Ripley

The Ripley Farmers Market in Lauderdale County showcases the 47th mural in the campaign. The 40-foot-wide painting near the historic town square was completed in November 2023 and can be seen by more than 5,300 travelers daily.

“The Bank of Ripley constructed what looks like a barn with a galvanized roof to be used for the city’s farmers market and that’s where the location came from,” said Mayor and Bank of Ripley CEO Craig Fitzhugh (Knoxville ’72, Knoxville ’75). “It is at the convergence of the two ways into town, so it’s visible to folks who are driving in from U.S. 51 or driving through our main thoroughfare, Washington Street, which to me makes it a perfect spot.”

In addition to the campaign mural on the south-facing roof of the farmers market, a second mural promoting the UT Martin Ripley Center is displayed on the north-facing wall of the barn.

Ripley is home to the UT Martin Ripley Center, which offers a variety of undergraduate courses supporting bachelor’s degree requirements in more than 80 specialized programs.

“We serve the evolving needs of diverse students throughout west Tennessee through the convenience of our UT Martin Regional Centers and high-quality online degree programs,” said UT Martin Executive Director of Regional Centers and Online Programs Erica Bell (Martin ’96, Martin ’12). 

Ripley and Lauderdale county’s communities and local businesses provide more than $50,000 in scholarships to UT Martin Ripley Center students.

“We’re really trying to change lives and bring access to these rural communities, so that they can grow,” said Bell. “My hope is that these rural students either go back home or they stay, and they support the local community.”