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Community Day: Tennessee Tech’s Open House

The majors fair and open house were held in the Hooper Eblen Center and the Fitness Center's east and west gyms on Saturday, October 3.

Tennessee Tech welcomed more than 700 prospective students and their guests at Community Day Saturday, Oct. 3.

Community Day offered students, freshmen and transfers, an opportunity to explore an academic fair in which 63 interactive tables were set up in the Fitness Center's west and east gyms and the outer concourse of the Hooper Eblen Center.

Students received information on the application process, such as eligibility for scholarships and financial aid.

Student Admissions representatives provided an entertainment tour, which provided students with stories, facts and a brief history of Tech's campus. The tour included information about housing options in the residence halls.

Lunch was to be provided on Centennial Plaza; however, unfavorable weather relocated the outdoor student luncheon inside Memorial Gym.

“With it being rainy, you're not going to get a good feel of what's it's like being a student at Tech,” said Jim Gray, associate director of Admissions.

According to admissions counselor Jake Gipson, more than 700 prospective students registered for the event, not including their guests.

Gipson predicted more than 2,000 visitors during Community Day, but this goal was not met.

“I think the weather may have kept a few prospective students from showing up, and it may have hurt our numbers,” said Gray.

Tech accommodated to the Community Day visitors by providing free ponchos. 



Benjamin Fox, a prospective freshman from Riverdale High School, said the rain didn't ruin his experience touring Tech.



“I think Tech's campus looked great even while it was raining outside. It's a beautiful campus,” said Fox. “I'm hoping to major in agriculture business, and all the professors I have talked to seem to know the answer to my questions even if I don't really know what I'm asking. The faculty has been so helpful, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the campus. The free stuff is really nice, also.”

The Admissions Department spent $40,000, half of its budget, to finance the advertising costs of Community Day.

“Eighty percent of students that come to campus for a visit end up enrolling,” said Gipson, “so it's safe to say that the advertising pays for itself.”