Paris, Tenn.–Austin Peay State University President Dr Michael Lacari spoke to Paris Quotarians and guests about programs at the university at a recent Quota program.
He is the 11th president of the university and will be there three years on March 1st, 2023. They have a three year Teaching Program and an excellent Nursing program. Enrollment is almost 10,000 and 26% of students are connected to the military.
Austin-Peay is the first university to be located on a military base. In the fall of 2022, they started a Governor’s Military Hall of Fame. Austin-Peay is considered the most affordable university in Tennessee and they guarantee students will graduate in 4 years or the tuition is on them.
They also have the Govs Guarantee to lock in affordable tuition from day one and the Alumni Legacy Scholarship to continue the tradition of family attending Austin Peay. Austin Peay has the only program in the region where you can earn a four-year degree and a full set of FAA certifications and licensures to be a helicopter pilot.
When Dr Lacari came to Austin Peay, they had four helicopters. They now have six, with plans to purchase two more.
Dr Lacari also mentioned the construction of a new area that will help the university’s basketball program and possibly lead to a hockey program. There is a new arena downtown Clarksville that will function like a mini Bridgestone Arena. Underneath the floor is a sheet of ice, which could be for a possible hockey game.