Knoxville's seven wonders

The Statue of Liberty, Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House and Brazil’s Statue of Christ Redeemer have one thing in common — they are the candidates for the New Seven Wonders of the World.

More than 20 million people have voted online to name the new seven wonders. Twenty-one landmarks have been selected as finalists in the global contest that was started to update the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

“When you look at the old Seven Wonders, it was just things in the Mediterranean area because back then that was their little world,” said Scott Pearson, branch manager of STA Travel in the University Center.

USA Today and “Good Morning America” collaborated with each other from Nov. 17 to Nov. 27 to showcase their selections for the new wonders.

“I’m glad that one of the top picks wasn’t the Sears Tower or something. (For the new ones) I think it’s neat that they’re going outside the box and picking things from the whole world,” Pearson said.

The criteria for a World Wonder goes beyond a form of art, according to one University of Tennessee assistant professor.

“When you look at it, you see it as art — incredible, awe inspiring...Something that when you look at it, it gives you a big chill,” assistant professor of geography Anita Drever said.

But on a smaller scale, students and professors were asked what would make the list for the Seven Wonders of Knoxville.

Among the candidates were the Smoky Mountains, which topped the list. The second, third, fourth and fifth wonders varied between Neyland Stadium, the Tennessee River and the Sunsphere — or “the golden golf ball” — according to Drever.

“The Smoky Mountains aren’t really in Knoxville, but it’s pretty,” said Angela Pack, freshman in biology

She and her roommate unanimously ranked Neyland Stadium as their number one wonder of Knoxville.

“Even if you don’t know (anything about) football, you know where the stadium is (on gameday),” Hope Guillory, sophomore in psychology, said.

While some students considered places like Dollywood, Gay Street and the Old City to be at the bottom of the list, they were higher in the eyes of professors and professionals alike.

“The Old City as a whole is really neat,” Pearson said. “The variety of stores and restaurants are what make up the Old City’s appeal.”

“Number two — Neyland Stadium,” Christopher A. Franklin, freshman in history interest, said. “It’s huge and built nicely to be a college stadium.”

The Sunsphere, which ranked third by students, got mixed reactions.

“It somewhat puts the city on the map, plus whenever you see it, you can think Knoxville,” Franklin said.

Pearson said she would select it as number two — “even though it’s worthless” — because it has been closed to the public.

Gatlinburg, Regas Steakhouse and Sequoyah Hills, among other offbeat selections, were considered by students.

The final seven will be announced in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 7, 2007. The global contest can be found at http://www.new7wonders.com.