CELINA-Tennessee Tech University President Phil Oldham recently visited Clay County High School as a part of the school’s Tech is Tennessee tour, on which he has already made stops in all 14 Upper Cumberland counties and will ultimately travel the entire state.

“This has been an opportunity to meet so many hardworking, dedicated people in our region,” Oldham said. “I am enjoying the opportunity to sit down and talk with people all over the Upper Cumberland and found that their goals and the goals of Tennessee Tech align.

“Whether it was a school principal or guidance counselor, a Tech alumnus or a community leader, we all wanted the same thing: to facilitate opportunities and to help people reach their potential.”
Making his way across the state, Oldham sees the tour as an opportunity to connect with prospective students, alumni and educators and emphasize Tennessee Tech’s dedication to the people and positive influence on communities throughout Tennessee.

“We started the tour in the place that supported us more than 100 years ago when the vision and grit of local men and women created Tech,” Oldham said. “We carry a special commitment to the Upper Cumberland families we serve, and as we create a bold, fearless and confident plan for the future, we will even be better prepared to serve them.”

Oldham sat down with principals and guidance counselors here at CCHS, in every school in Putnam County, and visited with educators and alumni in Overton, Macon, White, Cumberland, Pickett, Fentress, Cannon, Van Buren, DeKalb, Smith, Jackson, and Warren Counties.

“It has been exciting to see the great things happening in these communities and to connect with some of our very own Tech alumni who have taken the education they received at Tech back to their hometowns where they are contributing and making a real difference in places they love,” Oldham said.

The Tech is Tennessee tour continues in the coming weeks as Oldham plans visits in the suburban Nashville area.

“From Memphis to Mountain City, Tennessee Tech graduates and students make a positive impact on their communities,” Oldham said. “We want to hear the stories of as many educators, alumni and prospective students as possible during this tour so that we can continue to be responsive to their needs.”

To follow the tour’s progress and for inside perspective from Oldham, visit https://www.tntech.edu/techistn.