Roane State Community College

Among those attending the 20th anniversary celebration of the opening of Roane State Community College's Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge branch campus were, from left: Danni Varlan, a regent with the Tennessee Board of Regents; Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley, former RSCC President Dr. Sherry Hoppe, former TBR Regent Judy Gooch, and Dr. Shirley Raines, a Foundation board member and the nonprofit's parliamentarian.

 

Sept. 13, 2019

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

A large crowd helped celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Roane State's permanent Oak Ridge campus – the Coffey/McNally Building - following an open house breakfast in the City Room of the sprawling structure.

"Only through your support has this been made possible," college president Dr. Chris Whaley told attendees. "Each one of you is a great advocate for education and a true champion for our students."

Roane State has had a presence in Oak Ridge since 1972, but classrooms were initially scattered throughout the Secret City, including in the former Oak Ridge Mall and the education wing of the First United Methodist Church.

Larry Nave, who directed the Oak Ridge campus in its infancy in those varied locations, attended the 20th anniversary celebration.

"This is the first time I've really walked around in here," he said of the Coffey/McNally Building. "They've done an amazing job with it and provided a really significant service to Oak Ridge and the entire area."

As enrollment grew, the need for a permanent campus also increased. Whaley said two lawmakers – former state representative David Coffey and current Lt. Governor Randy McNally – were instrumental in securing some $15 million in state funding for the building that bears their names.

Other, separate commitments kept either man from attending the Sept. 10 celebration, but Whaley read statements from both.

"I consider establishment of this campus one of the highlights of my service in state government," McNally said in his statement. "To have played a role in anchoring this institution in our community carries great meaning and purpose for me.

"It has been a pleasure watching this campus grow and help young people reach their true potential."

Coffey in his statement called the Oak Ridge campus "a tremendous asset."

"Our community colleges are the best higher education investment in Tennessee," he said, "and Roane State leads the way."

"It is impossible to imagine Oak Ridge without this crown jewel," Coffey said in his statement. "Thousands have improved their lives through their studies here and thousands more will follow."

Dr. Sherry Hoppe, who was president of Roane State from 1989 to 2000, praised Jan Buxton Wade, Roane State's vice president for advancement at the time, for spearheading a community fund-raising effort to obtain the extra financial backing needed for the Coffey/McNally Building. Through Wade's efforts, some $10 million was raised, Hoppe said.

Capping the celebration was an announcement from David Bradshaw, chair of the Roane State Foundation. He said an anonymous donor has pledged a "large contribution" toward a Foundation effort to raise $75,000 – most of it to be earmarked for the college's innovative "Middle College."

 

Roane State Community College President Dr. Chris Whaley addresses the crowd during the 20th anniversary of the college's permanent campus in Oak Ridge.

 

In that program, area high school students can attend Roane State in the mornings and return to their respective schools in the afternoons, taking classes that enable them to graduate from high school and Roane State at the same time.

Limited state funding is available to cover some costs, but Middle College students currently aren't eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship support, Bradshaw said.

The foundation "wants to make Middle College more affordable" he said, including money for out-of-pocket costs such as textbooks and travel expenses for students in need.

For more information or to make a gift to support Roane State students, visit roanestate.edu/foundation, email Foundationdept@roanestate.edu, or call (865) 882-4507.

Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer programs, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has campuses in Crossville, Harriman, Huntsville, Jamestown, Knoxville, LaFollette, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, Wartburg and Clinton. For more information, visit roanestate.edu or call (865) 882-4554.

Remember, eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at www.roanestate.edu/reconnect.