The University of Tennessee is expecting to raise their national status as a top research university with the addition of Cherokee Farm. Ideally, the site will house research and technology centers that are funded by the state and federal government, along with private investors. A committee has been set to help the new campus develop and reach its foreseen potential.

This committee, with UT Executive Vice President David Milhorn as chair, includes representatives from UT, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UT Institute of Agriculture, UT Medical Center, residents of Knoxville, UT Science Health Center and various other private business professionals.

On Oct. 2, a committee meeting explained that the Cherokee Farm campus will help to bring new programs and opportunities to UT that have not been available before and also to bring UT to research prominence throughout colleges across the nation.

UT President John Petersen spoke at the meeting also noting that if Cherokee Farm is created well, UT will gain national and international attention with leadership in science and engineering.

On Oct. 4, prominent American and world-renowned architect Robert Ivy made a presentation to the committee about an architectural plan for developing the Cherokee Farm property. Ivy will serve as a consultant to UT by providing his expertise in the initial stages of planning.

UT has already received $32 million in state funds in June to be used for infrastructure including roads, construction preparation and base utilities. Groundbreaking on the infrastructure is set to be in the spring of 2008.

More brainstorming sessions and meetings will take place to provide more information about the development of Cherokee Farm and monthly newsletters will update the group.