MORRISTOWN - Walters State’ s Community Education Program’ s January classes include several that will lead to healthcare careers. The Certified Nursing Assistant Course will begin meeting Jan. 24 and meetsMonday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for six weeks on the Morristown campus. An evening class will be offered on the both the Sevier County Campus and the Greeneville/Greene County Campus. Start dates for those classes are Jan. 31 for Sevierville and Jan. 11 for Greeneville. The class includes classroom lectures, classroom skill sessions and clinical experience.

Students completing the class are eligible to take the state-licensing exam upon successful completion of the course. The fee is $499. (This does not include the cost of the exam.) The Phlebotomy Technician program will also be offered on all three campuses.

This 90-hour class prepares students and professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Start dates are Feb. 14 on the Morristown campus; Jan. 25 on the Greeneville/Greene County Campus; and March 8 on the Sevier County Campus. Upon completion of the course, students may also complete a clinical experience that includes 100 documented, successful sticks at a clinical site. The course fee is $1,680. Register early, as class size is limited. The Registered Dental Assistant course will be offered Jan. 11-May 26. Registration for this course ends Dec. 22. The course fee is $625. This will be offered on the Morristown and Sevier County campuses.

The EKG Technician class will also be offered at the Morristown and Sevier County campuses. The program meets Monday and Wednesday evenings in Morristown, Feb. 21-April 11. The class meets 6-9:30 p.m. April 19-June 17 in Sevierville. For more information about any of these classes, please contact the Division of Community Education at (865) 774-5852 or (423) 585-2675.

SEVIERVILLE, TN - The Sevierville Parks and Recreation Department still has space open for the Flurry of Fun Program.  Registration forms are available at the Sevierville Community Center. The fun program is for children from kindergarten age through sixth grade. Activities will include swimming, bowling, an art project, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, whiffleball, basketball and kickball.  Scheduled field trips include Premier Athletics for gymnastics, Spin City Roller Skating, shopping, Reel Theatres and Mr. Gatti’s.

The program dates are December 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. The registration fee is $90.00 for all five days.  Daily registration is also available at $18.00/day. The fees include most activities, field trips, lunches and an afternoon snack.
 
For additional program information, please contact Deanna Hutchens at 868-1875.

SEVIER COUNTY, TN - The three branches of the Sevier County Public Library System expect a special guest to appear during preschool story time during the week of December 13-17, 2010. Santa Claus will appear at each of the three locations on the following days:
·         Monday, Dec. 13 – Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, Seymour at 11:00 a.m. Contact person: Spence Perry at (865) 573-0728.
·         Wednesday, Dec. 15 – King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville at 10:30 a.m. Contact person: Vickie Kelly at (865) 365-1428.
·         Friday, Dec. 17 – Kodak Branch Library, 319 West Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak at 11:00 a.m. Contact person: Kelly Hamilton at (865) 933—0078.

SEVIERVILLE - Registration for spring semester is now under way at Walters State Community College. Spring semester begins on Jan. 13. Students who register early have until 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 to pay tuition and fees. For students registering after that date, payment is due by 4 p.m. Jan. 12 and will carry a $25 late registration fee.

Walters State Community College offers courses in over 100 programs of study

and grants associate degrees in science and arts for students transferring to four-year

universities. The college also grants associate of applied science degrees and technical

certificates for students who plan to enter the workforce immediately after attending

Walters State.

 Classes are offered in Morristown, Greeneville, Sevierville and Tazewell.



Many classes are are offered completely or partially online, ranging from
 
basic

writing to western civilization. Programs are also available that allow students to

complete degrees by attending class one night a week.

 High school students can also get a

jump start on college through advanced placement and dual enrollment courses.

New students should contact the Admissions Department at (423) 585-2685 or

1
(800) 225-4770, ext. 6 for assistance. Students may also visit any campus for more

information. 
Returning students can use STAR_Net to register. Prospective students can

also visit any Walters State Community College campus for information.

Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible to have the widest

selection of classes.

MORRISTOWN, TN - Walters State Community College’s first computer clinic will offer free services to the public while giving networking and programming students a chance to improve customer service. The computer clinic will be 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 4. in room 270 of the Clifford H. “Bo” Henry Center for Business and Technology on the Morristown campus.

Students involved have just completed a course in PC hardware. With professors standing by, students will look into software problems, do some trouble-shooting and make recommendations.

“Students won’t be opening the case to actually work on the inside, but students will be able to look at it from a programming standpoint. For example, students will check to see if virus software is current. If not, they can install a free anti-virus program to protect your computer,” said Bell. Students will also explain any programs that the computer user does not understand and offer tips on getting the most out of your computer,” said Julia Bell, assistant professor of computer and information sciences.

Bell said the computer clinic came about after she read that many people only use one percent of a computer’s capability.

“We want to show people everything a computer can do. Perhaps someone hasn’t had a computer very long and would like to upload or download photos of grandchildren. Students will be glad to show how processes like this are done.

“This is also a good opportunity for someone shopping for a computer to give a student for Christmas. We can find out what the computer will be used for and make recommendations as to the system requirements,” Bell said.

Students can also load new software for computer owners. Bell said that, while the services are free to the public, students will be earning something much more valuable than cash. “Students will get experience working with both computers and the public.”

Bell noted that students would not be working on Macintosh computers, only PCs. If this clinic is the successful, services available at future clinics may be expanded. For more information, contact Bell at (423) 585-2666.

Walters State Community College student Jeremy Smith, seated, discusses a computer problem with Julia Bell, assistant professor of computer and information science. The college plans a free computer clinic on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on the Morristown campus.

Sevierville, TN. – On Friday, November 19, 2010, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. the Tellabration Storytelling Program for Children will be held at the SCPLS King Family Library in the Children’s Center. Tellabration is an annual night of storytelling celebrated around the world on or slightly prior to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

This special storytelling event features members of the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association sharing wonderful stories for children and families at the King Family Library located at 408 High Street in Sevierville. There is no charge for the event. For more information, please contact Vickie at (865) 365-1423.

MORRISTOWN, TN - Walters State Community College is one of 19 community colleges in the country recognized as a technology leader in this year’s Digital Community Colleges Survey, by the Center for Digital Education and “Converge Online.”

Walters State was the only college in Tennessee recognized on the list and

received a Grade A. Only five colleges did better, earning a grade of A+. This is the sixth

consecutive year Walters State has been selected as one of the country’s most tech-savvy

community colleges.

“Walters State has always maximized technology to increase access to the

college’s academic programs and student support services,” said Dr. Wade B. McCamey,

president of Walters State.

“This national recognition shows that the college is using technology in

innovative ways and is a credit to the technological expertise and resourcefulness

exhibited by our employees. This survey is also an honor to our faculty who teach online

classes and use technology in the classroom, and to the individuals who work in our

information and education technologies department,” McCamey said.

The survey examined the use of technology to enhance the student experience and

increase educator effectiveness. The survey also looked at how technology was used to

provide alternative learning options and make attending college more convenient. This

included the use of online registration, distance learning, tutoring and advisory services.

Technology training for students and faculty were also judged as key indicators.

“Community colleges are a vital component of preparing our nation’s future

workforce for success. As enrollment at these institutions explodes, the top-rated schools

are providing a blueprint for ensuring students are receiving the best education possible

with their exemplary use of technology,” said Cathilea Robinett, executive vice president

of the Center for Digital Education.

From registering for classes to online class discussions to checking grades,

Walters State students are exposed to an online component in nearly every aspect of their

education. The college offers Web-based courses in which students can complete all of

the coursework via the Internet as well as hybrid courses, which combine traditional "on-

ground" teaching and online services.

Walters State also utilizes live video streaming, allowing the college to broadcast

a class taught at one campus site to all of its locations. Students participating in such

courses can interact with their instructor and classmates via the Internet and can even

watch a recorded version of every class through video on demand.

Technology is also prevalent in the classroom at Walters State, with over 30

rooms equipped with interactive "SMART" media. Wireless Internet access is available

throughout all campus sites and 35 computer labs are maintained for student use.

Walters State students have access to the library's 85 online databases containing

58,000 books and 37,000 journals and can check out a laptop computer at the library.

In the past year, the college has also started using social media tools including

Facebook and Twitter to communicate information in a timely manner.

"Our goal is to enhance continuously the technological infrastructure in support

of the college's efforts to provide students with the best educational experience possible,"

said Joe Sargent, executive director for information and education technologies.

The Center for Digital Education is a national research and advisory institute

providing education and industry leaders with decision support, research and educational

services to help them effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century.

MURFREESBORO—Professor Lin Zhengfan, past president of Hangzhou Normal University,
in Zhejiang, China, and his delegation will conduct a weeklong visit, beginning Sunday, Nov. 7,
2010 to Middle Tennessee State University, select local city schools and schools in east Tennessee to
observe K-12 teaching methods in both city and rural settings.

Hangzhou Normal University is the partner institution with Middle Tennessee State University
in sponsoring the recently established Confucius Institute at MTSU that offers cultural and
educational programs.

On Tuesday of that week, President Lin will present a lecture to MTSU students titled, “The
development and future perspective of the primary schools teachers in the rural areas in China.”

The delegation, which also includes Genzhen Zhen, Jing Zhang and Jianmei Shen, will visit
the Discovery School at Reeves Rogers, Siegel Middle School and Siegel High School in
Murfreesboro, where they will have the opportunity to observe local teachers in action. Two
graduate students among the guests are interested specifically in the teaching of science to
children.

Later in the week, the HNU officials will travel to east Tennessee to meet with Dr. Jack Parton,
director of Sevier County Schools, where they will observe teaching methods in three rural
schools: Jones Cove Elementary School, Pittman Center Elementary School and Gatlinburg-
Pittman High. The visit to Sevier County will include a roundtable discussion with Parton and
other administrators and teachers to exchange ideas and discuss the unique challenges facing
their respective educational systems.

Before returning to China, President Lin will conclude his week in middle Tennessee with a
visit to the Capitol to meet Gov. Phil Bredesen and tour the Tennessee State Museum and Frist
Center.

To conclude their visit, President Lin and the delegation will attend the 29th annual Salute to
Armed Services/Veterans Day events scheduled during the MTSU-North Texas football game on
Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m.

PIGEON FORGE, TN - Walters State Community College has scheduled financial aid workshops for seniors and parents at Pigeon Forge and Cosby High Schools. The workshop at Pigeon Forge High School will be 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8. The workshop at Cosby High School will be Thursday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Students planning to attend other colleges are urged to workshop, as information

discussed is relevant to most colleges and universities. The workshop will cover the types

of financial aid available and the financial aid application process. Those attending will

learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Tennessee Hope

(lottery) Scholarship, state grants, loans and scholarships.

Students attending will have a chance to win a $500 grant to attend Walters State.

For more information, contact the Walters State Financial Aid Office at 1 (800) 225-

4770, ext. 2.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, TN - Walters State Community College recently celebrated the opening of its new Claiborne County Campus in Tazewell, Tennessee.

“This community believes that individuals in Claiborne and surrounding counties

deserve the opportunity to receive an affordable education of the highest quality right

here in this community,” said Dr. Wade B. McCamey, president of Walters State.

“Your commitment to making this belief a reality through this new facility we are

celebrating today means more opportunities for businesses, industries and healthcare

organizations to work with the college to develop programs and services that meet the

specific needs of this area.

“It means greater access to an affordable, high-quality education. It means more

opportunities for students from Claiborne as well as Union, Hancock and parts of

Grainger counties to pursue educational goals without traveling far from home. Working

together, you made this happen for them. And for that, Walters State is grateful,”

McCamey told community leaders before a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The Claiborne County Campus is located at the former site of Claiborne County

High School. The college remodeled 10,000 square feet – including seven classrooms

with SMART technology and one classroom equipped to videostream live course lectures

to and from Walters State’s other campuses in Morristown, Greeneville and Sevierville.

The building also features new biology and chemistry labs.

The new facility was made possible with the Claiborne County Industrial Board’s

decision to purchase the site in 2008 and lease it to Walters State through the Walters

State Foundation.

“The board has funded major infrastructure improvements to the building. The

board applied for and received a half-million dollar grant from the Tennessee Economic

and Community Development to help pay for renovation costs. On behalf of Walters

State and the Walters State Foundation, I want to say thank you to the Claiborne County

Industrial Board for the leadership, vision, guidance and efforts,” McCamey said.

McCamey also thanked the Claiborne County Commission, which unanimously

approved a resolution supporting the industrial board’s goals. He also talked about the

many collaborative programs and services that have grown out of Walters State’s

connection to Lincoln Memorial University, which is also located in Claiborne County.

Eleanor Yoakum, chairman of the board of First Century Bank and president of

the Walters State Foundation, also spoke at the event.

“So many people came together to make this a reality. I feel like this will change

lives and make such a difference to have this campus,” Yoakum said. She also said the

building was special to many people, having served as a high school.

“Being able to be part of a ceremony dedicating this building to the next level of

education means so much to me,” Yoakum said.

While the campus is new, Walters State Community College has been part of

Claiborne County for most of the college’s 40-year history.

“Claiborne County was one of the first counties in which Walters State offered off-

campus courses. In 1973, just three years after opening its doors in Morristown, the

college offered courses at the vocational center in Tazewell,” McCamey recalled.

In 1995, the Walters Sate Claiborne County Center opened in a retail complex on

Main Street. Increasing enrollment, and the news that another business wanted the leased

space, lead the community to find the new location.

For the last two years, enrollment has increased by an average of 30 percent to

427 students this semester. Students have been able to take most classes required for the

Associate of Science in General Studies completely at the Claiborne County facility.

Recently, an evening cohort called College Express for Teachers was added to the

campus offerings. This cohort enables working adults to complete the Associate of

Science in Teaching degree in two years attending classes only one night a week.

“Since we are currently only using the first two floors, we have room to grow and

expand many of the programs and services currently available at the college’s Morristown

campus,” McCamey said.

Photo: Will Prewitt, with scissors, cuts the ribbon to officially open the new

Walters State Claiborne County Campus. Prewitt is a business major from Tazewell.

Assisting with the ribbon are, from left, Roger Ball, vice chair of the Claiborne County

Industrial Board, Kimberly Wilder, director of the Campus, Eleanor Yoakum, president

of the Walters State Foundation; Dr. Wade B. McCamey, president of Walters State

Community College; and Steve Lewis, chair of the Claiborne County Industrial

Development Board. The campus opened to students at the beginning of the semester.

SEVIER COUNTY, TN - Immunization requirements for child care, pre-school, as well as school and college entry have changed in Tennessee. At the present time, seventh graders must have two booster shots (Tetanus-diphtheria pertussis booster or “Tdap” and verification of immunity to varicella through 2 doses or history of the disease). On October 1, 2010, the Sevier County School System notified parents that seventh grade students without documentation of meeting the new requirements may not attend school on November 1, 2010, until such time as the requirements are met.

The notification on October 1 followed a series of announcements about the new requirements to parents in May as well as August of 2010. Since October 1, school officials have exhausted all avenues of notification of parents and students through written and verbal communications. As of this morning, less than 90 seventh graders from across the county remain without proper documentation of meeting the requirements. In other words, more than 92% of seventh grade students in the Sevier County School System currently meet the requirements.

Documentation of immunization status can be obtained through a local health department or licensed Tennessee health provider. New immunization requirements, information about religious and medical exemptions, and other related resources for parents and health care providers are available on the Tennessee Department of
Health website at http://health.state.tn.us/CEDS/
required.htm. A parent with questions about this matter should contact the administrator at the school
where his or her child is enrolled.

SEVIERVILLE - The City of Sevierville Department of Parks and Recreation will be offering swim lessons beginning November 10, 2010. Registration will begin on Thursday, November 4th @ 8:00am. Lessons will be available for children ages 4 and older. Registration is limited and must be in-person only. The $21.00 fee for six group lessons is due at registration.  For additional information, including class schedules, please call the Sevierville Department of Parks and Recreation at 453-5441.

EVANSVILLE, IN & NASHVILLE, TN –October 21, 2010—Shoe Carnival and Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity,  have reached the half-way point of the footwear retailer’s Fall giving campaign.  The continued partnership between the national footwear retailer and the shoe charity has helped put shoes on the feet of more than a half of a million children in need since the launch of the partnership in 2008.

Through October 26 2010 Shoe Carnival is offering customers at their 313 locations the opportunity to donate $1 at the register.  For every dollar raised during the in-store promotion, Soles4Souls will send a new pair of shoes to victims of a natural disaster or those living in extreme poverty within the US and around the world.

Additionally, Shoe Carnival and Soles4Souls have partnered to distribute new shoes to local charities in four cities within the US, where thousands of shoes will be given to needy people.

“Shoe Carnival is proud to continue our support of Soles4Souls,” said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. “The ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls fits the core of what our brand strives to do, and that is to provide shoes for people that need them.”

"We are excited about the fall partnership with Shoe Carnival and their continued support of our mission," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  "Their generosity directly benefits people who need our assistance, and we invite everyone to stop by a Shoe Carnival location to become personally involved," he said.

For more details on the Shoe Carnival / Soles4Souls partnership, visit www.giveshoes.org.

KNOXVILLE - Knoxville Zoo’s African elephants have the Halloween spirit this year and plan a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity to celebrate! Little trick-or-treaters can have their pictures taken with Jana and Edie, the zoo’s female elephants, who will be all decked out in their own elephant-sized costumes for BOO! at the Zoo. When Jana and Edie go trick-or-treating, it’s for a great cause; all proceeds from these tons-of-fun encounters support elephant conservation programs.

During each night of BOO! at the Zoo, Knoxville Zoo’s annual Halloween event, 20 lucky little ones can venture into the Stokely African Elephant Preserve with their parents and have their photo taken with Jana, Edie, and their costumed keepers. Each participant will receive a souvenir photo of their encounter and the chance to meet the biggest characters in the zoo.

Photos with Jana and Edie will be offered during each night of BOO! at the Zoo, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 15 and 16 and continuing Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 21-24 and 28-31. Reservations are required and are limited to 20 participants each evening. Participants must check-in at Knoxville Zoo’s front gate for a VIP escort to the elephant area between 4:45 and 5:00 p.m. on the day of their scheduled reservation. Reservations can be made on Knoxville Zoo’s web site at
www.knoxville-zoo.org or by phone at (865) 637-5331.

Cost for this one-of-a-kind experience is $10 per child, and all proceeds directly benefit elephant conservation programs at Knoxville Zoo and in Africa. Parents and/or guardians accompanying children to the photo session are free, but all attendees will require an additional ticket to BOO! at the Zoo. Attendees are free to enjoy the BOO! at the Zoo festivities after their photo encounter.

BOO! at the Zoo presented by U.S. Cellular® is ten nights of safe and not-too-scary Halloween fun held from 5:30-8:00 p.m. each evening. A Halloween tradition for 24 years, this family event features devilishly good music and games, your favorite costumed characters throughout the zoo, and the only “haunted” carousel in East Tennessee, the Scary-Go-Round. Trick-or- treat down the BOO! Trail and fill your bag with goodies as you make your way through the zoo. And you never know who you’ll encounter at BOO! at the Zoo; each night will feature a variety of entertainment, from belly dancers and jugglers to a
Cinderella princess and out-of-this-world STAR WARS and Star Trek characters.

Boo! at the Zoo tickets are $6 per person. Children under 2 are admitted free. Parking is $5. Tickets are available in advance by phone at (865) 637-5331, online at www.knoxville-zoo.org, or at the zoo’s ticket window during regular zoo hours. Tickets are also available at all Knoxville area Kroger stores beginning October 3. Tickets can also be purchased during event hours at the zoo’s ticket window. Knoxville Zoo members receive a $1 discount on admission and free parking on all BOO! at the Zoo
tickets purchased online, by phone and at the zoo’s ticket window. (Member discounts not available at Kroger.)

MORRISTOWN - For the fourth consecutive year, enrollment is up at Walters State Community College.

A record-setting 6,967 students are enrolled for the fall 2010 semester, which is a 1.5

percent increase over the fall 2009 semester. The college also experienced a 0.5 percent

increase in full-time equivalent students, with 4,816 students.

“With the economy still struggling to recover, individuals are turning to Walters State and

other community colleges in larger numbers than ever before to learn more marketable

skills and improve their position in the workforce,” said Dr. Wade B. McCamey,

president of Walters State.

Enrollment figures for each of Walters State’s satellite campuses is as follows:

Greeneville/Greene County Campus, 1,089; Sevier County Campus, 1,898; and Claiborne

County Campus, 419.

Half of Walters State’s students are enrolled in programs that prepare them for

employment immediately after graduating and half are university parallel students who

plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.

In addition to more individuals returning to college as a result of the economic recession,

McCamey says that enrollment at Walters State has trended upward over the last several

years because of programs and services that meet the specific needs of students.

“We continue to utilize technology via online and video-streaming courses as well as

offer classes at area high schools and during evenings and on weekends so that higher

education opportunities are more accessible to residents of our area,” McCamey said.

The college also offers numerous services, such as free tutoring, counseling and other

support services that help students succeed.

“The college’s job placement rate is 92 percent and our graduation rate is tied for first

among the state’s community colleges because our faculty and staff are committed to

helping our students achieve their educational and career goals,” McCamey also said.

HARROGATE, TN - Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) student Dena Krishnan is featured in the September 27 issue of People magazine. Krishnan, a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at LMU-DCOM, is the subject of a feature story spotlighting her experiences attending house calls. House calls are a frequent experience during fourth-year rural rotations for LMU-DCOM students.
 

 “When I was a practicing physician in rural Oklahoma, I routinely made house calls,” said LMU-DCOM Vice President and Dean Ray E. Stowers, D.O. “Some people may believe that the house call is a lost art, but they are still widely used by practicing physicians in rural areas, particularly in Appalachia. At LMU-DCOM we want to produce osteopathic physicians committed to ensuring that every individual has access to high quality health care. This means training students to go out to patients who may not be able to get to a hospital or a physician’s office and treat them where they live.”
 
Reporter Alicia Dennis and photographer David Burnett spent a week with Krishnan this summer as Krishnan traveled around east Tennessee attending house calls with mentor physicians John Short, M.D., of Sneedville and Carroll Rose, M.D., of Tazewell.
 
Krishnan, 28, is originally from Perrysburg, Ohio, and received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her master of science in neuroscience degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Krishnan is engaged to Shawn Wilson of New Orleans, La., who is also a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at LMU-DCOM. Krishnan and Wilson met at the school and are set to be married in May 2011, two weeks after they graduate from medical school.
 
“I am excited to be a part of this article,” said Krishnan. “It was an honor to share my story with People magazine. Access to quality health care is critical to underserved communities and my education has fully prepared me to literally go the extra mile for my patients if necessary. I’m glad the rest of the world will be able to see a bit of what I have experienced these past few months.”
 
Short is a family practice physician affiliated with Wellmont Health Systems. Rose is a general surgeon affiliated with Claiborne County (Tenn.) Hospital and Nursing Home and Middlesboro (Ky.) ARH.
 
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community, and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1-800-325-0900, ext. 7082, e-mail dcom@lmunet.edu, or visit us online at www.lmunet.edu/dcom. 
 

[caption id="attachment_13429" align="alignnone" width="213" caption="Dena Krishnan"][/caption]

SEVIERVILLE - Walters State Community College started fall semester with 15 new faculty and administrators. Roxanne Bowen is a new counselor. She holds a B.A. degree from Carson- Newman College and a M.A. from Walden University. She was previously employed as a Children’s Services Case Manager 3 for the State of Tennessee/Department of Human Services.

Dr. Suzanne Bowers has been named an instructor of history. She holds a B.A.

from the University of Tennessee, a M.P.M. and M.A. from East Tennessee State

University and a Ph.D. from the UT. She previously was a lecturer at the University of

Tennessee in Knoxville.

Kathy Brewer is an instructor of nursing. She holds an A.A.S. from Walters State

and both a B.S.N. and a M.S.N. from East Tennessee State University. She previously

worked as a registered nurse at Leconte Medical Center in Sevierville.

Dr. Sean Michael Cordry has been named associate professor of physics. He holds

a B.S. from Harding University and a M.S. and a Ph.D. from the University of

Mississippi. He was previously a faculty member at Carson-Newman College.

Stanley Frazier is the Culinary Café Coordinator. He holds a B.S. in psychology

from ETSU and a M.S.S.W. from the University of Tennessee.

Vivian Gonzales Gladson is an instructor of sociology. She holds an A.A. from

Northeast State Community College and a B.A. and M.A. from ETSU. She previously

served as an adjunct instructor at both Northeast State and ETSU.

Dr. Gregory Grass is an assistant professor of biology. He holds an A.S. from St.

Louis Community College and B.S. and D.C. degrees from Logan College of

Chiropractic. He was previously an adjunct faculty member at Pellissippi State

Community College and Roane State Community College.

Dr. Constance Gahagen Hudspeth is an associate professor of speech. She holds a

B.A. from the University of Pittsburg, two M.A. degrees from West Virginia University

and a Ph.D. from Ohio University. She was previously a professor of speech at Valencia

Community College.

Greg Alan Johansen is an assistant professor of microbiology. He holds both a

B.S. and a M.S. from California State University. He previously was a biology professor

at Citrus Community College.

Marc McClure is an associate professor of history. He holds a B.B.A. and a B.A.

from Roanoke College, an M.A. from the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. from

George Washington University. He was previously an associate professor of history at

Lees-McRae College.

Olena V. Owen is an instructor of mathematics and physics. She holds a M.S.

from Krivoy Rog Mining University and was previously a math instructor at Ivy Tech

Community College.

Wesley Howard Pierce, an assistant professor of nursing, holds a B.S. and M.S.

from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He was previously employed as a critical

care nurse at Takoma Regional Hospital.

Holly Draper Sayne is the department head of the Legal Studies Program and

assistant professor of legal studies. She holds B.S. and J.D. degrees from UT. She

previously was a compliance attorney for 21st Mortgage Corporation.

Dr. Matthew Daniel Smith is an instructor of chemistry. He holds a B.S. from

William Carey University and a Ph.D. from the U.T. He was previously a graduate

student teaching assistant at U.T. and an adjunct faculty member at Walters State.

Erika Dale Stevens is an instructor of Spanish. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. from

Georgetown College. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Bluegrass

Community and Technical College.

SEVIER COUNTY, TN -  The Sevier County 4-H Poultry Show was held recently, at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, in Sevierville. The event highlighted the year for 4-H’ers participating, in the 4-H Chick Chain Project.
           

Heidi Lawson, a student at Pi Beta Phi School, exhibited the grand Champion Pen of Pullets. Olivia Berrier from Sevierville Middle,  exhibited the Reserve Champion Pen of Pullets. Kelsey Baisden’s set of 4-H Poultry Project Records was selected as the county winner in the Project Records Division.  Kelsey is in the Homeschool 4-H Club.
          Other 4-H members exhibiting pullets included: Hailey Carmichael & Makenna Woods – Sevierville Intermediate School and  Ira Crawford - Seymour High School. Each of these exhibitors received blue awards and $15.00 premium money for their pullet entries. Others participating in the Chick Chain Project this year included: Brayden Bohanan- Catons Chapel and Nathan Hood – Seymour Middle and Blake Huff – Kings Academy.
          The Chick Chain is one of several livestock opportunities available to 4-H members, in Sevier County. 4-H Livestock projects help young people develop responsibility, a valuable life skill that adds to the potential for adult success. The Chick Chain gives young people the opportunity to purchase and raise 25 baby chicks for laying hens. The project begins, in March and culminates in September, with the county show, where 4-H members enter a pen of three hens. Pens are judged on growth and egg laying quality. Order for the Chick Chain participants, for 2011,  will begin in January. If you need more information, about the 4-H Chick Chain Project, please contact Glenn K Turner, at the University of Tennessee Extension, at 453-3695.

NASHVILLE - - The Tennessee Arts Commission will host the first annual
Creativity in Education Academy, July 10th-14th, 2011, at Middle Tennessee State
University. Create2011, which is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Department
of Education and the Tennessee Arts Commission, will focus on increasing
creativity and innovation in Tennessee schools. Sessions will be offered for K-
12 classroom teachers, arts specialists, teaching artists, special education, and
resource teachers as well as principals and superintendents. “The Tennessee
Arts Commission is thrilled to partner with the Department of Education and
MTSU’s College of Education to provide this statewide opportunity,” states Rich
Boyd, executive director of the Arts Commission.

Create2011 emerged out of the Commission’s highly successful Value Plus
Schools initiative, an arts integration model funded by a $906,000 grant from the
U.S. Department of Education. “Value Plus gave us the evidence to prove the
arts impact student achievement,” states Kim Leavitt, director of arts education
for the Commission and the creator of Value Plus. “The six schools that piloted
the Value Plus model made greater academic gains than the control schools,
despite having larger numbers of economically disadvantaged students.” This
is significant, Leavitt says, as research shows high poverty schools typically
perform lower on standardized tests.

Create2011 will be the first statewide academy of its kind in Tennessee, and
MTSU with its roots as a teacher-training institution, will be the ideal setting for
the weeklong event. “Middle Tennessee State University is pleased to partner
with the Tennessee State Department of Education and the Tennessee Arts
Commission and play host to the first annual Creativity in Education Academy

next summer,” states MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. “MTSU is committed
to developing well-rounded individuals who will become productive citizens in
their communities.”
Former Commissioner of Education, Dr. Lana Seivers, who is now dean of
education at MTSU, added, “The College of Education welcomes the opportunity
to work with our partners to provide professional development for educators from
across the state. It is only fitting that this partnership between higher education
and K-12 will be the first event hosted in our new building. We’re extremely
pleased to be a part of this effort.” MTSU’s new 87,000-square-foot education
building will be completed in the spring of 2011 and ready for use in time for the
July 10-14 academy.
The Tennessee Arts Commission, who will coordinate Create2011, was
recently acknowledged again with another grant from the U.S. Department
of Education totaling over $1 million, this time for a district arts integration
model called Arts360° for Knox County Schools. “Neither Value Plus nor
Arts360° would be possible without the leadership of Governor Bredesen and
continued support from the Tennessee General Assembly,” stated Rich Boyd.”
For more information on Create2011, contact Kim Leavitt at kim.leavitt@tn.gov.

KNOXVILLE - The Knoxville Museum of Art announces three new classes for adults this fall.  Silk, Silk & Velvet with Joy Meadows is a series of three separate classes which teach the art of scarf-making. Participants will learn about the creative process of controlling dyes and will create a wearable scarf or wall hanging of silk or velvet. Fee includes all materials. To register, contact Rosalind Martin at rmartin@knoxart.org or 865.523.6349.
 
Silk Scarves
Tuesday, October 5, 1-4pm
KMA members $100, non-members $110
 
Burnout Velvet Scarves
Tuesday, October 12, 1-4pm
KMA members $100, non-members $110
 
Silk Wall Hanging
Tuesday, October 19, 1-4pm
KMA members $100, non-members $110
 
The Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee, presents new art and new ideas, serves and educates diverse audiences, and enhances Knoxville’s quality of life. The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park and is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Friday 10 am–8 pm, and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Angela Thomas at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.