Community leaders, educators, elected officials, and project partners gathered on August 24, 2026, to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Fentress County Higher Education Center, a transformative new educational facility serving Roane State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Oneida/Huntsville.
The opening of the Fentress County Higher Education Center represents a major investment in higher education, workforce development, and economic growth in rural Tennessee. Students are already utilizing the facility following the start of fall classes, benefiting from expanded access to career-focused training and academic programs close to home.
As Construction Manager at Risk, Denark was proud to partner with the Tennessee Board of Regents, Roane State Community College, TCAT Oneida/Huntsville, and community stakeholders to deliver this state-of-the-art facility for Fentress County and the surrounding region.
A New Hub for Higher Education in Fentress County
The approximately 47,000-square-foot Fentress County Higher Education Center was developed to support the growing educational and workforce needs of the Upper Cumberland region. The facility includes specialized teaching laboratories, workforce training environments, classrooms, open computer labs, student collaboration spaces, administrative offices, and flexible learning areas designed to adapt to future program growth.
Programs offered through Roane State Community College and TCAT Oneida/Huntsville will help prepare students for in-demand careers across healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, transportation, and other critical industries that support Tennessee’s workforce.
Community Leaders Celebrate a Long-Awaited Milestone
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Roane State President Chris Whaley, TCAT President Tim Smith, Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings, Senator Ken Yager, Representative Ed Butler, Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson, and retired TCAT President Dwight Murphy.
During the celebration, President Whaley highlighted the significance of the project for local students and families, noting that Roane State’s presence in Fentress County dates back more than two decades. The new permanent campus reflects years of collaboration among state leaders, educational institutions, and local advocates committed to increasing educational opportunities in the region.
A special recognition was also given to Senator Ken Yager and County Executive Jimmy Johnson, whose support helped advance the project from vision to reality. The facility has been designated the Ken Yager and Jimmy Johnson Building in honor of their leadership and commitment to the community.
Honoring a Legacy of Educational Support
An important moment during the event was the dedication of the facility’s Community Room in honor of Guy and Claudine Pinckley, longtime supporters of educational access in Fentress County. Through years of philanthropic investment, the Pinckleys helped provide dual enrollment opportunities and scholarships that allowed local students to pursue higher education and career advancement.
Their legacy continues through the new campus, which will serve future generations of students pursuing academic credentials, workforce certifications, and technical training.
Building Opportunities for Future Generations
The Fentress County Higher Education Center stands as more than a new building. It is a long-term investment in student success, workforce readiness, and community growth. By bringing together Roane State Community College and TCAT Oneida/Huntsville under one roof, the facility creates expanded opportunities for learners of all ages while strengthening Tennessee’s workforce pipeline.
Denark is honored to have helped bring this vision to life and congratulates Roane State Community College, TCAT Oneida/Huntsville, the Tennessee Board of Regents, local leaders, faculty, staff, students, and the citizens of Fentress County on this historic milestone.