[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6552660,"mediaKeyId","5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241","parentId",5113776,"title","Tennessee Tech names central campus walkway 'Wilmore Way,' honors astronaut trustee Barry Wilmore","audioSeconds",796,"startMs",1949580,"endMs",2746380,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241&start=1949&end=2746","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241/thumbnail_1949580.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552660/Tennessee/Tennessee-Tech-names-central-campus-walkway-Wilmore-Way-honors-astronaut-trustee-Barry-Wilmore","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552660-4c3cfaea53ef28a5136fea743468bde9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770515483&Signature=XBLo~EddLeSNRjqpAwzlIg7rdU0A9pp8t9HZmgqQwb6rgohP~TJn5z0jQ1rsA-xQfCe4erEaT-vTbYBZDVA0MmuZD52K9gRtve386fU~uw6nM11okejkB6j0zuq3pVn2HbJuqwBwgyyhljZmf3pnw4NT5GtQciSr68CQUpsLNAIndQkhDTd9BGdx1E~xIrIbvGhI28GdkscHhxJDSRPlxJy1w9d8FTOtEKRYSMw0xa06-Ok1y9Ke-YozN05Sk9lidzFldNQuahEJ5ODHTsk6j5KlHLR52MmCQKhbKgYkpoP61BjtzYFVueK4cGzt-jMCuH45nJGsSJ5orIvX0bn0eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee Tech University","date","2025-06-27T08:07:43Z","article","Tennessee Technological University\u000board of Trustees on June 26 approved a resolution naming a central pedestrian walkway on campus \"Wilmore Way\" to honor trustee and NASA astronaut Captain Barry \"Butch\" Wilmore and presented him with the university
ward the Order of the Eagle.

The recognition included a short video prepared by the university, remarks from President Oldham and board chair Trudy Harper, and a public presentation in which Pam Inman, a Special Olympian and cancer survivor from Nashville, read a handwritten letter she had sent to the university and offered Wilmore one of her gold medals.

The board approved the resolution during the meeting after Chair Trudy Harper read the text acknowledging Wilmore's more than 460 days in space across three spaceflights and his public engagement on behalf of Tennessee Tech. \"Be it resolved that the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees on this June 2025 hereby supports the President's naming of Wilmore Way, a pedestrian walkway across the center of campus as a lasting symbol of the university's gratitude and pride for Captain Wilmore's accomplishments and character,\" the resolution text stated.

The motion to approve the naming was moved and carried without recorded opposition. After the vote, Wilmore received a miniature bronze replica of the Derryberry Hall eagle (the award's statuette) and other campus gifts. He thanked the board and the campus community, saying, \"I am without words...I feel unworthy, but I am also grateful. So again, I say thank you.\" Board members and the president praised Wilmore's public profile and connection to the university.

The ceremony also included the presentation of Wings of Kindness and a personal letter from Pam Inman that said in part, \"I am sending you my gold medal to give to him. He has earned it.\" The board and president presented Inman with a Wings of Kindness award and other tokens of appreciation during the meeting.

Background provided in the meeting noted that the Order of the Eagle is a limited university honor reserved for individuals whose contributions to Tennessee Tech exemplify institutional excellence; the statuette presented to Wilmore is a 3D-modeled replica of the golden eagle that tops Derryberry Hall and was produced with campus-affiliated artists and students.

The naming will be a permanent addition to campus wayfinding once the president finalizes placement and signage, per the resolution adopted by the board. The board did not specify a construction schedule or budget for the signage during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tennessee Tech University Board of Trustees Meeting - June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tennessee Technological University Board of Trustees on June 26 approved a resolution naming a central pedestrian walkway on campus \"Wilmore Way\" to honor trustee and NASA astronaut Captain Barry \"Butch\" Wilmore and presented him with the university\nward the Order of the Eagle.","taxTitle","Tennessee Technological University, Public Universities, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",79445,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552651,"Outgoing student trustee reviews campus spring events and concerns; Braxton Westbrook elected student trustee",3123,1125085,4248925,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241&start=1125&end=4248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241/thumbnail_1125085.jpg","/articles/6552651/Tennessee/Outgoing-student-trustee-reviews-campus-spring-events-and-concerns-Braxton-Westbrook-elected-student-trustee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552651-fba1aede9d7a6b4e22ce2dcaee4742e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770515483&Signature=QvKFAaA6f-Szta9zd1cuRaKHu54mRFriUwT7I39Nnuv4JfJgnYpT4pvsUpFKemXGDT~iwfw6pskj7RtGBhjUpTcAPzKk0BNayOJxkwft1ihLWIrblo3l6jr~r8fHYhWq1UuvjOprt5B5Bxao5M7JBQQkttkf1mL7j9M7rxekEGmL0039sVU5~n3Wq0VCKp4PN0WmgjjNFo6fdd3hh8j2szrS5viRGmZgBdsM4rKEG6kWk2g~9plzbrCfqvHI~Y1EsKbmox4ffLh8sQyJrdaHphJgZwMW8Vgv-ouvFYIhoqQomPXux94dxJAce4VNYPdeuEkM4Q92D7QFTV~0A2KqOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Claire Myers, outgoing student trustee, used her report at the June 26 Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees meeting to review student life highlights from the spring semester and to raise a student concern about potential foreign-language program cuts.

Myers told the board that the campus hosted the 48th annual Appalachian Studies Association conference, events for Women's History Month, and celebrations such as Earth Day and Eagle Fest. She noted the National Society of Black Engineers chapter's outreach to local schools, Student Government Association activities including a campus safety walk by the SGA University Infrastructure Committee, and the results of recent SGA elections. She also described a change.org petition opposing proposed cuts to Tennessee Tech's French and German programs; she said the petition had \"reached over 1,400 signatures from current students, alumni, and others concerned,\" and that signees cited potential limits on study-abroad and career opportunities as reasons for opposition.

After Myers' report, the board voted to elect Braxton Westbrook as the student trustee for fiscal year 2025-26. Westbrook introduced himself before the vote, described his academic background (bachelor's degrees in computer science and political science from Tennessee Tech and current graduate study in computer science), and said he planned to represent student perspectives to the board. Claire Myers offered advice to Westbrook after the board vote: \"Never feel afraid to speak, especially from a student's perspective. That's something that's unique to you.\"

The election was conducted by roll call; the motion to appoint Westbrook passed with a recorded series of \"Aye\" votes from trustees present. The board also recognized outgoing student trustee Claire Myers with a plaque; trustees and administration expressed appreciation for her service.

Myers' report and the board's actions did not produce any formal board action specifically changing academic programs; the petition and student concerns were recorded in the meeting minutes as matters raised by students and the student trustee.","Student trustee Claire Myers summarized spring campus activities, awards, and student concerns including a petition opposing proposed cuts to French and German programs. The board elected Braxton Westbrook as student trustee for 2025-26 by roll call.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552656,"Tennessee Tech board approves 2025-26 operating budgets, 2026-27 capital request and disclosed projects",170,3716515,3886605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241&start=3716&end=3886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113776-b7eeba91edd5a018a9884f46aaf79241/thumbnail_3716515.jpg","/articles/6552656/Tennessee/Tennessee-Tech-board-approves-2025-26-operating-budgets-2026-27-capital-request-and-disclosed-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552656-a6039fb4b820cd6de7fb573b91a56833/orig.mp4?Expires=1770515483&Signature=AhpsBd9TklSCKvs5gtYc-mvRo-47wVa61u5xnGXiTSVBfx1vHCkZPnr4law0VnqAwho-sd3FfWgXBw6udxmZrrDaWBLhbEC9yWapkAB-YWlZDvGz~zOca-cAAFLgmNGDTcdFfKAvHFkhYfDpLeoig9RiNJ2Av9iuIdqk-aKtfBlAVKWoJsiEsUOZa~yo51dNBUR~4RadDkI2ub2xyqVWM68KaxlVaKqVdD5uCs258pmQ5YDpwOXsqK0rpLibJnNIOmyjschXyoz0K~AERu0SJWuC49hAryjnyzorXDzFiNgsDHO6cAlma-2UnDWxzRgOeYAa9kZb6fj0ui2-wOZRbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Technological University Board of Trustees on June 26 approved the university's operating budgets and organization chart for fiscal 2024-25 (estimated) and 2025-26 (proposed), endorsed disclosed projects for a biology greenhouse and Banks shelter, and approved the university's capital budget request for fiscal 2026-27.

The Audit and Business Committee brought the items to the full board. Committee chair Johnny Stites moved approval of the operating budgets and organization chart; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call. Stites also moved committee recommendations to approve the disclosed projects for a biology greenhouse and Banks shelter and to approve the 2026-27 capital budget request; both measures passed on subsequent roll-call votes.

The consent agenda adopted earlier in the meeting included the emeritus president contract for Doctor Bell, faculty tenure recommendations, TTU Policy 205 (faculty tenure-related policy) and TTU Policy 511.1 (fee charges, refunds and fee adjustment forms). The board approved the consent agenda by roll call; the meeting record shows no recorded opposition.

President Oldham provided supporting context in his report: enrollment remains strong with an anticipated entering freshman class of over 2,000 and a projected total headcount near 11,000 students, and research funding activations for the fiscal year have already surpassed last year's record at \"over $47,000,000,\" as reported to the board.

Board members did not request additional public cost breakdowns of the capital budget or detailed timelines for the disclosed projects during the public meeting. Committee documents and the fiscal crosswalk were referenced in committee meetings earlier in the day; the board approved the items \"as presented.\"","At its June 26 meeting the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved the university's 2024-25 estimated and 2025-26 proposed operating budgets, endorsed disclosed projects for a biology greenhouse and Banks shelter, and approved the 2026-27 capital budget request. The measures passed by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

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Tennessee Tech names central campus walkway 'Wilmore Way,' honors astronaut trustee Barry Wilmore

Outgoing student trustee reviews campus spring events and concerns; Braxton Westbrook elected student trustee

Tennessee Tech board approves 2025-26 operating budgets, 2026-27 capital request and disclosed projects