You are invited!‚ Mark your calender!
You are invited to attend the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Kingsport Higher Education Center on Friday, August 28th at 1:30pm in front of the brand new Kingsport Higher Education Center in the intersection of Clay St. and Market St.‚ The Kingsport Higher Education Center has been created by a strong relationship between city officials, local educational institutions and local businesses.‚ The Higher Education Program has received national recognition and the Higher Education Center will serve as the main facility of the quickly growing Kingsport Higher Education Academic Campus.‚ The building boasts administrative offices, state of the art computer facilities, new congressional offices and a large auditorium, among an array of various classrooms.
"On behalf of the Board of Mayor and Alderman, we offer out deepest thanks to our community volunteers, outstanding design team, builders, and city staff, who spent countless hours making this project possible, said Mayor Dennis Phillips.‚ We also deeply appreciate the many contributions of Domtar Inc. and Eastman Chemical for their continuing support and active role in the community as genuine corporate citizens." said Mayor Dennis Phillips.
Performing at the ceremony, will be the Dobyns-Bennett High School Band, directed by Mr. Lafe Cook.‚ A short invocation will be held by Alderman Larry Munsey and then Mayor Dennis Phillips will kick of the celebration by welcoming and introducing the numerous individuals and entities that made this project possible. ‚
Immediately following Mayor Phillips, Eastman CEO Jim Rogers and Domtar CEO John Williams will discuss the importance of the Kingsport Higher Education Center to local businesses.‚ Then Dr. Bill Locke, President Emeritus at Northeast State Community College and Dr. Janice Gilliam, President of Northeast State Community College will account the vision and services that Northeast State has brought to the Higher Education Program and future hopes for the program.‚ Dr. Charles Manning, Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents and Dr. Jan Simek, the Interim President of the University of Tennessee will discuss the various partnerships with the Higher Education Program. ‚
Ms. Anne B. Pope, the Federal Co-Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission and Phil Paradice, the Regional Director of the Economic Development Administration will be representing the federal entities that were strongly involved in the creation of the Higher Education Center.‚ The final speaker will be the Honorable Phil Roe, of the U.S. House of Representatives. After the presentations are complete, Mayor Dennis Phillips will offer the closing remarks and cut the ribbon.
A great deal of time, work and effort have gone into the entire Higher Education Project and city officials would like to invite you to attend and see the fruit of all of the hard work.