While driving down the recently renamed “Skyhawk Parkway”, TN Highway-43, be sure and take notice of the paint job on the city’s new water tower.

In continuing efforts by the City/University Relations Committee to improve the relationship between the city and the university, the city of Martin paid for the 18’ tall by 17’ wide UT Martin logo to be painted on to the tower. The logo was an agreement between the city and the university because the land the tower sits on was leased from UTM.

When asked if he believed the painting would actually improve city/university relations, Martin Mayor Randy Brundige said “It definetly will because it gets the name UTM out there, and you can see that tower from every direction. We should be proud that the name is on the tower, and I think the city is. I also think that the students will be proud that the name will be recognizable.”

Sitting on the City/University Relations Committee are Chairman Elizabeth Grey, Aldermen Danny Nanney, David Belote, Natalie Boyd, Mayor Brundige, and UTM students Joey Pierce, Liz Craig, Kevin Anderson, Eric Tolbert, Tameka Russell, Tony Beal, and Beau Pemberton.

In addition to the water tower painting, the committee was the spearhead of Highway-43 being renamed the “Skyhawk Parkway”. The committee is also working on a “Parent’s Day” to allow the families of UTM students to come and visit the campus.

According to Mayor Brundige, the committe had originally wanted the day scheduled in February to coincide with “Greek Week”. During their meeting on December 1, the committee decided that to push the day back because there wouldn’t be enough time to get information ready. Talks about “Parent’s Day” will be continued at the first meeting next semester.