Crawford Alumni Center at Tennessee Tech

06/02/2026

On May 2, Kappa Mu Chapter of Kappa Sigma at Tennessee Tech honored eight founders with a commemorative plaque at the fraternity house on North Walnut Avenue. What began in 1964 as an “underground” organization became Tech’s first nationally recognized fraternity on May 2, 1969, when Kappa Mu Chapter was officially established.

The celebration recognized the founders’ vision and legacy while highlighting the chapter’s continued impact through leadership, philanthropy and service. Today, Kappa Mu remains strong with more than 130 active members, growing alumni engagement and thousands of volunteer hours given back to the community.

The photos feature Bill Ray, speaker and alumnus; Dane Harville, son of founder Ronnie Harville; Adam Poe, National Worthy Grand Master and Cookeville native; Steve Hill, founder; Lane Miller, event organizer and former chapter WGM; Robert Hobbs, founder; David Witt, founder; and Barbara Briley, widow of founder Earl Briley.

06/01/2026

Save the date and get ready to show your GOLD spirit! 💛💛💛

Join us on August 29 for the football season opener and Gold Rush game!

Don't have any gold apparel? The Crawford Alumni Center has you covered! Stay tuned for some exclusive Tennessee Tech alumni apparel -- in gold! More details coming soon.

𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃

Our home opener theme is set, and we need our Tech fans in 𝙂𝙊𝙇𝘿!

There will be a t-shirt giveaway and a post-game drone show. Stay tuned for more details and upcoming gameday themes.

05/29/2026

Alumni, if you haven't purchased tickets for the fall football season, now's the time! 🏈

Suites are officially SOLD OUT, and club seats are going fast. We're counting down the days until we cheer on our Golden Eagles in a reimagined Tucker Stadium -- and trust us, it's going to be something special. 🦅

Haven't driven by the stadium lately? It's looking incredible! 💛💜

Expanded amenities among offerings for premium seating

05/28/2026

Support Ross Reading Camp through a gift to literacy!

Ross Reading Camp is a free, one-week summer program hosted by Tennessee Tech that provides children in the community with a joyful, meaningful week of literacy, books, meals, enrichment and encouragement. The program is funded solely through the generosity of businesses, community partners, families and individual donors. It features small-group book clubs, a literacy mini-lesson, fluency-building activities, independent reading time and field trips which may include short walks to campus locations like the STEM Center or a trip to Plenty Bookshop for local author visits and readings.

A $25 gift provides snacks or supplies while a $50 gift funds books and literacy materials. Or, you can sponsor one child for the entire week for $400.

Give online via the link below, or mail a check, made payable to the TTU Foundation, to Tennessee Tech, Box 1915, Cookeville, TN 38505. Indicate that your gift is for Ross Reading Camp.

www.tntech.edu/giving

05/27/2026

Did you guess when this photo first appeared in The Eagle yearbook? If you know when Tennessee Tech’s nursing program began, you may have figured it out!

The photo appeared on page 100-101 of the 1981 edition of The Eagle yearbook, which noted:

“The School of Nursing began its program this fall with the first class of junior-level students enrolled. After establishing itself in the old Campus School building, new faculty members began eagerly preparing themselves for the enrollment.”

Established in fall of 1980, the School of Nursing was created to meet the growing demand for highly trained nurses at the local, regional and national levels. Just two years later, in 1982, the program celebrated its first graduates, awarding Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. The school initially operated out of the former Tech Campus School building under founding dean Dr. Patricia Sommer.

In 2008, a generous gift from Larry Hester renamed the school in honor of his wife, Jean Whitson Hester, granddaughter of Tech founder Jere Whitson.

Congratulations to Dr. Ramona Scott (`83 nursing) who guessed correctly and won some Tech SWAG! Stay tuned for more “Yearbooks of Yesteryear” coming soon!

05/26/2026

The May edition of The Alumnus is out!

Check it out for information about the largest spring commencement ceremony in Tech’s history, the 2027 Yellowstone National Park alumni trip, “Where’s Phil?” and “Yearbooks of Yesteryear” social media contests, a recap of National Nurses Week and much more!

Last month we asked about the 1926 edition of the yearbook. Fast forward 100 years -- this month's question is about the 2026 edition!

The 2026 yearbook cover features artwork and images from two past editions of The Eagle. Which two years are represented on the cover?

If you know the answer, email [email protected]. We’ll randomly select one correct answer to win some Tech SWAG.

If you don’t already receive The Alumnus in your inbox, be sure to subscribe! www.tntech.edu/TheAlumnus

05/21/2026

It’s time for another edition of Yearbooks of Yesteryear, and this one continues our celebration of National Nurses Week, which officially took place May 6-12. (But we can celebrate all month long, right?!)

Do you recognize this photo? What year do you think it first appeared in The Eagle yearbook?

Drop your guess in the comments for a chance to win some Tennessee Tech SWAG!

05/19/2026

For decades, Randy Johns has made a meaningful impact on Van Buren County through his support of Tennessee Tech. His generosity includes the Johns Family Scholarship – created in memory of his daughter Johna and wife Francis – which has grown into a six-figure endowment helping local students pursue a Tech education.

That same spirit inspired a new mural on Randy’s property celebrating the history and heritage of Van Buren County. The piece was created by Tech alumna and muralist Abby Ramaker (`23 fine arts), whose work can be seen across campus and around the Upper Cumberland – including the mural outside the University Center honoring the 100th anniversary of Tech’s beloved mascot, the Golden Eagle. The new mural has already sparked pride and conversation in the community, continuing Randy’s legacy of connection and impact.

Read more: www.tntech.edu/DevelopmentNews

05/18/2026

Did you find PHIL?

Awesome Eagle was auditing a class in Stonecipher Lecture Hall!

The building celebrated its grand opening on April 9, 2021, and is named for Harry C. Stonecipher, a 1960 physics graduate. Stonecipher is a renowned aerospace executive who helped shape the modern aviation industry, including serving as President and CEO of the Boeing Company during a period of growth and innovation.

His impact on Tech is just as impressive. From chairing the university’s first major capital campaign to leading as chairperson of the Foundation Board and National Board of Advisors, his dedication has helped move Tech forward in meaningful ways. In 2021, he was honored with an honorary doctorate in engineering in recognition of his achievements and service.

Beyond the lecture hall, Stonecipher also funded the Harry and Joan Stonecipher Lectures on Science and Society, the Harry C. Stonecipher Professors of Distinction, the Lillie Goad Stonecipher Scholarship for Arts and Sciences, the Terry Martin Stonecipher Fund for Arts and Sciences, the Stonecipher Endowed Professorship and the Stonecipher Atrium in the Ashraf Islam Engineering Building, just to name a few.

Thanks to donors like Harry Stonecipher, philanthropy (AKA “PHIL”) truly is everywhere on campus!

Congratulations to Kayela Mauk (`24 animal science) who guessed correctly and won some Tech SWAG!

Stay tuned for the next Where’s PHIL?

05/15/2026

Save 10% on the November 2026 Tennessee Tech African Safari but you MUST book by May 22! The original registration deadline has been extended by one week!

On this seven-day safari, you'll visit Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti National Park and so much more! One of the highlights of the trip will be a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Experience the wildlife, people, culture and landscapes of beautiful Tanzania.

Visit www.tntech.edu/GoldenEagleTravel to learn more or contact Tech alumna and Trailblazer Safaris owner Melisa Cansado at [email protected] or 573-258-0807.

All of these photos are from the September 2025 Tennessee Tech Alumni Tanzania trip and were taken with just a smart phone! This is just a small sample of what you'll see on this trip of a lifetime!