the precursor to pellissippi state, state technical institute at knoxville, was established on september 4, 1974. the original school was added on as a wing to the knoxville state regional vocational-technical school and intended to simply provide post-educational vocational training to area residents. however, at the backing of the newly seated director colonel john c. mauer, the tennessee state board of vocational education soon took over governance of the school, providing three associate's degree programs in engineering technology to 45 students on the first day of classes, september 23, 1974.