Cedar Bluff Extended Learning Site
More than a year ago, Lincoln Memorial University initiated plans for the generic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. Immediately it became clear that the program would require more space than the at-capacity Hayfield Road location had to offer.
Initially LMU officials were only seeking a home for the BSN program. After looking at space in a Knoxville hospital and other businesses, LMU was introduced to a retail space available on Cedar Bluff Road. The vacant Food Lion location was larger than the University needed for the BSN program; however it would allow the flexibility other properties had not been able to provide.
As the negotiations and plans for the site got underway, it quickly became evident that LMU would be able to move all of its West Knoxville offerings to the one site and still have room for growth. As the plans moved forward the advantages to the new site were overwhelming. Housing all of the current Knoxville offerings, with the exception of the ASN program at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Duncan School of Law, LMU Cedar Bluff would not only have room for more faculty offices, improved classrooms and student study areas, it would also have abundant parking.
In January, the University construction teams took over the facility and began to transform the former supermarket into a 37,000-square foot learning facility to include classroom, laboratory, conference and office space. The facility includes two lecture halls, one accommodating up to 86 students and a larger one that can hold 120; five classrooms with capacities ranging from 40-60; a 30-station computer lab; and a science lab and a nursing skills lab which includes three individual simulation rooms.
Embedded throughout LMU Cedar Bluff is state-of-the-art learning technology. LMU’s Information Services (IS) Department has created classroom technology to fit the particular program needs. The site includes one ITV classroom which will provide distance learning opportunities for the site. The classroom has videoconference capabilities included in the podium and contains viewing for classroom, Sympodium for written annotation, document camera, DVD/VCR, and a Crestron touch control screen to manage it all. Videoconferences can be started at the podium for site to site or will be scheduled via the IS department for a multisite connection utilizing the University connection bridge.
The classrooms were modeled after technology enhanced classrooms on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tenn. These classrooms cover the enhanced instructional needs and will include: a podium, projection to the classroom, Sympodium, document camera, DVD/VCR, house PC, hookup for a laptop, and a basic Crestron control to manage it all.
The site also contains one conference room outfitted with LCD, table controls for projection and a basic videoconferencing setup to facilitate communications with other videoconference sites and the main campus. LMU Cedar Bluff contains office space for 48 individuals. To support all the technology at the new site, LMU has hired an IS support staff member to be headquartered onsite. All LMU students and employees at the Cedar Bluff sites will also have access to LMU’s email system with spam filtering, Internet access, digital library services and wireless access throughout the building.
LMU closed the doors to the Hayfield road location in May and classes got underway at the new Cedar Bluff location June 1. An official ribbon cutting followed by an open house was held on June 17.
Directions to the Cedar Bluff site
Directions from West Knox site at 140 Hayfield:
Travel either Kingston Pk. or Parkside Dr. east to Cedar Bluff Rd. Turn left onto Cedar Bluff Rd. Travel approx. 1 mile to the traffic light at Sherrill Blvd. (Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Burger King will be on your left). Turn left onto Sherrill Blvd. The next immediate left turns into the parking lot of our new site.
Directions from south of Knoxville via I-75:
I-75 exit # 378 (Cedar Bluff exit) turn left onto N. Cedar Bluff Rd. Travel approximately 1/2 mile to traffic light at Sherrill Blvd. -- turn left onto Sherrill Blvd. -- turn immediate left into parking lot.
Directions from north or east of Knoxville via I-75/I-40:
I-75/I-40 to exit # 378 -- take Executive Park Dr. exit (exit # 378 B) toward North Cedar Bluff Rd. Turn left onto Executive Park Drive. Turn right onto N. Cedar Bluff Rd. Travel approximately 1/4 mile to traffic light at Sherrill Blvd. -- turn left onto Sherrill Blvd. -- turn immediate left into parking lot.
