The Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building at UT Martin was dedicated Oct. 27 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This was a monumental event for the campus, given that no new academic buildings have been established on campus in more than 40 years. During his remarks at the ceremony, UT President Randy Boyd promised, “It’s not going to be 40 years before the next one; it’s going to be sooner.”
Ceremony attendees included Boyd; members of the UT Board of Trustees, which met on campus Oct. 27-28; donor and honoree Bill Latimer and the Latimer family; Republican state Sen. John Stevens; and former UT Martin Chancellor Robert M. “Bob” Smith.
Bill and Carol Latimer helped bring the new science building to the UT Martin campus through their $6.5 million donation. The donation, combined with Stevens’ legislative efforts to allow for a 10% match for funding to help aid in building efforts, allowed the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building to become a reality.
“If it hadn’t been for the senator, there wouldn’t have been the opportunity to approach this,” Smith said during his remarks at the ceremony. He then explained the efforts Stevens made to change the way that higher education buildings are financed.
However, a large part of the ceremony was dedicated to many people, including Smith. When Smith stepped into the role as interim chancellor for UT Martin, he faced serious challenges, such as the fact that the university was in danger of losing its accreditation from SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Smith worked with faculty and staff to bring the university out of its SACS probation, keep its full accreditation, and make big changes.
When closing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver said the UT Board of Trustees had voted to change the name of the building from the “Latimer Engineering and Science Building,” to the “Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building,” a move intended to honor Smith for his dedication and hard work while interim chancellor at UT Martin.
For a photo gallery of scenes from the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please check the post titled Photo gallery: Latimer-Smith Building dedicated.
