The UTM Ripley Center recently celebrated a year of growth and hope.
On Feb. 7 2013, the center had its one-year anniversary since the 8,000-square-foot expansion ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The ceremony was an opening to officially announce the completion of the expansion. The expansion of the center added office space for faculty and classroom and study space for students. There was also an addition to the center’s technology.
“The addition of technologies to serve our students and community were all part of the plan for the expansion,” said Mykle Johnson, Director of the UTM Ripley Center.
Since the building’s additions, the space has been used well and is highly appreciated.
“I taught two classes last semester in the new classrooms, and the students use the new lounge as a study area. Also, there are two new smartboards that get the students participating and interactive with other UTM centers,” said
Randall Huff, professor of the Social Work program.
Before the new space was completed, the center had new program additions.
“We now have a full criminal justice degree; we can offer a B.A. in Social Work and a B.A. in Education K-6,” said Johnson.
Along with the new program additions and space expansion, the center is still looking forward to another new program.
“All plans of the expansion were put to their use except the nursing classroom, which serves as an average classroom currently. We are hoping to add the nursing program soon,” said Johnson.
“Also, because of the additional space we have been able to house a program called Healthier Beginnings, led by Angie Herron.”
Johnson explains that the program helps to educate young teens about pregnancy and helps to meet the needs of underprivileged teenage mothers.
“It is a blessing to our community and Angie has been a joyful addition to our faculty/staff team at the Ripley Center,” said Johnson.
“We love our faculty, we are proud of it,” said Tonya Dudney, UTM of Ripley supervisor.
The extra space has also allowed the center to expand its staff. With the space addition, the center could open a new position, and it has also been able to accommodate initiatives like the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force, which is led by UTM Ripley staff member, Xavier Andrews.
Since the expansion, the center has had the ability to offer students not only more options in their education, but more options on where they choose to work.
“Not only are we able to offer more degree programs and a broader scope of courses, but we are able to offer a quiet space for study, group work and such,” Johnson said.
The center has not just benefited those within the center, but the city of Ripley as well. The center has hosted many events for Ripley, and also for Lauderdale County.
“Our new lecture hall has served as an excellent venue for training, workshops, conferences and such to local entities, like Marvin Windows and Doors, the Chamber of Commerce, West TN Prison System and more,” said Johnson.
After having the expansion for almost a year, the students, faculty and the city of Ripley have been inspired by its benefits.
“Education is affecting the public now for this community; it makes the people of this city who don’t have a college education want to get one,” said Huff.
Johnson also explained that student age ranges from 35 to 38, with very few 18- to 19-year-old students.
When asked if the center was serving its purpose, Johnson proudly explained why she thought it had.
“We have had amazing academic movie nights in our new lecture hall. We’ve had the best Black History Month collaborative events in our new student lounge. It has met so many of our needs and relieved so many space stressors,” said Johnson.
For information on the UTM Ripley Center, visit http://www.utm.edu/departments/ripley/.
