Cookeville Press Releases

Press Releases

DATE: September 4, 2008
CONTACT: Dennis Tennant 931-520-0551

Nashville State Community College Cookeville Campus: Almost 20 Years Old and Still Growing

Nashville State’s enrollment at the college’s Cookeville Campus is 15% above last year, a welcome surprise to officials who were expecting a more moderate turnout. President George H. Van Allen said “As we move closer to the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Putnam County and the Upper Cumberland, the enrollment increase is very satisfying. It justifies the predictions and hard work of so many community and state leaders.”

A technical training center was first proposed for Cookeville in the late 1980’s by community leaders looking to expand economic development efforts. Eldon Leslie, who currently chairs the campus’s advisory board, was president of the Putnam County Chamber at that time and was one of the visionaries who saw the potential of providing general education and technical training in Cookeville. According to Leslie, “Some twenty years ago, we were looking at a large under-served population. We had to find a way to bring more education and training to the Upper Cumberland. We finally decided to ask former Governor Ned McWhorter for advice. The Governor introduced us to Board of Regents Chancellor Otis Floyd and to Nashville State. The decision to bring Nashville State to Cookeville proved to be most fortunate for our community.”

The program struggled for lack of a facility until Governor Don Sundquist, on the advice of former Regent Nobel Cody, proposed funding for the current building in the early 1990’s. The General Assembly was promised, through the efforts of former Senator Tommy Burks’ Senate Resolution 111, that the campus would make higher education available to the Upper Cumberland and that it would be led by Nashville State. With the assistance of Senator Burks and former Representative Jere Hargrove, the legislature acted to provide funds for a new building. According to Eldon Leslie, “With this year’s enrollment jump, we are seeing the results of the partnership Ned, Tommy, and Otis forged in this beautiful campus.”

Almost 600 students attend the Nashville State Cookeville campus located on Neal Street, in a variety of general education and technical program classes. The number of graduates employed in their field of study is consistently high and promises to increase as new businesses and industries relocate to the area, such as Oreck. The campus works closely with TTU and has become a growing feeder to the university, transferring 61 students last year.

According to Dennis Tennant, Director of the Campus, "We continue to work hard to maintain strong relationships with local industries, high schools, Tennessee Tech University and the Chamber. I believe these relationships and the exposure they give the Campus have been the primary reasons for our increase in student enrollment.”

“We have good partners, good faculty and staff, and strong community support.” Dr. Van Allen added “the future of the campus and region is bright. We are fortunate to have been chosen to be part of this story and the Upper Cumberland.”

Please contact the Nashville State Community College Cookeville Campus for further information at 931-520-0551.

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		Press Releases DATE: September 4, 2008 CONTACT: Dennis Tennant 931-520-0551 Nashville State Community College Cookeville Campus: Almost 20 Years Old and Still Growing Nashville State’s enrollment at the college’s Cookeville Campus is 15% above last year, a welcome surprise to officials who were expecting a more moderate turnout. President George H. Van Allen said “As we move closer to the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Putnam County and the Upper Cumberland, the enrollment increase is very satisfying. It justifies the predictions and hard work of so many community and state leaders.” A technical training center was first proposed for Cookeville in the late 1980’s by community leaders looking to expand economic development efforts. Eldon Leslie, who currently chairs the campus’s advisory board, was president of the Putnam County Chamber at that time and was one of the visionaries who saw the potential of providing general education and technical training in Cookeville. According to Leslie, “Some twenty years ago, we were looking at a large under-served population. We had to find a way to bring more education and training to the Upper Cumberland. We finally decided to ask former Governor Ned McWhorter for advice. The Governor introduced us to Board of Regents Chancellor Otis Floyd and to Nashville State. The decision to bring Nashville State to Cookeville proved to be most fortunate for our community.” The program struggled for lack of a facility until Governor Don Sundquist, on the advice of former Regent Nobel Cody, proposed funding for the current building in the early 1990’s. The General Assembly was promised, through the efforts of former Senator Tommy Burks’ Senate Resolution 111, that the campus would make higher education available to the Upper Cumberland and that it would be led by Nashville State. With the assistance of Senator Burks and former Representative Jere Hargrove, the legislature acted to provide funds for a new building. According to Eldon Leslie, “With this year’s enrollment jump, we are seeing the results of the partnership Ned, Tommy, and Otis forged in this beautiful campus.” Almost 600 students attend the Nashville State Cookeville campus located on Neal Street, in a variety of general education and technical program classes. The number of graduates employed in their field of study is consistently high and promises to increase as new businesses and industries relocate to the area, such as Oreck. The campus works closely with TTU and has become a growing feeder to the university, transferring 61 students last year. According to Dennis Tennant, Director of the Campus, "We continue to work hard to maintain strong relationships with local industries, high schools, Tennessee Tech University and the Chamber. I believe these relationships and the exposure they give the Campus have been the primary reasons for our increase in student enrollment.” “We have good partners, good faculty and staff, and strong community support.” Dr. Van Allen added “the future of the campus and region is bright. We are fortunate to have been chosen to be part of this story and the Upper Cumberland.” Please contact the Nashville State Community College Cookeville Campus for further information at 931-520-0551. [Return to Cookeville Homepage]