From Cleveland State: Cleveland State Community College Foundation will celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the newly renovated Mark E. Smith Performance Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 4 p.m. in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium on the Cleveland State campus.
The Performance Center is located on the first floor of the gymnasium and provides state-of-the-art fitness equipment to help student athletes maintain athletic consistency during the academic year. The facility is also open to students and employees.
Dr. John Squires, Vice President of Economic and Community Development, said, “Mark Smith is a proud alum and steadfast supporter of Cleveland State. His generous contribution to renovate and upgrade the Performance Center exemplifies his commitment to the success and well-being of our students, both on and off the field. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and leadership in strengthening our college and our community.”
The President and CEO of Smith Family McDonalds, Smith graduated from Cleveland State in 1980 with an Associate of Science Degree in Business Management and continued at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). He has served on Cleveland State’s Foundation Board of Trustees for more than 26 years.
While in college, Smith was the manager of the Cleveland State and UTK baseball teams. These experiences developed his passion for college athletics and his support for the Cleveland State Athletic Department. A member of the Cleveland State Athletic Hall of Fame, Smith established the Mark E. Smith Managerial Scholarship for Cleveland State students along with endowed scholarships at UTK and other universities.
The community is invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Mark E. Smith Performance Center on Jan. 15 in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a tour of the new center and a reception. There will also be a presentation during halftime of the women’s basketball game against Pellissippi State Community College.
For more information, call (423) 473-2262 or email foundation@clevelandstatecc.edu.
The Performance Center is located on the first floor of the gymnasium and provides state-of-the-art fitness equipment to help student athletes maintain athletic consistency during the academic year. The facility is also open to students and employees.
Dr. John Squires, Vice President of Economic and Community Development, said, “Mark Smith is a proud alum and steadfast supporter of Cleveland State. His generous contribution to renovate and upgrade the Performance Center exemplifies his commitment to the success and well-being of our students, both on and off the field. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and leadership in strengthening our college and our community.”
The President and CEO of Smith Family McDonalds, Smith graduated from Cleveland State in 1980 with an Associate of Science Degree in Business Management and continued at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). He has served on Cleveland State’s Foundation Board of Trustees for more than 26 years.
While in college, Smith was the manager of the Cleveland State and UTK baseball teams. These experiences developed his passion for college athletics and his support for the Cleveland State Athletic Department. A member of the Cleveland State Athletic Hall of Fame, Smith established the Mark E. Smith Managerial Scholarship for Cleveland State students along with endowed scholarships at UTK and other universities.
The community is invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Mark E. Smith Performance Center on Jan. 15 in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a tour of the new center and a reception. There will also be a presentation during halftime of the women’s basketball game against Pellissippi State Community College.
For more information, call (423) 473-2262 or email foundation@clevelandstatecc.edu.
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2026
January
Cleveland man among two arrested after biker gang stabbing in TazewellTennessee sees fewer deadly crashes, Georgia sees more holiday traffic deaths2 women, 2 children found dead in Waverly home during welfare checkFormer TN Rep. Robin Smith seeks probation in federal mail fraud caseBradley County Commission meeting recapTDOT temporarily closing lanes along I-75 in Bradley, McMinn Counties"She admitted her mistakes": Former TN Rep. Robin Smith's pardon attorney fighting for presidential probationHundreds of DUI arrests in TN ended with no drugs or alcohol detected, TBI reportsBradley Co. Schools to begin training on weapons detection systems, aimed at enhancing campus safetyCleveland City Schools announces leadership transitions after 2026 school yearMulti-vehicle crash on I-75 South Tuesday afternoonAthens man receives one of the longest sentences in TN history in child sex abuse caseJenkins Deli to close after nearly 50 years in businessPolk County receives $500,000 Tennessee Historic Development Grant for courthouseGun found in student's car at McMinn Co. High; juvenile chargedCleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks delivers State of the City addressCleveland State announces Community First AwardsMotorcyclist killed in crash on Ooltewah Georgetown Rd. Sunday morningLake Winnie gets new operator; set to begin in 2026 seasonTennessee’s unemployment rate decreases in NovemberBradley County Commission meeting recapCleveland City Council meeting recapCleveland State presidential search advisory committee appointed; public forum set for WednesdaySmall plane crashes in Polk County TuesdayMcMinn Co. High School placed on temporary lockdown following "concerning comment" made by studentCleveland City School Board meeting recapHuman remains found in wooded area near EtowahTennessee Sandhill Crane Festival to celebrate 35th anniversary January 17-18Tennessee residents may soon vote to ban state property tax foreverGov. Lee proclaims January 19 as "Dolly Parton Day"United Airlines temporarily offering direct flights from Chattanooga to DenverBarn blaze leaves 9 animals dead in Bradley County ThursdayBradley County Mayor Gary Davis delivers annual State of the County addressNo injuries reported after crash on Paul Huff Parkway SaturdayPetroleum pipeline maintenance under Mouse Creek Road to cause delaysCharleston home a complete loss after fire Saturday afternoonTwo vehicle crash on I-75 S causes temporary road closure SundayBradley Medical Center and Erlanger to partner to expand pediatric emergency servicesOoltewah man arrested after auto burglary spree, HCSO saysDecember Tennessee revenues exceed budgeted amounts by $82.7 millionTennessee lawmakers push to expand school voucher program as demand surges past 50,000Bradley County Commission meeting recapCleveland man arrested after making threats to judge, criminal justice officialsYour to-do list ahead of the winter storm heading toward the TN ValleyOfficials urge residents to prepare now for unpredictable winter weather in TN ValleySPCA of Bradley County temporarily closing due to winter weatherBradley County EMS to begin carrying CYANOKITTennessee and Georgia declare state of emergenciesCleveland City Schools names Mike Chai as new Director of Student ServicesSheriff Steve Lawson discusses updates and future needs of BCSO ThursdayMan wanted for attempted murder in Athens stabbing considered dangerousCleveland City Schools and CPD launch BusPatrol ProgramBradley County government offices closed MondayTDOT crews help drivers across the stateMcMinn Co. deputy praised for heroic response to deadly crash after pursuit of stolen vehicleCleveland City Council meeting recapCleveland's Long Range Transportation Plan draft focuses on congestion, safetyApartment catches fire Sunday in ClevelandVolunteers needed for Barbara's Market in ClevelandTBI activates hotline to support welfare checks after winter stormBlood Assurance offers $40 eGift Cards to donorsLee University, City of Cleveland partner to celebrate Sousa’s Musical LegacyFormer Hamilton Co. teacher sentenced to 60 years following conviction of child sexual abuseCleveland firefighters quickly extinguish basement fire Wednesday nightKnox County man charged with first-degree murder after body found in Ten MileBCSO to host blood drive with Blood Assurance on Feb. 9Cleveland PD Chief Mark Gibson delivers 2026 New Year's MessageUnemployment rates below 5% in nearly every Tennessee countyGov. Lee requests expedited disaster declaration for 23 counties
February
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