Eastman CU Helps Fund Facility At FossilDig Site

GRAY, Tenn. - (01/20/06) – Eastman CU announced Thursdayit has agreed to donate $100,000 to East Tennessee State Universityfor construction of a multi-media classroom that will be part of aresearch center and museum being built at the university’sfossil dig site here. Skeletons of ancient alligators, elephantsand rhinoceroses found at the site will be displayed at the newmuseum. The classroom will include technology that will allowscientists to connect with students across the globe via theInternet. The museum, which has been funded with an $8 millionfederal grant and $2 million in matching funds, is scheduled forcompletion in the spring of 2007. The fossils, including those ofpreviously undiscovered were discovered at the site in 2000. Sincethen, scientists have unearthed specimens that date back as far asseven million years.