MARTIN, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visited the University of Tennessee at Martin on
July 2 to hear updates about university programs.
Also visiting the main campus were Tennessee state Rep. Tandy Darby (R-District 76) and state
Senator John Stevens (R-District 24).
The visit began at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building, where the governor and
Chancellor Yancy Freeman had a one-on-one meeting.
After that, Lee held a round-table meeting with Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, dean of the College of
Business and Global Affairs; Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied
Sciences; Alisha Melton, executive director of the Office of Research, Outreach, and Economic
Development; Landy Fuqua, director of the Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic
Development (REED) Center; Staci Fuqua, director of the Educator Preparation Program and
Accreditation; and Dr. Amanda Batts, associate professor in the Department of Educational
Studies.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Business Administration Building led by Freeman and
Tootoonchi.
“Great to visit West TN’s @UTMartin to see how this university is preparing students with
critical skills for careers in agriculture, business & beyond,” the governor posted on his official
X account.
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Photo – GOVERNOR 1 – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (front right) walks through the quad and speaks
with Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs during a visit July 2.
They are accompanied by several UTM administrators and representatives from the Office of the
Governor.
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GOVERNOR, PAGE 2
Photo – GOVERNOR 2 – Taking time out for a photo during Gov. Bill Lee’s visit to the UT Martin
campus July 2 were (L-R) state Rep. Tony Darby; state Sen. John Stevens; Landy Fuqua, director of the
Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center; Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the College of
Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Gov. Bill Lee; Chancellor Yancy Freeman; UTM first lady Rafielle
Freeman; Dr. Amanda Batts, associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Ahmad
Tootoonchi, dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs; Staci Fuqua, director of the Educator
Preparation Program; Alisha Melton, executive director of the Office of Research, Outreach, and
Economic Development; and Michael O’Neill, director of the Department of Public Safety.
