Carson-Newman University officially opened the Drama and Ted Russell Center on August 8, 2023, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by approximately 400 guests. The completed three-level, 48,000 square foot facility now serves as the home of the University’s School of Health Sciences, housing nursing programmes at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels as well as the Exercise Science department, with university officials signalling that further academic programmes would be announced in due course.

Acorns to Oaks Gathers Momentum with Back-to-Back Campus Milestones

The opening of the health sciences building directly preceded a second major groundbreaking on campus. In April 2023, Carson-Newman broke ground on West Campus Commons, a 110,000 square foot twin-building residential complex and the largest construction project in the university’s 172-year history, developed in partnership with University Housing Solutions and targeting a Fall 2024 completion. That project was subsequently dedicated in November 2024, with the university also unveiling a new student recreation park at the same ceremony, marking the Acorns to Oaks strategic plan’s most active construction phase to date. This momentum in campus-led development aligns with other large-scale university investment initiatives in Tennessee, including Fisk University’s newly announced US$1 billion Quantum Leap plan, which is anchored by a 100,000 sq ft data centre designed to expand digital infrastructure capacity while supporting workforce development in North Nashville.

Project Overview

• Project Name: Drama and Ted Russell Center for Health Sciences
• Location: North College Street and Branner Avenue, Jefferson City, Tennessee, USA
• Developer / Owner: Carson-Newman University
• Total Cost / Value: Not disclosed
• Scale / Capacity: 48,000 sq ft across three levels; includes simulation labs, health assessment labs, general skills labs, 12 classroom spaces, 16 faculty offices, administration suite, The Garden Bistro food service area, student lounges and a covered outdoor terrace
• Construction Start: July 2021 (groundbreaking)
• Expected Completion: 2023 (target at groundbreaking)
• Current Status: Completed and operational; opened August 8, 2023
• Key Milestone: Grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony held August 8, 2023 with approximately 400 guests in attendance
• Strategic Significance: First project launched under the Acorns to Oaks 5-year strategic plan; first new academic building at Carson-Newman in over a decade; designed to target the WELL Building Standard for health and wellbeing performance

Project Team

• Carson-Newman University — Client and Owner
• BarberMcMurry Architects (Knoxville, Tennessee) — Architect and Project Planner
• Johnson and Galyon Construction — Main Contractor
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) — Regulatory and Accreditation Body (Doctor of Nursing Practice programme approval)
• University Housing Solutions — Developer Partner (subsequent West Campus Commons project)
• Bank of Tennessee — Financial Partner (West Campus Commons project)

Reported 29th July 2021: The groundbreaking for the new Drama and Ted Russell Center, took place recently at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, the US. This 48,000-sf health sciences facility will feature several cutting edge laboratories, 12 classroom spaces,16 faculty offices and also includes an administration suite with conference room, faculty workroom, a food service area, student lounges, meeting areas and a covered outdoor terrace.

Barber McMurry Architects and the Johnson & Galyon construction company have been contracted by the University to manage the planning and construction of this health science facility, which is scheduled for completion in 2023. It is the first project to be launched as part of the “Acorns to Oaks” 5-year strategic plan of the University, which consists of new academic programs, expanded athletic offerings, new and renovated facilities, enrollment growth, and greater missional alignment.

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The Drama and Ted Russell Center is meant to serve as the future hub for the University’s health science programs and also pay tribute to Knoxville’s Drama Russell and her husband Ted, a 1962 C-N alumnus and a 2010 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration.

The chairman of the University’s Nursing department mentioned that the mission of the University was centered on training caring and competent professionals, the needs of the learners and the way healthcare services are delivered, which is ever changing. He also stated, “This new building will have the necessary resources to meet unique learning needs of our students and assist faculty to equip them with the tools necessary to meet challenges with both confidence and compassion.”

The project’s launching is to commence soon after the University announces their new program for Doctor of Nursing Practice starting fall of 2021, and earning approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Drama and Ted Russell Center will help meet national nursing shortage needs head-on by providing instructional facilities necessary for BS Nursing (Traditional and Accelerated Programs),  Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator, Post – Master’s Certification: FNP, DNP – Doctorate of Nursing Practice (launching fall 2021)