Take one look at Tennessee Tech University’s thriving campus and it becomes clear why Dr. Phil Oldham has had such a monumental impact on the city of Cookeville. In recognition of that influence, Dr. Phil and Kari Oldham were named to our 2022 Class of Most Influential People. As President of Tennessee Tech, Dr. Oldham has spearheaded numerous projects and education-focused initiatives that have reshaped the university and strengthened its role in the region.
A curiosity for higher education comes naturally to Oldham, whose father was a college administrator. “I grew up kind of a campus rat,” Oldham laughed. With a B.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, his academic path was strongly shaped by his upbringing. He spent 21 years at Mississippi State University as a professor of chemistry, followed by five years as Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“During my time at MSU, I learned how a university can be so influential and important in the economic development of a state or region,” Oldham said.
In 2012, Oldham was named President of Tennessee Tech, and over the next decade he helped change the trajectory of the university. Highlights of his tenure include increasing full-time faculty and faculty salaries by 15%, achieving the lowest student debt levels in the state of Tennessee, investing more than $400 million in capital improvements, creating Tech Farms, and significantly expanding existing academic programs.
With so many initiatives already completed or underway, Oldham has no plans of slowing down.
“I feel like we are just getting started,” he said. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve worked hard to lay foundational pieces. We plan to grow our research presence on campus and still have ambitions to increase enrollment to over 15,000 students in the not-too-distant future.”
At the heart of Oldham’s passion for higher education are the students themselves. “I am proud of the visible and obvious things we’ve been able to implement during my time at Tech,” he said. “But most of all, I am proud of the students. I think they’re starting to realize that going to a smaller university like Tech is not a disadvantage.”
Reflecting on his career, Oldham has no regrets. “You get to work on a beautiful campus around smart, energetic young people who challenge and encourage you,” he said. “I don’t think there is a better career out there.”
Throughout his career, Oldham’s wife Kari has served as a natural counterpart to his academic leadership, focusing on student outreach and community engagement. With a background in social etiquette through her company, Southern Civility, Kari has long believed in the power of small gestures to make a meaningful impact.
In her role as First Lady of Tech, Kari has embraced and expanded the university’s Live Wings Up mantra. She launched Wings of Kindness, an initiative recognizing students, faculty, and staff who go out of their way to do something kind for others. Among other outreach efforts, Kari also initiated the annual Lighting of the Quad before students leave for the holidays.
“We light up the trees and bushes, play holiday music, have photo props, and create a fun, Christmas atmosphere that lifts students’ spirits,” Kari shared.
Dr. Phil and Kari Oldham are parents to four children, two of whom are Tennessee Tech graduates. “I think Cookeville has the best hometown feel,” Kari said. “There’s an inclusive vibe here, and we all want both the community and the university to thrive.”
-written by Chelsea Dartez, photos by Katelyn Steakley
