Lambuth Press Release: University reacts to news about meetings with University of Memphis

STATE OF TENNESSEE DECLARES INTEREST IN LAMBUTH’S FUTURE

Jackson, Tennessee, June 10, 2009:

Lambuth University Board of Trustees and administrators have learned that a provision has been included in an appropriations bill under consideration by the Tennessee General Assembly that expresses legislative intent that the Tennessee Higher Education Commission conduct a study to determine the feasibility of the state obtaining the facilities, property and assets of Lambuth University. The study, if approved by the Legislature, would evaluate to what extent the Lambuth campus could be utilized to provide postsecondary instruction by one or more public institutions of higher education.

Should the bill pass, the Lambuth Board will examine this opportunity and its ramifications at its regularly scheduled meeting later this month.

“Lambuth strives to stay true to its mission, tradition and heritage. We are especially cognizant and proud of our 166 year close connection with the United Methodist Church,” said Mary Cay Koen, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We feel incredibly fortunate that we have the vested interest of so many West Tennessee higher education supporters, and we will take whatever action necessary to ensure a vital and sustainable future for the institution.”

Lambuth University is affiliated with the United Methodist church and was founded in 1843. In the ensuing years, Lambuth has earned a reputation as one of the South’s premier liberal arts universities and has received national recognition as one of the nation’s Top 250 Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and as one of the nation’s “Top 100 Outstanding Colleges” by The Washington Post.