Roane State Community College Press Release:
A standing-room-only crowd filled the new Fentress County Higher Education Center on August 24, 2026, as community members, students, elected officials, supporters, and college leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of the new shared campus for Roane State and TCAT Oneida/Huntsville.
The celebration marked the first semester for the new campus in Jamestown, a 49,000-square-foot facility now designated as the Ken Yager and Jimmy Johnson Building. Health science, automotive and diesel technology, welding, construction, and manufacturing technology programs from both colleges will be offered to educate job-ready students.
The campus naming recognizes the longtime advocacy and support of Senator Ken Yager and Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson. They have prioritized securing the college’s first permanent campus in the county for years.
“We have every reason to rejoice today because this is going to change lives in Fentress County and improve the quality of life for everybody in this beautiful place that we call home,” Sen. Yager said during remarks at the event.
Sen. Yager’s support of the project ultimately led to approval by Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly as well as funding from the State Building Commission.
College leaders noted it was clear when the time came to name the facility that Yager and Johnson should receive the honor in equal measure. Johnson’s work was integral in securing the acreage for the new campus.
“This is something that will be here as long as time lasts and I hope this facility shows the people of Fentress County we did what we promised we would do,” Johnson added.
“This campus has been a dream for quite some time,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “Students are already walking these halls; in fact, there were two classes underway as we gathered to cut the ribbon and honor all those who helped us get here. It is hard to imagine a community more deserving of a facility like this. We are grateful to everyone who joined us for this celebration and to our many, many supporters.”
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings echoed President Whaley’s message of thanks as she praised the partnerships that made the project possible. In her remarks to the crowd, the chancellor emphasized the long-term impact both colleges and the shared campus would have on students and employers throughout the region.
“Thanks to the collective efforts of so many, Roane State and TCAT Oneida/Huntsville now share a stunning new space that will serve students from across this great county and surrounding areas,” Tydings said. “When these students graduate, they will not only be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for fulfilling careers, they will also help meet the urgent need for skilled professionals throughout Tennessee.”
The new campus represents a significant expansion of higher education and workforce training opportunities for Fentress County. By bringing Roane State and TCAT programs together under one roof, students have convenient access to transfer pathways, career and technical education, specialized training, and industry-focused certificates and degrees.
“This facility represents a brighter future for our students,” TCAT Oneida/Huntsville President Tim Smith said. “Here, they will gain the skills and experience needed to become leaders and make a difference. We are grateful to the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Board of Regents, Roane State, and all of our partners who helped turn this vision into reality.”
College leaders included a surprise recognition during the event, as they announced the naming of the Guy and Claudine Pinckley Community Room. Signage was installed prior to the celebration and unveiled for the crowd as President Whaley and his fellow speakers recognized Mrs. Pinckley and her late husband, Guy, for decades of philanthropic support.
President Whaley noted that the Pinckleys were responsible for funding dual enrollment tuition for hundreds of students attending York Institute and Clarkrange High School.
“Through that generosity, many students discovered that college was possible for them,” Whaley added. “The legacy Guy and Claudine have left in Fentress County has impacted families across this region. We are proud to honor them in a space that will continue bringing people together for generations to come.”
Following the remarks, elected officials, project supporters, Tennessee Board of Regents representatives, Roane State and TCAT administrators, and community members gathered outside for the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon. Roane State’s director of the new Fentress County campus, Cheryl Tays, thanked the community for the overwhelming turnout.
“Throughout the planning and build of this beautiful new campus, anyone in town who knew me would stop me to say how excited they were and how important the project was to them,” Tays explained. “That excitement can still be felt today, and it can certainly be seen with how many of our friends, neighbors, and supporters showed up to celebrate with us.”
The new campus is located at 823 Old Highway 127 S in Jamestown. Additional information is available online at roanestate.edu/fentress.
The Roane State Foundation Board of Directors has now set a $1,000,000 endowment goal for Fentress County. Details on fundraising efforts to provide scholarships for Fentress County students are available at roanestate.edu/donate. (Photo courtesy RSCC)
