faculty, staff, alumni and special dignitaries helped dedicate and celebrate the grand openings
of the two biggest buildings on campus — the Laboratory Science Commons and the Marc L.
Burnett Student Recreation and Fitness Center.
Tech president Phil Oldham. “These buildings enhance our campus and enhance the college
experience for our students.”
Tennessee Tech. It is also the first LEED certified building, housing the chemistry
department, a portion of the biology department and lab space for earth sciences, physics
and environmental sciences.
of electrical wiring, 18,500 square feet of exterior glass and 39,000 bricks in the outside
columns.
“There was no fear when this building was planned because it was built on understanding,” said
Oldham. “Designers, architects, students and faculty spent month after month together
planning the design.”
Included in the grand opening of the Lab Science Commons was the dedication of the
Stonecipher Lecture Hall for Tech alum Harry Stonecipher.
“We need great moments like this,” said Oldham. “We need celebrations that make us stop and
appreciate what is and what can be, and expressions of gratefulness for leaders like Harry
Stonecipher and their belief in us.”
The new recreation and fitness center also bears the name of a Tech alum.
Marc Burnett spent more than 36 years influencing students on Tennessee Tech’s campus,
including his years of service as an administrator and advocate for diversity. A standout
basketball player for the Golden Eagles, Burnett graduated from Tech in 1982 with a degree
in English/Journalism. Burnett is part of one of Tech’s iconic moments by scoring the first point
in Hooper Eblen Center history. In addition, he was a five-time captain of the men’s basketball
team and also earned a master’s degree from Tech.
Oldham. “Marc came to campus as a leader, even as a student. He retired with a legacy of
leadership.”
Draped by family, former Golden Eagle basketball teammates, friends and former co-workers,
Burnett choked back tears as he addressed the crowd.
“I am humbled by this honor,” said Burnett. “I love this university, and I love the students.
Everything I did was for the students. That’s why I’m so glad that the word ‘student’ is included
in the name of this building.”
Burnett has always been an advocate for diversity. He was appointed Tech’s first chief diversity
officer and he helped raise approximately $1.2 million for the diversity scholarship fund. He was
also instrumental in the founding and leadership for what is now the Leona Lusk Officer
Multicultural Center, and is the first – and only – African-American vice-president at Tech. The
naming of this building after Burnett is the first building named for an African-American.
“I am glad, I am so glad this building is named after Marc,” said Rob Owens, the interim vice
president for student affairs and chief diversity officer. “If ever there was a person at Tennessee
Tech who deserved a building to be named after him, it’s Marc Burnett.”
The new fitness and recreation center was completed almost a year ago, but with the
pandemic, it hasn’t been fully functional or completely appreciated for the amenities it offers
Tech students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The commanding three-level, 165,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art recreation and fitness
facility features a basketball gym and multi-activity court, racquetball courts, retractable
bleachers for spectators, 13,000-square-foot weight room, 6,000-square-foot cardio room,
climbing wall, golf simulator, elevated track, aquatic center, dance studio, game room, and
wellness and nutrition area. There is also an expanded childcare space as well as offices and
large group exercise areas. Outside, there are basketball and pickleball courts. Additionally, the
outdoor pursuits component allows students to rent outdoor equipment, such as kayaks and
camping gear, to take advantage of the natural landscape in the area.
The new facility, designed by Wold | HFR Design, is twice the size of the 1991 facility it
replaced. In 2013, students voted to increase fees to replace the old fitness facility with the
new one.