Tennessee Tech University will once again welcome students back to Tennessee’s college town with the return of “Spirit Days” beginning July 28 and continuing through August 29.

The annual event highlights the deep partnership between Tech and the Cookeville community with giveaways, campus events and exposure for Tech’s Golden Eagle Perk Partners – local businesses that support the university with Tech discounts or other special offers. Community members are also encouraged to show their Tech spirit by wearing purple and gold.

To help the community celebrate, free Tech yard signs will be available for pick up on campus at the Crawford Alumni Center inside the Varsity Building and the University Bookstore inside the Roaden University Center. Signs are also available for pick up in the community at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce in the Leslie Town Centre.

“Tech Spirit Days are a celebration of the people and places that truly make Cookeville Tennessee’s college town,” said Shanna Muncy, Tech’s director of marketing promotions and events. “We encourage everyone to join in the festivities by displaying a free yard sign, wearing purple and gold, patronizing our Golden Eagles Perk Partners and, if you haven’t stopped by recently, paying a visit to our beautiful campus.” 

As part of Spirit Days, Perk Partners will participate in an exclusive “Connect with Cookeville” local business fair held on campus. This year’s event is set for Thursday, Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first 50 Perk Partners who register will be considered for participation. There is no charge to become a Perk Partner, and new businesses are accepted throughout the year. See a list of current Perk Partners and their discounts at www.tntech.edu/community/perk-partners.php. 

“The ‘Connect with Cookeville’ event is held annually during our Week of Welcome and is a highlight of the fall semester,” said Muncy. “This is a way for students who are new to the university and the Cookeville area to get exposed to our local businesses. Many participants offer free samples and giveaways. The event is a win-win for our students and Perk Partners alike.”

Tennessee Tech is rated as the top public university in Tennessee by Money and recognized as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 225 programs of study and Tech grads leave with the least debt of all public universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and alumni earnings, Tech provides students with the highest return on investment for any public university in Tennessee, according to PayScale.

Learn more about Spirit Days at www.tntech.edu/spiritdays.