(WBIR - Knoxville) Knoxville College has a long history of producing successful and productive citizens for the city.
"We have, for example, one person who graduated from here about four years ago who owns his taxi company right here in Knoxville and we're pleased of that because he developed his business plan while he was a student here at Knoxville College," said president Evelyn Hallman.
The historically black college (HBC) was founded in 1875, but it's fallen apart over the years. Hallman plans to get the college back to where it once was "one step at a time."
First, the school plans to build a dorm on campus in the near future in hopes of increasing its student population. Hallman said Knoxville College currently has 20 students.
"The admissions person has gone to a number of schools," she explained. "We have been relying on presidents of alumni chapters and they have the students ready. And they have indicated to us when we get the facility available then they will actually send the students to us."
Several of the buildings on campus are vacant and in bad condition, but renovation plans are in the works. The school's library is already receiving a face lift after the college won $50,000 in supplies from Home Depot earlier this year.
The renovations will not only help the campus look better, but they're also necessary in order for Knoxville College to regain its accreditation.
"We did have a visit and what they have done is indicate that we must address certain issues, and I think they're issues that we're all aware of in terms of the environment," Hallman said. "What we're actually doing at this point is looking at the things that they have pointed that we need to do and as we progress with the different things we're actually keeping them informed."
Knoxville College has traditionally offered liberal arts programs. But Hallman said the college is looking to expand its course offerings.
Hallman said she knows reviving Knoxville College is going to take some time and a lot of community support. She's asking the community to be patient with the college as they work to develop an improvement plan. Once that plan is complete, Knoxville College will share it with the community.
