Pictured above – Tennessee Tech Instructor Madison Lynn (first row, second from right) is pictured with her students accepting a donation to the School of Human Ecology from Kim Taylor (first row, center) on behalf of First National Bank of Tennessee in Algood. The students recently prepared renovation plans for the bank’s West Main Street location.
School of Human Ecology’s latest work is part of a tradition that dates back further than most would realize
A local bank is set to receive a complete renovation over the coming months, and students in Tennessee Tech University’s School of Human Ecology are to thank for the modern and inviting design plans.
Over the past semester, design studies students in Instructor Madison Lynn’s special topics course partnered with First National Bank of Tennessee in Algood for the one-of-a-kind project. Tech students put their skills to work making meticulous plans for a refresh of the building’s interior spaces – even contacting local vendors, obtaining cost estimates and assembling proposed budgets.
The bank received a comprehensive set of blueprints, with details ranging from suggested paint colors and furniture pieces to flooring and lighting. Likewise, the students got a valuable experiential learning opportunity that allowed them to build their design portfolio while still in the classroom.
“The bank had already been thinking about remodeling. They’ve been a supporter of the university, and they thought, ‘What if we could get Tech involved and help out students?’” explained Lynn. “So that’s when they reached out. They needed our students’ expertise, but they also wanted the students to get real-world experience in their portfolio and on their resume before they graduate. So, we jumped at the opportunity.”
Lynn adds that her students were eager to take on the assignment.
“They understood how special and unique this was, and they were very excited to do it,” she said. “It was a pretty major overhaul, and the students considered every aspect of the renovation and were able to put together a proposal that would source everything from local businesses and hire local contractors.”
Lynn’s students presented their final plans to the employees at First National Bank of Tennessee’s Algood branch, who are now set to begin executing on the renovations.
“The bank was very happy,” added Lynn. “There were no changes requested from the students. They were able to take everything from there and start their project.”
For Lynn, a two-time Tech graduate now in her first year on Tech’s faculty, the opportunity to return to her campus roots and lead students in an immersive learning experience has been especially meaningful.
“It’s been an honor. I owe my career to Tech,” said Lynn, who spent nearly a decade as a designer and merchandiser for a national furniture retailer before returning home to her alma mater. “Tech shaped me and set me up for my career, for teamwork and for success, for the confidence to go out and pursue a career in interior design. It’s wonderful to now be able to give back and show students what a degree from the School of Human Ecology makes possible.”
Melinda Anderson, director of Tech’s School of Human Ecology, sees the partnership as a way for Tech to give back to its neighbors and build on its reputation for producing career-ready graduates.
“It definitely helps the students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and use it in a real-world setting. These are skills that are going to make them valuable employees,” she said. “But it’s also just a great way for our students to benefit the Cookeville community.”
Anderson notes that the School of Human Ecology’s latest work is part of a tradition that dates back further than most would realize. Human Ecology was one of the original programs of study at Tech when it opened its doors more than a century ago. At the time, the program was known as “domestic science.”
“I think our strength is that we continue to adapt and evolve in being able to serve families and communities,” said Anderson. “And we have such a great faculty who are excited to prepare students to go out into their professions and make a difference.”
Lynn adds that, to faculty in the School of Human Ecology, their work is “a form of art.”
“This is our creativity, and when you study the built environment, you really learn the impact that it makes on people,” she explained. “Your psychological and physical needs are all met when a space is designed appropriately. Being able to put that into practice with classes such as this is exciting.”
The local staff at First National Bank of Tennessee agreed, even presenting a donation to the School of Human Ecology as a token of their appreciation and opening the door to future partnerships for renovations to other branch locations.
The School of Human Ecology offers concentrations in architecture and interior design, child life, fashion merchandising, human development and family science and nutrition and dietetics.
Learn more HERE.
Photo courtesy of Tech.
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