News Roundup | Awards, dedications, and expanding degree programs
By Shannon Smith, Teknovation Assistant Editor, PYA
Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.
If you have any business news or updates you’d like to feature in Teknovation Weekend, please send us an email at teknovation@pyapc.com.
Apply for the Knoxville Chamber’s Pinnacle Awards
The Knoxville Chamber is accepting applications through October 30 for its annual Pinnacle Awards which celebrate regional business excellence and contributions to the local economy by honoring outstanding professionals in nine categories. Those categories are listed here and include three recognitions for business excellence based on the size of the company. There are also awards based on impact and innovation as well as ones recognizing young entrepreneurs, minority-owned, and woman-owned executives.
Winners are selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors from nominations submitted by the regional business community. Nominees are not required to be Chamber investors. Click here to submit a nomination.
UTK dedicates new engineering complex
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Tickle College of Engineering dedicated the Zeanah Engineering Complex on Friday with a ribbon cutting, reception, self-guided building tours, and lab showcases.
Easily 200 people, possibly more, came to hear remarks from the chancellor, engineering dean, and namesake of the complex. Two robots named Dolly and Tammy held the ribbon for the cutting, which was followed by an explosion of balloons and a recording of ‘Rocky Top.’
The Zeanah Engineering Complex is a transformative facility designed to welcome and immerse students into the community of engineers. It features Tickle’s first-year engineering programs, the Kao Innovation and Collaboration Studio, the college’s top-ranked Department of Nuclear Engineering, and new flexible research laboratories. It first opened for classes in the Fall 2021 semester.
One YMCA closing as a new location opens
The North Knoxville community is about to get healthier in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA of East Tennessee and Tennova Healthcare have agreed to work together on a fitness center at 7540 Dannaher Dr. in Powell on Tennova Health’s North Knoxville campus. The facility includes a therapy pool and 6-lane lap swimming pool, basketball courts, racquetball/squash court, a climbing wall, and a large workout center with an indoor track. It is anticipated that the new Y location, which will be known as the “Tennova Family YMCA” will open to members on January 1, 2023.
The current location of the Bob Temple North Side Family YMCA in Halls is being evaluated to find the best future for the YMCA and North Knoxville community. All programs and services will be re-established at the new Tennova Family YMCA. Relocating to a more central location situated near I-75 between Powell and Halls better positions the Y to serve even more people in the greater North Knoxville community.
UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute rolls out new website
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UTORII) launched its brand new website this week. You can now get the latest updates on UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s joint research, education, and workforce development initiatives at utorii.com.
As UT-ORII expands, celebrates more successes, and launches new programs, information will be posted to social media and this new website.
South College launches new, online Doctor of Business Administration Program
South College has launched a new, fully online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, offered in a one-to-one learning environment and utilizing a flexible competency-based education (CBE) format to allow students to proceed at their own pace.
The DBA program requires satisfactory completion of 10 courses with three specialties offered: Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Administration, and Accounting. There are four opportunities to start the program each year on Oct. 1, Jan 1, April 1, and July 1. Enrollment is now open for Jan 1. Students must have a master’s degree but there is no GRE or GMAT requirement to enter the program. To learn more about the DBA program at South College, visit South.edu.
LMU expanding nursing program to Chattanooga
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has announced plans for the LMU-Caylor School of Nursing (LMU-CSON) to bring its proven nursing programs to Chattanooga in 2023.
The University has leased space and started renovations in the downtown UNUM Building (555 Walnut Street). The office space is being converted to classrooms, skills laboratories, and simulation rooms for the didactic portions of the curriculum. Hands-on clinical experiences will take place in conjunction with healthcare partners.
LMU plans to bring both its Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs to Chattanooga. The BSN program will come first, welcoming its inaugural class in August 2023. The ASN program will start in January 2024. Both programs prepare candidates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed Registered Nurses (RN).
