Leaving on a High Note - Austin Peay State University

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with Fort Campbell, Ky. In 2004-05, she collaborated with faculty to develop and launch the Institute for Global Security Studies (IGSS)—the first of its kind in Tennessee. In 2006, in an unprecedented action, Hoppe gained permission from the State Building Commission for APSU to construct its own $4.7 million education building at Fort Campbell, Ky., to alleviate crowded conditions in the on-post education center and enable the Austin Peay Center @ Fort Campbell to serve more students. APSU enrolls more students on post than all five of the other colleges added together. The new facility will open in Fall 2008—not a minute too soon as APSU’s Fort Campbell enrollment for Spring 2007 hit 1,740 for the first time in history. Hoppe is credited with launching the firstever capital campaign and doing so in the face of daunting challenges. Roy Gregory, executive director for University Advancement, said, “I remember the day we met with a consultant regarding our capital campaign. The consultant said we should not start a capital campaign but, if we did, our goal should be no more than $5 million. “Dr. Hoppe thanked her and said we no longer needed her services. And the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, we’ve secured more than $31 million in gifts and commitments.” Campus construction explodes As new president, Hoppe decided rather than moving into the official President’s Home on Dunbar Cave Road, she wanted to live on campus, so she gained permission to sell the Dunbar Cave residence and use those funds (along with FEMA funds for tornado damage) to renovate historic Archwood. Built in 1878, Archwood was the President’s Home from 1965 to 1980. Thanks to Hoppe’s efforts, Archwood again is the official President’s Home, a convenient place where The Morgan University Center not only offers all the amenities of a top-of-the-line student center inside, the spacious, brick courtyard provides ample outdoor areas for students, staff and faculty to hold such events as the Staff Development Day picnic. Bill Persinger Dr. Sherry Hoppe and Dr. Bruce Speck, provost, unveil the plaque in front of the Sundquist Science Complex during its 2001 dedication as Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist and his wife, Martha, watch on. With a price tag of $40 million, the complex became known as the state’s premiere science education facility. the University president can entertain friends and alumni in an elegant setting. Since Hoppe began her tenure as president, new campus construction and renovations have been happening at a startling rate—to meet demands created by an influx of new students and improved student retention. Those include the following: • 2001—The $40 million, 220,000-square-foot Sundquist Science Complex opened as the state’s premiere science education facility. • 2002—The 166,000-square-foot Morgan University Center doubled the space of the old UC. • 2003—The Drew Simmons Fitness Center was renovated and outfitted with top-ofthe-line equipment. • 2004—The Harvill Building, renovated from its former use as the University cafeteria, became home to the Ann Ross Book and Supply Store and Austin’s Diner. • 2004—Hand Village, a unique apartment complex, provided much needed on-campus housing for students. • 2005—Modeled after the W. N. Daniel African American Cultural Center, which opened in 1991, the Hispanic Cultural Center’s opening was a first among state universities. • 2006—McCord Building, which had been completely gutted and renovated, reopened as the home of the School of Nursing, School of Agriculture and Geosciences and the GIS Center. • 2007—Foy Fitness and Recreation Center opened in January, thanks to the efforts of Hoppe and Gregory who secured a substantial gift from alumnus John Foy, Chattanooga. Foy stepped to the plate twice—first, to help fund construction of the building and, recently, to make a near Olympic-size swimming pool adjacent to the Foy Fitness Center a reality. Hoppe has laid the groundwork for the construction of an observatory to serve APSU’s outstanding physics and astronomy faculty and students, with land already donated as its site. Thanks to Hoppe, plans also are under way to build additional on-campus student housing and a 1,500-space parking garage as well as to renovate and expand the Trahern Building and Woodward Library. Besides pushing for needed construction, Hoppe has worked to ensure that all academic buildings and most administrative buildings are wireless. She expanded technology for creating numerous smart classrooms and more than 120 electronic databases. Academic programs flourish In 2004, APSU got a significant pat on the back for the quality of its academic programs. Following months of study by APSU’s accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, APSU not only received reaffirmation of accreditation, it did so with “no findings”—an unheard-of feat. “No findings” means no significant shortcomings were found. Bill Persinger 6 Austin Peay
This set the stage for Hoppe and the faculty to explore new areas of academic interest while solidifying already strong programs. In the past seven years, many new bachelor’s and master’s degrees have been launched: • Bachelor of Professional Studies—The first of its kind in Tennessee. • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security—Meshes seamlessly with an online M.S. in Homeland Security through a partnership between APSU and Long Island (N.Y.) University. • M.S. in Management—APSU’s first weekend graduate program; offered online also. • M.A. in Military History—Only one of its kind in Tennessee; one of few in the nation. • M.A. in Teaching—Designed so that students with any degree can become teachers. • M.S. in Nursing—Helping to meet demand for nurses, especially nursing faculty. • Master of Professional Studies—Enables people with bachelor’s degrees in any discipline to earn a master’s degree in as little as a year. Latino dancers participate in the grand opening in 2005 of the APSU Hispanic Cultural Center—the first of its kind among all state colleges and universities. The popular center is located in the Morgan University Center. Steve Wilson President Sherry Hoppe, second from right, join the directors of the two schools and the GIS Center as well as several dignitaries for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the newly renovated McCord Building, which reopened in Fall 2006 as the home of the School of Nursing, School of Agriculture and Geosciences and the GIS Center. students’ transition from high school to the University. It includes a Summer and Winter Welcome and Orientation, a three-day fall freshmen orientation and APSU 1000, a semester-long class required of all first-time freshmen, which provides information on how to succeed at the University. An Early Alert System notifies faculty when students are in academic jeopardy, so students can receive free tutoring. Also, two academic advisers are designated just for students who have not declared a major—a majority of new freshmen. Enrollment data indicates these retention efforts already have been successful. Enrollment of juniors and seniors in Spring 2006 compared with those in spring 2007 increased more than 6 percent. And, finally, thanks to Hoppe’s efforts with the Tennessee Board of Regents, initial steps have been taken toward APSU’s first doctoral program. If approved by both the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, as requested, the degree would be in education and would be offered for the first time in 2008-09. Hoppe finds good fit in community Evans Harvill (’47), prominent Clarksville attorney and former member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, knew Hoppe as president of Roane State Community College. After she Continued on Page 21 Bill Persinger • Online Medical Laboratory Technician to B.S. in Medical Technology—Offers students with technical degrees a way to enhance their marketability. More than 20 new minors and concentrations have been added during Hoppe’s tenure, including Asian studies, astronomy, forensics, leadership studies and GIS and spatial analysis. Strong academic programs and a vibrant campus attract prospective students. However, Hoppe quickly realized APSU had a major retention problem. To help students persist to graduation, she created the Office of Enrollment Management and Academic Support, which she charged with developing new programs and providing services to help improve retention. The first significant action was to put together The First-Year Experience program to ease Representing a forward-thinking concept in student residence life, the Hand Village apartment complex opened on campus in 2004. Spring 2007 7 Bill Persinger
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Page 7: By Dennie B. Burke Executive Direct
Page 11 and 12: Another first: APSU enrollment tops
Page 13 and 14: Bill Persinger Bill Persinger Steve
Page 15 and 16: Spicing up life By Melony Leazer Co
Page 17 and 18: learn too many different names for
Page 19 and 20: By DENNIE B. BURKE Executive Direct
Page 21 and 22: “Tim led a split life, almost thr
Page 23 and 24: Hoppe (continued from Page 7) Bill
Page 25 and 26: Dr. Sherry Hoppe and Dr. Bruce Spec
Page 27 and 28: APSU Sports Information Bill Persin
Page 29 and 30: FAIRY LOU CAROLAND (’75), Griffin
Page 31 and 32: CHAD CAROBENE (’00) was promoted
Page 33 and 34: and his sons, Colin Wright and Adam
Page 35 and 36: Lady Govs volleyball coach resigns

Leaving on a High Note - Austin Peay State University

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