TOP PHOTO: Gov. Bill Lee and Campbell County Roane State Campus Director Tracy Powers.

 By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Gov. Bill Lee visited LaFollette on Monday to tour the Roane State Community College Campbell County Campus. Roane State President Chris Whaley and Campbell County Campus Director Tracy Powers took the governor on a tour of the school, including several active classrooms where the governor interacted with students. 

Lee said he was always “looking at ways to provide more pathways and opportunities for education in rural communities.”

Gov. Bill Lee practicing CPR during his tour of Roane State Community College’s EMT classroom with Roane State President Chris Whaley in the background.

As part of the tour of the college, the governor stopped by Casey Cobb’s classroom, as well as Dr. John Noto’s classroom, the school’s state of the art science lab, and a “hands on” EMT demonstration from David Blevins and two of his students. Lee practiced his CPR skills and saw firsthand what EMT students are learning at Roane State.

State Representative Dennis Powers (right) introduced Governor Bill Lee to community leaders on Monday after the governor’s tour of Roane State’s Campbell County Campus.

Part of the tour showcased the benefits of Roane State’s dual enrollment program, which helps high school students earn their college degree while they are still juniors and seniors in high school. 

Community leaders and elected officials listen as Gov. Bill Lee speaks at Roane State Community College on Monday.

Lee spoke briefly to students, asking their plans and fielding questions about how he got involved in politics.

After the tour, Lee met briefly with community leaders and elected officials who attended the tour event and spoke about the need for “more nurses, plumbers and teachers in the state, which has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. The Governor said he was “a big believer in rural communities” and hoped to continue “expanding opportunities for rural students.”

Lee spoke briefly to students, asking their plans and fielding questions about how he got involved in politics.

“I’m excited about the opportunities for young people in our state. We want to work on expanding and funding programs like dual enrollment, our community colleges and our TCATs; we need these multiple pathways to success for our students and future generations,” Lee said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/20/2022-6AM)