JOHNSON CITY (Posted April 27, 2012) – East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine officially dedicated its Student Study Center on Friday, April 27, christening a $1.4 million, state-of-the-art facility that was funded entirely by medical students and private donors.

Leaders from the College of Medicine and the main ETSU campus were joined by medical students, Quillen alumni and donors for a dedication ceremony and student-led tours of the building. It is located behind Stanton-Gerber Hall, the main administration building for the college.

The facility includes 26 study rooms of various sizes that accommodate from one to eight people, a kitchen and café area, an outdoor porch and a 1,000-square-foot terrace.

Medical students voted four years ago for a self-imposed fee that got the project started and funded the basic facility. Through private gifts, the college was able to expand the scope of the center.

During the dedication ceremony, Dr. Philip C. Bagnell, dean of the college, was joined by Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, university chief operating officer and vice president for Health Affairs, in unveiling a wall plaque that tells the story of how the college realized its goal of a dedicated facility for study. Plaques recognizing donors who sponsored specific study rooms were installed as well.

“For the longest time, it was recognized by many that a study center was perhaps the biggest missing element on our campus,” Bagnell said. “Medical students have to invest an enormous amount of time to study, so they needed dedicated space for it. We’re proud of our students for taking a leadership role in this endeavor, and we’re grateful to the individuals and businesses who recognized a need and gave generously.”