Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated recently selected by the Tusculum College Board of Trustees as the general contractor for the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Mathematics. In a called meeting, the Board of Trustees authorized President Nancy B. Moody and Steve Gehret, vice president and chief financial officer, “to negotiate, execute, sign and deliver the general contract” as noted in the resolution.
“This is a very good day in the future of Tusculum College,” said Dr. Moody. “The journey to build a state-of-the-art academic building on the campus of Tusculum College will prove to be very exciting and, along with a dynamic faculty, provide the foundation for academic programs to thrive.”
The new building is named in appreciation for a gift from Verna June Meen of Kingsport. Meen chose to make this gift in memory of her late husband, Dr. Ronald H. Meen, who was an organic chemist for Eastman Chemical in Kingsport.
A “pioneer” from the beginning, Mrs. Meen attended college at a time when few women were encouraged to attend college. She earned top marks and graduated with an accounting degree in less than three years while she also worked. Following graduation and still single, Verna June accepted an offer from Eastman Chemical Company and moved from Indiana to East Tennessee.
I look forward to seeing the progress of our support of Tusculum College, said Mrs. Meen. “This is another step closer to the realization of mine and my deceased husband Ron’s dream to support Tusculum College students in a way that will make a positive impact on their education and their lives. I know he would be proud.”
The Meen Center for Science and Math will be a four-story structure of approximately 100,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and environmental science. There will also be lab space and research areas for both faculty and students.
The ground floor features the environmental science wing with a loading dock, as well as larger general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will also be included on the ground floor. Space is also allocated to house the bachelor of science degree program in nursing and at least one other graduate level health-related program.
“It’s an exciting time at Tusculum College. Every time we visit campus we see visible signs of growth,” said Dr. Ken Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and a 1970 graduate of Tusculum College. “In addition to the construction, Tusculum is also growing in enrollment, academic programs and offerings to the community.”
Founded in Knoxville in 1946, Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated has served clients throughout the United States from its offices in Tennessee and North Carolina.
“Rentenbach has a long history of constructing the facilities which serve an expanding list of institutions of higher education,” said Don Freeman, Chairman. This building will be a major asset to the Tusculum curriculum, and we welcome the opportunity to be included as a member of the project team.”
Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Mathematics