The Administration Building at the Main Campus of the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton, 426 Highway 91 in Elizabethton, has been dedicated in honor of former State Rep. Ralph Cole of Elizabethton.
The Tennessee General Assembly approved funds for the construction of the building while Rep. Cole served on the House Finance Committee. The building, which opened In July 1998, houses administrative offices and classrooms for Business Systems Technology, Electricity/Electronics and Millwright training programs.
"Ralph Cole has been a true friend of the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton, East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Technical Community College. He truly understands the impact that post secondary education has on our area economy. He was quick to support all our undertakings because he knew the three schools did change people's lives," Jerry Patton, director of TTC-Elizabethton, said.
Among those attending the dedication ceremony were Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey of Blountville, State Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton, Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander, Johnson County Mayor Dick Grayson, James King of Nashville, vice chancellor for Tennessee Technology Centers, Leslie Pope of Kingsport, a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Dr. Paul Stanton, president of East Tennessee State University, Keith Young of Northeast State Technical Community College, Carter County Director of Schools Dallas Williams and former State Rep. Joe Kent of Memphis, who served in the legislature with Rep. Cole.