I felt loved by the community and I definitely feel that here.”
Tech student-athletes address the Board of Trustees. From left: Tim Coutras, Reghan
Grimes and Grant Slatten.
Materials from today’s meeting and video of the full board meeting will be available
at the board’s website, www.tntech.edu/board.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2024.