Palestine — With a vision for improving higher education in Anderson and surrounding counties, local leaders are more than pleased with the University of Texas at Tyler’s receipt of $6.3 million in state tuition revenue bonds to fund construction of an expanded Palestine campus. The funding, made official by Texas Governor Rick Perry’s signature Thursday, comes after a long, hard effort by local community leaders and politicians to bring the project to fruition.
David Barnard was a member of the Palestine Economic Development Corp (PEDC) when the idea to expand the UT Tyler campus came about four years ago.
“In looking ahead at things the PEDC wanted to see in the community — things that would bring in and grow local businesses — an educated workforce was high on the list,” Barnard said. “And while our local Trinity Valley Community College campus offered businesses the technical training businesses needed, the community really needed a place where residents could earn a four-year degree.”
So members of the PEDC went to UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry to persuade him to support the expansion of the Palestine campus. “Mabry was very supportive of our efforts and encouraged us to do a study on the viability of the idea,” Barnard said. “So in 2002 Dr. Kerri Keech (a UT Tyler adjunct professor) did a study of the area and asked high school students if they would attend a local school offering a four-year degree if it were available to them.”
While the UT Tyler Palestine campus continued to grow and expand its course offerings — from a single nursing degree program to four bachelors and two masters degree programs — the Anderson County Community Council learned that in order to receive the state’s coveted tuition revenue bonds, they had to “put up” something in return.
“We went to State Senator Todd Staples (R-Palestine) and he commissioned the formation of the UT Palestine Campus Development Council (PCDC),” said Barnard, who is head of the PCDC. “Our first job was to find a 50-acre plot of land to purchase as the new campus site.” As it happens, that perfect piece of land was found adjacent to the current UT Palestine site and was purchased by the Anderson County Community Council in November 2005. “The City of Palestine also agreed to donate any surrounding land needed to develop and construct the new campus,” Barnard said.
With everything in place on the home front, the PCDC put the next move in the hands of local politicians Staples and State Representative Byron Cook, R-Corsicana.
“They were able to represent us in both the House and Senate,” Barnard said. “They got in and worked out details of the tuition revenue requests.” In preparation for the 2005 legislative session, the PCDC developed a presentation on the need for an expanded UT Tyler Palestine campus.
“We partnered UTT Palestine and TVCC together to provide students with the four-year degree programs,” Barnard explained. “We hoped that partnership would speak volumes to the legislature — that it would show them we would work together and help save some tax dollars in doing so.” While eagerly waiting for funding, a big issue hit the legislature — school finance — an issue that scrapped any hopes the council had of getting money in the 2006 budget year.
“You just never know what might happen,” Barnard said about the delay. “We got the funding in this special session, but the money won’t actually be appropriated until 2008.” There is plenty to do between now and then, though. The land for the campus must be officially donated to UT Tyler, then site and construction plans will have to be developed. “We also have to hold fund-raisers to pay for the land purchased by the Community Council,” Barnard said. “As I see it, by the time we get ready to break ground, the money will be in place to start the project.”
Everyone involved in making the UT Tyler Palestine campus expansion project a reality reported being excited about what it will mean for the future of the community.
“I have been here from the beginning when there were only 20 students,” said UT Tyler-Palestine’s Administrative Service Officer Susan Harris. “And I have been here to watch it grow 115 percent in the last five years. Harris, an Anderson County resident, is optimistic about the future of the expanded UT Tyler Palestine campus and hopes to see the university bring degree programs such as secondary education and criminal justice to the new campus.
“I know that many students here would not have received their education if it were not for this campus being here,” she said. “This is a dream come true to me and I am excited to see what the campus will grow into.” Palestine native Staples said he could “not be happier” for the campus’ new funding and called it a “historic moment” for the people of this region. “A permanent campus for UT Tyler Palestine will complete the dream of many local leaders who have worked tirelessly for its creation,” the senator said. "This larger campus will provide greater access for more Texans and make a four-year degree available to students who otherwise would be unable to have this opportunity.”
Rep. Cook echoed Staples’ sentiment. “This is a great boost for our Texas colleges, but more importantly, it is vital for the long-term success of Anderson County because it will help create a more educated workforce,” Rep. Byron Cook said. Barnard wanted to thank Staples and Cook for all their hard work in bringing this project about. He also expressed gratitude to “Mr. UT Tyler” Dr. Lee Roy Mathis for his vision and support of the Palestine Campus.
“Cad Williams and the Anderson County Community Council, members of the Palestine City Council and the PEDC all deserve many thanks as well,” Barnard said. “Without this joint effort from all parties involved, none of this would be possible.”
————
Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com |
