As state Rep Harry Brooks, left, R-Knoxville, MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee listen, MTSU junior Ryan Wayne Tilluck explains the research he is performing in the recently opened $147 million Science Building Sept. 9. (MTSU photos by J. Intintoli)

State Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, a major force behind the legislature’s decision to fund the recently opened MTSU Science Building, visited campus and toured the $147 million facility Sept. 9.

College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fisher provided Brooks with the tour of the building, which opened six months early and features 257,000 gross square feet of space that includes six classroom lecture halls, 32 classroom laboratories and 13 research labs.

Brooks serves as chair of the House Education Committee. He was joined by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and John Hood, director of the university’s Office of Government and Community Affairs.

Brooks has been a House member of the 103rd through 108th General Assemblies and represents District 19, which is part of Knox County. Hood is a former state representative.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, second from left, tells students in a Sept. 9 biology class being taught by graduate student Caleb Sutton, left, that state Rep. Harry Brooks, right, helped pave the way for the $147 million Science Building that opened six months ahead of schedule. Brooks, R-Knoxville, serves as chair of the House Education Committee. 

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer, left, is joined by John Hood, director of MTSU’s Office of Government and Community Affairs; state Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville; and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee to check out the view from the deck outside the new Science Building, which opened about six months ahead of schedule. Brooks’ leadership as chair of the House Education Committee helped push the building forward until it became a reality.