(342,3,'2018-11-09 16:10:14','2018-11-09 16:10:14','MARTIN, Tenn. – WUTM 90.3 FM “The Hawk,” the student-run campus radio station at the University of Tennessee at Martin, won first-place in two categories and third-place in one category during the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held Oct. 25-27 in Seattle, Washington.\r\n\r\nStation staff members won first-place for both best news reporting audio and best sportscast audio. Shane Wofford, a senior from Trenton, submitted his news report “Homicide Suspect at Large” for the news reporting category; and Natalie King, Jordan Taylor and John Thornton collectively submitted their program “The Bench” for the sportscast category. King is a 2017 UT Martin graduate from Paducah, Kentucky, Taylor is a sophomore from Medon, and Thornton is a junior from Atoka.\r\n\r\nKing, Taylor and Thornton also worked with Ashley Shores, a 2018 graduate from Lebanon, to submit their “UTM versus Ole Miss” football broadcast, which won third place in the best sports play-by-play category.\r\n\r\nCompetition entries are submitted each spring and judged in the fall of the following year. Students can submit work in up to six categories, and UT Martin students placed in half the available competitions.\r\n\r\nWUTM has won more than 240 awards from state, regional, national and international competitions since 2005. The station currently holds the title of “Best College Radio Station in the South” through the Southeast Journalism Conference and is an eight-time platinum-rated station by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Dr. Richard Robinson, professor of communications and WUTM faculty adviser, at 731-881-7555 or <a href=\"mailto:rrobins@utm.edu\">rrobins@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','WUTM honored by Collegiate Broadcasters Inc.','WUTM 90.3 FM “The Hawk\" won first-place in two categories and third-place in one category during the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held Oct. 25-27 in Seattle, Washington.','publish','closed','closed','','wutm-honored-by-collegiate-broadcasters-inc','','','2018-11-19 21:22:10','2018-11-19 21:22:10','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=342',0,'post','',0),(343,3,'2018-11-12 16:11:03','2018-11-12 16:11:03','','WUTM Logo','','inherit','closed','closed','','wutm-logo','','','2018-11-12 16:11:03','2018-11-12 16:11:03','',342,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WUTM-Logo.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(344,3,'2018-11-12 16:11:58','2018-11-12 16:11:58','MARTIN, Tenn. – WUTM 90.3 FM “The Hawk,” the student-run campus radio station at the University of Tennessee at Martin, won first-place in two categories and third-place in one category during the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held Oct. 25-27 in Seattle, Washington.\r\n\r\nStation staff members won first-place for both best news reporting audio and best sportscast audio. Shane Wofford, a senior from Trenton, submitted his news report “Homicide Suspect at Large” for the news reporting category; and Natalie King, Jordan Taylor and John Thornton collectively submitted their program “The Bench” for the sportscast category. King is a 2017 UT Martin graduate from Paducah, Kentucky, Taylor is a sophomore from Medon, and Thornton is a junior from Atoka.\r\n\r\nKing, Taylor and Thornton also worked with Ashley Shores, a 2018 graduate from Lebanon, to submit their “UTM versus Ole Miss” football broadcast, which won third place in the best sports play-by-play category.\r\n\r\nCompetition entries are submitted each spring and judged in the fall of the following year. Students can submit work in up to six categories, and UT Martin students placed in half the available competitions.\r\n\r\nWUTM has won more than 240 awards from state, regional, national and international competitions since 2005. The station currently holds the title of “Best College Radio Station in the South” through the Southeast Journalism Conference and is an eight-time platinum-rated station by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Dr. Richard Robinson, professor of communications and WUTM faculty adviser, at 731-881-7555 or <a href=\"mailto:rrobins@utm.edu\">rrobins@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','WUTM honored by Collegiate Broadcasters Inc.','','inherit','closed','closed','','342-revision-v1','','','2018-11-12 16:11:58','2018-11-12 16:11:58','',342,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/12/342-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(345,3,'2018-11-12 16:12:47','2018-11-12 16:12:47','','WUTM Logo_WEB','','inherit','closed','closed','','wutm-logo_web','','','2018-11-12 16:12:47','2018-11-12 16:12:47','',342,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WUTM-Logo_WEB.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(346,1,'2018-11-12 19:11:19','2018-11-12 19:11:19','https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-favicon-96-1.png','cropped-favicon-96-1.png','','inherit','closed','closed','','cropped-favicon-96-1-png','','','2018-11-12 19:11:19','2018-11-12 19:11:19','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-favicon-96-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(508,3,'2018-12-17 10:14:50','2018-12-17 16:14:50','Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, and Sydney Snider, of Lexington, received Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall 2018 commencement exercises Dec. 15. These awards showcase outstanding community and campus service by graduating students and are the only awards given during commencement each semester.\r\n\r\nBrady completed a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with a concentration in animal science. During his time at UT Martin, he served as a peer counselor in the First-Year Initiative Program and helped his fellow students navigate the transition from high school to college. He also led the veterinary science club as president, was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and participated in the Ned Ray McWherter Institute. He has also been active in the First Baptist Church ministry.\r\n\r\nHe plans to enroll in veterinary school and has gained work experience in a variety of veterinary settings, including the Shoal Creek Animal Hospital in Lawrenceburg, the Williamson County Animal Hospital in Franklin and the West Tennessee Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory on the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nSnider completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her years at UT Martin, she was active in the First-Year Initiative Program and held a variety of leadership roles in the UT Martin chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She was also nominated to represent her ADPi chapter at the organization’s international convention. Snider was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.\r\n\r\nDr. Paul Meek served the UT Martin campus as executive officer, dean, UT vice president or chancellor from 1934 to 1967. This award was originally established and funded by the three Meek children to honor their parents.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Brown, Snider receive Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards','Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, and Sydney Snider, of Lexington, received Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall 2018 commencement exercises Dec. 15. ','publish','closed','closed','','brown-snider-receive-paul-and-martha-meek-leadership-awards','','','2019-06-13 11:14:23','2019-06-13 16:14:23','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=508',0,'post','',0),(509,3,'2018-12-17 10:13:38','2018-12-17 16:13:38','','MeekAward_fall2018','John Abel (left), interim vice chancellor for student affairs, is pictured with Brady Brown (center) and Sydney Snider, the fall 2018 winners of the UT Martin Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards. ','inherit','closed','closed','','meekaward_fall2018','','','2018-12-17 10:14:11','2018-12-17 16:14:11','',508,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MeekAward_fall2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(426,3,'2018-11-20 20:37:36','2018-11-20 20:37:36','UT MARTIN HONORS EXTENDED SERVICE – The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon. Employees with more than 10 years of service are photographed every five years. Pictured above with 10 years of service are (seated, l-r) Lindee McCurley, Boling University Center; Debbie Abel, Healthy Beginnings Programs; Dr. Annie Jones, Office of Career Planning and Development; Dr. Robbie Montgomery, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Merry Brown, Department of History and Philosophy; Tracie Moss, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; (back row) Dr. Scott Parrott, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Steven Robinson, Office of Information Technology Services; Daniel Gatewood, Office of Housing; Mark Hewitt, Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Roberto Mancusi, Department of Music; Brenda Harris, Custodial Services; Brenda Mason, Department of Biological Sciences; and Carrie Arant, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources. Not pictured are Sandra Carrington, Office of Housing; Dr. Lan DePriest, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, McNairy County Center/Selmer; April Elam-Dierks, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, McNairy County Center/Selmer; Don Elder, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Dr. Ricky Garlitz, Department of History and Philosophy; Dr. Mary Geddie, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Jenny Harrison, Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Jennifer Hays, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Sandy Holland, Office of Academic Records; Jeremy Lamb, Custodial Services; Sarah McCormick, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Dr. Kevin Pitz, Department of Biological Sciences; Allen Shull, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, Parsons Center; and Jason Stout, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_417\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-417 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 15 years of service are (seated, l-r) Valerie Dean, Office of Housing; Jennifer Schlicht, Office of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking; Melanie Young, Office of Career Planning and Development; (back row) Amy Mistric, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Dr. Philip Smartt, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; and Lana Ferrell, Department of Chemistry and Physics. Not pictured are Teresa Bodkin, Office of Undergraduate Admissions; Elizabeth Browning, Office of Housing; Dr. Angie MacKewn, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Daniel Nappo, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Dr. Michael Park, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; and Dr. Joyce Swan, Department of Educational Studies, McNairy County Center/Selmer.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_418\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-418 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 20 years of service are (seated, l-r) Gina McClure, Division of Student Affairs; Dr. Julie Floyd, Department of Nursing; Sandy King, McNairy County Center/Selmer; (standing) John Abel, Division of Student Affairs; Tim Hacker, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Hurshell Knox, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dr. Esther Sellers, Department of Nursing; and Dr. Rich Helgeson, Department of Engineering. Not pictured are Kelly Bruner and Dale Burton, both with HVAC.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_419\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-419 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/25years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 25 years of service are (l-r) Dr. Teresa Collard, Department of Communications; Danelle Fabianich, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Bob Bradley, Department of Computer Science; Dr. Kevin Hammond, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; Tracie Stewart, Physical Plant; and Dr. Doug Sterrett, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Jim Fieser, Department of History and Philosophy.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_420\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-420 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/30years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 30 years of service are Dennis Taylor, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics–Tennis (left) and Tom Johnson, Office of International Programs and International Admissions. Not pictured are Dr. Michael Gibson, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Karen Johnson, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Mark McAlpin, Information Technology Services; and David Ray, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_421\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-421 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/35years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 35 years of service are (l-r) Bud Grimes, Office of University Relations; Bruce Harrison, Office of Information Technology Services; Debbie Mount, Office of Educational Outreach; Brenda Wright, Office of Information Technology Services; and Dr. Ed Wheeler, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Tommy Cates, Tom E. Hendrix Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_422\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-422 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/40years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 40 years of university service are (l-r) Tommy McGlown, Student Success Center; Velda Rogers, Recycling Center; and Phil Bright, Office of Human Resources. Bright has announced he will retire Dec. 31 of this year. A reception will be held in his honor from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 13, in the university’s Holland McCombs Center.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-423\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_JennyCanary-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-424\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_LynneHall-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','UT Martin honors extended years of service','','inherit','closed','closed','','415-revision-v1','','','2018-11-20 20:37:36','2018-11-20 20:37:36','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/20/415-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(425,3,'2018-11-20 20:36:48','2018-11-20 20:36:48','UT MARTIN HONORS EXTENDED SERVICE – The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon. Employees with more than 10 years of service are photographed every five years.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_416\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-416 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/10years_2018-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Pictured with 10 years of service are (seated, l-r) Lindee McCurley, Boling University Center; Debbie Abel, Healthy Beginnings Programs; Dr. Annie Jones, Office of Career Planning and Development; Dr. Robbie Montgomery, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Merry Brown, Department of History and Philosophy; Tracie Moss, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; (back row) Dr. Scott Parrott, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Steven Robinson, Office of Information Technology Services; Daniel Gatewood, Office of Housing; Mark Hewitt, Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Roberto Mancusi, Department of Music; Brenda Harris, Custodial Services; Brenda Mason, Department of Biological Sciences; and Carrie Arant, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources. Not pictured are Sandra Carrington, Office of Housing; Dr. Lan DePriest, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, McNairy County Center/Selmer; April Elam-Dierks, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, McNairy County Center/Selmer; Don Elder, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Dr. Ricky Garlitz, Department of History and Philosophy; Dr. Mary Geddie, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Jenny Harrison, Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Jennifer Hays, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Sandy Holland, Office of Academic Records; Jeremy Lamb, Custodial Services; Sarah McCormick, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Dr. Kevin Pitz, Department of Biological Sciences; Allen Shull, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, Parsons Center; and Jason Stout, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_417\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-417 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 15 years of service are (seated, l-r) Valerie Dean, Office of Housing; Jennifer Schlicht, Office of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking; Melanie Young, Office of Career Planning and Development; (back row) Amy Mistric, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Dr. Philip Smartt, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; and Lana Ferrell, Department of Chemistry and Physics. Not pictured are Teresa Bodkin, Office of Undergraduate Admissions; Elizabeth Browning, Office of Housing; Dr. Angie MacKewn, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Daniel Nappo, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Dr. Michael Park, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; and Dr. Joyce Swan, Department of Educational Studies, McNairy County Center/Selmer.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_418\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-418 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 20 years of service are (seated, l-r) Gina McClure, Division of Student Affairs; Dr. Julie Floyd, Department of Nursing; Sandy King, McNairy County Center/Selmer; (standing) John Abel, Division of Student Affairs; Tim Hacker, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Hurshell Knox, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dr. Esther Sellers, Department of Nursing; and Dr. Rich Helgeson, Department of Engineering. Not pictured are Kelly Bruner and Dale Burton, both with HVAC.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_419\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-419 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/25years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 25 years of service are (l-r) Dr. Teresa Collard, Department of Communications; Danelle Fabianich, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Bob Bradley, Department of Computer Science; Dr. Kevin Hammond, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; Tracie Stewart, Physical Plant; and Dr. Doug Sterrett, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Jim Fieser, Department of History and Philosophy.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_420\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-420 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/30years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 30 years of service are Dennis Taylor, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics–Tennis (left) and Tom Johnson, Office of International Programs and International Admissions. Not pictured are Dr. Michael Gibson, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Karen Johnson, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Mark McAlpin, Information Technology Services; and David Ray, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_421\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-421 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/35years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 35 years of service are (l-r) Bud Grimes, Office of University Relations; Bruce Harrison, Office of Information Technology Services; Debbie Mount, Office of Educational Outreach; Brenda Wright, Office of Information Technology Services; and Dr. Ed Wheeler, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Tommy Cates, Tom E. Hendrix Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_422\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-422 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/40years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 40 years of university service are (l-r) Tommy McGlown, Student Success Center; Velda Rogers, Recycling Center; and Phil Bright, Office of Human Resources. Bright has announced he will retire Dec. 31 of this year. A reception will be held in his honor from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 13, in the university’s Holland McCombs Center.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-423\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_JennyCanary-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-424\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_LynneHall-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','UT Martin honors extended years of service','','inherit','closed','closed','','415-revision-v1','','','2018-11-20 20:36:48','2018-11-20 20:36:48','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/20/415-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(349,3,'2018-11-13 14:42:10','2018-11-13 14:42:10','','05232018_MemorialDayFlags02','','inherit','closed','closed','','05232018_memorialdayflags02','','','2018-11-13 14:42:10','2018-11-13 14:42:10','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/05232018_MemorialDayFlags02.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(350,3,'2018-11-13 14:42:35','2018-11-13 14:42:35','','SeksionMaloya','Seksion Maloya is shown giving an international performance.','inherit','closed','closed','','seksionmaloya','','','2018-11-16 22:12:11','2018-11-16 22:12:11','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SeksionMaloya.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(351,3,'2018-11-13 14:42:56','2018-11-13 14:42:56','','MissUTMPageant2019','Amanda Mayo (left), of Lilburn, Georgia, and Tera Townsend, of Nashville, claimed the Miss UT Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival titles, respectively, during the combined pageant Nov. 11 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mayo is a junior at UT Martin studying biology and geology. Townsend is an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville.','inherit','closed','closed','','missutmpageant2019','','','2018-11-16 21:58:06','2018-11-16 21:58:06','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/MissUTMPageant2019.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(352,3,'2018-11-09 15:10:01','2018-11-09 15:10:01','MARTIN, Tenn. – A dedication of the restored Word War I memorial fountain in downtown Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.\r\n\r\nThe dedication will take place after Veterans Day, which this year marks the centennial of the 1918 signing of the armistice to end the war between Germany and the Allied nations. The dedication will include the presentation and retiring of the colors by the Northside High School Junior ROTC, as well as an official certificate presentation by Susan Mennenga, co-program manager of 100 Cities/100 Memorials and a representative of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Jimmy Harris, mayor of Madison County; Vicki Foote, vice mayor of the city of Jackson; Harrell Carter, president of the Jackson-Madison County NAACP branch; and Ed Jackson, Tennessee state senator, will also be in attendance.\r\n\r\nThe historical site was granted funds for restoration by the Pritzker Military Museum and Library and United States World War I Centennial Commission in 2017 and has been designated as one of the 100 Centennial Memorial Monuments in the United States. The restoration’s goals are to remember “America’s forgotten war” and to give acknowledgement to Madison County servicemen and women regardless of gender, race or religion. Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, professor of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin, serves as the project’s director of restoration.\r\n\r\n“The purpose of this restoration is to remember all parts of that story and to honor every one of whom we are aware and who deserve to be named or mentioned,” said Carls.\r\n\r\nThe grant has been used to restore the drinking fountain to its original appearance by repainting the structure and restoring the missing urn to the top. The restoration also includes the installation of three new plaques: one recognizing African-American citizens of Madison County who were not honored in the past, one listing the previously omitted names of the dead not mentioned on the original plaque, including African-American soldiers, and the official plaque designating the fountain as a Centennial Memorial Monument.\r\n\r\nMembers of the Jackson-McClaran chapter of the American Red Cross donated the fountain to Madison County shortly after the end of WWI.\r\n\r\nThe Madison County Courthouse is located at 100 Main St. in Jackson. For more information on the dedication, contact Carls at accarls@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###','War memorial dedication to be held Nov. 17 in Jackson','A dedication of the restored Word War I memorial fountain in downtown Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.','publish','closed','closed','','war-memorial-dedication-to-be-held-nov-17-in-jackson','','','2018-11-19 21:21:28','2018-11-19 21:21:28','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=352',0,'post','',0),(353,3,'2018-11-13 15:11:14','2018-11-13 15:11:14','MARTIN, Tenn. – A dedication of the restored Word War I memorial fountain in downtown Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.\r\n\r\nThe dedication will take place after Veterans Day, which this year marks the centennial of the 1918 signing of the armistice to end the war between Germany and the Allied nations. The dedication will include the presentation and retiring of the colors by the Northside High School Junior ROTC, as well as an official certificate presentation by Susan Mennenga, co-program manager of 100 Cities/100 Memorials and a representative of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Jimmy Harris, mayor of Madison County; Vicki Foote, vice mayor of the city of Jackson; Harrell Carter, president of the Jackson-Madison County NAACP branch; and Ed Jackson, Tennessee state senator, will also be in attendance.\r\n\r\nThe historical site was granted funds for restoration by the Pritzker Military Museum and Library and United States World War I Centennial Commission in 2017 and has been designated as one of the 100 Centennial Memorial Monuments in the United States. The restoration’s goals are to remember “America’s forgotten war” and to give acknowledgement to Madison County servicemen and women regardless of gender, race or religion. Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, professor of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin, serves as the project’s director of restoration.\r\n\r\n“The purpose of this restoration is to remember all parts of that story and to honor every one of whom we are aware and who deserve to be named or mentioned,” said Carls.\r\n\r\nThe grant has been used to restore the drinking fountain to its original appearance by repainting the structure and restoring the missing urn to the top. The restoration also includes the installation of three new plaques: one recognizing African-American citizens of Madison County who were not honored in the past, one listing the previously omitted names of the dead not mentioned on the original plaque, including African-American soldiers, and the official plaque designating the fountain as a Centennial Memorial Monument.\r\n\r\nMembers of the Jackson-McClaran chapter of the American Red Cross donated the fountain to Madison County shortly after the end of WWI.\r\n\r\nThe Madison County Courthouse is located at 100 Main St. in Jackson. For more information on the dedication, contact Carls at accarls@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###','War memorial dedication to be held Nov. 17 in Jackson','','inherit','closed','closed','','352-revision-v1','','','2018-11-13 15:11:14','2018-11-13 15:11:14','',352,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/13/352-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(354,3,'2018-11-13 15:12:52','2018-11-13 15:12:52','MARTIN, Tenn. – Dr. Andy Lewter, current dean of students at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, will become the new vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Lewter’s appointment follows a national search and recommendation by a search committee to UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver. Lewter succeeds Dr. Margaret Toston who retired June 30.\r\n\r\n“Dr. Lewter has the experience and vision needed to lead our Division of Student Affairs,” said Carver. “He emerged as the top person from an excellent candidate pool, and his professional background and familiarity with the university position him for success in this important role. I’m grateful to the search committee for their hard work identifying student-centered candidates capable of moving this division to the next level.”\r\n\r\nLewter is a native of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from UT Martin in 1994. He also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and a doctor of education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He previously served in several student affairs positions from 1996-2013 at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.\r\n\r\n“Returning to campus in this role has been a dream of mine since graduation (from UT Martin),” Lewter said. “I am excited about this opportunity to serve the students of UT Martin and look forward to working with the student affairs staff to ensure student safety, promote student success and provide students with an amazing college experience.”\r\n\r\nLewter has significant experience in key student-affairs areas, including programming, student counseling and health, Greek life, campus recreation, career services and assessment. As a UT Martin student, he was active in both Greek life and student-leadership positions. He will lead the UT Martin Division of Student Affairs, which serves students at the main campus and five educational outreach centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n\r\nLewter will be joined in Martin by his wife, Megan, who is also a 1994 UT Martin graduate, and their two sons: Andrew, 18, and Mitchell, 7.\r\n\r\nThe search committee was chaired by Dr. Todd Winters, dean, UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Other search committee members were: John Abel, interim vice chancellor, UT Martin Division of Student Affairs; Debi Adcock, administrative specialist, UT Martin Division of Student Affairs; Kameron Echols, success counselor, UT Martin Student Success Center; Marvin Flatt, community representative, fraternity adviser and Weakley County director of career education; Jenifer Hart, clinical coordinator, UT Martin Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Devin Majors, UT Martin Student Government Association president; Ryan Martin, assistant director, UT Martin Office of Housing; Kurt McGuffin, director, UT Martin Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Renard Miles, interim director, UT Martin Office of Career Planning and Development; Jemima Potter, international student and UT Martin student athlete; and Jason Stout, associate professor of art, UT Martin Division of Visual and Theatre Arts.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Andy Lewter chosen as new UT Martin vice chancellor for student affairs','','inherit','closed','closed','','320-revision-v1','','','2018-11-13 15:12:52','2018-11-13 15:12:52','',320,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/13/320-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(355,3,'2018-11-13 15:14:32','2018-11-13 15:14:32','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for non-UT Martin students and free for UT Martin students with a valid student ID. Guests may purchase tickets online at utm.edu/musicevents or at the door before the performance. Seating is limited, so interested guests and students should reserve tickets prior to the concert.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya, based in Paris, France, performs maloya, a form of music that originated on a French island off the eastern coast of Madagascar called Reunion. The performance will combine percussive instruments such as the rouler, kayanm and bobre with Reunionese creole singing. The UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy and the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages are co-sponsoring this event.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will also give a guest lecture on maloya music at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The lecture is free to the public and located in the Blankenship Recital Hall, as well.\r\n\r\nThe Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series brings high-profile musical artists from around the globe to UT Martin’s campus. It was established this semester to honor Dr. Allison Nelson, UT Martin professor emeritus of music. Nelson, a native of Australia, has performed worldwide as a soloist and as a member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo with her late first husband Harry Neal, a native of Paris, Tennessee. Nelson served on the UT Martin faculty for 20 years and helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and found the UT Martin Piano Ensemble.\r\n\r\nThe series will continue Jan. 14, 2019, with a performance and guest lecture by Khemia, a contemporary chamber ensemble that showcases the works of living composers in multimedia\r\nperformances.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\r\n\r\n###','International ensemble Seksion Maloya to perform Nov. 19','The UT Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.','publish','closed','closed','','international-ensemble-seksion-maloya-to-perform-nov-19','','','2018-11-16 22:12:14','2018-11-16 22:12:14','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=355',0,'post','',0),(356,3,'2018-11-13 15:14:24','2018-11-13 15:14:24','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for non-UT Martin students and free for UT Martin students with a valid student ID. Guests may purchase tickets online at utm.edu/musicevents or at the door before the performance. Seating is limited, so interested guests and students should reserve tickets prior to the concert.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya, based in Paris, France, performs maloya, a form of music that originated on a French island off the eastern coast of Madagascar called Reunion. The performance will combine percussive instruments such as the rouler, kayanm and bobre with Reunionese creole singing. The UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy and the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages are co-sponsoring this event.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will also give a guest lecture on maloya music at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The lecture is free to the public and located in the Blankenship Recital Hall, as well.\r\n\r\nThe Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series brings high-profile musical artists from around the globe to UT Martin’s campus. It was established this semester to honor Dr. Allison Nelson, UT Martin professor emeritus of music. Nelson, a native of Australia, has performed worldwide as a soloist and as a member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo with her late first husband Harry Neal, a native of Paris, Tennessee. Nelson served on the UT Martin faculty for 20 years and helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and found the UT Martin Piano Ensemble.\r\n\r\nThe series will continue Jan. 14, 2019, with a performance and guest lecture by Khemia, a contemporary chamber ensemble that showcases the works of living composers in multimedia\r\nperformances.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Seksion Maloya is shown giving an international performance.','International ensemble Seksion Maloya to perform Nov. 19','','inherit','closed','closed','','355-revision-v1','','','2018-11-13 15:14:24','2018-11-13 15:14:24','',355,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/13/355-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(357,3,'2018-11-13 15:21:59','2018-11-13 15:21:59','MARTIN, Tenn. – Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, won the 2019 Miss University of Tennessee at Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11, in the university’s Russell Duncan Ballroom. The pageant is cosponsored by the university and the city of Martin.\r\n\r\nThe Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival crown went to Tera Townsend, 21, an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville. Both titleholders now advance to the statewide Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant next June at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Townsend previously held the 2018 Miss Jackson title and competed in June at the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, so the Soybean Festival title qualifies Townsend to compete a second time for the Miss Tennessee crown.\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is in its 56th year, while the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant crowned its 20th titleholder. The pageant is divided into five phases of competition, including private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. The contestant crowned Miss UT Martin receives $1,500 in scholarship money, and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival receives $1,500 if she is a UT Martin student or $500 if she is not.\r\n\r\nMayo is a double major in biology and geoscience as well as a member of the Skyhawk rifle team, and her platform is “Return to Learn: A Concussion Awareness Initiative.” She has competed for almost four years in Miss Tennessee preliminaries before earning this opportunity to compete for the state crown. Mayo plays the violin, but talent was not the most challenging part of the competition.\r\n\r\n“For me, the toughest part of the competition is swimsuit because I am plus-size, but I use that to influence other girls to let them know you can literally do anything if you just set your mind to it,” she said. Mayo’s UT Martin ties run deep: Her grandfather is university Athletics Hall of Fame member Lee Mayo, a kicker for the UT Martin football team that won the 1967 Tangerine Bowl championship.\r\n\r\nTownsend’s platform is “Sing a Note – Through Music Building a Better You,” and she said that her experience during the 2018 Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant will help her next year on the Miss Tennessee stage. Townsend sings and plays the guitar, but as with Mayo, talent isn’t the toughest part of the competition. “Well, it’s always been interview for me because I grew up with a speaking disability,” she said. “It took me a while to kind of overcome that.”\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin court includes Rachael Friedrich, of Jackson, second runner-up, and Kailey Duffy, of Camden, first runner-up. Miranda Colegrove, of Lake Jackson, Texas, was the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival second runner-up, and Kara Smith, of Cordova, earned first runner-up and was also selected Miss Congeniality by the contestants. Sable Estes, of Trenton, won the People’s Choice Award.\r\n\r\nKatrina Cobb, assistant station manager for Public Television Station WLJT, is pageant director and was pleased with this year’s event. “It’s been an amazing night,” Cobb said after the event. “We had 13 young ladies compete. That’s the most any preliminary in the state of Tennessee has had so far this year. We’re excited to have two fabulous young ladies that have just been crowned … and I think it’s going to be a great year.” Cobb’s work will continue as she guides both contestants through Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant preparations and also accompanies Mayo and Townsend to Jackson next June during pageant week.\r\n\r\nThe title of Miss Tennessee is a full-time, yearlong position as the governor’s official spokesperson for character education and as an ambassador for Tennessee’s Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.\r\nFor more information about the Miss UT Martin or Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival scholarship pageants, contact Cobb at kcobb@wljt.org, or call 731-881-7561.\r\n\r\n###','Contestants claim Miss UT Martin, Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival during combined pageant','Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, claimed the 2019 Miss UT Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11.','publish','closed','closed','','contestants-claim-miss-ut-martin-miss-tennessee-soybean-festival-during-combined-pageant','','','2018-11-16 22:03:24','2018-11-16 22:03:24','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=357',0,'post','',0),(358,3,'2018-11-13 15:21:51','2018-11-13 15:21:51','MARTIN, Tenn. – Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, won the 2019 Miss University of Tennessee at Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11, in the university’s Russell Duncan Ballroom. The pageant is cosponsored by the university and the city of Martin.\r\n\r\nThe Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival crown went to Tera Townsend, 21, an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville. Both titleholders now advance to the statewide Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant next June at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Townsend previously held the 2018 Miss Jackson title and competed in June at the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, so the Soybean Festival title qualifies Townsend to compete a second time for the Miss Tennessee crown.\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is in its 56th year, while the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant crowned its 20th titleholder. The pageant is divided into five phases of competition, including private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. The contestant crowned Miss UT Martin receives $1,500 in scholarship money, and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival receives $1,500 if she is a UT Martin student or $500 if she is not.\r\n\r\nMayo is a double major in biology and geoscience as well as a member of the Skyhawk rifle team, and her platform is “Return to Learn: A Concussion Awareness Initiative.” She has competed for almost four years in Miss Tennessee preliminaries before earning this opportunity to compete for the state crown. Mayo plays the violin, but talent was not the most challenging part of the competition.\r\n\r\n“For me, the toughest part of the competition is swimsuit because I am plus-size, but I use that to influence other girls to let them know you can literally do anything if you just set your mind to it,” she said. Mayo’s UT Martin ties run deep: Her grandfather is university Athletics Hall of Fame member Lee Mayo, a kicker for the UT Martin football team that won the 1967 Tangerine Bowl championship.\r\n\r\nTownsend’s platform is “Sing a Note – Through Music Building a Better You,” and she said that her experience during the 2018 Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant will help her next year on the Miss Tennessee stage. Townsend sings and plays the guitar, but as with Mayo, talent isn’t the toughest part of the competition. “Well, it’s always been interview for me because I grew up with a speaking disability,” she said. “It took me a while to kind of overcome that.”\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin court includes Rachael Friedrich, of Jackson, second runner-up, and Kailey Duffy, of Camden, first runner-up. Miranda Colegrove, of Lake Jackson, Texas, was the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival second runner-up, and Kara Smith, of Cordova, earned first runner-up and was also selected Miss Congeniality by the contestants. Sable Estes, of Trenton, won the People’s Choice Award.\r\n\r\nKatrina Cobb, assistant station manager for Public Television Station WLJT, is pageant director and was pleased with this year’s event. “It’s been an amazing night,” Cobb said after the event. “We had 13 young ladies compete. That’s the most any preliminary in the state of Tennessee has had so far this year. We’re excited to have two fabulous young ladies that have just been crowned … and I think it’s going to be a great year.” Cobb’s work will continue as she guides both contestants through Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant preparations and also accompanies Mayo and Townsend to Jackson next June during pageant week.\r\n\r\nThe title of Miss Tennessee is a full-time, yearlong position as the governor’s official spokesperson for character education and as an ambassador for Tennessee’s Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.\r\nFor more information about the Miss UT Martin or Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival scholarship pageants, contact Cobb at kcobb@wljt.org, or call 731-881-7561.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Amanda Mayo (left), of Lilburn, Georgia, and Tera Townsend, of Nashville, claimed the Miss UT Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival titles, respectively, during the combined pageant Nov. 11 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mayo is a junior at UT Martin studying biology and geology. Townsend is an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville.','Contestants claim Miss UT Martin, Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival during combined pageant','','inherit','closed','closed','','357-revision-v1','','','2018-11-13 15:21:51','2018-11-13 15:21:51','',357,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/13/357-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(366,2,'2018-11-16 21:59:48','2018-11-16 21:59:48','MARTIN, Tenn. – Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, won the 2019 Miss University of Tennessee at Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11, in the university’s Russell Duncan Ballroom. The pageant is cosponsored by the university and the city of Martin.\r\n\r\nThe Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival crown went to Tera Townsend, 21, an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville. Both titleholders now advance to the statewide Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant next June at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Townsend previously held the 2018 Miss Jackson title and competed in June at the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, so the Soybean Festival title qualifies Townsend to compete a second time for the Miss Tennessee crown.\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is in its 56th year, while the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant crowned its 20th titleholder. The pageant is divided into five phases of competition, including private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. The contestant crowned Miss UT Martin receives $1,500 in scholarship money, and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival receives $1,500 if she is a UT Martin student or $500 if she is not.\r\n\r\nMayo is a double major in biology and geoscience as well as a member of the Skyhawk rifle team, and her platform is “Return to Learn: A Concussion Awareness Initiative.” She has competed for almost four years in Miss Tennessee preliminaries before earning this opportunity to compete for the state crown. Mayo plays the violin, but talent was not the most challenging part of the competition.\r\n\r\n“For me, the toughest part of the competition is swimsuit because I am plus-size, but I use that to influence other girls to let them know you can literally do anything if you just set your mind to it,” she said. Mayo’s UT Martin ties run deep: Her grandfather is university Athletics Hall of Fame member Lee Mayo, a kicker for the UT Martin football team that won the 1967 Tangerine Bowl championship.\r\n\r\nTownsend’s platform is “Sing a Note – Through Music Building a Better You,” and she said that her experience during the 2018 Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant will help her next year on the Miss Tennessee stage. Townsend sings and plays the guitar, but as with Mayo, talent isn’t the toughest part of the competition. “Well, it’s always been interview for me because I grew up with a speaking disability,” she said. “It took me a while to kind of overcome that.”\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin court includes Rachael Friedrich, of Jackson, second runner-up, and Kailey Duffy, of Camden, first runner-up. Miranda Colegrove, of Lake Jackson, Texas, was the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival second runner-up, and Kara Smith, of Cordova, earned first runner-up and was also selected Miss Congeniality by the contestants. Sable Estes, of Trenton, won the People’s Choice Award.\r\n\r\nKatrina Cobb, assistant station manager for Public Television Station WLJT, is pageant director and was pleased with this year’s event. “It’s been an amazing night,” Cobb said after the event. “We had 13 young ladies compete. That’s the most any preliminary in the state of Tennessee has had so far this year. We’re excited to have two fabulous young ladies that have just been crowned … and I think it’s going to be a great year.” Cobb’s work will continue as she guides both contestants through Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant preparations and also accompanies Mayo and Townsend to Jackson next June during pageant week.\r\n\r\nThe title of Miss Tennessee is a full-time, yearlong position as the governor’s official spokesperson for character education and as an ambassador for Tennessee’s Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.\r\nFor more information about the Miss UT Martin or Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival scholarship pageants, contact Cobb at kcobb@wljt.org, or call 731-881-7561.\r\n\r\n###','Contestants claim Miss UT Martin, Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival during combined pageant','','inherit','closed','closed','','357-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 21:59:48','2018-11-16 21:59:48','',357,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/357-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(363,1,'2018-11-16 20:23:23','2018-11-16 20:23:23','MARTIN, Tenn. — University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. Dr. Joe DiPietro has served as the UT System’s 25th president since January 2011 and will retire from the position effective Feb. 14, 2019. His last active day in office will be Nov. 21.\r\n\r\nDuring the reception, Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Phil Cavalier, university provost, presented DiPietro with the title of distinguished professor of animal science in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources. This is the first such title to be presented by UT Martin and acknowledges DiPietro’s career as a veterinarian before he accepted the position as UT System president.\r\n\r\nDr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, then announced the dedication of a campus light pole in honor of the DiPietros and their service to the university. The dedicated light pole will be located near Brehm Hall, which houses the animal science program, and affixed with a plaque that reads, “Lighting the path for future generations. Presented in honor of their leadership, friendship and volunteer spirit in advancing UT Martin and the success of its students. Joe and Deb DiPietro, Nov. 14, 2018.”\r\n\r\n“Our greatest asset is our people, and our most beautiful asset is the quad. And so as our people – all 8,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni – are walking that quad, they will walk past your plaque,” said Carver. “You will always have a home here, and you will always be remembered fondly. God bless you, and we love you.”\r\n\r\n“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this place; it happened right away,” said DiPietro. “I want to thank you because you’ve always been in my corner. I’ve never had stronger support across the (UT) System than from here from the very beginning. If you think about my election to this office, which was about as narrow as you could get, the (UT) Martin trustees were right behind me. …\r\n\r\n“I feel blessed by the fact that I came through with an 11-10 vote, and somehow, by the grace of God, I got the job. It’s been a privilege to serve you, and it’s been a real privilege to have you work so hard that we’ve broken four or five or six system-wide records. If you look at enrollment, if you look at fundraising, if you look at retention rate, don’t think you didn’t pitch in to make that all happen,” he continued.\r\n<blockquote>“Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for who you are and what you’re about and for what you did to advance the University of Tennessee on my watch. It’s been a privilege to work with you and a great opportunity, a capstone career position that I’ve had the privilege to fill.”</blockquote>\r\nThe UT Board of Trustees has appointed Randy Boyd, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus and businessman, to serve as the UT System’s interim president beginning Nov. 22. Boyd will serve up to 24 months or until a new president is appointed following an external search.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT President Joe DiPietro honored at farewell reception','','inherit','closed','closed','','360-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 20:23:23','2018-11-16 20:23:23','',360,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/360-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(367,2,'2018-11-16 22:03:24','2018-11-16 22:03:24','MARTIN, Tenn. – Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, won the 2019 Miss University of Tennessee at Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11, in the university’s Russell Duncan Ballroom. The pageant is cosponsored by the university and the city of Martin.\r\n\r\nThe Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival crown went to Tera Townsend, 21, an audio engineering student at SAE Institute Nashville. Both titleholders now advance to the statewide Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant next June at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Townsend previously held the 2018 Miss Jackson title and competed in June at the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, so the Soybean Festival title qualifies Townsend to compete a second time for the Miss Tennessee crown.\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is in its 56th year, while the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant crowned its 20th titleholder. The pageant is divided into five phases of competition, including private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. The contestant crowned Miss UT Martin receives $1,500 in scholarship money, and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival receives $1,500 if she is a UT Martin student or $500 if she is not.\r\n\r\nMayo is a double major in biology and geoscience as well as a member of the Skyhawk rifle team, and her platform is “Return to Learn: A Concussion Awareness Initiative.” She has competed for almost four years in Miss Tennessee preliminaries before earning this opportunity to compete for the state crown. Mayo plays the violin, but talent was not the most challenging part of the competition.\r\n\r\n“For me, the toughest part of the competition is swimsuit because I am plus-size, but I use that to influence other girls to let them know you can literally do anything if you just set your mind to it,” she said. Mayo’s UT Martin ties run deep: Her grandfather is university Athletics Hall of Fame member Lee Mayo, a kicker for the UT Martin football team that won the 1967 Tangerine Bowl championship.\r\n\r\nTownsend’s platform is “Sing a Note – Through Music Building a Better You,” and she said that her experience during the 2018 Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant will help her next year on the Miss Tennessee stage. Townsend sings and plays the guitar, but as with Mayo, talent isn’t the toughest part of the competition. “Well, it’s always been interview for me because I grew up with a speaking disability,” she said. “It took me a while to kind of overcome that.”\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin court includes Rachael Friedrich, of Jackson, second runner-up, and Kailey Duffy, of Camden, first runner-up. Miranda Colegrove, of Lake Jackson, Texas, was the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival second runner-up, and Kara Smith, of Cordova, earned first runner-up and was also selected Miss Congeniality by the contestants. Sable Estes, of Trenton, won the People’s Choice Award.\r\n\r\nKatrina Cobb, assistant station manager for Public Television Station WLJT, is pageant director and was pleased with this year’s event. “It’s been an amazing night,” Cobb said after the event. “We had 13 young ladies compete. That’s the most any preliminary in the state of Tennessee has had so far this year. We’re excited to have two fabulous young ladies that have just been crowned … and I think it’s going to be a great year.” Cobb’s work will continue as she guides both contestants through Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant preparations and also accompanies Mayo and Townsend to Jackson next June during pageant week.\r\n\r\nThe title of Miss Tennessee is a full-time, yearlong position as the governor’s official spokesperson for character education and as an ambassador for Tennessee’s Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.\r\nFor more information about the Miss UT Martin or Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival scholarship pageants, contact Cobb at kcobb@wljt.org, or call 731-881-7561.\r\n\r\n###','Contestants claim Miss UT Martin, Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival during combined pageant','Amanda Mayo, a 20-year-old junior from Lilburn, Georgia, claimed the 2019 Miss UT Martin title during the combined Miss UT Martin-Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant held Sunday, Nov. 11.','inherit','closed','closed','','357-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:03:24','2018-11-16 22:03:24','',357,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/357-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(368,2,'2018-11-16 22:11:44','2018-11-16 22:11:44','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.\n\nSeksion Maloya will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for non-UT Martin students and free for UT Martin students with a valid student ID. Guests may purchase tickets online at utm.edu/musicevents or at the door before the performance. Seating is limited, so interested guests and students should reserve tickets prior to the concert.\n\nSeksion Maloya, based in Paris, France, performs maloya, a form of music that originated on a French island off the eastern coast of Madagascar called Reunion. The performance will combine percussive instruments such as the rouler, kayanm and bobre with Reunionese creole singing. The UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy and the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages are co-sponsoring this event.\n\nSeksion Maloya will also give a guest lecture on maloya music at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The lecture is free to the public and located in the Blankenship Recital Hall, as well.\n\nThe Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series brings high-profile musical artists from around the globe to UT Martin’s campus. It was established this semester to honor Dr. Allison Nelson, UT Martin professor emeritus of music. Nelson, a native of Australia, has performed worldwide as a soloist and as a member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo with her late first husband Harry Neal, a native of Paris, Tennessee. Nelson served on the UT Martin faculty for 20 years and helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and found the UT Martin Piano Ensemble.\n\nThe series will continue Jan. 14, 2019, with a performance and guest lecture by Khemia, a contemporary chamber ensemble that showcases the works of living composers in multimedia\nperformances.\n\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\n\n###\n\nPHOTO ID: Seksion Maloya is shown giving an international performance.','International ensemble Seksion Maloya to perform Nov. 19','The UT Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.','inherit','closed','closed','','355-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:11:44','2018-11-16 22:11:44','',355,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/355-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(370,2,'2018-11-16 22:12:14','2018-11-16 22:12:14','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for non-UT Martin students and free for UT Martin students with a valid student ID. Guests may purchase tickets online at utm.edu/musicevents or at the door before the performance. Seating is limited, so interested guests and students should reserve tickets prior to the concert.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya, based in Paris, France, performs maloya, a form of music that originated on a French island off the eastern coast of Madagascar called Reunion. The performance will combine percussive instruments such as the rouler, kayanm and bobre with Reunionese creole singing. The UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy and the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages are co-sponsoring this event.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will also give a guest lecture on maloya music at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The lecture is free to the public and located in the Blankenship Recital Hall, as well.\r\n\r\nThe Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series brings high-profile musical artists from around the globe to UT Martin’s campus. It was established this semester to honor Dr. Allison Nelson, UT Martin professor emeritus of music. Nelson, a native of Australia, has performed worldwide as a soloist and as a member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo with her late first husband Harry Neal, a native of Paris, Tennessee. Nelson served on the UT Martin faculty for 20 years and helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and found the UT Martin Piano Ensemble.\r\n\r\nThe series will continue Jan. 14, 2019, with a performance and guest lecture by Khemia, a contemporary chamber ensemble that showcases the works of living composers in multimedia\r\nperformances.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\r\n\r\n###','International ensemble Seksion Maloya to perform Nov. 19','The UT Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.','inherit','closed','closed','','355-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:12:14','2018-11-16 22:12:14','',355,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/355-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(369,2,'2018-11-16 22:11:49','2018-11-16 22:11:49','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for non-UT Martin students and free for UT Martin students with a valid student ID. Guests may purchase tickets online at utm.edu/musicevents or at the door before the performance. Seating is limited, so interested guests and students should reserve tickets prior to the concert.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya, based in Paris, France, performs maloya, a form of music that originated on a French island off the eastern coast of Madagascar called Reunion. The performance will combine percussive instruments such as the rouler, kayanm and bobre with Reunionese creole singing. The UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy and the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages are co-sponsoring this event.\r\n\r\nSeksion Maloya will also give a guest lecture on maloya music at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The lecture is free to the public and located in the Blankenship Recital Hall, as well.\r\n\r\nThe Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series brings high-profile musical artists from around the globe to UT Martin’s campus. It was established this semester to honor Dr. Allison Nelson, UT Martin professor emeritus of music. Nelson, a native of Australia, has performed worldwide as a soloist and as a member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo with her late first husband Harry Neal, a native of Paris, Tennessee. Nelson served on the UT Martin faculty for 20 years and helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and found the UT Martin Piano Ensemble.\r\n\r\nThe series will continue Jan. 14, 2019, with a performance and guest lecture by Khemia, a contemporary chamber ensemble that showcases the works of living composers in multimedia\r\nperformances.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Seksion Maloya is shown giving an international performance.','International ensemble Seksion Maloya to perform Nov. 19','The UT Martin Department of Music will bring the internationally touring musical group Seksion Maloya to campus Nov. 19 as the second performers in the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series.','inherit','closed','closed','','355-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:11:49','2018-11-16 22:11:49','',355,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/355-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(371,2,'2018-11-16 22:20:07','2018-11-16 22:20:07','MARTIN, Tenn. — CHANCELLOR VISITS KOREA – Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin, visited Seoul, South Korea, in mid-October accompanied by Amy Fenning, director of the Office of International Programs and International Admissions. They spent time with officials from Hansung University on Oct. 16 to solidify the existing relationship between the two institutions. Hansung University has sent short-term international program students to UT Martin for several years now, and UT Martin actively exchanges students with Hansung University each year. Pictured (top, l-r) are Seung-cheon Kim, dean of international affairs; Fenning; Carver; Sang-hann Lee, president of Hansung University; Choul-woo Park, manager of international affairs; and Il Hwan David Kim, deputy manager of international programs. Carver and Fenning also visited Myongji University in Seoul, South Korea, on the same day, where Carver and university president Byong-Jin You signed a memorandum of understanding. This new partnership will allow the exchange of students between UT Martin and Myongji University in future academic years. Pictured (bottom, l-r) are Yongdal Kim, director of international affairs; Fenning; Carver; Byong-Jin You, president of Myongji University; Dohjong Kim, university vice president; and Soung-Il Joo, dean of international affairs.\n###\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-337\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Myongji-University1_Korea.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','Chancellor Carver visits South Korean partner universities','Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor of UT MartMartin, visited Seoul, South Korea, in mid-October accompanied by Amy Fenning, director of the Office of International Programs and International Admissions. ','inherit','closed','closed','','334-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:20:07','2018-11-16 22:20:07','',334,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/334-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(372,2,'2018-11-16 22:20:49','2018-11-16 22:20:49','MARTIN, Tenn. — CHANCELLOR VISITS KOREA – Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin, visited Seoul, South Korea, in mid-October accompanied by Amy Fenning, director of the Office of International Programs and International Admissions. They spent time with officials from Hansung University on Oct. 16 to solidify the existing relationship between the two institutions. Hansung University has sent short-term international program students to UT Martin for several years now, and UT Martin actively exchanges students with Hansung University each year. Pictured (top, l-r) are Seung-cheon Kim, dean of international affairs; Fenning; Carver; Sang-hann Lee, president of Hansung University; Choul-woo Park, manager of international affairs; and Il Hwan David Kim, deputy manager of international programs. Carver and Fenning also visited Myongji University in Seoul, South Korea, on the same day, where Carver and university president Byong-Jin You signed a memorandum of understanding. This new partnership will allow the exchange of students between UT Martin and Myongji University in future academic years. Pictured (bottom, l-r) are Yongdal Kim, director of international affairs; Fenning; Carver; Byong-Jin You, president of Myongji University; Dohjong Kim, university vice president; and Soung-Il Joo, dean of international affairs.\r\n###\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-337\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Myongji-University1_Korea.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','Chancellor Carver visits South Korean partner universities','Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor of UT Martin, visited Seoul, South Korea, in mid-October accompanied by Amy Fenning, director of the Office of International Programs and International Admissions.','inherit','closed','closed','','334-revision-v1','','','2018-11-16 22:20:49','2018-11-16 22:20:49','',334,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/16/334-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(373,3,'2018-11-19 14:31:48','2018-11-19 14:31:48','MARTIN, Tenn. — University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. Dr. Joe DiPietro has served as the UT System’s 25th president since January 2011 and will retire from the position effective Feb. 14, 2019. His last active day in office will be Nov. 21.\r\n\r\nDuring the reception, Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Phil Cavalier, university provost, presented DiPietro with the title of distinguished professor of animal science in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources. This is the first such title to be presented by UT Martin and acknowledges DiPietro’s career as a veterinarian before he accepted the position as UT System president.\r\n\r\nDr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, then announced the dedication of a campus light pole in honor of the DiPietros and their service to the university. The dedicated light pole will be located near Brehm Hall, which houses the animal science program, and affixed with a plaque that reads, “Lighting the path for future generations. Presented in honor of their leadership, friendship and volunteer spirit in advancing UT Martin and the success of its students. Joe and Deb DiPietro, Nov. 14, 2018.”\r\n\r\n“Our greatest asset is our people, and our most beautiful asset is the quad. And so as our people – all 8,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni – are walking that quad, they will walk past your plaque,” said Carver. “You will always have a home here, and you will always be remembered fondly. God bless you, and we love you.”\r\n\r\n“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this place; it happened right away,” said DiPietro. “I want to thank you because you’ve always been in my corner. I’ve never had stronger support across the (UT) System than from here from the very beginning. If you think about my election to this office, which was about as narrow as you could get, the (UT) Martin trustees were right behind me. …\r\n\r\n“I feel blessed by the fact that I came through with an 11-10 vote, and somehow, by the grace of God, I got the job. It’s been a privilege to serve you, and it’s been a real privilege to have you work so hard that we’ve broken four or five or six system-wide records. If you look at enrollment, if you look at fundraising, if you look at retention rate, don’t think you didn’t pitch in to make that all happen,” he continued.\r\n<blockquote>“Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for who you are and what you’re about and for what you did to advance the University of Tennessee on my watch. It’s been a privilege to work with you and a great opportunity, a capstone career position that I’ve had the privilege to fill.”</blockquote>\r\nThe UT Board of Trustees has appointed Randy Boyd, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus and businessman, to serve as the UT System’s interim president beginning Nov. 22. Boyd will serve up to 24 months or until a new president is appointed following an external search.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT President Joe DiPietro honored at farewell reception','University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. ','inherit','closed','closed','','360-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-19 14:31:48','2018-11-19 14:31:48','',360,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/360-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(374,3,'2018-11-19 14:32:01','2018-11-19 14:32:01','MARTIN, Tenn. — University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. Dr. Joe DiPietro has served as the UT System’s 25th president since January 2011 and will retire from the position effective Feb. 14, 2019. His last active day in office will be Nov. 21.\r\n\r\nDuring the reception, Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Phil Cavalier, university provost, presented DiPietro with the title of distinguished professor of animal science in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources. This is the first such title to be presented by UT Martin and acknowledges DiPietro’s career as a veterinarian before he accepted the position as UT System president.\r\n\r\nDr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, then announced the dedication of a campus light pole in honor of the DiPietros and their service to the university. The dedicated light pole will be located near Brehm Hall, which houses the animal science program, and affixed with a plaque that reads, “Lighting the path for future generations. Presented in honor of their leadership, friendship and volunteer spirit in advancing UT Martin and the success of its students. Joe and Deb DiPietro, Nov. 14, 2018.”\r\n\r\n“Our greatest asset is our people, and our most beautiful asset is the quad. And so as our people – all 8,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni – are walking that quad, they will walk past your plaque,” said Carver. “You will always have a home here, and you will always be remembered fondly. God bless you, and we love you.”\r\n\r\n“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this place; it happened right away,” said DiPietro. “I want to thank you because you’ve always been in my corner. I’ve never had stronger support across the (UT) System than from here from the very beginning. If you think about my election to this office, which was about as narrow as you could get, the (UT) Martin trustees were right behind me. …\r\n\r\n“I feel blessed by the fact that I came through with an 11-10 vote, and somehow, by the grace of God, I got the job. It’s been a privilege to serve you, and it’s been a real privilege to have you work so hard that we’ve broken four or five or six system-wide records. If you look at enrollment, if you look at fundraising, if you look at retention rate, don’t think you didn’t pitch in to make that all happen,” he continued.\r\n<blockquote>“Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for who you are and what you’re about and for what you did to advance the University of Tennessee on my watch. It’s been a privilege to work with you and a great opportunity, a capstone career position that I’ve had the privilege to fill.”</blockquote>\r\nThe UT Board of Trustees has appointed Randy Boyd, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus and businessman, to serve as the UT System’s interim president beginning Nov. 22. Boyd will serve up to 24 months or until a new president is appointed following an external search.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT President Joe DiPietro honored at farewell reception','University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. ','inherit','closed','closed','','360-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 14:32:01','2018-11-19 14:32:01','',360,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/360-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(413,3,'2018-11-19 21:23:11','2018-11-19 21:23:11','MARTIN, Tenn. – Keith Paluso, a 2012 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a current contestant on season 15 of NBC’s performance competition “The Voice.” Paluso has advanced to the live performance rounds, and fans can now vote in his favor to help him stay in the competition.\r\n\r\nSupporters can download ‘The Voice’ app for both iPhone and Android smartphones and vote for Paluso. Specific voting information is also available through his social media accounts and at <a href=\"http://www.keithpaluso.com/\">keithpaluso.com</a>.\r\n\r\nPaluso, originally from Atoka, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in ecology and environmental biology from UT Martin. He performed at the university Oct. 19 as a kick-off for homecoming festivities. Currently working as a Tennessee State Park Ranger, he says he was inspired to return to singing, songwriting and performing after the birth of his first child. Clips of his previous on-show performances can be found on YouTube and through NBC.com.\r\n\r\nAn extended play album titled “The Linden Ave. Sessions,” written, recorded and produced by Paluso and his brother, Keegan, a 2013 UT Martin graduate, is available on all online music distribution platforms.\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.keithpaluso.com/\">keithpaluso.com</a>.\r\n###','UT Martin grad advances on \'The Voice\'','Keith Paluso, a 2012 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a current contestant on season 15 of NBC’s performance competition “The Voice.”','inherit','closed','closed','','331-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:23:11','2018-11-19 21:23:11','',331,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/331-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(375,3,'2018-11-19 14:33:12','2018-11-19 14:33:12','MARTIN, Tenn. – Keith Paluso, a 2012 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a current contestant on season 15 of NBC’s performance competition “The Voice.” Paluso has advanced to the live performance rounds, and fans can now vote in his favor to help him stay in the competition.\r\n\r\nSupporters can download ‘The Voice’ app for both iPhone and Android smartphones and vote for Paluso. Specific voting information is also available through his social media accounts and at <a href=\"http://www.keithpaluso.com/\">keithpaluso.com</a>.\r\n\r\nPaluso, originally from Atoka, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in ecology and environmental biology from UT Martin. He performed at the university Oct. 19 as a kick-off for homecoming festivities. Currently working as a Tennessee State Park Ranger, he says he was inspired to return to singing, songwriting and performing after the birth of his first child. Clips of his previous on-show performances can be found on YouTube and through NBC.com.\r\n\r\nAn extended play album titled “The Linden Ave. Sessions,” written, recorded and produced by Paluso and his brother, Keegan, a 2013 UT Martin graduate, is available on all online music distribution platforms.\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.keithpaluso.com/\">keithpaluso.com</a>.\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Keith Paluso, a current contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” competition, performed at UT Martin on Oct. 19.','UT Martin grad advances on \'The Voice\'','Keith Paluso, a 2012 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a current contestant on season 15 of NBC’s performance competition “The Voice.”','inherit','closed','closed','','331-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 14:33:12','2018-11-19 14:33:12','',331,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/331-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(376,3,'2018-11-19 14:45:10','2018-11-19 14:45:10','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery. This event is open to the public from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 7; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 8.\r\n\r\nCo-sponsored by the UT Martin League of Striving Artists and the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts, the Holiday Art Bazaar displays items handcrafted by UT Martin students, faculty and alumni. These items, which include holiday cards, paintings, scarves, ceramics, glass ornaments and more, will be available for purchase during the event. Guests may purchase items with cash, check or charge to support local artists.\r\n\r\n“Support the Arts” contributors will have early access to an exclusive opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Dec. 6. For information on how to become a “Support the Arts” contributor, visit utm.edu/starts or contact the UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\nThe League of Striving Artists is an organization for UT Martin art students who strive to promote an appreciation for art and artist development through academics, service learning, community service projects and leadership both on campus and in the community.\r\n\r\nThe art gallery is in room 201 of the UT Martin Fine Arts Building, located at 16 Mt. Pelia Road in Martin. For more information, contact Jason Stout, UT Martin assistant professor of art and faculty adviser for the League of Striving Artists, at 731-881-3402 or email <a href=\"mailto:jstout@utm.edu\">jstout@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Fifth-annual UT Martin Holiday Art Bazaar to be held Dec. 6-8','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery.','publish','closed','closed','','fifth-annual-ut-martin-holiday-art-bazaar-to-be-held-dec-6-8','','','2018-11-19 16:17:43','2018-11-19 16:17:43','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=376',0,'post','',0),(377,3,'2018-11-19 14:44:46','2018-11-19 14:44:46','','LSA art bazaar','These hand-blown glass ornaments, made by a local artisan, are a feature at the League of Striving Artists\' Holiday Art Bazaar each year.','inherit','closed','closed','','lsa-art-bazaar','','','2018-11-19 14:44:59','2018-11-19 14:44:59','',376,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/LSA-art-bazaar.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(378,3,'2018-11-19 14:45:01','2018-11-19 14:45:01','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery. This event is open to the public from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 7; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 8.\r\n\r\nCo-sponsored by the UT Martin League of Striving Artists and the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts, the Holiday Art Bazaar displays items handcrafted by UT Martin students, faculty and alumni. These items, which include holiday cards, paintings, scarves, ceramics, glass ornaments and more, will be available for purchase during the event. Guests may purchase items with cash, check or charge to support local artists.\r\n\r\n“Support the Arts” contributors will have early access to an exclusive opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Dec. 6. For information on how to become a “Support the Arts” contributor, visit utm.edu/starts or contact the UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\nThe League of Striving Artists is an organization for UT Martin art students who strive to promote an appreciation for art and artist development through academics, service learning, community service projects and leadership both on campus and in the community.\r\n\r\nThe art gallery is in room 201 of the UT Martin Fine Arts Building, located at 16 Mt. Pelia Road in Martin. For more information, contact Jason Stout, UT Martin assistant professor of art and faculty adviser for the League of Striving Artists, at 731-881-3402 or email <a href=\"mailto:jstout@utm.edu\">jstout@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Fifth-annual UT Martin Holiday Art Bazaar to be held Dec. 6-8','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery.','inherit','closed','closed','','376-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 14:45:01','2018-11-19 14:45:01','',376,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/376-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(379,3,'2018-11-19 16:16:11','2018-11-19 16:16:11','','Holiday Art Bazaar 2015','Hand-blown glass ornaments and woven scarves like those shown here are staples at the annual League of Striving Artists Holiday Art Bazaar.','inherit','closed','closed','','holiday-art-bazaar-2015','','','2018-11-19 16:17:33','2018-11-19 16:17:33','',376,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Holiday-Art-Bazaar-2015.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(380,3,'2018-11-19 16:17:35','2018-11-19 16:17:35','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery. This event is open to the public from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 7; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 8.\r\n\r\nCo-sponsored by the UT Martin League of Striving Artists and the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts, the Holiday Art Bazaar displays items handcrafted by UT Martin students, faculty and alumni. These items, which include holiday cards, paintings, scarves, ceramics, glass ornaments and more, will be available for purchase during the event. Guests may purchase items with cash, check or charge to support local artists.\r\n\r\n“Support the Arts” contributors will have early access to an exclusive opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Dec. 6. For information on how to become a “Support the Arts” contributor, visit utm.edu/starts or contact the UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\nThe League of Striving Artists is an organization for UT Martin art students who strive to promote an appreciation for art and artist development through academics, service learning, community service projects and leadership both on campus and in the community.\r\n\r\nThe art gallery is in room 201 of the UT Martin Fine Arts Building, located at 16 Mt. Pelia Road in Martin. For more information, contact Jason Stout, UT Martin assistant professor of art and faculty adviser for the League of Striving Artists, at 731-881-3402 or email <a href=\"mailto:jstout@utm.edu\">jstout@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Fifth-annual UT Martin Holiday Art Bazaar to be held Dec. 6-8','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s League of Striving Artists will host the fifth-annual Holiday Art Bazaar, Dec. 6-8, in the Fine Arts Building’s art gallery.','inherit','closed','closed','','376-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-19 16:17:35','2018-11-19 16:17:35','',376,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/376-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(388,3,'2018-11-19 20:40:29','2018-11-19 20:40:29','MARTIN, Tenn. – Jourdan Rystrom, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 27, in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Watkins Auditorium during a concert benefitting the third-annual Special Needs Prom, sponsored by the UT Martin Non-Traditional Student Association.\r\n\r\nRystrom has several songs available on YouTube, Spotify and other music platforms, and some of her music can be heard on the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful.”\r\n\r\nConcert tickets are $15 at the door or $10 with a valid UT Martin student ID or a ticket from the Oct. 27 homecoming football game. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can also be pre-purchased via PayPal by sending total ticket cost to specialprom2018@yahoo.com. One hundred percent of ticket sales will be used to support the Special Needs Prom.\r\n\r\nThe Special Needs Prom each November allows area students with various special needs to attend a high school prom in an accommodating environment. The prom will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 17, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. Styles on Broadway in Martin will again provide free hair and makeup services for all attendees from noon-2 p.m.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Julie Durham, Non-Traditional Student Association president, at 615-997-5930 or <a href=\"mailto:juladurh@ut.utm.edu\">juladurh@ut.utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Jourdan Rystrom concert to benefit Special Needs Prom','Jourdan Rystrom, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 27, in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Watkins Auditorium.','inherit','closed','closed','','253-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:40:29','2018-11-19 20:40:29','',253,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/253-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(381,3,'2018-11-19 20:36:36','2018-11-19 20:36:36','MARTIN, Tenn. – Jourdan Rystrom, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 27, in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Watkins Auditorium during a concert benefitting the third-annual Special Needs Prom, sponsored by the UT Martin Non-Traditional Student Association.\r\n\r\nRystrom has several songs available on YouTube, Spotify and other music platforms, and some of her music can be heard on the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful.”\r\n\r\nConcert tickets are $15 at the door or $10 with a valid UT Martin student ID or a ticket from the Oct. 27 homecoming football game. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can also be pre-purchased via PayPal by sending total ticket cost to specialprom2018@yahoo.com. One hundred percent of ticket sales will be used to support the Special Needs Prom.\r\n\r\nThe Special Needs Prom each November allows area students with various special needs to attend a high school prom in an accommodating environment. The prom will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 17, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. Styles on Broadway in Martin will again provide free hair and makeup services for all attendees from noon-2 p.m.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Julie Durham, Non-Traditional Student Association president, at 615-997-5930 or <a href=\"mailto:juladurh@ut.utm.edu\">juladurh@ut.utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: A group is shown dancing during the 2019 Special Needs Prom hosted by the UT Martin Non-Traditional Student Association.','Jourdan Rystrom concert to benefit Special Needs Prom','Jourdan Rystrom, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 27, in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Watkins Auditorium.','inherit','closed','closed','','253-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:36:36','2018-11-19 20:36:36','',253,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/253-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(382,3,'2018-11-19 20:37:40','2018-11-19 20:37:40','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin will host a second Fall Preview Day for high school students and their families Nov. 10. This event provide students an opportunity to speak with academic advisers, financial counselors and other campus resources in a low-stress environment.\r\n\r\nThe day will begin with check-in at 9 a.m. followed by an official welcome at 9:30. A panel of current UT Martin students will answer questions and discuss the expectations of college life at 10, and participants will visit academic departments of interest starting at 10:45. The day ends with a full campus tour at 11:30.\r\n\r\nFall Preview Day is the ideal place to have questions answered about academic programs, financial aid and scholarships, student activities and residence life. There is no charge to attend, and parents, siblings and other visitors are welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure each student is able to visit areas of personal interest.\r\n\r\nRegister online at <a href=\"http://www.utm.edu/preview\">utm.edu/preview</a>. For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 731-881-7020 or email <a href=\"mailto:admitme@utm.edu\">admitme@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin to host second Fall Preview Day on Nov. 10','The University of Tennessee at Martin will host a second Fall Preview Day for high school students and their families Nov. 10. ','inherit','closed','closed','','256-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:37:40','2018-11-19 20:37:40','',256,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/256-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(389,3,'2018-11-19 20:41:24','2018-11-19 20:41:24','MARTIN, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music introduced the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series this semester to honor the career and legacy of Dr. Allison Nelson, professor emeritus of music and worldwide performer as a soloist and member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo. The series will showcase high-profile artists specializing in musical styles from around the world.\r\n\r\n“It is important for young people in particular to see and experience the vast array of music in the world,” said Karleen Sternisha, one of several sponsors for the new series. “I was exposed to the fine arts as a child, and I feel that it has given me the confidence to embrace things that are new and different. … I see music as the universal language that can build the bridge that leads to understanding and embracing other cultures.”\r\n\r\nHypercube, an electronic chamber music ensemble from New York, performed Sept. 24 as the first artist in this series.\r\n\r\nThe second performance will feature <a href=\"https://seksion-maloya.webnode.fr/?fbclid=IwAR1azZjDaBwpYGPm8UwlX1GiSQOwxbPMTOJd3m0C3C5tPs0HCQ_uezG1skc\">Seksion Maloya</a>, a Paris-based ensemble performing in the Maloya style from Reunion, an African island off the eastern coast of Madagascar. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19, in the UT Martin Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for non-UT Martin students with student ID. UT Martin students are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available online at <a href=\"https://secure.touchnet.com/C21608_ustores/web/classic/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=145&amp;SINGLESTORE=true\">utm.edu/musicevents</a> and at the door. Contact the Department of Music at 731-881-7402 for additional information.\r\n\r\nA native of Adelaide, Australia, Nelson was recognized as a child prodigy in that country at the age of seven and began performing in public and on Australian radio at the age of 10. She later moved to the United States and studied piano at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she met her first husband, Harry Neal.\r\n\r\nNeal, from Paris, Tennessee, was the son of William Fisher Neal, a lawyer and politician in Henry County. The couple performed more than 1,500 concerts from 1950-1968 during a world tour that included countries such as the United States, Canada, Switzerland, India, Hong Kong and Fiji, among others. Neal died in 1968, and Nelson began a second career as a professor at UT Martin the following year.\r\n\r\nWhile at UT Martin, Nelson helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and founded the UT Martin Piano Ensemble. She also started the University Trio alongside flutist Robert Fleming and clarinetist Gilbert Carp. She retired from UT Martin in 1989. Both the UT Martin Piano Ensemble and the University Trio are now under the direction of Dr. Elaine Harriss, professor of piano, who performed with Nelson for many years.\r\n\r\nNelson is now married to Dr. David Loebbaka, UT Martin professor emeritus of physics, and the couple lives in Jackson.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT Martin launches Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music introduced the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series this semester to honor the career and legacy of Dr. Allison Nelson.','inherit','closed','closed','','259-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:41:24','2018-11-19 20:41:24','',259,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/259-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(383,3,'2018-11-19 20:38:02','2018-11-19 20:38:02','MARTIN, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music introduced the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series this semester to honor the career and legacy of Dr. Allison Nelson, professor emeritus of music and worldwide performer as a soloist and member of the Nelson and Neal piano duo. The series will showcase high-profile artists specializing in musical styles from around the world.\r\n\r\n“It is important for young people in particular to see and experience the vast array of music in the world,” said Karleen Sternisha, one of several sponsors for the new series. “I was exposed to the fine arts as a child, and I feel that it has given me the confidence to embrace things that are new and different. … I see music as the universal language that can build the bridge that leads to understanding and embracing other cultures.”\r\n\r\nHypercube, an electronic chamber music ensemble from New York, performed Sept. 24 as the first artist in this series.\r\n\r\nThe second performance will feature <a href=\"https://seksion-maloya.webnode.fr/?fbclid=IwAR1azZjDaBwpYGPm8UwlX1GiSQOwxbPMTOJd3m0C3C5tPs0HCQ_uezG1skc\">Seksion Maloya</a>, a Paris-based ensemble performing in the Maloya style from Reunion, an African island off the eastern coast of Madagascar. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19, in the UT Martin Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for non-UT Martin students with student ID. UT Martin students are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available online at <a href=\"https://secure.touchnet.com/C21608_ustores/web/classic/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=145&amp;SINGLESTORE=true\">utm.edu/musicevents</a> and at the door. Contact the Department of Music at 731-881-7402 for additional information.\r\n\r\nA native of Adelaide, Australia, Nelson was recognized as a child prodigy in that country at the age of seven and began performing in public and on Australian radio at the age of 10. She later moved to the United States and studied piano at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she met her first husband, Harry Neal.\r\n\r\nNeal, from Paris, Tennessee, was the son of William Fisher Neal, a lawyer and politician in Henry County. The couple performed more than 1,500 concerts from 1950-1968 during a world tour that included countries such as the United States, Canada, Switzerland, India, Hong Kong and Fiji, among others. Neal died in 1968, and Nelson began a second career as a professor at UT Martin the following year.\r\n\r\nWhile at UT Martin, Nelson helped establish the Bachelor of Music in piano performance and founded the UT Martin Piano Ensemble. She also started the University Trio alongside flutist Robert Fleming and clarinetist Gilbert Carp. She retired from UT Martin in 1989. Both the UT Martin Piano Ensemble and the University Trio are now under the direction of Dr. Elaine Harriss, professor of piano, who performed with Nelson for many years.\r\n\r\nNelson is now married to Dr. David Loebbaka, UT Martin professor emeritus of physics, and the couple lives in Jackson.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Dr. Allison Nelson is pictured performing in UT Martin’s Fulton Theatre circa 1978.','UT Martin launches Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music introduced the Allison Nelson Guest Artist Series this semester to honor the career and legacy of Dr. Allison Nelson.','inherit','closed','closed','','259-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:38:02','2018-11-19 20:38:02','',259,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/259-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(384,3,'2018-11-19 20:38:33','2018-11-19 20:38:33','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will host “OcTubaFest,” a wind ensemble concert and the second-annual Contemporary Music Festival during Oct. 29-Nov. 3. All events are open to the public and are located in the Fine Arts Building’s Blankenship Recital Hall unless otherwise noted.\r\n\r\n“OcTubaFest” will be held from 7:30-9 p.m., Oct. 29. “OcTubaFest” is a performance by UT Martin’s Tuba and Euphonium Studio, an ensemble of 10-14 music majors led by Dr. Bill Waterman, UT Martin director of athletic bands.\r\n\r\nThe wind ensemble will hold a concert from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 30. The UT Martin Wind Ensemble is composed of wind, brass and percussion musicians. Led by Dr. John Oelrich, UT Martin director of bands, this ensemble’s music selections reflect the history of wind band and global cultures.\r\n\r\nThe music department will hold the second-annual Contemporary Music Festival on Nov. 2-3. The event will premiere works by UT Martin student composers at a concert from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 2, in the Paul Meek Library. On Nov. 3, the “Call for Scores Winner Concert” will feature composers from across the country who were selected through the department’s inaugural Call for Scores competition. This concert will also take place from 7:30-9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Music at 731-881-7402.\r\n\r\n###','OcTubaFest, wind ensemble concert, Contemporary Music Festival held Oct. 29-Nov. 3','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music will host “OcTubaFest,” a wind ensemble concert and the second-annual Contemporary Music Festival during Oct. 29-Nov. 3. ','inherit','closed','closed','','263-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:38:33','2018-11-19 20:38:33','',263,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/263-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(385,3,'2018-11-19 20:39:04','2018-11-19 20:39:04','MARTIN, Tenn. – Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-298 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Adcock-Debi-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" />\r\n\r\nAdcock has served as the administrative assistant for the Division of Student Affairs since 2009 and began her UT Martin tenure in the Office of Admissions in 2003. “She is always looking out for the best interests of our students and the Student Affairs staff,” wrote her coworkers in her nomination letter. “She is often asked to perform work that would probably be considered outside of her job description, but she never complains and always completes tasks in a thorough and professional manner.”\r\n\r\nShe also coordinates the Young Scholars Academy held each summer for underrepresented high school juniors and seniors in West Tennessee. The weeklong residential program gives students the opportunity to experience college campus and classroom settings before making post-secondary education choices.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-299 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Barnett-Steve-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" />\r\n\r\nBarnett is coordinator of the Office of Educational Outreach and has been part of the UT Martin staff since 2016. He is responsible for the budget, personnel, strategic planning, service delivery and staffing of the central Office of Educational Outreach, as well as providing support to the directors of the five UT Martin Educational Outreach Centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n“The Office of Educational Outreach has seen a positive turnaround and expansion in our operations throughout Steve’s tenure, and the transition to become a better university continues with his work,” wrote his nominator. “He is passionate about the importance of higher education and wants to see the university grow and flourish.”\r\n\r\nA few of Barnett’s notable projects include coordinating the relocation of the UT Martin Jackson Center to the Jackson State Community College campus; managing the procurement, delivery and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment prior to the opening of the new UT Martin Somerville Center; coordinating exterior signage and façade upgrades for the Ripley and Selmer locations; and organizing the installation of security cameras and monitoring systems at four of the five locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards are given to one exempt and one non-exempt employee each semester. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Debi Adcock and Steve Barnett (both on the left) are pictured individually with UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver.','Adcock, Barnett honored with Outstanding Employee Awards','Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.','inherit','closed','closed','','297-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:39:04','2018-11-19 20:39:04','',297,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/297-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(386,3,'2018-11-19 20:39:42','2018-11-19 20:39:42','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees will meet Nov. 2 in Knoxville.\r\n\r\nThe meeting of the full board will begin at about 1:15 p.m. EDT in the Hollingsworth Auditorium on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus. A member unable to be present will be allowed to participate by telephone. The meeting will be webcast live and archived for later viewing; a link to the webcast will be available at <a href=\"http://tennessee.edu/\">tennessee.edu</a>.\r\n\r\nTwo board committees are scheduled to meet prior to the meeting of the full board. All meetings will be in in the Hollingsworth Auditorium on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus. Committee meetings are scheduled as follows:\r\n\r\n8 a.m. – Education, Research and Service Committee\r\n10:15 a.m. – Finance and Administration Committee\r\n\r\nAll meeting times are approximate. If a meeting ends earlier or later than expected, the next meeting will begin following a short break.\r\n\r\nAgenda items include:\r\n• President’s address\r\n• Resolution honoring President Joe DiPietro and bestowing president emeritus status\r\n• Appointment of new trustees to standing committees\r\n• Ratification of the chair’s appointment of a special committee\r\n• Campus policies and procedures governing early application for tenure\r\n• Campus procedures for an enhanced tenure-track review\r\n• Campus procedures for periodic post-tenure review of all tenured faculty\r\n• Grant of tenure upon initial appointment to three UTHSC faculty members\r\n• FY 2019-20 operating budget request for non-formula units\r\n• New policy on expenditure of year-end carry forward unrestricted funds\r\n• Revised policy on approval of student fees\r\n• Revised investment policy and procedures\r\n• Second amendment of lease and transfer agreement with University Health System\r\n• Authorization for the president to approve an affiliation agreement with West Tennessee Medical Group\r\n\r\nThe full agenda and materials for each meeting are available by contacting Jennifer Sicking, assistant director of media relations for the UT System, at <a href=\"mailto:jsicking@tennessee.edu\">jsicking@tennessee.edu</a> or 865-974-5179.\r\n\r\nRequests to address the board may be submitted using <a href=\"http://trustees.tennessee.edu/requests-to-address-the-board/\">the online form or the pdf available here</a>. Requests will be accepted until 5 p.m. EDT, Oct. 29. In accordance with the Standing Rule Governing Requests to Address the Board (also at the above link), persons who have preregistered to speak will be scheduled to speak in a committee meeting or the full board meeting on a first-come, first-served basis. Speakers will be limited to five minutes each, and the total time available for speakers will be 30 minutes.\r\n\r\nAnyone with a disability who wishes to attend this meeting may contact Sicking to request auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate attendance. Contact may be made in person, by writing, by email, by telephone or otherwise and should be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Oct. 31.\r\n\r\nThe University of Tennessee System distributes this notice to all faculty and staff as part of its compliance with the adequate public notice requirement of state open meetings law.\r\n\r\n###','UT Board of Trustees to meet Nov. 2','The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees will meet Nov. 2 in Knoxville. The meeting of the full board will begin at about 1:15 p.m. EDT.','inherit','closed','closed','','266-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:39:42','2018-11-19 20:39:42','',266,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/266-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(393,3,'2018-11-19 20:45:52','2018-11-19 20:45:52','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre will present eight performances of “The Crucible” from Nov. 1-11. The ensemble will perform six evening performances at 8 p.m., Nov. 1-3 and 8-10 in UT Martin’s Vanguard Little Theatre. There will also be two matinee showings at 3 p.m., Nov. 4 and 11.\r\n\r\nThis production of “The Crucible” is an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play revolving around the Salem witch trials. It combines characteristics of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and George Orwell’s “1984” to present a 17th-century cautionary tale about civil liberties.\r\n\r\nAdmission is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets go on sale Oct. 29. You may purchase or reserve tickets through the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts main office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or purchase them at the Vanguard Box Office, which opens one hour before show time and only accepts cash. You must pick up reserved tickets at least 10 minutes before show time.\r\n\r\nThe Vanguard Theatre is UT Martin’s resident theatre production company. Cast members include both students and area residents.\r\n\r\nThe Vanguard Little Theatre is room 167 of the Fine Arts Building, which is located at 16 Mt. Pelia Road. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact the department at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Vanguard Theatre presents \'The Crucible\'','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre will present eight performances of “The Crucible” from Nov. 1-11. ','inherit','closed','closed','','284-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:45:52','2018-11-19 20:45:52','',284,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/284-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(387,3,'2018-11-19 20:40:01','2018-11-19 20:40:01','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre will present eight performances of “The Crucible” from Nov. 1-11. The ensemble will perform six evening performances at 8 p.m., Nov. 1-3 and 8-10 in UT Martin’s Vanguard Little Theatre. There will also be two matinee showings at 3 p.m., Nov. 4 and 11.\r\n\r\nThis production of “The Crucible” is an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play revolving around the Salem witch trials. It combines characteristics of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and George Orwell’s “1984” to present a 17th-century cautionary tale about civil liberties.\r\n\r\nAdmission is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets go on sale Oct. 29. You may purchase or reserve tickets through the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts main office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or purchase them at the Vanguard Box Office, which opens one hour before show time and only accepts cash. You must pick up reserved tickets at least 10 minutes before show time.\r\n\r\nThe Vanguard Theatre is UT Martin’s resident theatre production company. Cast members include both students and area residents.\r\n\r\nThe Vanguard Little Theatre is room 167 of the Fine Arts Building, which is located at 16 Mt. Pelia Road. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact the department at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nPHOTO ID: Members of the 2017-18 Vanguard Theatre ensemble are shown performing \"Six Degrees of Separation\" during their fall 2017 showcase.','Vanguard Theatre presents \'The Crucible\'','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre will present eight performances of “The Crucible” from Nov. 1-11. ','inherit','closed','closed','','284-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:40:01','2018-11-19 20:40:01','',284,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/284-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(390,3,'2018-11-19 20:44:52','2018-11-19 20:44:52','MARTIN, Tenn. – Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.\r\n\r\nAdcock has served as the administrative assistant for the Division of Student Affairs since 2009 and began her UT Martin tenure in the Office of Admissions in 2003. “She is always looking out for the best interests of our students and the Student Affairs staff,” wrote her coworkers in her nomination letter. “She is often asked to perform work that would probably be considered outside of her job description, but she never complains and always completes tasks in a thorough and professional manner.”\r\n\r\nShe also coordinates the Young Scholars Academy held each summer for underrepresented high school juniors and seniors in West Tennessee. The weeklong residential program gives students the opportunity to experience college campus and classroom settings before making post-secondary education choices.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_299\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-299 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Barnett-Steve-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Steve Barnett (left) is pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver.[/caption]\r\n\r\nBarnett is coordinator of the Office of Educational Outreach and has been part of the UT Martin staff since 2016. He is responsible for the budget, personnel, strategic planning, service delivery and staffing of the central Office of Educational Outreach, as well as providing support to the directors of the five UT Martin Educational Outreach Centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n“The Office of Educational Outreach has seen a positive turnaround and expansion in our operations throughout Steve’s tenure, and the transition to become a better university continues with his work,” wrote his nominator. “He is passionate about the importance of higher education and wants to see the university grow and flourish.”\r\n\r\nA few of Barnett’s notable projects include coordinating the relocation of the UT Martin Jackson Center to the Jackson State Community College campus; managing the procurement, delivery and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment prior to the opening of the new UT Martin Somerville Center; coordinating exterior signage and façade upgrades for the Ripley and Selmer locations; and organizing the installation of security cameras and monitoring systems at four of the five locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards are given to one exempt and one non-exempt employee each semester. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n###','Adcock, Barnett honored with Outstanding Employee Awards','Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.','inherit','closed','closed','','297-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:44:52','2018-11-19 20:44:52','',297,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/297-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(392,3,'2018-11-19 20:45:00','2018-11-19 20:45:00','MARTIN, Tenn. – Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.\r\n\r\nAdcock has served as the administrative assistant for the Division of Student Affairs since 2009 and began her UT Martin tenure in the Office of Admissions in 2003. “She is always looking out for the best interests of our students and the Student Affairs staff,” wrote her coworkers in her nomination letter. “She is often asked to perform work that would probably be considered outside of her job description, but she never complains and always completes tasks in a thorough and professional manner.”\r\n\r\nShe also coordinates the Young Scholars Academy held each summer for underrepresented high school juniors and seniors in West Tennessee. The weeklong residential program gives students the opportunity to experience college campus and classroom settings before making post-secondary education choices.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_299\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-299 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Barnett-Steve-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Steve Barnett (left) is pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver.[/caption]\r\n\r\nBarnett is coordinator of the Office of Educational Outreach and has been part of the UT Martin staff since 2016. He is responsible for the budget, personnel, strategic planning, service delivery and staffing of the central Office of Educational Outreach, as well as providing support to the directors of the five UT Martin Educational Outreach Centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n“The Office of Educational Outreach has seen a positive turnaround and expansion in our operations throughout Steve’s tenure, and the transition to become a better university continues with his work,” wrote his nominator. “He is passionate about the importance of higher education and wants to see the university grow and flourish.”\r\n\r\nA few of Barnett’s notable projects include coordinating the relocation of the UT Martin Jackson Center to the Jackson State Community College campus; managing the procurement, delivery and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment prior to the opening of the new UT Martin Somerville Center; coordinating exterior signage and façade upgrades for the Ripley and Selmer locations; and organizing the installation of security cameras and monitoring systems at four of the five locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards are given to one exempt and one non-exempt employee each semester. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n###','Adcock, Barnett honored with Outstanding Employee Awards','Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.','inherit','closed','closed','','297-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:45:00','2018-11-19 20:45:00','',297,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/297-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(391,3,'2018-11-19 20:43:28','2018-11-19 20:43:28','MARTIN, Tenn. – Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-298 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Adcock-Debi-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Debi Adcock (left) is pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAdcock has served as the administrative assistant for the Division of Student Affairs since 2009 and began her UT Martin tenure in the Office of Admissions in 2003. “She is always looking out for the best interests of our students and the Student Affairs staff,” wrote her coworkers in her nomination letter. “She is often asked to perform work that would probably be considered outside of her job description, but she never complains and always completes tasks in a thorough and professional manner.”\r\n\r\nShe also coordinates the Young Scholars Academy held each summer for underrepresented high school juniors and seniors in West Tennessee. The weeklong residential program gives students the opportunity to experience college campus and classroom settings before making post-secondary education choices.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_299\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-299 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Barnett-Steve-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Steve Barnett (left) is pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver.[/caption]\r\n\r\nBarnett is coordinator of the Office of Educational Outreach and has been part of the UT Martin staff since 2016. He is responsible for the budget, personnel, strategic planning, service delivery and staffing of the central Office of Educational Outreach, as well as providing support to the directors of the five UT Martin Educational Outreach Centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n“The Office of Educational Outreach has seen a positive turnaround and expansion in our operations throughout Steve’s tenure, and the transition to become a better university continues with his work,” wrote his nominator. “He is passionate about the importance of higher education and wants to see the university grow and flourish.”\r\n\r\nA few of Barnett’s notable projects include coordinating the relocation of the UT Martin Jackson Center to the Jackson State Community College campus; managing the procurement, delivery and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment prior to the opening of the new UT Martin Somerville Center; coordinating exterior signage and façade upgrades for the Ripley and Selmer locations; and organizing the installation of security cameras and monitoring systems at four of the five locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards are given to one exempt and one non-exempt employee each semester. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n###','Adcock, Barnett honored with Outstanding Employee Awards','Debi Adcock, of Union City, and Steve Barnett, of Martin, received Fall 2018 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception Oct. 23.','inherit','closed','closed','','297-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:43:28','2018-11-19 20:43:28','',297,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/297-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(394,3,'2018-11-19 20:46:15','2018-11-19 20:46:15','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin is offering new programs through the Somerville Center this semester to benefit both current and prospective college students in the area.\r\n\r\nFaculty from the center are offering “mock college” courses to K-12 students from several area schools to help them see what a college course is like and how their study and attention habits may need to change before graduation. This is the program’s second year of operation.\r\n\r\n“This is a wonderful opportunity for school-age students to see what a university classroom is like,” said Kara Tapp, Somerville Center director. “During these mock college experiences, student engagement is a key component. They are able to compare a college classroom to a high school lecture. This enables them to have a better understanding of what their future college classrooms will be like.”\r\n\r\nFifty-seven students from Fayette Academy participated Oct. 11 and heard short lectures from Dr. Kyle Dempsey, assistant professor of psychology; Richard Rucker, adjunct professor of biology; and Dr. George Daniel, co-coordinator of the UT Martin First-Year Initiative Program.\r\n\r\nMore than 100 students from East Junior High School visited the center Oct. 22, and more than 120 eighth-graders from West Junior High School participated Oct. 25. Other participating faculty members included Matt Meador, history; and Paul Green and Dr. Cindy Boyles, both criminal justice.\r\n\r\nSeniors from Fayette-Ware High School will participate Nov. 7, and 130 students are expected to attend.\r\n\r\nThe university has also extended the Office of Career Planning and Development to offer career counseling services at UT Martin’s five educational outreach centers. Katie Mantooth, assistant director of the office, assists students at the Somerville Center with choosing appropriate majors and exploring careers best suited to their interests.\r\n\r\nStudents now have access to Handshake, an online tool allowing students to engage with community leaders in their chosen career fields, and TypeFocus, a personality type and career assessment tool to help students narrow their field of interest. These personalized services are available to center students throughout the semester via email, and Mantooth visits the center in person twice per month.\r\n\r\n“Having Katie Mantooth available to our students has been a wonderful new addition to services at our center,” said Tapp. “We often see students change their majors, come in undeclared or have no idea what career would work best for them. This opportunity allows students to explore different career avenues and choose majors that suit their interests and abilities.”\r\n\r\nFor more information about the UT Martin Somerville Center and its services or degree programs, contact Tapp at 901-465-7313 or <a href=\"mailto:ktapp@utm.edu\">ktapp@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin Somerville Center offers \'mock college,\' CPAD services','The University of Tennessee at Martin is offering new programs through the Somerville Center this semester to benefit both current and prospective college students in the area.','inherit','closed','closed','','279-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:46:15','2018-11-19 20:46:15','',279,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/279-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(395,3,'2018-11-19 20:46:53','2018-11-19 20:46:53','MARTIN, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Martin will dedicate room 203 of the Business Administration Building to the late Dr. Ted Mosch, UT Martin professor emeritus of political science, during a dedication at 4 p.m., Nov. 8, with a reception to follow. The public is invited to attend.\r\n\r\nMosch, who died July 3, 2018, held careers in both the military and higher education. He began his tenure at UT Martin in 1970 before taking an educational leave of absence to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C., from 1981-82. He held a staff position at the United States Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, before returning to UT Martin in 1988. He then served as a political science professor and pre-law adviser until his retirement in 2002.\r\n\r\nMosch received multiple awards in his lifetime, including the UT National Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award and Distinguished Professorship; the UT Martin Excellence in Advising Award, Outstanding Advisor Award and Student Government Association Outstanding Teaching Award; and the UT College of Law Honor for 31 years of pre-law advising. He also received many military honors and earned the rank of colonel.\r\n\r\nHis retirement brought many former students back to campus to congratulate and thank him for his contributions to UT Martin and their lives. The Ted Mosch Scholarship Fund was established in his honor, which he later endowed to help with the cost of tuition for international students. After his death, UT Martin alumnus Dale Allen, a Nashville attorney, established the Ted Mosch Political Science Scholarship Endowment.\r\n\r\nFor more information about the scholarships or the dedication, contact Jeanna Swafford, assistant vice chancellor for UT Martin Development and Planned Giving, at 731-881-7629.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','University to dedicate room in memory of Dr. Ted Mosch','The University of Tennessee at Martin will dedicate room 203 of the Business Administration Building to the late Dr. Ted Mosch during a dedication at 4 p.m., Nov. 8, with a reception to follow. ','inherit','closed','closed','','269-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:46:53','2018-11-19 20:46:53','',269,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/269-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(396,3,'2018-11-19 20:48:01','2018-11-19 20:48:01','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin has launched a new Center for Sustainability initiative to promote campus-wide sustainability practices and serve as a campus forum for those with new ideas to improve sustainability-related programs and activities.\r\n\r\nThe center, managed by an oversight committee, focuses on finding new ways to help UT Martin and the surrounding community become economically, ecologically and socially self-sustaining.\r\n\r\n“Sustainability involves lots of ideas. It can be anything from a project involving the recycling center to food composting to using landscaping with native drought-resistant vegetation to conserve water,” said Dr. Eric Pelren, professor of wildlife biology and center coordinator. “Any change that results in long-term cost savings increases our economic sustainability, and any that increases equity, inclusivity and social justice increases our social sustainability.”\r\n\r\nThe center was created in August and is funded by a student-initiated campus green fee of $5 per semester per student. One primary function of the center is to award an annual grant to a student organization with a sustainability-related project. Grant funds come from the student green fee and could award up to $5,000 to a winning project.\r\n\r\nGrant applications must be submitted by March 1 and should focus on a project proposal for the 2019-20 academic year. Any organization run by or including students is eligible to apply. Winners will be selected by the center’s oversight committee. Additional information on the grant program is available at <a href=\"http://www.utm.edu/sustainability\">utm.edu/sustainability</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the Center for Sustainability or how to participate in campus sustainability efforts, contact Pelren at <a href=\"mailto:epelren@utm.edu\">epelren@utm.edu</a> or visit <a href=\"http://www.utm.edu/sustainability\">utm.edu/sustainability</a>.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin launches new Center for Sustainability','The University of Tennessee at Martin has launched a new Center for Sustainability initiative to promote campus-wide sustainability practices.','inherit','closed','closed','','282-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:48:01','2018-11-19 20:48:01','',282,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/282-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(397,3,'2018-11-19 20:48:45','2018-11-19 20:48:45','MARTIN, Tenn. – UT MARTIN FACULTY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED – The University of Tennessee at Martin hosted a reception Oct. 23 to recognize those faculty members who have been granted promotions or tenure during the past academic year. Pictured are (front row, l-r) Dr. Genessa Smith and Dr. Jason Alexander, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Danny Walker, Dr. Jason Roberts and Dr. Emalee Buttrey, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Dr. Keith Dooley, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Dr. Rachna Tewari, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; (middle row) Dr. Robbie Montgomery, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Will Kang, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; Dr. Nell Gullett, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dr. Kimberly Williams, Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Deborah Gibson, Department of Health and Human Performance; Dr. Jamye Long, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; (back row) Dr. Angela MacKewn, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Julie Floyd, Department of Nursing; Dr. Richard Robinson, Department of Communications; Sarah Haig, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Dr. Chara Vanhorn, Department of Communications; Dr. Brian Wagner, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; and Ashley Owens, Department of Engineering.\r\n###','Faculty members recognized for promotions, tenure','The University of Tennessee at Martin hosted a reception Oct. 23 to recognize those faculty members who have been granted promotions or tenure during the past academic year.','inherit','closed','closed','','289-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:48:45','2018-11-19 20:48:45','',289,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/289-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(398,3,'2018-11-19 20:49:02','2018-11-19 20:49:02','<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-295 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FiveYearService-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" />\r\n\r\nMARTIN, Tenn. – UT MARTIN HONORS FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE – University of Tennessee at Martin employees with five years of service were honored Oct. 23 during a breakfast reception. Pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver (front row, far right) are (front row, l-r) Lori Beth Wilson Jones, Office of Educational Outreach; Sara Rachels, Paul Meek Library; Pamela Luker, Department of Behavioral Sciences; (second row) Stefanie Gray, Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Angie Gertsch, Office of Curriculum and Assessment; LaToya White, Office of Housing; Mary Wiggins, Office of Undergraduate Admissions; (third row) Lacey Ellis, Honors Program and Governor’s School for the Humanities; Leanna Stephenson, Bursar’s Office; Chris Virgin, Campus Grounds; Nathan Morgan, Office of University Relations; (back row) Dan Comer, Department of Engineering; and Russell Holloman, Office of Housing.\r\n###','University recognizes five years of service','University of Tennessee at Martin employees with five years of service were honored Oct. 23 during a breakfast reception. ','inherit','closed','closed','','294-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:49:02','2018-11-19 20:49:02','',294,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/294-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(400,3,'2018-11-19 20:50:14','2018-11-19 20:50:14','MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin students account for 14 of the 26 artists chosen to participate in the Bellwethers exhibition at the West Tennessee Regional Art Center in Humboldt this year. The exhibit opened Oct. 29 and will run through Nov. 21 with a public reception from 5-7 p.m., Nov. 6, at the center.\r\n\r\nUT Martin students chosen to display work this year are McKayla Cunningham, a senior from Martin; Violet Durden, a junior from Bartlett; Ethan Ellison, a senior from Rives; Kelsey Faith, a senior from Dover; Anna Lax Gatti, a junior from Medina; Chelsey Gordon, a senior from Lyles; Brianna Hinton, a junior from Hornbeak; James Lamb, a senior from Mayfield, Kentucky; Alex McNeal, a senior from New Johnsonville; Jessica Parnell, a senior from Troy; Bailey Radnitzer, a sophomore from Des Plaines, Illinois; Brittney Rose, a junior from Martin; Hunter Wanser, a junior from Brighton; and Chelsea Willis, a senior from Greenfield.\r\n\r\nDiane Shaw Miles, formerly a professor of art at UT Martin, is serving as exhibition juror. Miles is known for her oil paintings featured in exhibitions at Ladies First International, Cape Girardeau Missouri Arts, Clarksville Custom House Museum, Pop Revolution International and Indiana Mid-States, among others. Her works have been featured in art publications and have received multiple awards. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in painting and contemporary art history from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Arts from Union University in Jackson.\r\n\r\nThe exhibition is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled in a visual arts program at a two or four-year institution in one of nine southeastern states. Students who have graduated within the past six months are also eligible to submit work. Participants in the 2018 show were selected from colleges in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.\r\n\r\nWork submitted for consideration must be the sole work of the artist and have been completed within the past two years while the competitor was an undergraduate student. Media may include painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, ceramics, photography, printmaking, digital art, fiber art, mixed media and jewelry.\r\n\r\nThe West Tennessee Regional Art Center is located at 1200 Main St. in Humboldt. For more information, contact the UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts at 731-881-7400.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT Martin students featured in regional exhibition','University of Tennessee at Martin students account for 14 of the 26 artists chosen to participate in the Bellwethers exhibition at the West Tennessee Regional Art Center in Humboldt this year.','inherit','closed','closed','','309-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:50:14','2018-11-19 20:50:14','',309,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/309-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(401,3,'2018-11-19 20:50:39','2018-11-19 20:50:39','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Dance Ensemble will host its fall showcase “Bach to Basics” at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. The dance studio is located in room 3033. A suggested program donation of $3 will be requested at the door.\r\n\r\nThe dance ensemble has performed this showcase for students from five middle and high schools in Middle Tennessee this semester. Sarah McCormick, associate professor of dance, and five of her ensemble students have presented master classes and performances at both Mt. Pleasant middle and high schools, Creswell Middle Prep School for the Arts in Nashville, and both Overton High School and Hickory Ridge Middle School in Memphis.\r\n\r\nUT Martin student dancers Michaela Bland, of Spring Hill; Keinesia Mason, of Memphis; Alyssa Salazar, of Adams; Jeorgia Lamb, of Nashville; and Alaina Harvey, of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, will be featured in the showcase. Kimberly Schwartz, a spring 2018 graduate, will also join the ensemble as a guest performer.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Dance Ensemble fall tour, contact McCormick at 731-881-7335 or <a href=\"mailto:smccormick@utm.edu\">smccormick@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT Martin dance ensemble to present fall showcase Nov. 15','The University of Tennessee at Martin Dance Ensemble will host its fall showcase “Bach to Basics” at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. ','inherit','closed','closed','','312-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:50:39','2018-11-19 20:50:39','',312,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/312-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(402,3,'2018-11-19 20:50:43','2018-11-19 20:50:43','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Dance Ensemble will host its fall showcase “Bach to Basics” at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. The dance studio is located in room 3033. A suggested program donation of $3 will be requested at the door.\r\n\r\nThe dance ensemble has performed this showcase for students from five middle and high schools in Middle Tennessee this semester. Sarah McCormick, associate professor of dance, and five of her ensemble students have presented master classes and performances at both Mt. Pleasant middle and high schools, Creswell Middle Prep School for the Arts in Nashville, and both Overton High School and Hickory Ridge Middle School in Memphis.\r\n\r\nUT Martin student dancers Michaela Bland, of Spring Hill; Keinesia Mason, of Memphis; Alyssa Salazar, of Adams; Jeorgia Lamb, of Nashville; and Alaina Harvey, of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, will be featured in the showcase. Kimberly Schwartz, a spring 2018 graduate, will also join the ensemble as a guest performer.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Dance Ensemble fall tour, contact McCormick at 731-881-7335 or <a href=\"mailto:smccormick@utm.edu\">smccormick@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT Martin dance ensemble to present fall showcase Nov. 15','The University of Tennessee at Martin Dance Ensemble will host its fall showcase “Bach to Basics” at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. ','inherit','closed','closed','','312-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:50:43','2018-11-19 20:50:43','',312,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/312-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(403,3,'2018-11-19 20:51:22','2018-11-19 20:51:22','MARTIN, Tenn. – The third-annual Special Needs Prom, hosted by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Association, will begin at 2 p.m., Nov. 17, in the UT Martin Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. Special needs students and their families from the Weakley County and surrounding areas are invited to attend.\r\n\r\nThis unique event has been held each November since 2016 and allows students with sensory, mobility or other special needs to enjoy a high school prom in an accommodating environment. Styles on Broadway in Martin will again provide free hair and makeup services for attendees from noon-2 p.m. prior to the event.\r\n\r\nA benefit concert featuring singer/songwriter Jourdan Rystrom was held Oct. 27 to raise money in support of the event.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Julie Durham, Non-Traditional Student Association president, at 615-997-5930 or <a href=\"mailto:juladurh@ut.utm.edu\">juladurh@ut.utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Third-annual Special Needs Prom scheduled for Nov. 17','The third-annual Special Needs Prom, hosted by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Association, will begin at 2 p.m., Nov. 17, in the UT Martin Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. ','inherit','closed','closed','','314-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:51:22','2018-11-19 20:51:22','',314,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/314-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(404,3,'2018-11-19 20:51:53','2018-11-19 20:51:53','MARTIN, Tenn. — The annual Miss University of Tennessee at Martin / Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Scholarship Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 11, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom.\r\n\r\nThe Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is celebrating its 56th year, and this is the 20th year for the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival title.\r\n\r\nBoth titles will be chosen in the same night. Students enrolled full-time at UT Martin through the spring 2019 semester are eligible for either crown. Women participating as a resident or full-time student in West Tennessee are eligible for the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival title.\r\n\r\nThe pageant is divided into five phases of competition, including private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. Each contestant is scored individually from one to 10 in each category. Interviews will take place on the morning of the pageant and mandatory practice will occur in the afternoon.\r\n\r\nThe contestant crowned Miss UT Martin will receive $1,500 in scholarship money, and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival will receive $1,500 if she is a UT Martin student or $500 if not. The first runner-up for Miss UT Martin will receive $500 and the second runner-up will receive $200. There is no runner-up for the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival title.\r\n\r\nBoth titleholders will compete in the statewide Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant in Jackson next summer, and the winner of that crown will then compete for the title of Miss America in Atlantic City, N.J.\r\n\r\nTickets are available now at the Boling University Center Welcome Desk outside Watkins Auditorium. A limited number of tickets can also be purchased at the door beginning at 5 p.m. the night of the competition. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.\r\n\r\nThe admission charge is $15 for the general public and $10 for UT Martin students with their university ID. Only one ticket can be purchased with each student ID.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Katrina Cobb, pageant director, at <a href=\"mailto:kcobb@wljt.org\">kcobb@wljt.org</a> or 731-881-7561.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Miss UT Martin/Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Scholarship Pageant to be held Nov. 11','The annual Miss University of Tennessee at Martin / Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Scholarship Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 11, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom.','inherit','closed','closed','','316-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-19 20:51:53','2018-11-19 20:51:53','',316,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/316-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(406,3,'2018-11-19 21:18:26','2018-11-19 21:18:26','MARTIN, Tenn. – Dr. Andy Lewter, current dean of students at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, will become the new vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Lewter’s appointment follows a national search and recommendation by a search committee to UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver. Lewter succeeds Dr. Margaret Toston who retired June 30.\r\n\r\n“Dr. Lewter has the experience and vision needed to lead our Division of Student Affairs,” said Carver. “He emerged as the top person from an excellent candidate pool, and his professional background and familiarity with the university position him for success in this important role. I’m grateful to the search committee for their hard work identifying student-centered candidates capable of moving this division to the next level.”\r\n\r\nLewter is a native of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from UT Martin in 1994. He also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and a doctor of education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He previously served in several student affairs positions from 1996-2013 at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.\r\n\r\n“Returning to campus in this role has been a dream of mine since graduation (from UT Martin),” Lewter said. “I am excited about this opportunity to serve the students of UT Martin and look forward to working with the student affairs staff to ensure student safety, promote student success and provide students with an amazing college experience.”\r\n\r\nLewter has significant experience in key student-affairs areas, including programming, student counseling and health, Greek life, campus recreation, career services and assessment. As a UT Martin student, he was active in both Greek life and student-leadership positions. He will lead the UT Martin Division of Student Affairs, which serves students at the main campus and five educational outreach centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n\r\nLewter will be joined in Martin by his wife, Megan, who is also a 1994 UT Martin graduate, and their two sons: Andrew, 18, and Mitchell, 7.\r\n\r\nThe search committee was chaired by Dr. Todd Winters, dean, UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Other search committee members were: John Abel, interim vice chancellor, UT Martin Division of Student Affairs; Debi Adcock, administrative specialist, UT Martin Division of Student Affairs; Kameron Echols, success counselor, UT Martin Student Success Center; Marvin Flatt, community representative, fraternity adviser and Weakley County director of career education; Jenifer Hart, clinical coordinator, UT Martin Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Devin Majors, UT Martin Student Government Association president; Ryan Martin, assistant director, UT Martin Office of Housing; Kurt McGuffin, director, UT Martin Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Renard Miles, interim director, UT Martin Office of Career Planning and Development; Jemima Potter, international student and UT Martin student athlete; and Jason Stout, associate professor of art, UT Martin Division of Visual and Theatre Arts.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Andy Lewter chosen as new UT Martin vice chancellor for student affairs','Dr. Andy Lewter will become the new vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, effective Jan. 1, 2019.','inherit','closed','closed','','320-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:18:26','2018-11-19 21:18:26','',320,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/320-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(407,3,'2018-11-19 21:18:53','2018-11-19 21:18:53','MARTIN, Tenn. – Bells across the nation will toll 11 strikes at 11 a.m. local time, Sunday, Nov. 11, in commemoration of the end of World War I and the signing of an armistice between Allied forces and Germany on Nov. 11, 1918. This year is the 100th-anniversary celebration of the end of the war.\r\n\r\nThe Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been designated the “honorary bell of peace,” and a special memorial will be held in Independence Hall to mark the occasion.\r\n\r\nDr. Alice-Catherine Carls, Tom Elam Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a member of the Great War Commission, which works to memorialize the contributions of Tennesseans during the war. She helped coordinate the Bells of Peace event in Northwest Tennessee and was instrumental in securing a grant to restore the World War I Memorial Foundation in Jackson. The restored fountain will be dedicated at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.\r\n\r\nAnyone wishing to participate in <a href=\"https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/commemorate/event-map-system/bells-of-peace-a-world-war-i-remembrance.html\">the Bells of Peace project</a> can download the Bells of Peace smartphone app through <a href=\"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ww1cc.bells&amp;hl=en\">Google Play</a> and <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bells-of-peace-wwi-armistice/id1436351331?mt=8\">the Apple App Store</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Carls at <a href=\"mailto:accarls@utm.edu\">accarls@utm.edu</a> or 731-881-7472.\r\n\r\n###','Bells of Peace to toll Nov. 11','Bells across the nation will toll 11 strikes at 11 a.m. local time, Sunday, Nov. 11, in commemoration of the end of World War I and the signing of an armistice between Allied forces and Germany on Nov. 11, 1918.','inherit','closed','closed','','323-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:18:53','2018-11-19 21:18:53','',323,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(408,3,'2018-11-19 21:19:49','2018-11-19 21:19:49','MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin will honor active military personnel and veterans during a Veterans Day Exposition on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Boling University Center, as well as during the final UT Martin home football game of the season Saturday, Nov. 10, at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. The Skyhawk football game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles will kick off at 2 p.m. and include recognition and free admission for all active military service members and veterans with identification.\r\n\r\nThe Veterans Day Exposition will be held from noon-1 p.m. Friday in the Boling University Center’s Watkins Auditorium. The exposition is open to the public and sponsored by the university’s Skyhawk Veteran’s Association. In addition to honoring military veterans, Nov. 10 marks the 243nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps, and a birthday cake-cutting ceremony honoring the U.S. Marines will follow the exposition program in the Welcome Center located near the Watkins Auditorium lobby.\r\n\r\nThe exposition will open Friday with the presentation of colors by the Army ROTC Skyhawk Battalion and the playing of the national anthem. Johnny Dyer, veteran services coordinator and a military veteran, will introduce guests and the playing of U.S. military songs. Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, Tom Elam Distinguished Professor of History, will follow with a presentation about World War I. Carls is a member of the Tennessee Great War Commission and was instrumental in securing a grant to restore the World War I Memorial Fountain in Jackson. The restored fountain will be dedicated at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.\r\n\r\nCarls will be followed by remarks from Tennessee State Rep. Bill Sanderson (R-Kenton) and Chris Gunlefinger, UT Martin assistant director for student life and a Marine Corps veteran. Sanderson will then play taps to close the event. The Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony will follow.\r\n\r\nThe university will also honor active military personnel and veterans Saturday, Nov. 10, at Graham Stadium as part of gameday activities for the final home football game. All active military service members and veterans will be admitted free to the game when they present identification at the stadium ticket booth. In addition, the Army ROTC Skyhawk Battalion will present the colors, reigning Miss Tennessee Christine Williamson will sing the national anthem, and Rolling Thunder will present the game ball prior to kickoff. Before these activities, a pre-game tailgate concert featuring Nashville recording artist Eric Chesser will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the stadium tailgating area.\r\n\r\nInformation about the Veterans Day Exposition is available by calling 731-881-1689, and ticket information for Saturday’s UT Martin-Tennessee Tech football game is available by calling the Skyhawk Ticket Office at 731-881-7207.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT Martin to honor active military personnel and veterans Nov. 9-10','The University of Tennessee at Martin will honor active military personnel and veterans during a Veterans Day Exposition on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Boling University Center.','inherit','closed','closed','','325-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:19:49','2018-11-19 21:19:49','',325,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/325-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(410,3,'2018-11-19 21:21:28','2018-11-19 21:21:28','MARTIN, Tenn. – A dedication of the restored Word War I memorial fountain in downtown Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.\r\n\r\nThe dedication will take place after Veterans Day, which this year marks the centennial of the 1918 signing of the armistice to end the war between Germany and the Allied nations. The dedication will include the presentation and retiring of the colors by the Northside High School Junior ROTC, as well as an official certificate presentation by Susan Mennenga, co-program manager of 100 Cities/100 Memorials and a representative of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Jimmy Harris, mayor of Madison County; Vicki Foote, vice mayor of the city of Jackson; Harrell Carter, president of the Jackson-Madison County NAACP branch; and Ed Jackson, Tennessee state senator, will also be in attendance.\r\n\r\nThe historical site was granted funds for restoration by the Pritzker Military Museum and Library and United States World War I Centennial Commission in 2017 and has been designated as one of the 100 Centennial Memorial Monuments in the United States. The restoration’s goals are to remember “America’s forgotten war” and to give acknowledgement to Madison County servicemen and women regardless of gender, race or religion. Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, professor of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin, serves as the project’s director of restoration.\r\n\r\n“The purpose of this restoration is to remember all parts of that story and to honor every one of whom we are aware and who deserve to be named or mentioned,” said Carls.\r\n\r\nThe grant has been used to restore the drinking fountain to its original appearance by repainting the structure and restoring the missing urn to the top. The restoration also includes the installation of three new plaques: one recognizing African-American citizens of Madison County who were not honored in the past, one listing the previously omitted names of the dead not mentioned on the original plaque, including African-American soldiers, and the official plaque designating the fountain as a Centennial Memorial Monument.\r\n\r\nMembers of the Jackson-McClaran chapter of the American Red Cross donated the fountain to Madison County shortly after the end of WWI.\r\n\r\nThe Madison County Courthouse is located at 100 Main St. in Jackson. For more information on the dedication, contact Carls at accarls@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###','War memorial dedication to be held Nov. 17 in Jackson','A dedication of the restored Word War I memorial fountain in downtown Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 17, on the northeast lawn of the Madison County Courthouse.','inherit','closed','closed','','352-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:21:28','2018-11-19 21:21:28','',352,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/352-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(411,3,'2018-11-19 21:22:10','2018-11-19 21:22:10','MARTIN, Tenn. – WUTM 90.3 FM “The Hawk,” the student-run campus radio station at the University of Tennessee at Martin, won first-place in two categories and third-place in one category during the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held Oct. 25-27 in Seattle, Washington.\r\n\r\nStation staff members won first-place for both best news reporting audio and best sportscast audio. Shane Wofford, a senior from Trenton, submitted his news report “Homicide Suspect at Large” for the news reporting category; and Natalie King, Jordan Taylor and John Thornton collectively submitted their program “The Bench” for the sportscast category. King is a 2017 UT Martin graduate from Paducah, Kentucky, Taylor is a sophomore from Medon, and Thornton is a junior from Atoka.\r\n\r\nKing, Taylor and Thornton also worked with Ashley Shores, a 2018 graduate from Lebanon, to submit their “UTM versus Ole Miss” football broadcast, which won third place in the best sports play-by-play category.\r\n\r\nCompetition entries are submitted each spring and judged in the fall of the following year. Students can submit work in up to six categories, and UT Martin students placed in half the available competitions.\r\n\r\nWUTM has won more than 240 awards from state, regional, national and international competitions since 2005. The station currently holds the title of “Best College Radio Station in the South” through the Southeast Journalism Conference and is an eight-time platinum-rated station by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Dr. Richard Robinson, professor of communications and WUTM faculty adviser, at 731-881-7555 or <a href=\"mailto:rrobins@utm.edu\">rrobins@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','WUTM honored by Collegiate Broadcasters Inc.','WUTM 90.3 FM “The Hawk\" won first-place in two categories and third-place in one category during the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held Oct. 25-27 in Seattle, Washington.','inherit','closed','closed','','342-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:22:10','2018-11-19 21:22:10','',342,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/342-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(412,3,'2018-11-19 21:22:45','2018-11-19 21:22:45','MARTIN, Tenn. – TED MOSCH CLASSROOM DEDICATED – The University of Tennessee at Martin dedicated room 203 of the Business Administration Building to the late Dr. Ted Mosch, professor emeritus of political science, during a reception Nov. 8. Many of Mosch’s former colleagues and students as well as donors to the Ted Mosch Scholarship Fund were in attendance. Mosch began working at UT Martin in 1970 and served the university until 1981 when he was granted educational leave to attend the National War College in Washington D.C. He then served at the United States Army Intelligence Center and School from 1983-88 before returning to UT Martin, where he stayed until his retirement in 2002. Pictured during the naming reception are (l-r) Dr. Chris Baxter, chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dale Allen (UT Martin ’81), a Nashville attorney, former Mosch student and major scholarship donor; Dr. Ross Dickens, dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs; and Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor. For more information about the scholarships or the dedication, contact Jeanna Swafford, assistant vice chancellor for UT Martin Development and Planned Giving, at 731-881-7629.\r\n###','UT Martin dedicates room in honor of Dr. Ted Mosch','The University of Tennessee at Martin dedicated room 203 of the Business Administration Building to the late Dr. Ted Mosch during a reception Nov. 8.','inherit','closed','closed','','339-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:22:45','2018-11-19 21:22:45','',339,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/339-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(414,3,'2018-11-19 21:24:30','2018-11-19 21:24:30','MARTIN, Tenn. — University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. Dr. Joe DiPietro has served as the UT System’s 25th president since January 2011 and will retire from the position effective Feb. 14, 2019. His last active day in office will be Nov. 21.\r\n\r\nDuring the reception, Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Phil Cavalier, university provost, presented DiPietro with the title of distinguished professor of animal science in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources. This is the first such title to be presented by UT Martin and acknowledges DiPietro’s career as a veterinarian before he accepted the position as UT System president.\r\n\r\nDr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, then announced the dedication of a campus light pole in honor of the DiPietros and their service to the university. The dedicated light pole will be located near Brehm Hall, which houses the animal science program, and affixed with a plaque that reads, “Lighting the path for future generations. Presented in honor of their leadership, friendship and volunteer spirit in advancing UT Martin and the success of its students. Joe and Deb DiPietro, Nov. 14, 2018.”\r\n\r\n“Our greatest asset is our people, and our most beautiful asset is the quad. And so as our people – all 8,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni – are walking that quad, they will walk past your plaque,” said Carver. “You will always have a home here, and you will always be remembered fondly. God bless you, and we love you.”\r\n\r\n“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this place; it happened right away,” said DiPietro. “I want to thank you because you’ve always been in my corner. I’ve never had stronger support across the (UT) System than from here from the very beginning. If you think about my election to this office, which was about as narrow as you could get, the (UT) Martin trustees were right behind me. …\r\n\r\n“I feel blessed by the fact that I came through with an 11-10 vote, and somehow, by the grace of God, I got the job. It’s been a privilege to serve you, and it’s been a real privilege to have you work so hard that we’ve broken four or five or six system-wide records. If you look at enrollment, if you look at fundraising, if you look at retention rate, don’t think you didn’t pitch in to make that all happen,” he continued.\r\n<blockquote>“Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for who you are and what you’re about and for what you did to advance the University of Tennessee on my watch. It’s been a privilege to work with you and a great opportunity, a capstone career position that I’ve had the privilege to fill.”</blockquote>\r\nThe UT Board of Trustees has appointed Randy Boyd, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus and businessman, to serve as the UT System’s interim president beginning Nov. 22. Boyd will serve up to 24 months or until a new president is appointed following an external search.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT President Joe DiPietro honored at farewell reception','University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb, made a final official visit Nov. 14 to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they attended a campus reception in their honor. ','inherit','closed','closed','','360-revision-v1','','','2018-11-19 21:24:30','2018-11-19 21:24:30','',360,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/19/360-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(415,3,'2018-11-20 20:38:06','2018-11-21 02:38:06','UT MARTIN HONORS EXTENDED SERVICE – The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon. Employees with more than 10 years of service are photographed every five years. Pictured above with 10 years of service are (seated, l-r) Lindee McCurley, Boling University Center; Debbie Abel, Healthy Beginnings Programs; Dr. Annie Jones, Office of Career Planning and Development; Dr. Robbie Montgomery, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Merry Brown, Department of History and Philosophy; Tracie Moss, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; (back row) Dr. Scott Parrott, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Steven Robinson, Office of Information Technology Services; Daniel Gatewood, Office of Housing; Mark Hewitt, Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Roberto Mancusi, Department of Music; Brenda Harris, Custodial Services; Brenda Mason, Department of Biological Sciences; and Carrie Arant, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources. Not pictured are Sandra Carrington, Office of Housing; Dr. Lan DePriest, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, McNairy County Center/Selmer; April Elam-Dierks, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, McNairy County Center/Selmer; Don Elder, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Dr. Ricky Garlitz, Department of History and Philosophy; Dr. Mary Geddie, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Jenny Harrison, Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Jennifer Hays, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Sandy Holland, Office of Academic Records; Jeremy Lamb, Custodial Services; Sarah McCormick, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Dr. Kevin Pitz, Department of Biological Sciences; Allen Shull, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, Parsons Center; and Jason Stout, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_417\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-417 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 15 years of service are (seated, l-r) Valerie Dean, Office of Housing; Jennifer Schlicht, Office of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking; Melanie Young, Office of Career Planning and Development; (back row) Amy Mistric, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Dr. Philip Smartt, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; and Lana Ferrell, Department of Chemistry and Physics. Not pictured are Teresa Bodkin, Office of Undergraduate Admissions; Elizabeth Browning, Office of Housing; Dr. Angie MacKewn, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Daniel Nappo, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Dr. Michael Park, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; and Dr. Joyce Swan, Department of Educational Studies, McNairy County Center/Selmer.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_418\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-418 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 20 years of service are (seated, l-r) Gina McClure, Division of Student Affairs; Dr. Julie Floyd, Department of Nursing; Sandy King, McNairy County Center/Selmer; (standing) John Abel, Division of Student Affairs; Tim Hacker, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Hurshell Knox, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dr. Esther Sellers, Department of Nursing; and Dr. Rich Helgeson, Department of Engineering. Not pictured are Kelly Bruner and Dale Burton, both with HVAC.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_419\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-419 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/25years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 25 years of service are (l-r) Dr. Teresa Collard, Department of Communications; Danelle Fabianich, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Bob Bradley, Department of Computer Science; Dr. Kevin Hammond, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; Tracie Stewart, Physical Plant; and Dr. Doug Sterrett, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Jim Fieser, Department of History and Philosophy.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_420\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-420 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/30years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 30 years of service are Dennis Taylor, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics–Tennis (left) and Tom Johnson, Office of International Programs and International Admissions. Not pictured are Dr. Michael Gibson, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Karen Johnson, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Mark McAlpin, Information Technology Services; and David Ray, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_421\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-421 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/35years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 35 years of service are (l-r) Bud Grimes, Office of University Relations; Bruce Harrison, Office of Information Technology Services; Debbie Mount, Office of Educational Outreach; Brenda Wright, Office of Information Technology Services; and Dr. Ed Wheeler, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Tommy Cates, Tom E. Hendrix Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_422\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-422 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/40years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 40 years of university service are (l-r) Tommy McGlown, Student Success Center; Velda Rogers, Recycling Center; and Phil Bright, Office of Human Resources. Bright has announced he will retire Dec. 31 of this year. A reception will be held in his honor from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 13, in the university’s Holland McCombs Center.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-423\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_JennyCanary-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-424\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_LynneHall-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','UT Martin honors extended years of service','The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon.','publish','closed','closed','','ut-martin-honors-extended-years-of-service','','','2019-06-13 11:13:45','2019-06-13 16:13:45','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=415',0,'post','',0),(416,3,'2018-11-20 19:58:33','2018-11-20 19:58:33','','10years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','10years_2018','','','2018-11-20 19:58:33','2018-11-20 19:58:33','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/10years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(417,3,'2018-11-20 19:59:11','2018-11-20 19:59:11','','15years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','15years_2018','','','2018-11-20 19:59:11','2018-11-20 19:59:11','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(418,3,'2018-11-20 19:59:35','2018-11-20 19:59:35','','20years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','20years_2018','','','2018-11-20 19:59:35','2018-11-20 19:59:35','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(419,3,'2018-11-20 20:00:00','2018-11-20 20:00:00','','25years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','25years_2018','','','2018-11-20 20:00:00','2018-11-20 20:00:00','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/25years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(420,3,'2018-11-20 20:00:23','2018-11-20 20:00:23','','30years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','30years_2018','','','2018-11-20 20:00:23','2018-11-20 20:00:23','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/30years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(421,3,'2018-11-20 20:00:48','2018-11-20 20:00:48','','35years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','35years_2018','','','2018-11-20 20:00:48','2018-11-20 20:00:48','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/35years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(422,3,'2018-11-20 20:01:54','2018-11-20 20:01:54','','40years_2018','','inherit','closed','closed','','40years_2018','','','2018-11-20 20:01:54','2018-11-20 20:01:54','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/40years_2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(423,3,'2018-11-20 20:02:18','2018-11-20 20:02:18','','Retired_JennyCanary','Employees who retired from the University of Tennessee at Martin within the past year were recognized Nov. 6 during the university’s annual Service Awards Luncheon. Jenny Canary (center) retired with 17 years of service. She is pictured with UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (left) and UT System President Joe DiPietro (right). Canary worked with the Office of Campus Recreation.','inherit','closed','closed','','retired_jennycanary','','','2018-11-20 20:35:24','2018-11-20 20:35:24','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_JennyCanary.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(424,3,'2018-11-20 20:02:37','2018-11-20 20:02:37','','Retired_LynneHall','Lynne Hall (center) retired with 18 years of service. She is pictured with UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (left) and UT System President Joe DiPietro (right). Hall served with the Department of Public Safety.','inherit','closed','closed','','retired_lynnehall','','','2018-11-20 20:35:51','2018-11-20 20:35:51','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_LynneHall.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(427,3,'2018-11-20 20:38:06','2018-11-20 20:38:06','UT MARTIN HONORS EXTENDED SERVICE – The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon. Employees with more than 10 years of service are photographed every five years. Pictured above with 10 years of service are (seated, l-r) Lindee McCurley, Boling University Center; Debbie Abel, Healthy Beginnings Programs; Dr. Annie Jones, Office of Career Planning and Development; Dr. Robbie Montgomery, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Dr. Merry Brown, Department of History and Philosophy; Tracie Moss, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; (back row) Dr. Scott Parrott, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Steven Robinson, Office of Information Technology Services; Daniel Gatewood, Office of Housing; Mark Hewitt, Department of Educational Studies; Dr. Roberto Mancusi, Department of Music; Brenda Harris, Custodial Services; Brenda Mason, Department of Biological Sciences; and Carrie Arant, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources. Not pictured are Sandra Carrington, Office of Housing; Dr. Lan DePriest, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, McNairy County Center/Selmer; April Elam-Dierks, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, McNairy County Center/Selmer; Don Elder, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Dr. Ricky Garlitz, Department of History and Philosophy; Dr. Mary Geddie, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Jenny Harrison, Office of Student Health and Counseling Services; Jennifer Hays, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Sandy Holland, Office of Academic Records; Jeremy Lamb, Custodial Services; Sarah McCormick, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Dr. Kevin Pitz, Department of Biological Sciences; Allen Shull, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, Parsons Center; and Jason Stout, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_417\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-417 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 15 years of service are (seated, l-r) Valerie Dean, Office of Housing; Jennifer Schlicht, Office of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking; Melanie Young, Office of Career Planning and Development; (back row) Amy Mistric, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Dr. Philip Smartt, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; and Lana Ferrell, Department of Chemistry and Physics. Not pictured are Teresa Bodkin, Office of Undergraduate Admissions; Elizabeth Browning, Office of Housing; Dr. Angie MacKewn, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Daniel Nappo, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Dr. Michael Park, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; and Dr. Joyce Swan, Department of Educational Studies, McNairy County Center/Selmer.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_418\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-418 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 20 years of service are (seated, l-r) Gina McClure, Division of Student Affairs; Dr. Julie Floyd, Department of Nursing; Sandy King, McNairy County Center/Selmer; (standing) John Abel, Division of Student Affairs; Tim Hacker, Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages; Hurshell Knox, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science; Dr. Esther Sellers, Department of Nursing; and Dr. Rich Helgeson, Department of Engineering. Not pictured are Kelly Bruner and Dale Burton, both with HVAC.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_419\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-419 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/25years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 25 years of service are (l-r) Dr. Teresa Collard, Department of Communications; Danelle Fabianich, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics; Bob Bradley, Department of Computer Science; Dr. Kevin Hammond, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems; Tracie Stewart, Physical Plant; and Dr. Doug Sterrett, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Jim Fieser, Department of History and Philosophy.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_420\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-420 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/30years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 30 years of service are Dennis Taylor, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics–Tennis (left) and Tom Johnson, Office of International Programs and International Admissions. Not pictured are Dr. Michael Gibson, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources; Karen Johnson, Department of Visual and Theatre Arts; Mark McAlpin, Information Technology Services; and David Ray, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_421\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-421 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/35years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 35 years of service are (l-r) Bud Grimes, Office of University Relations; Bruce Harrison, Office of Information Technology Services; Debbie Mount, Office of Educational Outreach; Brenda Wright, Office of Information Technology Services; and Dr. Ed Wheeler, Department of Engineering. Not pictured is Dr. Tommy Cates, Tom E. Hendrix Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_422\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-422 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/40years_2018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Pictured with 40 years of university service are (l-r) Tommy McGlown, Student Success Center; Velda Rogers, Recycling Center; and Phil Bright, Office of Human Resources. Bright has announced he will retire Dec. 31 of this year. A reception will be held in his honor from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 13, in the university’s Holland McCombs Center.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-423\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_JennyCanary-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-424\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Retired_LynneHall-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" />','UT Martin honors extended years of service','The University of Tennessee at Martin honored faculty and staff members who have served 10 years or more Nov. 6 during the annual Service Awards Luncheon.','inherit','closed','closed','','415-revision-v1','','','2018-11-20 20:38:06','2018-11-20 20:38:06','',415,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/20/415-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(428,3,'2018-11-20 20:47:22','2018-11-20 20:47:22','High school students from special needs classrooms across the region attended the third-annual Special Needs Prom hosted Nov. 17 by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Organization. This event began as a way to reach out to the local community and has become an afternoon area students look forward to year after year.\r\n\r\n“We continue to host this event because of the effect it has not only on the special needs high school students but on UTM as a whole,” said Julie Durham, president of NTSA. “It breaks the boundaries. We are no longer Greek or educational students or special interest groups, but we’re one group.”\r\n\r\nSpecial Needs Prom is specially organized to provide a comfortable atmosphere for students with mobility, vision, sensory or other special needs to enjoy time with their friends and family as well as students from surrounding counties.\r\n\r\nMissy Gammons, a nurse at West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital in Martin, brought her son, Tobey, for his first prom this year. “He’s an outgoing kid, but he enjoys being in smaller groups rather than at a larger school. He’s active in Special Olympics, and this is a group he is familiar with. It gives him an opportunity to come out and have fun,” she said. Tobey is a freshman at Obion County Central High School.\r\n\r\nIn addition to invited students, many members of the UT Martin community participated in the event as well. Almost 30 brothers from the UT Martin chapter of Kappa Alpha Order attended the dance in suits and ties to greet guests, serve food and assist however needed.\r\n\r\n“We thought it would be a good thing to get out and help the kids,” said Parker Brown, a sophomore fraternity member from Linden. “We like helping others feel better about themselves. At the end of the day, if we can put a smile on their faces, then we’ve done our duty as KAs,” added Zack Williams, a senior fraternity member from Union City.\r\n\r\nMany other university organizations supported the event as well, and Styles on Broadway Salon and Spa in Martin provided free hair and makeup services for guests prior to the event. This is the third year the salon has donated time and services to assist prom participants.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Special Needs Prom and plans for future events, contact Durham at 615-997-5930 or juladurh@ut.utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Third-annual Special Needs Prom brings university, community together','High school students from special needs classrooms across the region attended the third-annual Special Needs Prom hosted Nov. 17 by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Organization.','publish','closed','closed','','third-annual-special-needs-prom-brings-university-community-together','','','2018-11-20 20:47:22','2018-11-20 20:47:22','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=428',0,'post','',0),(429,3,'2018-11-20 20:46:09','2018-11-20 20:46:09','','SpecialNeedsProm2018','UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (foreground) and staff member Stephanie Sellers (black dress, center) were among several university faculty and staff members who attended the third-annual Special Needs Prom hosted Nov. 17 by the UT Martin Non-Traditional Student Association.','inherit','closed','closed','','specialneedsprom2018','','','2018-11-20 20:46:42','2018-11-20 20:46:42','',428,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SpecialNeedsProm2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(430,3,'2018-11-20 20:47:22','2018-11-20 20:47:22','High school students from special needs classrooms across the region attended the third-annual Special Needs Prom hosted Nov. 17 by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Organization. This event began as a way to reach out to the local community and has become an afternoon area students look forward to year after year.\r\n\r\n“We continue to host this event because of the effect it has not only on the special needs high school students but on UTM as a whole,” said Julie Durham, president of NTSA. “It breaks the boundaries. We are no longer Greek or educational students or special interest groups, but we’re one group.”\r\n\r\nSpecial Needs Prom is specially organized to provide a comfortable atmosphere for students with mobility, vision, sensory or other special needs to enjoy time with their friends and family as well as students from surrounding counties.\r\n\r\nMissy Gammons, a nurse at West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital in Martin, brought her son, Tobey, for his first prom this year. “He’s an outgoing kid, but he enjoys being in smaller groups rather than at a larger school. He’s active in Special Olympics, and this is a group he is familiar with. It gives him an opportunity to come out and have fun,” she said. Tobey is a freshman at Obion County Central High School.\r\n\r\nIn addition to invited students, many members of the UT Martin community participated in the event as well. Almost 30 brothers from the UT Martin chapter of Kappa Alpha Order attended the dance in suits and ties to greet guests, serve food and assist however needed.\r\n\r\n“We thought it would be a good thing to get out and help the kids,” said Parker Brown, a sophomore fraternity member from Linden. “We like helping others feel better about themselves. At the end of the day, if we can put a smile on their faces, then we’ve done our duty as KAs,” added Zack Williams, a senior fraternity member from Union City.\r\n\r\nMany other university organizations supported the event as well, and Styles on Broadway Salon and Spa in Martin provided free hair and makeup services for guests prior to the event. This is the third year the salon has donated time and services to assist prom participants.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Special Needs Prom and plans for future events, contact Durham at 615-997-5930 or juladurh@ut.utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Third-annual Special Needs Prom brings university, community together','High school students from special needs classrooms across the region attended the third-annual Special Needs Prom hosted Nov. 17 by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Non-Traditional Student Organization.','inherit','closed','closed','','428-revision-v1','','','2018-11-20 20:47:22','2018-11-20 20:47:22','',428,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/20/428-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(431,3,'2018-11-20 20:50:09','2018-11-20 20:50:09','The University of Tennessee at Martin will not hold classes Nov. 21-23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Administrative offices will be closed Nov. 22-23. This applies to the main campus as well as to the five educational outreach centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n\r\nClasses will resume and administrative offices will open on a normal operating schedule Nov. 26.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','University to close for Thanksgiving','The University of Tennessee at Martin will not hold classes Nov. 21-23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Administrative offices will be closed Nov. 22-23.','publish','closed','closed','','university-to-close-for-thanksgiving','','','2018-11-20 20:50:09','2018-11-20 20:50:09','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=431',0,'post','',0),(432,3,'2018-11-20 20:49:31','2018-11-20 20:49:31','The University of Tennessee at Martin will not hold classes Nov. 21-23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Administrative offices will be closed Nov. 22-23. This applies to the main campus as well as to the five educational outreach centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville.\r\n\r\nClasses will resume and administrative offices will open on a normal operating schedule Nov. 26.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','University to close for Thanksgiving','The University of Tennessee at Martin will not hold classes Nov. 21-23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Administrative offices will be closed Nov. 22-23.','inherit','closed','closed','','431-revision-v1','','','2018-11-20 20:49:31','2018-11-20 20:49:31','',431,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/20/431-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(433,3,'2018-11-23 15:21:54','2018-11-23 15:21:54','Dr. Timothy Smith, a lecturer in the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of History and Philosophy, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.\r\n\r\n“The Real Horse Soldiers” is a modern, academic study of one of the most well-known Civil War efforts conducted by Union cavalry general Benjamin Grierson that discusses the horse soldiers’ raid on the Confederacy. Published by Savas Beatie publishing company, Smith’s book is the first deeply researched study on the topic in six years.\r\n\r\n“This was one of the most fun books I’ve ever written, not only because it is such a neglected topic, but also because it allowed me to work on the history of my native state of Mississippi,” said Smith. “I grew up in the very areas discussed in the book, so that made it doubly fun to research and write, and I’m convinced this made it a better book. An intimate knowledge of the subject and, in this case, geography and terrain are especially important to writing history.”\r\n\r\nSmith has written, edited and co-edited eighteen books, including the award-winning titles “Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg,” “Corinth 1862: Siege, Battle Occupation” and “Shiloh: Conquer or Perish.” His awards include the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters’ nonfiction book award, the Fletcher Pratt Award, the McLemore Prize, the Richard B. Harwell Award and the Tennessee History Book Award, among others. Smith is also the recipient of the 2009-2010 UT Martin Online Teacher of the Year Award. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis as well as a doctorate from Mississippi State University.\r\n\r\nSmith is currently working on a book about the May 19 and 22 Vicksburg assaults.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Smith at <a href=\"mailto:tims@utm.edu\">tims@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Faculty member releases Civil War book','Dr. Timothy Smith, lecturer of history, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.','publish','closed','closed','','faculty-member-releases-civil-war-book','','','2018-11-21 17:25:53','2018-11-21 17:25:53','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=433',0,'post','',0),(434,3,'2018-11-21 17:24:08','2018-11-21 17:24:08','','Smith_Tim_horizontal','','inherit','closed','closed','','smith_tim_horizontal','','','2018-11-21 17:24:08','2018-11-21 17:24:08','',433,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Smith_Tim_horizontal.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(435,3,'2018-11-21 17:25:01','2018-11-21 17:25:01','Dr. Timothy Smith, a lecturer in the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of History and Philosophy, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.\r\n\r\n“The Real Horse Soldiers” is a modern, academic study of one of the most well-known Civil War efforts conducted by Union cavalry general Benjamin Grierson that discusses the horse soldiers’ raid on the Confederacy. Published by Savas Beatie publishing company, Smith’s book is the first deeply researched study on the topic in six years.\r\n\r\n“This was one of the most fun books I’ve ever written, not only because it is such a neglected topic, but also because it allowed me to work on the history of my native state of Mississippi,” said Smith. “I grew up in the very areas discussed in the book, so that made it doubly fun to research and write, and I’m convinced this made it a better book. An intimate knowledge of the subject and, in this case, geography and terrain are especially important to writing history.”\r\n\r\nSmith has written, edited and co-edited eighteen books, including the award-winning titles “Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg,” “Corinth 1862: Siege, Battle Occupation” and “Shiloh: Conquer or Perish.” His awards include the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters’ nonfiction book award, the Fletcher Pratt Award, the McLemore Prize, the Richard B. Harwell Award and the Tennessee History Book Award, among others. Smith is also the recipient of the 2009-2010 UT Martin Online Teacher of the Year Award. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis as well as a doctorate from Mississippi State University.\r\n\r\nSmith is currently working on a book about the May 19 and 22 Vicksburg assaults.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Smith at tims@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###','Faculty member releases Civil War book','Dr. Timothy Smith, lecturer of history, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.','inherit','closed','closed','','433-revision-v1','','','2018-11-21 17:25:01','2018-11-21 17:25:01','',433,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/21/433-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(436,3,'2018-11-21 17:25:53','2018-11-21 17:25:53','Dr. Timothy Smith, a lecturer in the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of History and Philosophy, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.\r\n\r\n“The Real Horse Soldiers” is a modern, academic study of one of the most well-known Civil War efforts conducted by Union cavalry general Benjamin Grierson that discusses the horse soldiers’ raid on the Confederacy. Published by Savas Beatie publishing company, Smith’s book is the first deeply researched study on the topic in six years.\r\n\r\n“This was one of the most fun books I’ve ever written, not only because it is such a neglected topic, but also because it allowed me to work on the history of my native state of Mississippi,” said Smith. “I grew up in the very areas discussed in the book, so that made it doubly fun to research and write, and I’m convinced this made it a better book. An intimate knowledge of the subject and, in this case, geography and terrain are especially important to writing history.”\r\n\r\nSmith has written, edited and co-edited eighteen books, including the award-winning titles “Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg,” “Corinth 1862: Siege, Battle Occupation” and “Shiloh: Conquer or Perish.” His awards include the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters’ nonfiction book award, the Fletcher Pratt Award, the McLemore Prize, the Richard B. Harwell Award and the Tennessee History Book Award, among others. Smith is also the recipient of the 2009-2010 UT Martin Online Teacher of the Year Award. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis as well as a doctorate from Mississippi State University.\r\n\r\nSmith is currently working on a book about the May 19 and 22 Vicksburg assaults.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Smith at <a href=\"mailto:tims@utm.edu\">tims@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Faculty member releases Civil War book','Dr. Timothy Smith, lecturer of history, released his newest book, “The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi,” in October.','inherit','closed','closed','','433-revision-v1','','','2018-11-21 17:25:53','2018-11-21 17:25:53','',433,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/21/433-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(439,3,'2018-11-26 14:33:32','2018-11-26 14:33:32','','HGI vs. WG, 4-6-18','Several Harlem Globetrotters are shown “horsing around” on the court in this team publicity photo. The Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to UT Martin on Jan. 25, 2019.','inherit','closed','closed','','hgi-vs-wg-4-6-18','','','2018-11-26 14:34:08','2018-11-26 14:34:08','',438,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HarlemGlobetrotters.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(440,3,'2018-11-26 14:34:30','2018-11-26 14:34:30','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at <a href=\"http://harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com</a> and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays, at the UT Martin Student Recreation Center.\r\n\r\nChairback seats are $35 plus fees, and bleacher seats are $25 plus fees. The Globetrotters will also offer a pre-show Magic Pass for an additional $15, which will allow passholders to meet the stars of the team, learn tricks, shoot hoops and take pictures on the court prior to the game. Military discounts are available on day-of tickets with a valid military ID. A military chairback seat is $29 plus fees, and a military bleacher seat is $19 plus fees.\r\n\r\nAccording to a Globetrotters press release, the game will include more than 20 opportunities for fans to interact with team members before, during and after the event.\r\n\r\nThe Flying Globies, the Globetrotters’ acrobatic trampoline dunk team, are included in the 2019 tour and will perform during breaks in the game. An interactive mobile app is new to the Globetrotters experience this year and includes an augmented reality basketball toss game and exclusive image filters for social media.\r\n\r\nIn addition to 93 years of success in the entertainment business, the Globetrotters also hold 21 standing Guinness World Records. The most recent five records were set Nov. 8 in celebration of Guinness World Records Day and include a somersault basketball shot made by Bull Bullard from 58 feet, 1.25 inches away from the hoop; most basketball under-the-leg tumbles in one minute (female) by Torch George (32); most blindfolded basketball slam dunks in one minute by Zeus McClurkin (five); most behind-the-back three-pointers in one minute, also by Zeus McClurkin (three); and most under-the-leg slam dunks by a team using a trampoline in one minute by the Flying Globies (28).\r\n\r\nFor more information on the Harlem Globetrotters, visit <a href=\"http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com</a>. For information on their appearance at UT Martin, contact Chris Stachewicz, UT Martin Office of Campus Recreation, at 731-881-7746 or email <a href=\"mailto:cstachew@utm.edu\">cstachew@utm.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','Harlem Globetrotters to play at UT Martin on Jan. 25','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. ','inherit','closed','closed','','438-revision-v1','','','2018-11-26 14:34:30','2018-11-26 14:34:30','',438,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/438-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(442,1,'2018-11-26 14:54:35','2018-11-26 14:54:35','','Notify when content is published','','publish','closed','closed','','notify-when-content-is-published','','','2021-04-23 08:52:57','2021-04-23 13:52:57','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/notify-when-content-is-published/',0,'psppnotif_workflow','',0),(443,1,'2018-11-26 14:54:35','2018-11-26 14:54:35','','Notify on editorial comments','','publish','closed','closed','','notify-on-editorial-comments','','','2018-11-26 14:54:35','2018-11-26 14:54:35','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/notify-on-editorial-comments/',0,'psppnotif_workflow','',0),(477,3,'2018-12-05 09:37:01','2018-12-05 15:37:01','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.\r\n\r\nThomas, a junior this year, discovered this highly specialized career field while searching to “be more,” as she says.\r\n<blockquote>“At first I wanted to be a cop when I grew up. Then I thought I wanted to be more than a cop, I wanted to be an FBI agent. But then I thought, ‘I want to be more than that,’ so I kept looking up stuff to be more,” she explained.</blockquote>\r\nShe stumbled upon the CIA’s description of a paramilitary operations officer, which includes international travel, undercover operations, and the training and handling of intelligence informants around the world.\r\n\r\nIn pursuit of this goal, Thomas is majoring in international studies with a concentration in strategic studies. She hopes this degree, combined with her participation in UT Martin’s ROTC program, will give her an understanding of international issues and military procedures.\r\n\r\n“When I found that there was this other major where you could learn about other countries and the issues from different places, I thought that would be better for me to have a more international view,” said Thomas, who was originally studying criminal justice. “My favorite thing is learning about different problems going on in different countries and how that is affecting us. … It’s good to learn about what’s actually going on in other countries and how it’s going to affect us and why the government makes the decisions that it does.”\r\n\r\nAs a third-year cadet in the Skyhawk ROTC Battalion, Thomas has accepted a contract with the U.S. military to commit four years of military service after graduation from UT Martin in 2020. She plans to compete for active duty status upon graduation and serve as long as necessary to gain the experience needed to make the transition into the CIA.\r\n\r\n“I ended up getting a three-year ROTC scholarship that started my sophomore year of college. … (ROTC) is very different than I thought it was going to be. You have to have a big command presence, and it’s a lot of things that I’m not,” she said. “I do like the challenge.”\r\n\r\nThomas is also a left-back defender on the UT Martin soccer team. She says juggling the hectic schedule of soccer practice and away-game travel with her schoolwork and ROTC responsibilities fills her calendar quickly, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.\r\n\r\n“It definitely keeps me busy,” she said. Thomas was recruited to the UT Martin team shortly before beginning her freshman year, and she made the decision to become a Skyhawk after already choosing a school closer to home.\r\n\r\n“I like that (UT Martin) is a smaller school. It’s still a Division One (athletics) campus, but it’s smaller and more connected. … I’m really close with the professors and the teachers,” she said. “I enjoy it (here).”\r\n\r\n###','ROTC cadet seeks career in military intelligence','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.','publish','closed','closed','','rotc-cadet-seeks-career-in-military-intelligence','','','2018-12-05 09:42:29','2018-12-05 15:42:29','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=477',0,'post','',0),(445,3,'2018-11-26 09:42:41','2018-11-26 15:42:41','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Master of Science in Natural Resources and Master of Business Administration degrees have been nationally recognized for quality and affordability by a variety of online higher education websites in the past month.\r\n\r\nSR Education Group, an education research publisher founded in 2004, ranks the <a href=\"https://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-colleges/environmental-science-masters-degrees?utm_source=IMAP&amp;utm_medium=email\">UT Martin Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources degree program 16<sup>th</sup></a> among the most affordable online colleges in the nation for this particular degree. The UT Martin program offers three concentration areas in agribusiness and risk management, natural resources systems management, and systems science in agriculture. UT Martin is the highest-ranked Tennessee university in this category.\r\n\r\nOnlineMBAPage.com evaluated MBA programs across the nation and chose the top program in each state for inclusion in their most recent list. <a href=\"https://onlinembapage.com/top-100-percent-online-mba-programs-with-aacsb-specialty-business-accreditation/\">UT Martin represents Tennessee in this ranking</a>, which is based on online availability, program value, internship and capstone opportunities, and accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.\r\n\r\nThe UT Martin Master of Business Administration degree is ranked <a href=\"https://www.onlinemasters.com/best-degree-programs/mba/\">seventh among the best online MBA programs for 2019</a> by OnlineMasters.com. UT Martin is the highest-ranked Tennessee program on this list behind such institutions as Auburn University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The next Tennessee program enters the list at number 32.\r\n\r\nTopManagementDegrees.com ranked the top online MBA programs in the nation for 2019 and included <a href=\"https://www.topmanagementdegrees.com/rankings/best-online-mba/\">UT Martin as tied for 50<sup>th</sup> place</a>. UT Martin is the only Tennessee institution to appear on this list and is included among such programs as those at Indiana State University and George Washington University.\r\n\r\nSR Education Group has also evaluated the UT Martin Online program offerings as a whole and ranked UT Martin 11<sup>th</sup> among <a href=\"https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/best-online-colleges/tennessee?utm_source=IMAP&amp;utm_medium=email\">the best online colleges in Tennessee for 2019</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin master\'s programs recognized','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Master of Science in Natural Resources and Master of Business Administration degrees have been nationally recognized within the past month.','publish','closed','closed','','ut-martin-masters-programs-recognized','','','2018-11-26 09:42:41','2018-11-26 15:42:41','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=445',0,'post','',0),(446,3,'2018-11-26 09:42:27','2018-11-26 15:42:27','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Master of Science in Natural Resources and Master of Business Administration degrees have been nationally recognized for quality and affordability by a variety of online higher education websites in the past month.\r\n\r\nSR Education Group, an education research publisher founded in 2004, ranks the <a href=\"https://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-colleges/environmental-science-masters-degrees?utm_source=IMAP&amp;utm_medium=email\">UT Martin Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources degree program 16<sup>th</sup></a> among the most affordable online colleges in the nation for this particular degree. The UT Martin program offers three concentration areas in agribusiness and risk management, natural resources systems management, and systems science in agriculture. UT Martin is the highest-ranked Tennessee university in this category.\r\n\r\nOnlineMBAPage.com evaluated MBA programs across the nation and chose the top program in each state for inclusion in their most recent list. <a href=\"https://onlinembapage.com/top-100-percent-online-mba-programs-with-aacsb-specialty-business-accreditation/\">UT Martin represents Tennessee in this ranking</a>, which is based on online availability, program value, internship and capstone opportunities, and accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.\r\n\r\nThe UT Martin Master of Business Administration degree is ranked <a href=\"https://www.onlinemasters.com/best-degree-programs/mba/\">seventh among the best online MBA programs for 2019</a> by OnlineMasters.com. UT Martin is the highest-ranked Tennessee program on this list behind such institutions as Auburn University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The next Tennessee program enters the list at number 32.\r\n\r\nTopManagementDegrees.com ranked the top online MBA programs in the nation for 2019 and included <a href=\"https://www.topmanagementdegrees.com/rankings/best-online-mba/\">UT Martin as tied for 50<sup>th</sup> place</a>. UT Martin is the only Tennessee institution to appear on this list and is included among such programs as those at Indiana State University and George Washington University.\r\n\r\nSR Education Group has also evaluated the UT Martin Online program offerings as a whole and ranked UT Martin 11<sup>th</sup> among <a href=\"https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/best-online-colleges/tennessee?utm_source=IMAP&amp;utm_medium=email\">the best online colleges in Tennessee for 2019</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin master\'s programs recognized','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Master of Science in Natural Resources and Master of Business Administration degrees have been nationally recognized within the past month.','inherit','closed','closed','','445-revision-v1','','','2018-11-26 09:42:27','2018-11-26 15:42:27','',445,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/445-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(447,3,'2018-11-26 11:57:15','2018-11-26 17:57:15','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at <a href=\"http://harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com.</a> Tickets will also be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays, at the UT Martin Student Recreation Center.\n\nChairback seats are $35 plus fees, and bleacher seats are $25 plus fees. The Globetrotters will also offer a pre-show Magic Pass for an additional $15, which will allow passholders to meet the stars of the team, learn tricks, shoot hoops and take pictures on the court prior to the game. Military discounts are available on day-of tickets with a valid military ID. A military chairback seat is $29 plus fees, and a military bleacher seat is $19 plus fees.\n\nAccording to a Globetrotters press release, the game will include more than 20 opportunities for fans to interact with team members before, during and after the event.\n\nThe Flying Globies, the Globetrotters’ acrobatic trampoline dunk team, are included in the 2019 tour and will perform during breaks in the game. An interactive mobile app is new to the Globetrotters experience this year and includes an augmented reality basketball toss game and exclusive image filters for social media.\n\nIn addition to 93 years of success in the entertainment business, the Globetrotters also hold 21 standing Guinness World Records. The most recent five records were set Nov. 8 in celebration of Guinness World Records Day and include a somersault basketball shot made by Bull Bullard from 58 feet, 1.25 inches away from the hoop; most basketball under-the-leg tumbles in one minute (female) by Torch George (32); most blindfolded basketball slam dunks in one minute by Zeus McClurkin (five); most behind-the-back three-pointers in one minute, also by Zeus McClurkin (three); and most under-the-leg slam dunks by a team using a trampoline in one minute by the Flying Globies (28).\n\nFor more information on the Harlem Globetrotters, visit <a href=\"http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com</a>. For information on their appearance at UT Martin, contact the UT Martin Office of Campus Recreation at 731-881-7745.\n\n###','Harlem Globetrotters to play at UT Martin on Jan. 25','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. ','inherit','closed','closed','','438-autosave-v1','','','2018-11-26 11:57:15','2018-11-26 17:57:15','',438,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/438-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(448,3,'2018-11-26 11:58:20','2018-11-26 17:58:20','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at <a href=\"http://harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com.</a> Tickets will also be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays, starting Dec. 10, at the UT Martin Student Recreation Center.\r\n\r\nChairback seats are $35 plus fees, and bleacher seats are $25 plus fees. The Globetrotters will also offer a pre-show Magic Pass for an additional $15, which will allow passholders to meet the stars of the team, learn tricks, shoot hoops and take pictures on the court prior to the game. Military discounts are available on day-of tickets with a valid military ID. A military chairback seat is $29 plus fees, and a military bleacher seat is $19 plus fees.\r\n\r\nAccording to a Globetrotters press release, the game will include more than 20 opportunities for fans to interact with team members before, during and after the event.\r\n\r\nThe Flying Globies, the Globetrotters’ acrobatic trampoline dunk team, are included in the 2019 tour and will perform during breaks in the game. An interactive mobile app is new to the Globetrotters experience this year and includes an augmented reality basketball toss game and exclusive image filters for social media.\r\n\r\nIn addition to 93 years of success in the entertainment business, the Globetrotters also hold 21 standing Guinness World Records. The most recent five records were set Nov. 8 in celebration of Guinness World Records Day and include a somersault basketball shot made by Bull Bullard from 58 feet, 1.25 inches away from the hoop; most basketball under-the-leg tumbles in one minute (female) by Torch George (32); most blindfolded basketball slam dunks in one minute by Zeus McClurkin (five); most behind-the-back three-pointers in one minute, also by Zeus McClurkin (three); and most under-the-leg slam dunks by a team using a trampoline in one minute by the Flying Globies (28).\r\n\r\nFor more information on the Harlem Globetrotters, visit <a href=\"http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com\">harlemglobetrotters.com</a>. For information on their appearance at UT Martin, contact the UT Martin Office of Campus Recreation at 731-881-7745.\r\n\r\n###','Harlem Globetrotters to play at UT Martin on Jan. 25','The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2019 Fan Powered World Tour to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin at 7 p.m., Jan 25, 2019. ','inherit','closed','closed','','438-revision-v1','','','2018-11-26 11:58:20','2018-11-26 17:58:20','',438,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/438-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(449,3,'2018-11-26 13:33:22','2018-11-26 19:33:22','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science recently hosted a local site competition of the Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest. This is the second year UT Martin has been a host site for the event.\r\n\r\nUT Martin was among eight other host sites in the mid-central region. Nine teams from Austin Peay State University, Murray State University, UT Martin and the University of Memphis competed in the five-hour contest with more than 100 teams competing simultaneously at other locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin students Matthew Austin, of Jackson; Meredith Brown, of Trezevant; and Jay Downing, of Hendersonville, took third place at the local event and entered the site’s first correct submission at the seven-minute mark. Additional competitors from UT Martin included Cole Davis, of Kenton; Lucian Freeze, of Hornbeak; Trever Hall, of Bruceton; Fate Hardin, of Brentwood; Mel Howard, of Martin; and Brett Whitson, of Union City.\r\n\r\n“Our teams trained harder than ever this year, and their had work is evident in their performance,” said Dr. Joshua Guerin, associate professor and department chair for the UT Martin Department of Computer Science. “I have to give all of the teams and coaches a lot of credit—this was a great year at our site. Most of the teams in attendance were able to solve four problems, and all of the teams at our site solved at least three. It’s exciting to see our students and regional competitors raising the bar for future years.”\r\n\r\nGuerin coached the UT Martin teams alongside Dr. Kathleen Ericson and Dr. Qing Wang, both assistant professors in the UT Martin Department of Computer Science. The UT Martin Department of Computer Science is housed in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. For more information on the department or the programming contest, contact Guerin at <a href=\"mailto:jguerin@um.edu\">jguerin@um.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin hosts programming contest, students take third place','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science recently hosted a local site competition of the Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest. ','publish','closed','closed','','ut-martin-hosts-programming-contest-students-take-third-place','','','2018-11-26 13:33:22','2018-11-26 19:33:22','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=449',0,'post','',0),(450,3,'2018-11-26 13:31:10','2018-11-26 19:31:10','','11192018_ComputerProgrammingWinners002','UT Martin students (l-r) Matthew Austin, of Jackson; Meredith Brown, of Trezevant; and Jay Downing, of Hendersonville, took third place at the local event and entered the site’s first correct submission at the seven-minute mark.','inherit','closed','closed','','11192018_computerprogrammingwinners002','','','2018-11-26 13:31:38','2018-11-26 19:31:38','',449,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11192018_ComputerProgrammingWinners002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(451,3,'2018-11-26 13:32:45','2018-11-26 19:32:45','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science recently hosted a local site competition of the Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest. This is the second year UT Martin has been a host site for the event.\r\n\r\nUT Martin was among eight other host sites in the mid-central region. Nine teams from Austin Peay State University, Murray State University, UT Martin and the University of Memphis competed in the five-hour contest with more than 100 teams competing simultaneously at other locations.\r\n\r\nUT Martin students Matthew Austin, of Jackson; Meredith Brown, of Trezevant; and Jay Downing, of Hendersonville, took third place at the local event and entered the site’s first correct submission at the seven-minute mark. Additional competitors from UT Martin included Cole Davis, of Kenton; Lucian Freeze, of Hornbeak; Trever Hall, of Bruceton; Fate Hardin, of Brentwood; Mel Howard, of Martin; and Brett Whitson, of Union City.\r\n\r\n“Our teams trained harder than ever this year, and their had work is evident in their performance,” said Dr. Joshua Guerin, associate professor and department chair for the UT Martin Department of Computer Science. “I have to give all of the teams and coaches a lot of credit—this was a great year at our site. Most of the teams in attendance were able to solve four problems, and all of the teams at our site solved at least three. It’s exciting to see our students and regional competitors raising the bar for future years.”\r\n\r\nGuerin coached the UT Martin teams alongside Dr. Kathleen Ericson and Dr. Qing Wang, both assistant professors in the UT Martin Department of Computer Science. The UT Martin Department of Computer Science is housed in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. For more information on the department or the programming contest, contact Guerin at <a href=\"mailto:jguerin@um.edu\">jguerin@um.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin hosts programming contest, students take third place','The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science recently hosted a local site competition of the Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest. ','inherit','closed','closed','','449-revision-v1','','','2018-11-26 13:32:45','2018-11-26 19:32:45','',449,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/449-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(452,3,'2018-11-26 16:49:02','2018-11-26 22:49:02','Randy Boyd, a Knoxville businessman and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alum, assumed duties as University of Tennessee System Interim President over the Thanksgiving holiday and spent Nov. 26, his first working day in office, on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.\r\n\r\n“It seemed appropriate that I spend my first day (on the job) in Northwest Tennessee,” said Boyd, whose family has lived in Crockett and Obion counties for six generations. “I think it’s important to make sure that everybody understands across the state of Tennessee that when you’re elected president of the University of Tennessee System, you are president for all the campuses. … We want to make sure we are representing all of our campuses. So I’m excited to be here, to be back in northwest Tennessee and back in Martin.”\r\n\r\nBoyd will serve a maximum of 24 months in the position or until a permanent candidate is found. He follows previous UT President Joe DiPietro, who stepped down from active service Nov. 21 and will officially retire next February.\r\n\r\n“The fact that I’m only here for two years gives me a sense of urgency. There are a lot of things that we want to do, a lot of bold, transformative things that we want to accomplish, and we’re going to try to do them without waiting around,” he said.\r\n\r\nWhile meeting with local media representatives, Boyd outlined several of his top priorities for his time in office, which start with leadership selection and student outcomes.\r\n\r\n“The most important thing, if I do only one thing well, is to make sure we get great visionary leadership to take us into the next generation,” he said, referring primarily to the positions of UT System president and chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “We want to make sure we get leaders that are focused on student success. … We need to make sure that when students come with the dream of getting a degree from one of our institutions, they actually graduate with a degree. …\r\n\r\nA second thing is that we’ve got to generate more talent for our state. … The University of Tennessee System delivers more graduates than any other enterprise in the state – 11,806 graduates last year – but we can do more. So, not only do we need to do a better job of graduating the ones that come, but we’ve got to make sure we’re bringing more (students) to our institutions. We need to be aggressive about increasing our enrollment.”\r\n\r\nBoyd also listed increased community engagement and use of the system’s partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as priorities, as well as continuing to ensure that the UT System at large is providing service and support to all its campuses and institutions.\r\n\r\nHe sees UT Martin as a critical component in the UT System and its influence in the northwest Tennessee area, and he plans to focus on student graduation rates and increasing enrollment at the UT Martin main campus and its five educational outreach centers in order to promote economic development in the region.\r\n\r\n“The number one driver behind companies wanting to relocate anywhere in the world is talent. So UT Martin being able to provide the talent to attract future businesses is going to be critical. The best way to produce the right talent is to have lots of communication with industry,” he said. “One of the things that UT Martin already knows is (the importance of) having lots of interactions with the chambers of commerce and businesses in the area to make sure we’re not just producing talent, we’re producing the right talent for jobs that businesses are looking for today.”\r\n\r\nBoyd has an established history of support for higher education, beginning with the creation of the Knox Achieves program to help students in Knox County attend community colleges free of charge. This program later became Tennessee Achieves and ultimately transformed into Tennessee Promise. Boyd also worked with Gov. Bill Haslam to create the Drive to 55 campaign to enhance higher education opportunities statewide. He later served as Tennessee’s commissioner of economic and community development before running for the governor’s office earlier this year.\r\n\r\nHe feels his recent visits to all 95 Tennessee counties and established relationship with the current Tennessee legislature will be assets to his new position as leader of the UT System.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT System Interim President Randy Boyd visits UT Martin campus','Randy Boyd assumed duties as University of Tennessee System Interim President over the Thanksgiving holiday and spent Nov. 26, his first working day in office, on the UT Martin main campus.','publish','closed','closed','','ut-system-interim-president-randy-boyd-visits-ut-martin-campus','','','2018-11-26 16:49:02','2018-11-26 22:49:02','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=452',0,'post','',0),(453,3,'2018-11-26 16:48:14','2018-11-26 22:48:14','','Boyd_RhodesGolfCenter','UT System Interim President Randy Boyd (center, left) and UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (center, right) stopped to tour the university’s Bill Rhodes Golf Center during Boyd’s Nov. 26 visit to UT Martin. Golf team members Nick Wolf (left) and Jack Story (right) welcomed Boyd and spoke with him about their UT Martin experiences. ','inherit','closed','closed','','boyd_rhodesgolfcenter','','','2018-11-26 16:48:37','2018-11-26 22:48:37','',452,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Boyd_RhodesGolfCenter.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(454,3,'2018-11-26 16:48:55','2018-11-26 22:48:55','Randy Boyd, a Knoxville businessman and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alum, assumed duties as University of Tennessee System Interim President over the Thanksgiving holiday and spent Nov. 26, his first working day in office, on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.\r\n\r\n“It seemed appropriate that I spend my first day (on the job) in Northwest Tennessee,” said Boyd, whose family has lived in Crockett and Obion counties for six generations. “I think it’s important to make sure that everybody understands across the state of Tennessee that when you’re elected president of the University of Tennessee System, you are president for all the campuses. … We want to make sure we are representing all of our campuses. So I’m excited to be here, to be back in northwest Tennessee and back in Martin.”\r\n\r\nBoyd will serve a maximum of 24 months in the position or until a permanent candidate is found. He follows previous UT President Joe DiPietro, who stepped down from active service Nov. 21 and will officially retire next February.\r\n\r\n“The fact that I’m only here for two years gives me a sense of urgency. There are a lot of things that we want to do, a lot of bold, transformative things that we want to accomplish, and we’re going to try to do them without waiting around,” he said.\r\n\r\nWhile meeting with local media representatives, Boyd outlined several of his top priorities for his time in office, which start with leadership selection and student outcomes.\r\n\r\n“The most important thing, if I do only one thing well, is to make sure we get great visionary leadership to take us into the next generation,” he said, referring primarily to the positions of UT System president and chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “We want to make sure we get leaders that are focused on student success. … We need to make sure that when students come with the dream of getting a degree from one of our institutions, they actually graduate with a degree. …\r\n\r\nA second thing is that we’ve got to generate more talent for our state. … The University of Tennessee System delivers more graduates than any other enterprise in the state – 11,806 graduates last year – but we can do more. So, not only do we need to do a better job of graduating the ones that come, but we’ve got to make sure we’re bringing more (students) to our institutions. We need to be aggressive about increasing our enrollment.”\r\n\r\nBoyd also listed increased community engagement and use of the system’s partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as priorities, as well as continuing to ensure that the UT System at large is providing service and support to all its campuses and institutions.\r\n\r\nHe sees UT Martin as a critical component in the UT System and its influence in the northwest Tennessee area, and he plans to focus on student graduation rates and increasing enrollment at the UT Martin main campus and its five educational outreach centers in order to promote economic development in the region.\r\n\r\n“The number one driver behind companies wanting to relocate anywhere in the world is talent. So UT Martin being able to provide the talent to attract future businesses is going to be critical. The best way to produce the right talent is to have lots of communication with industry,” he said. “One of the things that UT Martin already knows is (the importance of) having lots of interactions with the chambers of commerce and businesses in the area to make sure we’re not just producing talent, we’re producing the right talent for jobs that businesses are looking for today.”\r\n\r\nBoyd has an established history of support for higher education, beginning with the creation of the Knox Achieves program to help students in Knox County attend community colleges free of charge. This program later became Tennessee Achieves and ultimately transformed into Tennessee Promise. Boyd also worked with Gov. Bill Haslam to create the Drive to 55 campaign to enhance higher education opportunities statewide. He later served as Tennessee’s commissioner of economic and community development before running for the governor’s office earlier this year.\r\n\r\nHe feels his recent visits to all 95 Tennessee counties and established relationship with the current Tennessee legislature will be assets to his new position as leader of the UT System.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','UT System Interim President Randy Boyd visits UT Martin campus','Randy Boyd assumed duties as University of Tennessee System Interim President over the Thanksgiving holiday and spent Nov. 26, his first working day in office, on the UT Martin main campus.','inherit','closed','closed','','452-revision-v1','','','2018-11-26 16:48:55','2018-11-26 22:48:55','',452,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/26/452-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(455,3,'2018-11-28 09:41:14','2018-11-28 15:41:14','The city of Martin and the University of Tennessee at Martin will host the 34th-annual Santa’s Village holiday celebration Dec. 6-9 in the university’s Ned Ray McWherter Agricultural Pavilion. The pavilion will be open to the public from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 6-7; from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Dec. 8; and from 1-5 p.m., Dec. 9.\r\n\r\nThere is no admission charge; however, visitors are encouraged to donate $5-worth of canned food items or an unopened children’s toy to benefit needy families in the area. The 2017 Santa’s Village set a new attendance record with more than 19,000 visitors. More than 18,300 cans of food were donated, and toy donations filled 23 55-gallon bags.\r\n\r\nSanta’s Village will include the traditional forest of lights and MTD model train as well as a petting zoo from Hooker Farms and amusement rides from Pope’s Amusement Rides. Live entertainment will perform throughout the event, and Santa will make his annual appearance to speak with local children. An arts and crafts vendor fair will also be conducted during the event.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Rita Janes, city of Martin Parks and Recreation Department, at 731-587-6784.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Santa\'s Village returns to Martin Dec. 6-9','The city of Martin and the University of Tennessee at Martin will host the 34th-annual Santa’s Village holiday celebration Dec. 6-9 in the university’s Ned Ray McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.','publish','closed','closed','','santas-village-returns-to-martin-dec-6-9','','','2018-11-28 09:41:14','2018-11-28 15:41:14','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=455',0,'post','',0),(456,3,'2018-11-28 09:39:23','2018-11-28 15:39:23','','SantasVillage2017','The forest of lights is an annual tradition at Santa\'s Village. This photo is from the 2017 event.','inherit','closed','closed','','santasvillage2017','','','2018-11-28 09:40:38','2018-11-28 15:40:38','',455,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SantasVillage2017.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(457,3,'2018-11-28 09:40:53','2018-11-28 15:40:53','The city of Martin and the University of Tennessee at Martin will host the 34th-annual Santa’s Village holiday celebration Dec. 6-9 in the university’s Ned Ray McWherter Agricultural Pavilion. The pavilion will be open to the public from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 6-7; from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Dec. 8; and from 1-5 p.m., Dec. 9.\r\n\r\nThere is no admission charge; however, visitors are encouraged to donate $5-worth of canned food items or an unopened children’s toy to benefit needy families in the area. The 2017 Santa’s Village set a new attendance record with more than 19,000 visitors. More than 18,300 cans of food were donated, and toy donations filled 23 55-gallon bags.\r\n\r\nSanta’s Village will include the traditional forest of lights and MTD model train as well as a petting zoo from Hooker Farms and amusement rides from Pope’s Amusement Rides. Live entertainment will perform throughout the event, and Santa will make his annual appearance to speak with local children. An arts and crafts vendor fair will also be conducted during the event.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Rita Janes, city of Martin Parks and Recreation Department, at 731-587-6784.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Santa\'s Village returns to Martin Dec. 6-9','The city of Martin and the University of Tennessee at Martin will host the 34th-annual Santa’s Village holiday celebration Dec. 6-9 in the university’s Ned Ray McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.','inherit','closed','closed','','455-revision-v1','','','2018-11-28 09:40:53','2018-11-28 15:40:53','',455,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/28/455-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(486,3,'2018-12-05 17:04:10','2018-12-05 23:04:10','NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed 20 members to the new advisory boards for each of the four campuses within the University of Tennessee system: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; The University of Tennessee at Martin; and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The advisory boards were created under the UT FOCUS Act passed by the General Assembly last session.\r\n\r\n“These board members will positively impact the multiple and diverse campuses that comprise the UT system,” Haslam said. “We wanted members who could focus their attention on the individual campuses and respond nimbly to the specific needs of each institution.”\r\n\r\nThe UT advisory board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. Each board is comprised of five public members, one faculty member and one student member.\r\n\r\n“We’re extremely excited to work with our newly appointed advisory board members to help us achieve our goals to educate the region’s brightest students,” said Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor. Dr. Chris Caldwell, professor of mathematics, was elected by the university’s faculty senate to serve a two-year term as faculty appointee to the UT Martin advisory board.\r\n\r\nThe governor’s appointees are as follows:\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee at Chattanooga</strong>\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Muecke Barker, Signal Mountain\r\nFred Decosimo, Signal Mountain\r\nSerina Desai, Chattanooga\r\nCarole Hoffman, Hixson\r\nScott LeRoy, Chattanooga<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee Health Science Center</strong>\r\n\r\nVicky Gregg, Chattanooga\r\nLynn Massingale, Knoxville\r\nThe Honorable Mark Norris, Collierville\r\nMichael Ugwueke, Germantown\r\nPhil Wenk, Brentwood\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee, Knoxville</strong>\r\n\r\nAlexia Poe, Nashville\r\nTom Smith, Nashville\r\nJohn Tickle, Bristol\r\nSyreeta Vaughn, Knoxville\r\nTim Williams, Knoxville\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee at Martin</strong>\r\n\r\nHal Bynum, Sharon\r\nMonice Hagler, Memphis\r\nArt Sparks, Union City\r\nKyle Spurgeon, Jackson\r\nJulia Wells, Jackson\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Advisory boards created under UT FOCUS Act to provide local emphasis for each campus','Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed 20 members to the new advisory boards for each of the four campuses within the University of Tennessee system.','publish','closed','closed','','advisory-boards-created-under-ut-focus-act-to-provide-local-emphasis-for-each-campus','','','2018-12-05 17:04:10','2018-12-05 23:04:10','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=486',0,'post','',0),(460,3,'2018-11-28 11:00:23','2018-11-28 17:00:23','Randy Boyd, interim president of the University of Tennessee System, has appointed University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor Keith Carver chairman of a search committee tasked with finding the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.\r\n\r\nThe UT Knoxville chancellor serves as a member of the UT System leadership team, reporting directory to the university president, and as chief academic and administrative officer of the Knoxville campus. The chancellor is responsible for providing visionary leadership and promoting continued development of the campus’s academic programs, research productivity, national reputation of excellence and various strategic initiatives.\r\n\r\n“The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is positioned very well for the future. Enrollment is up, we are producing more graduates in less time, our research enterprise had a record-breaking year, and our fundraising had a record-breaking year,” said Boyd. “I am excited to find a generational leader who can build on this momentum as we look to increase our talent development for the state of Tennessee and grow our research endeavors.”\r\n\r\nThe search will officially begin in January with hopes to announce a new chancellor in May. The committee includes members of the UT Board of Trustees and faculty, staff, student, and alumni communities:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Misty Anderson, Faculty Senate president and professor of English, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Chip Bryant, vice chancellor for advancement, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Mark Dean, interim dean, College of Engineering, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Bill Fox, director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Ovi Kabir, SGA president, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Amy Miles, UT trustee; former CEO of Regal Entertainment</li>\r\n 	<li>Donnie Smith, UT trustee; former CEO of Tyson Foods</li>\r\n 	<li>Thomas Zacharia, laboratory director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nA website will launch in January to provide more information about the search, including the job description.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Chancellor Carver chosen to chair UT search committee','Randy Boyd, interim president of the University of Tennessee System, has appointed UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver chairman of a search committee tasked with finding the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.','publish','closed','closed','','chancellor-carver-chosen-to-chair-ut-search-committee','','','2018-11-28 11:00:23','2018-11-28 17:00:23','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=460',0,'post','',0),(461,3,'2018-11-28 10:58:40','2018-11-28 16:58:40','','Carver_Keith_horizontal','UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver','inherit','closed','closed','','carver_keith_horizontal','','','2018-11-28 10:59:56','2018-11-28 16:59:56','',460,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Carver_Keith_horizontal.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(462,3,'2018-11-28 11:00:06','2018-11-28 17:00:06','Randy Boyd, interim president of the University of Tennessee System, has appointed University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor Keith Carver chairman of a search committee tasked with finding the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.\r\n\r\nThe UT Knoxville chancellor serves as a member of the UT System leadership team, reporting directory to the university president, and as chief academic and administrative officer of the Knoxville campus. The chancellor is responsible for providing visionary leadership and promoting continued development of the campus’s academic programs, research productivity, national reputation of excellence and various strategic initiatives.\r\n\r\n“The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is positioned very well for the future. Enrollment is up, we are producing more graduates in less time, our research enterprise had a record-breaking year, and our fundraising had a record-breaking year,” said Boyd. “I am excited to find a generational leader who can build on this momentum as we look to increase our talent development for the state of Tennessee and grow our research endeavors.”\r\n\r\nThe search will officially begin in January with hopes to announce a new chancellor in May. The committee includes members of the UT Board of Trustees and faculty, staff, student, and alumni communities:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Misty Anderson, Faculty Senate president and professor of English, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Chip Bryant, vice chancellor for advancement, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Mark Dean, interim dean, College of Engineering, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Bill Fox, director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Ovi Kabir, SGA president, UT Knoxville</li>\r\n 	<li>Amy Miles, UT trustee; former CEO of Regal Entertainment</li>\r\n 	<li>Donnie Smith, UT trustee; former CEO of Tyson Foods</li>\r\n 	<li>Thomas Zacharia, laboratory director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nA website will launch in January to provide more information about the search, including the job description.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Chancellor Carver chosen to chair UT search committee','Randy Boyd, interim president of the University of Tennessee System, has appointed UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver chairman of a search committee tasked with finding the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.','inherit','closed','closed','','460-revision-v1','','','2018-11-28 11:00:06','2018-11-28 17:00:06','',460,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/28/460-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(464,3,'2018-11-29 11:10:55','2018-11-29 17:10:55','','04122017_DowntownMartin04','','inherit','closed','closed','','04122017_downtownmartin04','','','2018-11-29 11:11:44','2018-11-29 17:11:44','',463,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/04122017_DowntownMartin04.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(465,3,'2018-11-29 11:12:00','2018-11-29 17:12:00','Four students from the University of Tennessee at Martin received awards for their entries in the 2018 Fall Association for Computing Machinery Mid-Southeast Conference held Nov. 15-16 in Gatlinburg.\r\n\r\nThe UT Martin Department of Computer Science took nine seniors from the department’s capstone class to the conference where teams of students presented four separate projects as part of their course requirements.\r\n\r\nStudents Jeremy Coleman, of Camden, and Amie Newman, of Martin, won first place for their capstone work, “EGGY: The Egg-cellent Home Security System.” The intelligent system records images and videos when motion is detected and sends alerts to a corresponding app on a user’s iOS device. The name comes from the egg-shaped enclosure the team built for the project. Coleman and Newman received a certificate and a cash prize for their submission.\r\n\r\nSteven Alford, of Dyersburg, and Ruchik Patel, of Ahmedabad, India, received honorable mentions for their project “All the King’s Men (Video Game).” The game is a 2D action role-playing game in which the user plays as a deposed king attempting to reclaim his castle from a corrupt council.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact Dr. Kathleen Ericson, UT Martin assistant professor of computer science, at 731-881-7587.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin students awarded at regional conference','Four students from the University of Tennessee at Martin received awards for their entries in the 2018 Fall Association for Computing Machinery Mid-Southeast Conference.','inherit','closed','closed','','463-revision-v1','','','2018-11-29 11:12:00','2018-11-29 17:12:00','',463,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/11/29/463-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(467,3,'2018-12-03 15:07:40','2018-12-03 21:07:40','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. <a href=\"http://core10.io\">Core10</a>, a fintech software development company, officially opened a new Martin branch Nov. 30 in Martin’s historic downtown area on Lindell Street.\r\n\r\nFounded in 2016, Core10 works exclusively with corporations in the financial technology (“fintech”) industry, including those in banking, lending, securities, insurance and start-ups. The Nashville-based company opened its second branch in Huntington, West Virginia, to be near graduates from the Marshall University computer science program, and has now done the same with a third branch near the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nJeff Martin, Core10 CEO and co-founder, says there are several characteristics the company considers when choosing a site for a new location.\r\n\r\n“Obviously, number one is that there’s a university that is producing modern software engineering principles,” he said. “Martin is our smallest market…. But, for us to be successful there doesn’t have to be hundreds of employees. Thirty to 50 employees in a market like this makes a huge difference in the community.”\r\n\r\nLee Farabaugh, Core10 chief communications officer and co-founder, says they have been impressed with the quality of UT Martin’s computer science program and decided to locate a branch in Martin to make use of the emerging talent pool.\r\n\r\n“One of the things that we sometimes struggle with in our field is that when graduates come out of undergrad they have a good theoretical knowledge, but they don’t understand really how to work on software development teams. So when they come into the business world and they’re working on client software projects, they’re not that well prepared. But we’ve found UT Martin graduates to be the opposite. They are very well prepared,” she said.\r\n<blockquote>“These young men have come out of the program, and they can hit the ground running. They work very well on our teams. … Most grads just don’t have (that), but these grads do. They really get it.”</blockquote>\r\nThere are currently three employees at the Martin branch, all of whom are recent UT Martin computer science graduates. Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; Tannor Franks, of Adamsville; and Robert Rayburn, of Trenton, all graduated within the past two years and are glad to have an option to work in software development while remaining in the northwest Tennessee area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-470\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"(l-r) Robert Rayburn, of Trenton; Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; and Tannor Franks, of Adamsville, are all based at Core10’s new Martin location. All three are recent UT Martin graduates. \" />\r\n\r\nCody Robertson, also a recent UT Martin graduate from Union City, is based at the Nashville location and is excited to be involved with such a young company.\r\n\r\n“A lot of these bigger companies have been around for a while, and it’s really hard to move (up). Especially in the software industry, it’s very common that if you ever want to move up from the position that you’re in, you’re essentially going to have to switch companies and go somewhere else to be able to keep moving up,” he said. “With Core10, with it being early on and it being a start-up, we have an opportunity to get in really early and make a name for ourselves in this industry.”\r\n\r\nCore10 has trademarked the concept of the “HEREshore” movement, which seeks to keep software development jobs in the United States by locating employees in areas where the cost of living is low. This not only keeps costs down for clients in larger cities, it also helps revitalize rural areas with high-tech employment opportunities.\r\n\r\n“Oftentimes, the reason that (companies) offshore is that it’s so much cheaper. But there are so many problems with that – there’s language, there’s time zone (issues), there’s cultural barriers, there’s security issues. … You don’t know that your intellectual property is safe,” said Farabaugh. “When you can do software development in the United States you don’t have those problems, but historically it’s been cost-prohibitive. So what we’re trying to do is say ‘you can have your cake and eat it to.’ You can have your high-quality, safe work done in your time zone, but it doesn’t cost you a fortune. …\r\n<blockquote>“One of the things that we’ve seen in West Virginia is that so many (companies) want to come in and find the grads and then take them away. We want them to stay here,” she added.</blockquote>\r\n“That’s why our model works. It’s the economic difference in cost of living in an area like Martin versus a big city – Nashville, or even an area like Boston or New York. (It’s) helping our clients understand that high-quality software development can be done in small towns and rural areas, and how much of an economic benefit it is for them.”\r\n\r\nDr. Joshua Guerin, chair of the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, and Dr. Shadow Robinson, dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences – of which computer science is a part – both agree that Core10’s new location brings a huge benefit to up-and-coming computer science graduates.\r\n\r\n“One of the best things about having a company like Core10 coming to Martin and coming to West Tennessee is that not only are they bringing an entire industry to the area, but the ability for our students to get jobs with them provides a really great connection for the university,” said Guerin.\r\n\r\n“I think what you find with a lot of our students is that they are very skilled at what they do, and they also are frequently from this area and they believe in this area. So it can be very frustrating for our students when they really want to stay in northwest Tennessee and make a difference here and build their families here and their careers here, and I think having this opportunity for them is amazing,” added Robinson.\r\n<blockquote>“We have the talent in northwest Tennessee to do these kinds of things. And as this succeeds and as other companies succeed, it’s going to be a win because other companies will want to come knowing that we’re producing this talent and that this talent really is committed to this region and that they have the skillsets that these companies want.”</blockquote>\r\nThe Nov. 30 open house event included members of the Martin Business Association, UT Martin faculty and students, representatives from Core10’s leadership team and many community members interested in the new industry. Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, and Randy Brundige, city of Martin mayor, both spoke during the event to welcome Core10 to the region and thank them for choosing Martin as a home for their newest branch.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Core10, visit core10.io.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, contact Guerin at 731-881-7246 or jguerin@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-468\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ribbon-cutting photo\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','New software company locates close to UT Martin grads','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. ','publish','closed','closed','','new-software-company-locates-close-to-ut-martin-grads','','','2018-12-05 10:29:48','2018-12-05 16:29:48','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=467',0,'post','',0),(468,3,'2018-12-03 14:59:36','2018-12-03 20:59:36','','Core10_1','Members of the Martin and UT Martin communities gathered Nov. 30 to officially open the new Core10 branch on Lindell Street. Pictured cutting the ribbon are (first row, l-r) Barbara Virgin, Weakley County Chamber of Commerce; Suzanne Harper, Twin Oaks Technology; Tatum Utley, Cody Robertson and Jeff Martin, Core10; Charles Anderson, Weakley County Chamber of Commerce; Lee Farabaugh, Tannor Franks and Robert Rayburn, Core10; Mayor Randy Brundige, city of Martin; Chancellor Keith Carver, UT Martin; and Stephen Stinson, Core10.','inherit','closed','closed','','core10_1','','','2018-12-03 15:03:38','2018-12-03 21:03:38','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(471,3,'2018-12-03 15:04:36','2018-12-03 21:04:36','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. <a href=\"http://core10.io\">Core10</a>, a fintech software development company, officially opened a new Martin branch Nov. 30 in Martin’s historic downtown area on Lindell Street.\r\n\r\nFounded in 2016, Core10 works exclusively with corporations in the financial technology (“fintech”) industry, including those in banking, lending, securities, insurance and start-ups. The Nashville-based company opened its second branch in Huntingdon, West Virginia, to be near graduates from the Marshall University computer science program, and has now done the same with a third branch near the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nJeff Martin, Core10 CEO and co-founder, says there are several characteristics the company considers when choosing a site for a new location.\r\n\r\n“Obviously, number one is that there’s a university that is producing modern software engineering principles,” he said. “Martin is our smallest market…. But, for us to be successful there doesn’t have to be hundreds of employees. Thirty to 50 employees in a market like this makes a huge difference in the community.”\r\n\r\nLee Farabaugh, Core10 chief communications officer and co-founder, says they have been impressed with the quality of UT Martin’s computer science program and decided to locate a branch in Martin to make use of the emerging talent pool.\r\n<blockquote>“One of the things that we sometimes struggle with in our field is that when graduates come out of undergrad they have a good theoretical knowledge, but they don’t understand really how to work on software development teams. So when they come into the business world and they’re working on client software projects, they’re not that well prepared. But we’ve found UT Martin graduates to be the opposite. They are very well prepared,” she said. “These young men have come out of the program, and they can hit the ground running. They work very well on our teams. … Most grads just don’t have (that), but these grads do. They really get it.”</blockquote>\r\nThere are currently three employees at the Martin branch, all of whom are recent UT Martin computer science graduates. Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; Tannor Franks, of Adamsville; and Robert Rayburn, of Trenton, all graduated within the past two years and are glad to have an option to work in software development while remaining in the northwest Tennessee area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-470\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"(l-r) Robert Rayburn, of Trenton; Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; and Tannor Franks, of Adamsville, are all based at Core10’s new Martin location. All three are recent UT Martin graduates. \" />\r\n\r\nCody Robertson, also a recent UT Martin graduate from Union City, is based at the Nashville location and is excited to be involved with such a young company.\r\n\r\n“A lot of these bigger companies have been around for a while, and it’s really hard to move (up). Especially in the software industry, it’s very common that if you ever want to move up from the position that you’re in, you’re essentially going to have to switch companies and go somewhere else to be able to keep moving up,” he said. “With Core10, with it being early on and it being a start-up, we have an opportunity to get in really early and make a name for ourselves in this industry.”\r\n\r\nCore10 has trademarked the concept of the “HEREshore” movement, which seeks to keep software development jobs in the United States by locating employees in areas where the cost of living is low. This not only keeps costs down for clients in larger cities, it also helps revitalize rural areas with high-tech employment opportunities.\r\n\r\n“Oftentimes, the reason that (companies) offshore is that it’s so much cheaper. But there are so many problems with that – there’s language, there’s time zone (issues), there’s cultural barriers, there’s security issues. … You don’t know that your intellectual property is safe,” said Farabaugh. “When you can do software development in the United States you don’t have those problems, but historically it’s been cost-prohibitive. So what we’re trying to do is say ‘you can have your cake and eat it to.’ You can have your high-quality, safe work done in your time zone, but it doesn’t cost you a fortune. …\r\n\r\n“One of the things that we’ve seen in West Virginia is that so many (companies) want to come in and find the grads and then take them away. We want them to stay here,” she added. “That’s why our model works. It’s the economic difference in cost of living in an area like Martin versus a big city – Nashville, or even an area like Boston or New York. (It’s) helping our clients understand that high-quality software development can be done in small towns and rural areas, and how much of an economic benefit it is for them.”\r\n\r\nDr. Joshua Guerin, chair of the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, and Dr. Shadow Robinson, dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences – of which computer science is a part – both agree that Core10’s new location brings a huge benefit to up-and-coming computer science graduates.\r\n\r\n“One of the best things about having a company like Core10 coming to Martin and coming to West Tennessee is that not only are they bringing an entire industry to the area, but the ability for our students to get jobs with them provides a really great connection for the university,” said Guerin.\r\n\r\n“I think what you find with a lot of our students is that they are very skilled at what they do, and they also are frequently from this area and they believe in this area. So it can be very frustrating for our students when they really want to stay in northwest Tennessee and make a difference here and build their families here and their careers here, and I think having this opportunity for them is amazing,” added Robinson. “We have the talent in northwest Tennessee to do these kinds of things. And as this succeeds and as other companies succeed, it’s going to be a win because other companies will want to come knowing that we’re producing this talent and that this talent really is committed to this region and that they have the skillsets that these companies want.”\r\n\r\nThe Nov. 30 open house event included members of the Martin Business Association, UT Martin faculty and students, representatives from Core10’s leadership team and many community members interested in the new industry. Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, and Randy Brundige, city of Martin mayor, both spoke during the event to welcome Core10 to the region and thank them for choosing Martin as a home for their newest branch.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Core10, visit core10.io.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, contact Guerin at 731-881-7246 or jguerin@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-468\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ribbon-cutting photo\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','New software company locates close to UT Martin grads','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. ','inherit','closed','closed','','467-revision-v1','','','2018-12-03 15:04:36','2018-12-03 21:04:36','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/03/467-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(469,3,'2018-12-03 15:00:01','2018-12-03 21:00:01','','Core10_2','UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (left) is pictured with Core10 co-founders Lee Farabaugh (center) and Jeff Martin during the company’s Nov. 30 open house at their newest branch on Lindell Street in downtown Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','core10_2','','','2018-12-03 15:02:31','2018-12-03 21:02:31','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(470,3,'2018-12-03 15:00:33','2018-12-03 21:00:33','','Core10_3','(l-r) Robert Rayburn, of Trenton; Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; and Tannor Franks, of Adamsville, are all based at Core10’s new Martin location. All three are recent UT Martin graduates. ','inherit','closed','closed','','core10_3','','','2018-12-03 15:02:57','2018-12-03 21:02:57','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(472,3,'2018-12-03 15:05:58','2018-12-03 21:05:58','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. <a href=\"http://core10.io\">Core10</a>, a fintech software development company, officially opened a new Martin branch Nov. 30 in Martin’s historic downtown area on Lindell Street.\r\n\r\nFounded in 2016, Core10 works exclusively with corporations in the financial technology (“fintech”) industry, including those in banking, lending, securities, insurance and start-ups. The Nashville-based company opened its second branch in Huntingdon, West Virginia, to be near graduates from the Marshall University computer science program, and has now done the same with a third branch near the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nJeff Martin, Core10 CEO and co-founder, says there are several characteristics the company considers when choosing a site for a new location.\r\n\r\n“Obviously, number one is that there’s a university that is producing modern software engineering principles,” he said. “Martin is our smallest market…. But, for us to be successful there doesn’t have to be hundreds of employees. Thirty to 50 employees in a market like this makes a huge difference in the community.”\r\n\r\nLee Farabaugh, Core10 chief communications officer and co-founder, says they have been impressed with the quality of UT Martin’s computer science program and decided to locate a branch in Martin to make use of the emerging talent pool.\r\n\r\n“One of the things that we sometimes struggle with in our field is that when graduates come out of undergrad they have a good theoretical knowledge, but they don’t understand really how to work on software development teams. So when they come into the business world and they’re working on client software projects, they’re not that well prepared. But we’ve found UT Martin graduates to be the opposite. They are very well prepared,” she said.\r\n<blockquote>“These young men have come out of the program, and they can hit the ground running. They work very well on our teams. … Most grads just don’t have (that), but these grads do. They really get it.”</blockquote>\r\nThere are currently three employees at the Martin branch, all of whom are recent UT Martin computer science graduates. Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; Tannor Franks, of Adamsville; and Robert Rayburn, of Trenton, all graduated within the past two years and are glad to have an option to work in software development while remaining in the northwest Tennessee area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-470\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"(l-r) Robert Rayburn, of Trenton; Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; and Tannor Franks, of Adamsville, are all based at Core10’s new Martin location. All three are recent UT Martin graduates. \" />\r\n\r\nCody Robertson, also a recent UT Martin graduate from Union City, is based at the Nashville location and is excited to be involved with such a young company.\r\n\r\n“A lot of these bigger companies have been around for a while, and it’s really hard to move (up). Especially in the software industry, it’s very common that if you ever want to move up from the position that you’re in, you’re essentially going to have to switch companies and go somewhere else to be able to keep moving up,” he said. “With Core10, with it being early on and it being a start-up, we have an opportunity to get in really early and make a name for ourselves in this industry.”\r\n\r\nCore10 has trademarked the concept of the “HEREshore” movement, which seeks to keep software development jobs in the United States by locating employees in areas where the cost of living is low. This not only keeps costs down for clients in larger cities, it also helps revitalize rural areas with high-tech employment opportunities.\r\n\r\n“Oftentimes, the reason that (companies) offshore is that it’s so much cheaper. But there are so many problems with that – there’s language, there’s time zone (issues), there’s cultural barriers, there’s security issues. … You don’t know that your intellectual property is safe,” said Farabaugh. “When you can do software development in the United States you don’t have those problems, but historically it’s been cost-prohibitive. So what we’re trying to do is say ‘you can have your cake and eat it to.’ You can have your high-quality, safe work done in your time zone, but it doesn’t cost you a fortune. …\r\n<blockquote>“One of the things that we’ve seen in West Virginia is that so many (companies) want to come in and find the grads and then take them away. We want them to stay here,” she added.</blockquote>\r\n“That’s why our model works. It’s the economic difference in cost of living in an area like Martin versus a big city – Nashville, or even an area like Boston or New York. (It’s) helping our clients understand that high-quality software development can be done in small towns and rural areas, and how much of an economic benefit it is for them.”\r\n\r\nDr. Joshua Guerin, chair of the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, and Dr. Shadow Robinson, dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences – of which computer science is a part – both agree that Core10’s new location brings a huge benefit to up-and-coming computer science graduates.\r\n\r\n“One of the best things about having a company like Core10 coming to Martin and coming to West Tennessee is that not only are they bringing an entire industry to the area, but the ability for our students to get jobs with them provides a really great connection for the university,” said Guerin.\r\n\r\n“I think what you find with a lot of our students is that they are very skilled at what they do, and they also are frequently from this area and they believe in this area. So it can be very frustrating for our students when they really want to stay in northwest Tennessee and make a difference here and build their families here and their careers here, and I think having this opportunity for them is amazing,” added Robinson.\r\n<blockquote>“We have the talent in northwest Tennessee to do these kinds of things. And as this succeeds and as other companies succeed, it’s going to be a win because other companies will want to come knowing that we’re producing this talent and that this talent really is committed to this region and that they have the skillsets that these companies want.”</blockquote>\r\nThe Nov. 30 open house event included members of the Martin Business Association, UT Martin faculty and students, representatives from Core10’s leadership team and many community members interested in the new industry. Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, and Randy Brundige, city of Martin mayor, both spoke during the event to welcome Core10 to the region and thank them for choosing Martin as a home for their newest branch.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Core10, visit core10.io.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, contact Guerin at 731-881-7246 or jguerin@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-468\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ribbon-cutting photo\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','New software company locates close to UT Martin grads','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. ','inherit','closed','closed','','467-revision-v1','','','2018-12-03 15:05:58','2018-12-03 21:05:58','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/03/467-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(473,3,'2018-12-03 16:28:04','2018-12-03 22:28:04','UT MARTIN NED RAY MCWHERTER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES SENIORS – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. Aaron Wolters, of Culleoka; Chrysele Alexander, of Martin; and Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, have been part of the program since 2016 and will graduate during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony. The Ned Ray McWherter Institute is a three-year professional development program that provides travel, networking and growth opportunities for selected UT Martin students. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; students Wolters, Alexander and Brown; and Ned Ray McWherter Institute board members Warner Pace and Betty Ann Tanner. For more information about the Ned Ray McWherter Institute, contact Joyanne Gansereit, program coordinator, at 731-881-3620.\r\n\r\n###','Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognizes seniors','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. ','publish','closed','closed','','473','','','2018-12-05 10:33:09','2018-12-05 16:33:09','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=473',0,'post','',0),(474,3,'2018-12-03 16:26:13','2018-12-03 22:26:13','','NRMI Seniors','','inherit','closed','closed','','nrmi-seniors','','','2018-12-03 16:27:36','2018-12-03 22:27:36','',473,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/NRMI-Seniors.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(475,3,'2018-12-03 16:28:04','2018-12-03 22:28:04','UT MARTIN NED RAY MCWHERTER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES SENIORS – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Instituted recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. Aaron Wolters, of Culleoka; Chrysele Alexander, of Martin; and Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, have been part of the program since 2016 and will graduate during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony. The Ned Ray McWherter Institute is a three-year professional development program that provides travel, networking and growth opportunities for selected UT Martin students. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; students Wolters, Alexander and Brown; and Ned Ray McWherter Institute board members Warner Pace and Betty Ann Tanner. For more information about the Ned Ray McWherter Institute, contact Joyanne Gansereit, program coordinator, at 731-881-3620.\r\n\r\n###','','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Instituted recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','473-revision-v1','','','2018-12-03 16:28:04','2018-12-03 22:28:04','',473,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/03/473-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(476,3,'2018-12-03 16:28:38','2018-12-03 22:28:38','UT MARTIN NED RAY MCWHERTER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES SENIORS – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Instituted recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. Aaron Wolters, of Culleoka; Chrysele Alexander, of Martin; and Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, have been part of the program since 2016 and will graduate during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony. The Ned Ray McWherter Institute is a three-year professional development program that provides travel, networking and growth opportunities for selected UT Martin students. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; students Wolters, Alexander and Brown; and Ned Ray McWherter Institute board members Warner Pace and Betty Ann Tanner. For more information about the Ned Ray McWherter Institute, contact Joyanne Gansereit, program coordinator, at 731-881-3620.\r\n\r\n###','Ned Ray McWherter institute recognizes seniors','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Instituted recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','473-revision-v1','','','2018-12-03 16:28:38','2018-12-03 22:28:38','',473,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/03/473-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(478,3,'2018-12-05 09:35:50','2018-12-05 15:35:50','','Thomas, Alexius','','inherit','closed','closed','','thomas-alexius','','','2018-12-05 09:36:26','2018-12-05 15:36:26','',477,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Thomas-Alexius.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(479,3,'2018-12-05 09:36:48','2018-12-05 15:36:48','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.\r\n\r\nThomas, a junior this year, discovered this highly specialized career field while searching to “be more,” as she says.\r\n\r\n“At first I wanted to be a cop when I grew up. Then I thought I wanted to be more than a cop, I wanted to be an FBI agent. But then I thought, ‘I want to be more than that,’ so I kept looking up stuff to be more,” she explained. She stumbled upon the CIA’s description of a paramilitary operations officer, which includes international travel, undercover operations, and the training and handling of intelligence informants around the world.\r\n\r\nIn pursuit of this goal, Thomas is majoring in international studies with a concentration in strategic studies. She hopes this degree, combined with her participation in UT Martin’s ROTC program, will give her an understanding of international issues and military procedures.\r\n\r\n“When I found that there was this other major where you could learn about other countries and the issues from different places, I thought that would be better for me to have a more international view,” said Thomas, who was originally studying criminal justice. “My favorite thing is learning about different problems going on in different countries and how that is affecting us. … It’s good to learn about what’s actually going on in other countries and how it’s going to affect us and why the government makes the decisions that it does.”\r\n\r\nAs a third-year cadet in the Skyhawk ROTC Battalion, Thomas has accepted a contract with the U.S. military to commit four years of military service after graduation from UT Martin in 2020. She plans to compete for active duty status upon graduation and serve as long as necessary to gain the experience needed to make the transition into the CIA.\r\n\r\n“I ended up getting a three-year ROTC scholarship that started my sophomore year of college. … (ROTC) is very different than I thought it was going to be. You have to have a big command presence, and it’s a lot of things that I’m not,” she said. “I do like the challenge.”\r\n\r\nThomas is also a left-back defender on the UT Martin soccer team. She says juggling the hectic schedule of soccer practice and away-game travel with her schoolwork and ROTC responsibilities fills her calendar quickly, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.\r\n\r\n“It definitely keeps me busy,” she said. Thomas was recruited to the UT Martin team shortly before beginning her freshman year, and she made the decision to become a Skyhawk after already choosing a school closer to home.\r\n\r\n“I like that (UT Martin) is a smaller school. It’s still a Division One (athletics) campus, but it’s smaller and more connected. … I’m really close with the professors and the teachers,” she said. “I enjoy it (here).”\r\n\r\n###','ROTC cadet seeks career in military intelligence','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.','inherit','closed','closed','','477-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 09:36:48','2018-12-05 15:36:48','',477,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/477-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(480,3,'2018-12-05 09:42:21','2018-12-05 15:42:21','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.\r\n\r\nThomas, a junior this year, discovered this highly specialized career field while searching to “be more,” as she says.\r\n<blockquote>“At first I wanted to be a cop when I grew up. Then I thought I wanted to be more than a cop, I wanted to be an FBI agent. But then I thought, ‘I want to be more than that,’ so I kept looking up stuff to be more,” she explained.</blockquote>\r\nShe stumbled upon the CIA’s description of a paramilitary operations officer, which includes international travel, undercover operations, and the training and handling of intelligence informants around the world.\r\n\r\nIn pursuit of this goal, Thomas is majoring in international studies with a concentration in strategic studies. She hopes this degree, combined with her participation in UT Martin’s ROTC program, will give her an understanding of international issues and military procedures.\r\n\r\n“When I found that there was this other major where you could learn about other countries and the issues from different places, I thought that would be better for me to have a more international view,” said Thomas, who was originally studying criminal justice. “My favorite thing is learning about different problems going on in different countries and how that is affecting us. … It’s good to learn about what’s actually going on in other countries and how it’s going to affect us and why the government makes the decisions that it does.”\r\n\r\nAs a third-year cadet in the Skyhawk ROTC Battalion, Thomas has accepted a contract with the U.S. military to commit four years of military service after graduation from UT Martin in 2020. She plans to compete for active duty status upon graduation and serve as long as necessary to gain the experience needed to make the transition into the CIA.\r\n\r\n“I ended up getting a three-year ROTC scholarship that started my sophomore year of college. … (ROTC) is very different than I thought it was going to be. You have to have a big command presence, and it’s a lot of things that I’m not,” she said. “I do like the challenge.”\r\n\r\nThomas is also a left-back defender on the UT Martin soccer team. She says juggling the hectic schedule of soccer practice and away-game travel with her schoolwork and ROTC responsibilities fills her calendar quickly, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.\r\n\r\n“It definitely keeps me busy,” she said. Thomas was recruited to the UT Martin team shortly before beginning her freshman year, and she made the decision to become a Skyhawk after already choosing a school closer to home.\r\n\r\n“I like that (UT Martin) is a smaller school. It’s still a Division One (athletics) campus, but it’s smaller and more connected. … I’m really close with the professors and the teachers,” she said. “I enjoy it (here).”\r\n\r\n###','ROTC cadet seeks career in military intelligence','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.','inherit','closed','closed','','477-autosave-v1','','','2018-12-05 09:42:21','2018-12-05 15:42:21','',477,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/477-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(481,3,'2018-12-05 09:42:29','2018-12-05 15:42:29','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.\r\n\r\nThomas, a junior this year, discovered this highly specialized career field while searching to “be more,” as she says.\r\n<blockquote>“At first I wanted to be a cop when I grew up. Then I thought I wanted to be more than a cop, I wanted to be an FBI agent. But then I thought, ‘I want to be more than that,’ so I kept looking up stuff to be more,” she explained.</blockquote>\r\nShe stumbled upon the CIA’s description of a paramilitary operations officer, which includes international travel, undercover operations, and the training and handling of intelligence informants around the world.\r\n\r\nIn pursuit of this goal, Thomas is majoring in international studies with a concentration in strategic studies. She hopes this degree, combined with her participation in UT Martin’s ROTC program, will give her an understanding of international issues and military procedures.\r\n\r\n“When I found that there was this other major where you could learn about other countries and the issues from different places, I thought that would be better for me to have a more international view,” said Thomas, who was originally studying criminal justice. “My favorite thing is learning about different problems going on in different countries and how that is affecting us. … It’s good to learn about what’s actually going on in other countries and how it’s going to affect us and why the government makes the decisions that it does.”\r\n\r\nAs a third-year cadet in the Skyhawk ROTC Battalion, Thomas has accepted a contract with the U.S. military to commit four years of military service after graduation from UT Martin in 2020. She plans to compete for active duty status upon graduation and serve as long as necessary to gain the experience needed to make the transition into the CIA.\r\n\r\n“I ended up getting a three-year ROTC scholarship that started my sophomore year of college. … (ROTC) is very different than I thought it was going to be. You have to have a big command presence, and it’s a lot of things that I’m not,” she said. “I do like the challenge.”\r\n\r\nThomas is also a left-back defender on the UT Martin soccer team. She says juggling the hectic schedule of soccer practice and away-game travel with her schoolwork and ROTC responsibilities fills her calendar quickly, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.\r\n\r\n“It definitely keeps me busy,” she said. Thomas was recruited to the UT Martin team shortly before beginning her freshman year, and she made the decision to become a Skyhawk after already choosing a school closer to home.\r\n\r\n“I like that (UT Martin) is a smaller school. It’s still a Division One (athletics) campus, but it’s smaller and more connected. … I’m really close with the professors and the teachers,” she said. “I enjoy it (here).”\r\n\r\n###','ROTC cadet seeks career in military intelligence','Alexius Thomas, of Blue Springs, Missouri, came to the University of Tennessee at Martin with a singular focus – to become a paramilitary operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.','inherit','closed','closed','','477-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 09:42:29','2018-12-05 15:42:29','',477,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/477-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(482,3,'2018-12-05 10:29:21','2018-12-05 16:29:21','UT MARTIN NED RAY MCWHERTER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES SENIORS – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. Aaron Wolters, of Culleoka; Chrysele Alexander, of Martin; and Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, have been part of the program since 2016 and will graduate during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony. The Ned Ray McWherter Institute is a three-year professional development program that provides travel, networking and growth opportunities for selected UT Martin students. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; students Wolters, Alexander and Brown; and Ned Ray McWherter Institute board members Warner Pace and Betty Ann Tanner. For more information about the Ned Ray McWherter Institute, contact Joyanne Gansereit, program coordinator, at 731-881-3620.\r\n\r\n###','Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognizes seniors','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Instituted recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','473-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 10:29:21','2018-12-05 16:29:21','',473,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/473-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(483,3,'2018-12-05 10:29:48','2018-12-05 16:29:48','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. <a href=\"http://core10.io\">Core10</a>, a fintech software development company, officially opened a new Martin branch Nov. 30 in Martin’s historic downtown area on Lindell Street.\r\n\r\nFounded in 2016, Core10 works exclusively with corporations in the financial technology (“fintech”) industry, including those in banking, lending, securities, insurance and start-ups. The Nashville-based company opened its second branch in Huntington, West Virginia, to be near graduates from the Marshall University computer science program, and has now done the same with a third branch near the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nJeff Martin, Core10 CEO and co-founder, says there are several characteristics the company considers when choosing a site for a new location.\r\n\r\n“Obviously, number one is that there’s a university that is producing modern software engineering principles,” he said. “Martin is our smallest market…. But, for us to be successful there doesn’t have to be hundreds of employees. Thirty to 50 employees in a market like this makes a huge difference in the community.”\r\n\r\nLee Farabaugh, Core10 chief communications officer and co-founder, says they have been impressed with the quality of UT Martin’s computer science program and decided to locate a branch in Martin to make use of the emerging talent pool.\r\n\r\n“One of the things that we sometimes struggle with in our field is that when graduates come out of undergrad they have a good theoretical knowledge, but they don’t understand really how to work on software development teams. So when they come into the business world and they’re working on client software projects, they’re not that well prepared. But we’ve found UT Martin graduates to be the opposite. They are very well prepared,” she said.\r\n<blockquote>“These young men have come out of the program, and they can hit the ground running. They work very well on our teams. … Most grads just don’t have (that), but these grads do. They really get it.”</blockquote>\r\nThere are currently three employees at the Martin branch, all of whom are recent UT Martin computer science graduates. Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; Tannor Franks, of Adamsville; and Robert Rayburn, of Trenton, all graduated within the past two years and are glad to have an option to work in software development while remaining in the northwest Tennessee area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-470\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"(l-r) Robert Rayburn, of Trenton; Stephen Stinson, of Holladay; and Tannor Franks, of Adamsville, are all based at Core10’s new Martin location. All three are recent UT Martin graduates. \" />\r\n\r\nCody Robertson, also a recent UT Martin graduate from Union City, is based at the Nashville location and is excited to be involved with such a young company.\r\n\r\n“A lot of these bigger companies have been around for a while, and it’s really hard to move (up). Especially in the software industry, it’s very common that if you ever want to move up from the position that you’re in, you’re essentially going to have to switch companies and go somewhere else to be able to keep moving up,” he said. “With Core10, with it being early on and it being a start-up, we have an opportunity to get in really early and make a name for ourselves in this industry.”\r\n\r\nCore10 has trademarked the concept of the “HEREshore” movement, which seeks to keep software development jobs in the United States by locating employees in areas where the cost of living is low. This not only keeps costs down for clients in larger cities, it also helps revitalize rural areas with high-tech employment opportunities.\r\n\r\n“Oftentimes, the reason that (companies) offshore is that it’s so much cheaper. But there are so many problems with that – there’s language, there’s time zone (issues), there’s cultural barriers, there’s security issues. … You don’t know that your intellectual property is safe,” said Farabaugh. “When you can do software development in the United States you don’t have those problems, but historically it’s been cost-prohibitive. So what we’re trying to do is say ‘you can have your cake and eat it to.’ You can have your high-quality, safe work done in your time zone, but it doesn’t cost you a fortune. …\r\n<blockquote>“One of the things that we’ve seen in West Virginia is that so many (companies) want to come in and find the grads and then take them away. We want them to stay here,” she added.</blockquote>\r\n“That’s why our model works. It’s the economic difference in cost of living in an area like Martin versus a big city – Nashville, or even an area like Boston or New York. (It’s) helping our clients understand that high-quality software development can be done in small towns and rural areas, and how much of an economic benefit it is for them.”\r\n\r\nDr. Joshua Guerin, chair of the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, and Dr. Shadow Robinson, dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences – of which computer science is a part – both agree that Core10’s new location brings a huge benefit to up-and-coming computer science graduates.\r\n\r\n“One of the best things about having a company like Core10 coming to Martin and coming to West Tennessee is that not only are they bringing an entire industry to the area, but the ability for our students to get jobs with them provides a really great connection for the university,” said Guerin.\r\n\r\n“I think what you find with a lot of our students is that they are very skilled at what they do, and they also are frequently from this area and they believe in this area. So it can be very frustrating for our students when they really want to stay in northwest Tennessee and make a difference here and build their families here and their careers here, and I think having this opportunity for them is amazing,” added Robinson.\r\n<blockquote>“We have the talent in northwest Tennessee to do these kinds of things. And as this succeeds and as other companies succeed, it’s going to be a win because other companies will want to come knowing that we’re producing this talent and that this talent really is committed to this region and that they have the skillsets that these companies want.”</blockquote>\r\nThe Nov. 30 open house event included members of the Martin Business Association, UT Martin faculty and students, representatives from Core10’s leadership team and many community members interested in the new industry. Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor, and Randy Brundige, city of Martin mayor, both spoke during the event to welcome Core10 to the region and thank them for choosing Martin as a home for their newest branch.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Core10, visit core10.io.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the UT Martin Department of Computer Science, contact Guerin at 731-881-7246 or jguerin@utm.edu.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-468\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Core10_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ribbon-cutting photo\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','New software company locates close to UT Martin grads','Graduates from the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Computer Science now have a close-to-home option when looking for skilled work in the software development field. ','inherit','closed','closed','','467-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 10:29:48','2018-12-05 16:29:48','',467,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/467-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(485,2,'2018-12-05 10:33:09','2018-12-05 16:33:09','UT MARTIN NED RAY MCWHERTER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES SENIORS – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. Aaron Wolters, of Culleoka; Chrysele Alexander, of Martin; and Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, have been part of the program since 2016 and will graduate during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony. The Ned Ray McWherter Institute is a three-year professional development program that provides travel, networking and growth opportunities for selected UT Martin students. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; students Wolters, Alexander and Brown; and Ned Ray McWherter Institute board members Warner Pace and Betty Ann Tanner. For more information about the Ned Ray McWherter Institute, contact Joyanne Gansereit, program coordinator, at 731-881-3620.\r\n\r\n###','Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognizes seniors','The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute recognized three graduating seniors during a reception Nov. 26 at the Lindell in downtown Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','473-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 10:33:09','2018-12-05 16:33:09','',473,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/473-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(487,3,'2018-12-05 17:03:46','2018-12-05 23:03:46','NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed 20 members to the new advisory boards for each of the four campuses within the University of Tennessee system: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; The University of Tennessee at Martin; and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The advisory boards were created under the UT FOCUS Act passed by the General Assembly last session.\r\n\r\n“These board members will positively impact the multiple and diverse campuses that comprise the UT system,” Haslam said. “We wanted members who could focus their attention on the individual campuses and respond nimbly to the specific needs of each institution.”\r\n\r\nThe UT advisory board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. Each board is comprised of five public members, one faculty member and one student member.\r\n\r\n“We’re extremely excited to work with our newly appointed advisory board members to help us achieve our goals to educate the region’s brightest students,” said Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor. Dr. Chris Caldwell, professor of mathematics, was elected by the university’s faculty senate to serve a two-year term as faculty appointee to the UT Martin advisory board.\r\n\r\nThe governor’s appointees are as follows:\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee at Chattanooga</strong>\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Muecke Barker, Signal Mountain\r\nFred Decosimo, Signal Mountain\r\nSerina Desai, Chattanooga\r\nCarole Hoffman, Hixson\r\nScott LeRoy, Chattanooga<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee Health Science Center</strong>\r\n\r\nVicky Gregg, Chattanooga\r\nLynn Massingale, Knoxville\r\nThe Honorable Mark Norris, Collierville\r\nMichael Ugwueke, Germantown\r\nPhil Wenk, Brentwood\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee, Knoxville</strong>\r\n\r\nAlexia Poe, Nashville\r\nTom Smith, Nashville\r\nJohn Tickle, Bristol\r\nSyreeta Vaughn, Knoxville\r\nTim Williams, Knoxville\r\n\r\n<strong>University of Tennessee at Martin</strong>\r\n\r\nHal Bynum, Sharon\r\nMonice Hagler, Memphis\r\nArt Sparks, Union City\r\nKyle Spurgeon, Jackson\r\nJulia Wells, Jackson\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Advisory boards created under UT FOCUS Act to provide local emphasis for each campus','Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed 20 members to the new advisory boards for each of the four campuses within the University of Tennessee system.','inherit','closed','closed','','486-revision-v1','','','2018-12-05 17:03:46','2018-12-05 23:03:46','',486,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/05/486-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(489,4,'2018-12-06 15:40:06','2018-12-06 21:40:06','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin has recognized his achievements in a special way. The chapter welcomed Templeton as an AGR member during an induction ceremony Dec. 5 in the Boling University Center. His induction recognizes Templeton’s longtime leadership and involvement in the agriculture community at the local, state and national levels.\r\n\r\nThe McNairy County resident has served as the state’s 37<sup>th</sup> commissioner of agriculture since his appointment in May 2016 by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. He will be succeeded by state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher in January when Bill Lee becomes Tennessee’s 50<sup>th</sup> governor.\r\n<blockquote>“I have a lot of respect for (the fraternity), not just the chapter here at Martin but across our state,” Templeton said following his induction. “When you think about agriculture, the impact on rural Tennessee and urban Tennessee even, the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho has meant so much to our state and will continue to do so. I’m just honored that they were happy to have me join tonight.”</blockquote>\r\nTempleton joins other leaders with strong agriculture backgrounds who have been inducted by the UT Martin chapter, including University of Tennessee President Emeritus Joe DiPietro, the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and the late Tennessee Congressman Ed Jones.\r\n\r\nAccording to the fraternity’s website, discussions to form the UT Martin chapter began in 1959 and eventually led to the installation of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter in April 1963. Today, AGR serves as a professional and social organization for male students pursuing careers in agriculture.\r\n\r\n“We as a chapter are honored to have the opportunity to initiate Commissioner Jai Templeton as a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho. … We are appreciative of his service in agriculture to the state of Tennessee,” chapter president Matthew Edmaiston said in a statement. Edmaiston is a senior agriculture business major from Union City.\r\n\r\nTempleton began his state service as deputy agriculture commissioner in 2011, previously served as McNairy County mayor and is a sixth-generation farmer producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University and is a 1999 graduate of UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. As the state’s commissioner of agriculture, he also is an ex officio, voting member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.\r\n\r\n“Commissioner Templeton’s outstanding leadership for agriculture in Tennessee, as well as his involvement in his community and farm background, are recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho by bestowing upon him the highest honor the chapter has – membership in our fraternity,” said Richie Brewer in a separate statement. Brewer, of Pulaski, is AGR Alumni Association president and a 1983 UT Martin agriculture graduate.\r\n\r\nFor additional information about the fraternity or Templeton’s induction, contact Edmaiston at <a href=\"mailto:mataedma@ut.utm.edu\">mataedma@ut.utm.edu</a> or call 731-592-1803.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n###','Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton inducted into UT Martin Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter has recognized his achievements in a special way. ','publish','closed','closed','','489','','','2018-12-06 18:28:19','2018-12-07 00:28:19','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=489',0,'post','',0),(490,4,'2018-12-06 15:35:49','2018-12-06 21:35:49','','12052018_AGRFratInduction0002','McNairy County resident and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton (center) is pictured Dec. 5 following his induction into the UT Martin chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Also pictured (from left) are Marvin Flatt, fraternity adviser and director, Career Technical Education, Weakley County Schools; Dr. Todd Winters, fraternity adviser and dean, UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Matthew Edmaiston, of Union City, Alpha Gamma Rho chapter president; and Dr. Charley Deal, executive director, WestStar Leadership Program. Templeton is a 1999 WestStar graduate. ','inherit','closed','closed','','12052018_agrfratinduction0002','','','2018-12-06 15:37:31','2018-12-06 21:37:31','',489,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12052018_AGRFratInduction0002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(491,4,'2018-12-06 15:40:06','2018-12-06 21:40:06','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin has recognized his achievements in a special way. The chapter welcomed Templeton as an AGR member during an induction ceremony Dec. 5 in the Boling University Center. His induction recognizes Templeton’s longtime leadership and involvement in the agriculture community at the local, state and national levels.\r\n\r\nThe McNairy County resident has served as the state’s 37<sup>th</sup> commissioner of agriculture since his appointment in May 2016 by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. He will be succeeded by state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher in January when Bill Lee becomes Tennessee’s 50<sup>th</sup> governor.\r\n<blockquote>“I have a lot of respect for (the fraternity), not just the chapter here at Martin but across our state,” Templeton said following his induction. “When you think about agriculture, the impact on rural Tennessee and urban Tennessee even, the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho has meant so much to our state and will continue to do so. I’m just honored that they were happy to have me join tonight.”</blockquote>\r\nTempleton joins other leaders with strong agriculture backgrounds who have been inducted by the UT Martin chapter, including University of Tennessee President Emeritus Joe DiPietro, the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and the late Tennessee Congressman Ed Jones.\r\n\r\nAccording to the fraternity’s website, discussions to form the UT Martin chapter began in 1959 and eventually led to the installation of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter in April 1963. Today, AGR serves as a professional and social organization for male students pursuing careers in agriculture.\r\n\r\n“We as a chapter are honored to have the opportunity to initiate Commissioner Jai Templeton as a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho. … We are appreciative of his service in agriculture to the state of Tennessee,” chapter president Matthew Edmaiston said in a statement. Edmaiston is a senior agriculture business major from Union City.\r\n\r\nTempleton began his state service as deputy agriculture commissioner in 2011, previously served as McNairy County mayor and is a sixth-generation farmer producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University and is a 1999 graduate of UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. As the state’s commissioner of agriculture, he also is an ex officio, voting member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.\r\n\r\n“Commissioner Templeton’s outstanding leadership for agriculture in Tennessee, as well as his involvement in his community and farm background, are recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho by bestowing upon him the highest honor the chapter has – membership in our fraternity,” said Richie Brewer in a separate statement. Brewer, of Pulaski, is AGR Alumni Association president and a 1983 UT Martin agriculture graduate.\r\n\r\nFor additional information about the fraternity or Templeton’s induction, contact Edmaiston at <a href=\"mailto:mataedma@ut.utm.edu\">mataedma@ut.utm.edu</a> or call 731-592-1803.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n###','','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter has recognized his achievements in a special way. ','inherit','closed','closed','','489-revision-v1','','','2018-12-06 15:40:06','2018-12-06 21:40:06','',489,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/06/489-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(492,4,'2018-12-06 18:27:37','2018-12-07 00:27:37','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin has recognized his achievements in a special way. The chapter welcomed Templeton as an AGR member during an induction ceremony Dec. 5 in the Boling University Center. His induction recognizes Templeton’s longtime leadership and involvement in the agriculture community at the local, state and national levels.\n\nThe McNairy County resident has served as the state’s 37<sup>th</sup> commissioner of agriculture since his appointment in May 2016 by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. He will be succeeded by state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher in January when Bill Lee becomes Tennessee’s 50<sup>th</sup> governor.\n<blockquote>“I have a lot of respect for (the fraternity), not just the chapter here at Martin but across our state,” Templeton said following his induction. “When you think about agriculture, the impact on rural Tennessee and urban Tennessee even, the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho has meant so much to our state and will continue to do so. I’m just honored that they were happy to have me join tonight.”</blockquote>\nTempleton joins other leaders with strong agriculture backgrounds who have been inducted by the UT Martin chapter, including University of Tennessee President Emeritus Joe DiPietro, the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and the late Tennessee Congressman Ed Jones.\n\nAccording to the fraternity’s website, discussions to form the UT Martin chapter began in 1959 and eventually led to the installation of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter in April 1963. Today, AGR serves as a professional and social organization for male students pursuing careers in agriculture.\n\n“We as a chapter are honored to have the opportunity to initiate Commissioner Jai Templeton as a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho. … We are appreciative of his service in agriculture to the state of Tennessee,” chapter president Matthew Edmaiston said in a statement. Edmaiston is a senior agriculture business major from Union City.\n\nTempleton began his state service as deputy agriculture commissioner in 2011, previously served as McNairy County mayor and is a sixth-generation farmer producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University and is a 1999 graduate of UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. As the state’s commissioner of agriculture, he also is an ex officio, voting member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.\n\n“Commissioner Templeton’s outstanding leadership for agriculture in Tennessee, as well as his involvement in his community and farm background, are recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho by bestowing upon him the highest honor the chapter has – membership in our fraternity,” said Richie Brewer in a separate statement. Brewer, of Pulaski, is AGR Alumni Association president and a 1983 UT Martin agriculture graduate.\n\nFor additional information about the fraternity or Templeton’s induction, contact Edmaiston at <a href=\"mailto:mataedma@ut.utm.edu\">mataedma@ut.utm.edu</a> or call 731-592-1803.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n###','Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton inducted into UT Martin Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter has recognized his achievements in a special way. ','inherit','closed','closed','','489-autosave-v1','','','2018-12-06 18:27:37','2018-12-07 00:27:37','',489,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/06/489-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(493,4,'2018-12-06 15:42:47','2018-12-06 21:42:47','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin has recognized his achievements in a special way. The chapter welcomed Templeton as an AGR member during an induction ceremony Dec. 5 in the Boling University Center. His induction recognizes Templeton’s longtime leadership and involvement in the agriculture community at the local, state and national levels.\r\n\r\nThe McNairy County resident has served as the state’s 37<sup>th</sup> commissioner of agriculture since his appointment in May 2016 by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. He will be succeeded by state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher in January when Bill Lee becomes Tennessee’s 50<sup>th</sup> governor.\r\n<blockquote>“I have a lot of respect for (the fraternity), not just the chapter here at Martin but across our state,” Templeton said following his induction. “When you think about agriculture, the impact on rural Tennessee and urban Tennessee even, the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho has meant so much to our state and will continue to do so. I’m just honored that they were happy to have me join tonight.”</blockquote>\r\nTempleton joins other leaders with strong agriculture backgrounds who have been inducted by the UT Martin chapter, including University of Tennessee President Emeritus Joe DiPietro, the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and the late Tennessee Congressman Ed Jones.\r\n\r\nAccording to the fraternity’s website, discussions to form the UT Martin chapter began in 1959 and eventually led to the installation of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter in April 1963. Today, AGR serves as a professional and social organization for male students pursuing careers in agriculture.\r\n\r\n“We as a chapter are honored to have the opportunity to initiate Commissioner Jai Templeton as a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho. … We are appreciative of his service in agriculture to the state of Tennessee,” chapter president Matthew Edmaiston said in a statement. Edmaiston is a senior agriculture business major from Union City.\r\n\r\nTempleton began his state service as deputy agriculture commissioner in 2011, previously served as McNairy County mayor and is a sixth-generation farmer producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University and is a 1999 graduate of UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. As the state’s commissioner of agriculture, he also is an ex officio, voting member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.\r\n\r\n“Commissioner Templeton’s outstanding leadership for agriculture in Tennessee, as well as his involvement in his community and farm background, are recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho by bestowing upon him the highest honor the chapter has – membership in our fraternity,” said Richie Brewer in a separate statement. Brewer, of Pulaski, is AGR Alumni Association president and a 1983 UT Martin agriculture graduate.\r\n\r\nFor additional information about the fraternity or Templeton’s induction, contact Edmaiston at <a href=\"mailto:mataedma@ut.utm.edu\">mataedma@ut.utm.edu</a> or call 731-592-1803.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n###','Commissioner of Agriculture Jay Templeton inducted into UT Martin Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter has recognized his achievements in a special way. ','inherit','closed','closed','','489-revision-v1','','','2018-12-06 15:42:47','2018-12-06 21:42:47','',489,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/06/489-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(495,4,'2018-12-06 18:28:19','2018-12-07 00:28:19','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin has recognized his achievements in a special way. The chapter welcomed Templeton as an AGR member during an induction ceremony Dec. 5 in the Boling University Center. His induction recognizes Templeton’s longtime leadership and involvement in the agriculture community at the local, state and national levels.\r\n\r\nThe McNairy County resident has served as the state’s 37<sup>th</sup> commissioner of agriculture since his appointment in May 2016 by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. He will be succeeded by state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher in January when Bill Lee becomes Tennessee’s 50<sup>th</sup> governor.\r\n<blockquote>“I have a lot of respect for (the fraternity), not just the chapter here at Martin but across our state,” Templeton said following his induction. “When you think about agriculture, the impact on rural Tennessee and urban Tennessee even, the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho has meant so much to our state and will continue to do so. I’m just honored that they were happy to have me join tonight.”</blockquote>\r\nTempleton joins other leaders with strong agriculture backgrounds who have been inducted by the UT Martin chapter, including University of Tennessee President Emeritus Joe DiPietro, the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and the late Tennessee Congressman Ed Jones.\r\n\r\nAccording to the fraternity’s website, discussions to form the UT Martin chapter began in 1959 and eventually led to the installation of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter in April 1963. Today, AGR serves as a professional and social organization for male students pursuing careers in agriculture.\r\n\r\n“We as a chapter are honored to have the opportunity to initiate Commissioner Jai Templeton as a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho. … We are appreciative of his service in agriculture to the state of Tennessee,” chapter president Matthew Edmaiston said in a statement. Edmaiston is a senior agriculture business major from Union City.\r\n\r\nTempleton began his state service as deputy agriculture commissioner in 2011, previously served as McNairy County mayor and is a sixth-generation farmer producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University and is a 1999 graduate of UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. As the state’s commissioner of agriculture, he also is an ex officio, voting member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.\r\n\r\n“Commissioner Templeton’s outstanding leadership for agriculture in Tennessee, as well as his involvement in his community and farm background, are recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho by bestowing upon him the highest honor the chapter has – membership in our fraternity,” said Richie Brewer in a separate statement. Brewer, of Pulaski, is AGR Alumni Association president and a 1983 UT Martin agriculture graduate.\r\n\r\nFor additional information about the fraternity or Templeton’s induction, contact Edmaiston at <a href=\"mailto:mataedma@ut.utm.edu\">mataedma@ut.utm.edu</a> or call 731-592-1803.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n###','Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton inducted into UT Martin Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity','Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton is proud of his farming and agriculture heritage, and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity chapter has recognized his achievements in a special way. ','inherit','closed','closed','','489-revision-v1','','','2018-12-06 18:28:19','2018-12-07 00:28:19','',489,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/06/489-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(496,3,'2018-12-10 11:29:13','2018-12-10 17:29:13','Jim Tracy, Tennessee’s state director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will serve as keynote speaker Dec. 15 during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall commencement exercises. Commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.\r\n\r\nOriginally from West Tennessee, Tracy spent 13 years as a Tennessee State Senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017 and was an advocate for rural and agricultural issues during his time in office. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from UT Martin. He and his family currently live in Shelbyville.\r\n\r\nUT Martin’s fall commencement exercises will grant degrees to those students who completed academic requirements during either the summer or fall semester. Fall commencement is not a ticketed event; however, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some handicap seating is available at court level.\r\n\r\nThe event will be available for live viewing online courtesy of the OVC Digital Network at <a href=\"http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=6896\">ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=6896</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','USDA Director Jim Tracy to speak at UT Martin fall commencement','Jim Tracy, Tennessee’s state director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will serve as keynote speaker Dec. 15 during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall commencement exercises.','publish','closed','closed','','usda-director-jim-tracy-to-speak-at-ut-martin-fall-commencement','','','2018-12-10 11:29:13','2018-12-10 17:29:13','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=496',0,'post','',0),(497,3,'2018-12-10 11:28:17','2018-12-10 17:28:17','','JimTracy_horizontal','','inherit','closed','closed','','jimtracy_horizontal','','','2018-12-10 11:28:38','2018-12-10 17:28:38','',496,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/JimTracy_horizontal.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(498,3,'2018-12-10 11:28:53','2018-12-10 17:28:53','Jim Tracy, Tennessee’s state director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will serve as keynote speaker Dec. 15 during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall commencement exercises. Commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.\r\n\r\nOriginally from West Tennessee, Tracy spent 13 years as a Tennessee State Senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017 and was an advocate for rural and agricultural issues during his time in office. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from UT Martin. He and his family currently live in Shelbyville.\r\n\r\nUT Martin’s fall commencement exercises will grant degrees to those students who completed academic requirements during either the summer or fall semester. Fall commencement is not a ticketed event; however, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some handicap seating is available at court level.\r\n\r\nThe event will be available for live viewing online courtesy of the OVC Digital Network at <a href=\"http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=6896\">ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=6896</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','USDA Director Jim Tracy to speak at UT Martin fall commencement','Jim Tracy, Tennessee’s state director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will serve as keynote speaker Dec. 15 during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall commencement exercises.','inherit','closed','closed','','496-revision-v1','','','2018-12-10 11:28:53','2018-12-10 17:28:53','',496,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/10/496-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(499,3,'2018-12-10 13:32:12','2018-12-10 19:32:12','Christopher Austin Avallone, of Springfield, received the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award for the fall 2018 semester during a presentation Dec. 7.\r\n\r\nAvallone is a senior political science major and has been a member of the Office of Housing residence life staff for the past three years. As part of his duties, he assists with the administration and assessment of the residence life program, including campus programming, assessment data tracking and student care.\r\n\r\nAvallone oversees the residence life year-end awards banquet and often organizes the distribution of student care packages throughout the year. He also keeps the residence life calendar and social media platforms up to date, coordinates the move-in block party to welcome incoming students, and works with local law enforcement and first responders to organize a two-week training period for residence life staff members.\r\n\r\n“He genuinely wants to make UTM a great place for all students,” said Phil Bright, director of human resources, during the award presentation. “From taking one of our blind students camping to peer-counseling students in mental distress, he is always willing and able to go above and beyond. Austin embodies the definition of servant leadership.”\r\n\r\nThe Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award is named for the late Beth Maloan, longtime UT Martin director of budgeting and payroll, who was a strong advocate of student employment. It recognizes exemplary work ethic and commitment to the university. The award is given each semester to a student nominated by his or her supervising office or department.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Avallone receives Beth Maloan Student Employee Award','Christopher Austin Avallone, of Springfield, received the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award for the fall 2018 semester during a presentation Dec. 7.','publish','closed','closed','','avallone-receives-beth-maloan-student-employee-award','','','2018-12-10 13:32:12','2018-12-10 19:32:12','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=499',0,'post','',0),(500,3,'2018-12-10 13:31:09','2018-12-10 19:31:09','','AvalloneAustin_BethMaloanfall2018','Christopher Austin Avallone (center), of Springfield, received the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award for the fall 2018 semester during a presentation Dec. 7. He is pictured with Maloan family representatives Chancellor Mike Maloan (right) and Sharon Maloan.','inherit','closed','closed','','avalloneaustin_bethmaloanfall2018','','','2018-12-10 13:31:34','2018-12-10 19:31:34','',499,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/AvalloneAustin_BethMaloanfall2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(501,3,'2018-12-10 13:32:02','2018-12-10 19:32:02','Christopher Austin Avallone, of Springfield, received the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award for the fall 2018 semester during a presentation Dec. 7.\r\n\r\nAvallone is a senior political science major and has been a member of the Office of Housing residence life staff for the past three years. As part of his duties, he assists with the administration and assessment of the residence life program, including campus programming, assessment data tracking and student care.\r\n\r\nAvallone oversees the residence life year-end awards banquet and often organizes the distribution of student care packages throughout the year. He also keeps the residence life calendar and social media platforms up to date, coordinates the move-in block party to welcome incoming students, and works with local law enforcement and first responders to organize a two-week training period for residence life staff members.\r\n\r\n“He genuinely wants to make UTM a great place for all students,” said Phil Bright, director of human resources, during the award presentation. “From taking one of our blind students camping to peer-counseling students in mental distress, he is always willing and able to go above and beyond. Austin embodies the definition of servant leadership.”\r\n\r\nThe Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award is named for the late Beth Maloan, longtime UT Martin director of budgeting and payroll, who was a strong advocate of student employment. It recognizes exemplary work ethic and commitment to the university. The award is given each semester to a student nominated by his or her supervising office or department.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Avallone receives Beth Maloan Student Employee Award','Christopher Austin Avallone, of Springfield, received the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award for the fall 2018 semester during a presentation Dec. 7.','inherit','closed','closed','','499-revision-v1','','','2018-12-10 13:32:02','2018-12-10 19:32:02','',499,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/10/499-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(604,3,'2019-01-09 16:37:16','2019-01-09 22:37:16','','UTMAdvisoryBoard5','Gov. Bill Haslam (center) and University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor Keith Carver (third from right) are pictured with current members of the UT Martin Advisory Board. Pictured are (from left) Dr. Chris Caldwell, faculty representative; Monice Hagler, of Memphis; Hal Bynum, of Sharon; Devin Majors, student representative; and Art Sparks, of Union City. Julia Wells, of Bells, participated in the meeting via telephone. ','inherit','closed','closed','','utmadvisoryboard5','','','2019-01-09 16:43:10','2019-01-09 22:43:10','',603,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/UTMAdvisoryBoard5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(504,3,'2018-12-12 13:14:28','2018-12-12 19:14:28','KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As part of his six priorities unveiled in late November, University of Tennessee Interim President Randy Boyd announced an initiative geared toward providing greater and easier access to information for UT’s faculty, staff, students and the communities it serves.\r\n\r\nDubbed “Transparent UT,” the initiative directly addresses Boyd’s priority of providing greater transparency and accountability.\r\n\r\n“As I have traveled across the state during the past nine weeks, a common theme I’ve heard from our stakeholders was the need for more information about how our system operates as well as data on our outcomes,” said Boyd.\r\n\r\nUT will launch tennessee.edu/transparency in the coming weeks to provide public access to information in a centralized location.\r\n\r\n“In an effort to determine what information would be available, our team has reviewed frequently requested information from the general public, media and legislators for the past three years,” said Boyd. “While most of the information is already available on our websites, we want to create one central location for our most frequently requested information to make it easier to find and access.”\r\n\r\nThe website will feature:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Comprehensive dashboard with information on enrollment, student demographics, degrees awarded, retention, graduation rates, post-graduation outcomes, student quality indicators, number of faculty, faculty workload, research activity, economic development, revenues and expenditures</li>\r\n 	<li>Information regarding UT’s presence and impact in each county</li>\r\n 	<li>Searchable employee salary database</li>\r\n 	<li>Tuition information</li>\r\n 	<li>Executive staff and coaching contracts for each campus</li>\r\n 	<li>Information about how the system is funded and how funds are spent</li>\r\n 	<li>Various annual reports</li>\r\n 	<li>Endowment investment information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBoyd also seeks to implement:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Webcasting and archiving all board of trustee committee meetings</li>\r\n 	<li>Online access to materials for upcoming board of trustee meetings at least one week in advance</li>\r\n 	<li>Announcing all finalists in executive searches at one time – this includes the search for UT Knoxville’s next chancellor</li>\r\n 	<li>Webcasting and archiving faculty senate meetings</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBoyd has assembled a Transparency Advisory Group to provide further input and guidance. This short-term group includes a cross section of representatives from UT campuses, institutes and constituencies.\r\n\r\nMembers of the group are:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Tiffany Carpenter, UT System, associate vice president for communications and marketing (chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Sally Badoud, UT Health Science Center, assistant vice chancellor for communications and marketing</li>\r\n 	<li>Harry Brooks, retired legislator from East Tennessee</li>\r\n 	<li>Edie Gibson, UT Martin, chief of staff</li>\r\n 	<li>Scott Gordy, UT Institute for Public Service, information technology manager</li>\r\n 	<li>David Manderscheid, UT Knoxville, provost</li>\r\n 	<li>Rachel Smith, UT Chattanooga, student</li>\r\n 	<li>Lannett Edwards, UT Institute of Agriculture, professor of animal science</li>\r\n 	<li>Carey Whitworth, UT System, assistant vice president for government relations</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe group will begin meeting in January.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT System Office of Marketing and Communications at 865-974-0741.\r\n\r\n###','UT Interim President announces \'Transparent UT\' initiative','As part of his six priorities unveiled in late November, UT Interim President Randy Boyd has announced the \'Transparent UT\' initiative geared toward providing greater and easier access to information.','publish','closed','closed','','ut-interim-president-announces-transparent-ut-initiative','','','2018-12-12 13:14:28','2018-12-12 19:14:28','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=504',0,'post','',0),(510,3,'2018-12-17 10:14:34','2018-12-17 16:14:34','Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, and Sydney Snider, of Lexington, received Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall 2018 commencement exercises Dec. 15. These awards showcase outstanding community and campus service by graduating students and are the only awards given during commencement each semester.\r\n\r\nBrady completed a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with a concentration in animal science. During his time at UT Martin, he served as a peer counselor in the First-Year Initiative Program and helped his fellow students navigate the transition from high school to college. He also led the veterinary science club as president, was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and participated in the Ned Ray McWherter Institute. He has also been active in the First Baptist Church ministry.\r\n\r\nHe plans to enroll in veterinary school and has gained work experience in a variety of veterinary settings, including the Shoal Creek Animal Hospital in Lawrenceburg, the Williamson County Animal Hospital in Franklin and the West Tennessee Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory on the UT Martin main campus.\r\n\r\nSnider completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her years at UT Martin, she was active in the First-Year Initiative Program and held a variety of leadership roles in the UT Martin chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She was also nominated to represent her ADPi chapter at the organization’s international convention. Snider was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.\r\n\r\nDr. Paul Meek served the UT Martin campus as executive officer, dean, UT vice president or chancellor from 1934 to 1967. This award was originally established and funded by the three Meek children to honor their parents.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','Brown, Snider receive Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards','Brady Brown, of Lawrenceburg, and Sydney Snider, of Lexington, received Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fall 2018 commencement exercises Dec. 15. ','inherit','closed','closed','','508-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 10:14:34','2018-12-17 16:14:34','',508,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/508-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(512,3,'2018-12-17 11:09:11','2018-12-17 17:09:11','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.\r\n\r\nJackson, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, majored in child and family studies and intends to use her training to help children and their families find the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.\r\n\r\n“(A career counselor) told me about a position called an education assistant, and you work with a child who needs special attention in a special needs classroom. She suggested it might be something I would like to start off with,” said Jackson.\r\n\r\nShe most recently completed an internship at Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Nashville, where she spent almost four months working with the after-school program and with children who have adverse childhood experiences. She led several classes where parents learn communication methods such as sign language and body language to interact with their deaf and hard-of-hearing children.\r\n<blockquote>“I want to understand enough (about children) to be able to talk with the parents about how to understand their children better and how to communicate with them. I want to be a mediator between the parents and children who have special needs or are at-risk,” she said. “I want to help with showing opportunities for the child … whatever skills they need help with, whether it’s for school or life at home or mobility skills.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson’s experiences as a deaf-blind person have given her unique insight into what children with vision, hearing and related mobility challenges face every day. She also has an advantage when helping parents and families understand the opportunities available for children facing similar struggles.\r\n\r\nHer condition is one that developed over time, starting with the removal of ocular tumors formed by retinoblastoma – a type of cancer of the eyes. Her struggle to hear began with a series of severe ear infections as a young child.\r\n\r\n“After my first birthday is when (my hearing) really started getting worse. … It wasn’t dramatic, but I still declined,” she said.\r\n\r\nIn 2012, Jackson, her audiologist and other experts on her medical team began discussing cochlear implants. The clock was ticking, as medical insurance would not cover the implants after her 21st birthday. Cochlear implants allow an external processing unit to communicate with electrodes in the brain to translate sound waves into discernable noises. But sometimes the operation is unsuccessful, and the person can lose all hearing ability.\r\n<blockquote>“That’s one of the biggest changes in my life, and one of the scariest ones too, because if it didn’t work for me, I would be completely lost,” she said. “I would have no hearing and no vision, so if it didn’t work, that would have been a disaster. I wouldn’t be able to be a part of society the way that I want to be. I’m just glad that it turned out the way that it did. …\r\n\r\n“We have people all over that are deaf-blind, and some people don’t identify themselves that way because they don’t know that deaf-blind is OK to be,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing wrong with being that way; it’s just a good description of what you have.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson has found ways to overcome her challenges and says the UT Martin community has supported her goals from the beginning.\r\n\r\n“Sometimes the teachers will collaborate together to figure out a plan for how to help me and how I can help them. That’s how we learn from each other, and we know what we can do for future reference. … I can’t do pictures and things that are more visual, so we have to talk about modifications that will allow me to do homework along with the other students,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson uses a system of electronic aids to help her, including special software to read online documents aloud and Bluetooth braille translators for her iPhone and laptop. All her assignments were done electronically, with the translator changing on-screen text to braille and back again. She completed exams in the Student Success Center, where staff members fed an emailed file into a braille embosser, which then created a textured surface for Jackson to read.\r\n\r\nWith bachelor’s degree in hand, Jackson plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree in either public speaking or communications at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n“It’s a deaf university, but it also has people who are hearing,” she said. “They get to learn about deaf culture and learn about American Sign Language. So it doesn’t just have to be for deaf people. It can be for anyone who is interested in deaf culture.”\r\n\r\nWhile Jackson’s time at UT Martin has come to an end, she hopes to have left the path a bit smoother for those who come behind her.\r\n\r\n“I try to make things accessible for others who may be walking in my shoes later on,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson crossed the UT Martin commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Jackson dedicates career to helping young people overcome','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.','publish','closed','closed','','jackson-dedicates-career-to-helping-young-people-overcome','','','2018-12-19 09:20:51','2018-12-19 15:20:51','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=512',0,'post','',0),(513,3,'2018-12-17 11:05:07','2018-12-17 17:05:07','','JacksonAshley','Ashley Jackson (center), of Jackson), crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Jackson is a deaf-blind student and plans to use her degree to assist children and families with various disabilities. She is pictured shaking the hand of Dr. Linda Martin, University of Tennessee vice president for academic affairs and student success, with the assistance of Lisa Cepparulo, an American Sign Language interpreter from the Jackson Star Center. Cepparulo and two other interpreters have worked with Jackson throughout her time at UT Martin.','inherit','closed','closed','','jacksonashley','','','2018-12-17 11:44:17','2018-12-17 17:44:17','',512,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/JacksonAshley.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(514,3,'2018-12-17 11:08:24','2018-12-17 17:08:24','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.\r\n\r\nJackson, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, majored in child and family studies and intends to use her training to help children and their families find the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.\r\n\r\n“(A career counselor) told me about a position called an education assistant, and you work with a child who needs special attention in a special needs classroom. She suggested it might be something I would like to start off with,” said Jackson.\r\n\r\nShe most recently completed an internship at Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Nashville, where she spent almost four months working with the after-school program and with children who have adverse childhood experiences. She led several classes where parents learn communication methods such as sign language and body language to interact with their deaf and hard-of-hearing children.\r\n\r\n“I want to understand enough (about children) to be able to talk with the parents about how to understand their children better and how to communicate with them. I want to be a mediator between the parents and children who have special needs or are at-risk,” she said. “I want to help with showing opportunities for the child … whatever skills they need help with, whether it’s for school or life at home or mobility skills.”\r\n\r\nJackson’s experiences as a deaf-blind person have given her unique insight into what children with vision, hearing and related mobility challenges face every day. She also has an advantage when helping parents and families understand the opportunities available for children facing similar struggles.\r\n\r\nHer condition is one that developed over time, starting with the removal of ocular tumors formed by retinoblastoma – a type of cancer of the eyes. Her struggle to hear began with a series of severe ear infections as a young child.\r\n\r\n“After my first birthday is when (my hearing) really started getting worse. … It wasn’t dramatic, but I still declined,” she said.\r\n\r\nIn 2012, Jackson, her audiologist and other experts on her medical team began discussing cochlear implants. The clock was ticking, as medical insurance would not cover the implants after her 21st birthday. Cochlear implants allow an external processing unit to communicate with electrodes in the brain to translate sound waves into discernable noises. But sometimes the operation is unsuccessful, and the person can lose all hearing ability.\r\n\r\n“That’s one of the biggest changes in my life, and one of the scariest ones too, because if it didn’t work for me, I would be completely lost,” she said. “I would have no hearing and no vision, so if it didn’t work, that would have been a disaster. I wouldn’t be able to be a part of society the way that I want to be. I’m just glad that it turned out the way that it did. …\r\n\r\n“We have people all over that are deaf-blind, and some people don’t identify themselves that way because they don’t know that deaf-blind is OK to be,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing wrong with being that way; it’s just a good description of what you have.”\r\n\r\nJackson has found ways to overcome her challenges and says the UT Martin community has supported her goals from the beginning.\r\n\r\n“Sometimes the teachers will collaborate together to figure out a plan for how to help me and how I can help them. That’s how we learn from each other, and we know what we can do for future reference. … I can’t do pictures and things that are more visual, so we have to talk about modifications that will allow me to do homework along with the other students,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson uses a system of electronic aids to help her, including special software to read online documents aloud and Bluetooth braille translators for her iPhone and laptop. All her assignments were done electronically, with the translator changing on-screen text to braille and back again. She completed exams in the Student Success Center, where staff members fed an emailed file into a braille embosser, which then created a textured surface for Jackson to read.\r\n\r\nWith bachelor’s degree in hand, Jackson plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree in either public speaking or communications at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n“It’s a deaf university, but it also has people who are hearing,” she said. “They get to learn about deaf culture and learn about American Sign Language. So it doesn’t just have to be for deaf people. It can be for anyone who is interested in deaf culture.”\r\n\r\nWhile Jackson’s time at UT Martin has come to an end, she hopes to have left the path a bit smoother for those who come behind her.\r\n\r\n“I try to make things accessible for others who may be walking in my shoes later on,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson crossed the UT Martin commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Jackson dedicates career to helping young people overcome','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.','inherit','closed','closed','','512-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:08:24','2018-12-17 17:08:24','',512,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/512-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(515,3,'2018-12-17 14:10:10','2018-12-17 20:10:10','Political science became a passion for Jordan Long while he was a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Now, with his political science degree in hand, Long heads to Nashville and a staff position with Tennessee State Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) just ahead of the 2019 legislative session. Long joined other summer and fall graduates who received degrees during commencement Dec. 15 in the university’s Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s very exciting. It’s a great time in my life,” Long said in an earlier interview about receiving his degree. “I’ve looked forward to this day. I’ve enjoyed my time here, though, greatly. UT Martin has been such a good school for me to attend.”</blockquote>\r\nLong traces his interest in political science to family members who held elected office. In addition to political science classes that increased his academic knowledge, Long gained practical experience in government through involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, also known as TISL.\r\n\r\nThe annual event in Nashville provides college students with real-world exposure to the workings of the Tennessee General Assembly. The proceedings include debates and lobbying for bills among delegates. Lieutenant governor was one of several elected positions he held through TISL, and Long is proud of the accomplishments and connections he gained through the organization.\r\n\r\nLong also served as UT Martin’s Student Government Association president during the 2017-18 academic year. As with TISL, his SGA presidency helped him to gain leadership experiences and expand this professional network. “It was a great opportunity,” he said of being SGA president. “It was an interesting year. ... It was a growing year in SGA’s life here at Martin.”\r\n\r\nLife after college began immediately, as Long started his position with Sen. Stevens’ office Dec. 17, a role in which he will work with legislation and assist Stevens in his various committee roles. “It’ll be a learning curve for sure, but it will be an experience that very few people at this age get, and I’m appreciative of him for that,” Long said. Regardless of what lies ahead, Long is up to the challenges, thanks to lots of hard work and preparation. “I do not think there’s any other school that would have afforded me the opportunities that UT Martin has,” Long said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_520\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-520 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LongJordan_commencementfall2018-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Long and others prepared to graduate Dec. 15, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver welcomed the capacity Elam Center audience that included graduating students from 60 Tennessee counties, 19 states outside of Tennessee and the countries of Australia, China, India and Saudi Arabia. The university’s Office of Academic Records reported that 659 students were eligible to graduate, including those who completed degree requirements in the summer. A total of 375 graduates participated in commencement exercises.\r\n\r\nFollowing a performance by members of the university’s Department of Music, Carver introduced speaker Jim Tracy, a West Tennessee native who served as a Tennessee state senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher.\r\n\r\nTracy, who lives in Shelbyville, challenged graduates to go beyond the milestone of earning a college degree and reach for greater things in life. He focused on the word “pride” and assigned a word to each letter to emphasize his points. Tracy spoke of potential, responsibility, influence, determination and enthusiasm as qualities that build pride in all a person does.\r\n<blockquote>He said each graduate present has potential “whether you’re going to be a teacher, whether you’re going to be an engineer, whether you’re going to be a business owner, whether you’re going to go back on the family farm and be involved in agriculture, you have tremendous potential to be the very best you can.” He challenged graduates to tap into unrealized abilities and to become involved in public service, noting his own 23-plus years of public-service roles. “You’re the future of your community or wherever you decide to land,” he said.</blockquote>\r\nTracy said that responsibility includes “being accountable for your actions.” He added, “You’ve taken the responsibility this far to get your degree today. You’ve got your degree. Now take the responsibility to go forward into your life. Whatever that is in your life to do, take the responsibility to do that.” He then noted the importance of using influence properly. “All of you graduating today, you may not realize it … but you have a tremendous influence on people in your life,” he said. “Never forget that you have an influence on peoples’ lives, and use that influence.”\r\n\r\nTracy’s final points emphasized determination and enthusiasm. He advised graduates to set goals no matter the professions they pursue and stay determined to achieve those goals. He closed by noting that having enthusiasm is important to building pride. “Enthusiasm is catching. If you’re enthusiastic, you’re going to make people around you be enthusiastic. Find something you enjoy to do in this life. Be enthusiastic of what you’re doing, have pride in it, enjoy it, live for it, have excitement in what you’re doing.\r\n\r\n“And if you have excitement in what you’re doing, your fellow workers are going to have excitement. You’re going to bring enthusiasm. You’re going to be a better employee. You\'re going to be a better citizen. You’re going to be a better person. You’re going to influence people, so have enthusiasm for what you decide to do,” he said.\r\n\r\nAward presentations and recognition of honors graduates followed Tracy’s keynote address. Dr. Linda Martin, University of Tennessee vice president for academic affairs and student success, then congratulated all graduates on behalf of the UT System and highlighted the accomplishments of several members of the graduating class. “We are extraordinarily proud of your accomplishments and your attainment of this significant milestone,” she said to all graduates.\r\n\r\nThe recognition of graduates by Carver included the awarding of a posthumous degree in psychology to the family of Megan Cox. Cox, a senior from Camden, died Nov. 15 in a traffic accident. A standing ovation by the Elam Center audience honored the family and her accomplishments and memory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_521\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-521 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cox-Megan_posthumous-degree-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAdditional photos from the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony can be viewed below.\r\n\r\n<style>[data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;}</style>\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; height: 0 !important; padding-bottom: 75% !important; width: 100% !important;\" data-ps-embed-type=\"slideshow\" data-ps-embed-gid=\"G00000rbNzdKpFls\"></div>\r\n<script src=\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com/js/psEmbed.js\"></script>\r\n<script>_psEmbed(\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com\");</script>','Jim Tracy urges graduates to reach for greater things','Summer and fall graduates received degrees Dec. 15 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.','publish','closed','closed','','jim-tracy-urges-graduates-to-reach-for-greater-things','','','2018-12-17 11:33:35','2018-12-17 17:33:35','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=515',0,'post','',0),(558,3,'2019-01-02 09:20:49','2019-01-02 15:20:49','','McPhearson_Petra','Petra McPhearson, vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Tennessee at Martin','inherit','closed','closed','','mcphearson_petra','','','2019-01-02 09:22:35','2019-01-02 15:22:35','',557,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/McPhearson_Petra.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(517,3,'2018-12-17 11:11:40','2018-12-17 17:11:40','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.\r\n\r\nJackson, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, majored in child and family studies and intends to use her training to help children and their families find the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.\r\n\r\n“(A career counselor) told me about a position called an education assistant, and you work with a child who needs special attention in a special needs classroom. She suggested it might be something I would like to start off with,” said Jackson.\r\n\r\nShe most recently completed an internship at Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Nashville, where she spent almost four months working with the after-school program and with children who have adverse childhood experiences. She led several classes where parents learn communication methods such as sign language and body language to interact with their deaf and hard-of-hearing children.\r\n<blockquote>“I want to understand enough (about children) to be able to talk with the parents about how to understand their children better and how to communicate with them. I want to be a mediator between the parents and children who have special needs or are at-risk,” she said. “I want to help with showing opportunities for the child … whatever skills they need help with, whether it’s for school or life at home or mobility skills.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson’s experiences as a deaf-blind person have given her unique insight into what children with vision, hearing and related mobility challenges face every day. She also has an advantage when helping parents and families understand the opportunities available for children facing similar struggles.\r\n\r\nHer condition is one that developed over time, starting with the removal of ocular tumors formed by retinoblastoma – a type of cancer of the eyes. Her struggle to hear began with a series of severe ear infections as a young child.\r\n\r\n“After my first birthday is when (my hearing) really started getting worse. … It wasn’t dramatic, but I still declined,” she said.\r\n\r\nIn 2012, Jackson, her audiologist and other experts on her medical team began discussing cochlear implants. The clock was ticking, as medical insurance would not cover the implants after her 21st birthday. Cochlear implants allow an external processing unit to communicate with electrodes in the brain to translate sound waves into discernable noises. But sometimes the operation is unsuccessful, and the person can lose all hearing ability.\r\n<blockquote>“That’s one of the biggest changes in my life, and one of the scariest ones too, because if it didn’t work for me, I would be completely lost,” she said. “I would have no hearing and no vision, so if it didn’t work, that would have been a disaster. I wouldn’t be able to be a part of society the way that I want to be. I’m just glad that it turned out the way that it did. …\r\n\r\n“We have people all over that are deaf-blind, and some people don’t identify themselves that way because they don’t know that deaf-blind is OK to be,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing wrong with being that way; it’s just a good description of what you have.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson has found ways to overcome her challenges and says the UT Martin community has supported her goals from the beginning.\r\n\r\n“Sometimes the teachers will collaborate together to figure out a plan for how to help me and how I can help them. That’s how we learn from each other, and we know what we can do for future reference. … I can’t do pictures and things that are more visual, so we have to talk about modifications that will allow me to do homework along with the other students,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson uses a system of electronic aids to help her, including special software to read online documents aloud and Bluetooth braille translators for her iPhone and laptop. All her assignments were done electronically, with the translator changing on-screen text to braille and back again. She completed exams in the Student Success Center, where staff members fed an emailed file into a braille embosser, which then created a textured surface for Jackson to read.\r\n\r\nWith bachelor’s degree in hand, Jackson plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree in either public speaking or communications at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n“It’s a deaf university, but it also has people who are hearing,” she said. “They get to learn about deaf culture and learn about American Sign Language. So it doesn’t just have to be for deaf people. It can be for anyone who is interested in deaf culture.”\r\n\r\nWhile Jackson’s time at UT Martin has come to an end, she hopes to have left the path a bit smoother for those who come behind her.\r\n\r\n“I try to make things accessible for others who may be walking in my shoes later on,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson crossed the UT Martin commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Jackson dedicates career to helping young people overcome','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.','inherit','closed','closed','','512-autosave-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:11:40','2018-12-17 17:11:40','',512,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/512-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(518,3,'2018-12-17 11:11:49','2018-12-17 17:11:49','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.\r\n\r\nJackson, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, majored in child and family studies and intends to use her training to help children and their families find the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.\r\n\r\n“(A career counselor) told me about a position called an education assistant, and you work with a child who needs special attention in a special needs classroom. She suggested it might be something I would like to start off with,” said Jackson.\r\n\r\nShe most recently completed an internship at Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Nashville, where she spent almost four months working with the after-school program and with children who have adverse childhood experiences. She led several classes where parents learn communication methods such as sign language and body language to interact with their deaf and hard-of-hearing children.\r\n<blockquote>“I want to understand enough (about children) to be able to talk with the parents about how to understand their children better and how to communicate with them. I want to be a mediator between the parents and children who have special needs or are at-risk,” she said. “I want to help with showing opportunities for the child … whatever skills they need help with, whether it’s for school or life at home or mobility skills.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson’s experiences as a deaf-blind person have given her unique insight into what children with vision, hearing and related mobility challenges face every day. She also has an advantage when helping parents and families understand the opportunities available for children facing similar struggles.\r\n\r\nHer condition is one that developed over time, starting with the removal of ocular tumors formed by retinoblastoma – a type of cancer of the eyes. Her struggle to hear began with a series of severe ear infections as a young child.\r\n\r\n“After my first birthday is when (my hearing) really started getting worse. … It wasn’t dramatic, but I still declined,” she said.\r\n\r\nIn 2012, Jackson, her audiologist and other experts on her medical team began discussing cochlear implants. The clock was ticking, as medical insurance would not cover the implants after her 21st birthday. Cochlear implants allow an external processing unit to communicate with electrodes in the brain to translate sound waves into discernable noises. But sometimes the operation is unsuccessful, and the person can lose all hearing ability.\r\n<blockquote>“That’s one of the biggest changes in my life, and one of the scariest ones too, because if it didn’t work for me, I would be completely lost,” she said. “I would have no hearing and no vision, so if it didn’t work, that would have been a disaster. I wouldn’t be able to be a part of society the way that I want to be. I’m just glad that it turned out the way that it did. …\r\n\r\n“We have people all over that are deaf-blind, and some people don’t identify themselves that way because they don’t know that deaf-blind is OK to be,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing wrong with being that way; it’s just a good description of what you have.”</blockquote>\r\nJackson has found ways to overcome her challenges and says the UT Martin community has supported her goals from the beginning.\r\n\r\n“Sometimes the teachers will collaborate together to figure out a plan for how to help me and how I can help them. That’s how we learn from each other, and we know what we can do for future reference. … I can’t do pictures and things that are more visual, so we have to talk about modifications that will allow me to do homework along with the other students,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson uses a system of electronic aids to help her, including special software to read online documents aloud and Bluetooth braille translators for her iPhone and laptop. All her assignments were done electronically, with the translator changing on-screen text to braille and back again. She completed exams in the Student Success Center, where staff members fed an emailed file into a braille embosser, which then created a textured surface for Jackson to read.\r\n\r\nWith bachelor’s degree in hand, Jackson plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree in either public speaking or communications at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n“It’s a deaf university, but it also has people who are hearing,” she said. “They get to learn about deaf culture and learn about American Sign Language. So it doesn’t just have to be for deaf people. It can be for anyone who is interested in deaf culture.”\r\n\r\nWhile Jackson’s time at UT Martin has come to an end, she hopes to have left the path a bit smoother for those who come behind her.\r\n\r\n“I try to make things accessible for others who may be walking in my shoes later on,” she said.\r\n\r\nJackson crossed the UT Martin commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Jackson dedicates career to helping young people overcome','Ashley Jackson, of Nashville, is dedicating her career to helping young people overcome life’s difficulties – something the deaf-blind professional knows well.','inherit','closed','closed','','512-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:11:49','2018-12-17 17:11:49','',512,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/512-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(519,3,'2018-12-17 11:17:14','2018-12-17 17:17:14','','12152018_FallCommencement0016web','Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was the keynote speaker Dec. 15 during UT Martin\'s fall 2018 commencement ceremony.','inherit','closed','closed','','12152018_fallcommencement0016web','','','2018-12-17 11:18:40','2018-12-17 17:18:40','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_FallCommencement0016web.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(520,3,'2018-12-17 11:20:03','2018-12-17 17:20:03','','LongJordan_commencementfall2018','Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby. ','inherit','closed','closed','','longjordan_commencementfall2018','','','2018-12-17 11:22:28','2018-12-17 17:22:28','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LongJordan_commencementfall2018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(521,3,'2018-12-17 11:20:30','2018-12-17 17:20:30','','Cox, Megan_posthumous degree','Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma. ','inherit','closed','closed','','cox-megan_posthumous-degree','','','2018-12-17 11:25:11','2018-12-17 17:25:11','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cox-Megan_posthumous-degree.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(522,3,'2018-12-17 11:25:25','2018-12-17 17:25:25','Political science became a passion for Jordan Long while he was a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Now, with his political science degree in hand, Long heads to Nashville and a staff position with Tennessee State Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) just ahead of the 2019 legislative session. Long joined other summer and fall graduates who received degrees during commencement Dec. 15 in the university’s Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.\r\n\r\n“It’s very exciting. It’s a great time in my life,” Long said in an earlier interview about receiving his degree. “I’ve looked forward to this day. I’ve enjoyed my time here, though, greatly. UT Martin has been such a good school for me to attend.”\r\n\r\nLong traces his interest in political science to family members who held elected office. In addition to political science classes that increased his academic knowledge, Long gained practical experience in government through involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, also known as TISL.\r\n\r\nThe annual event in Nashville provides college students with real-world exposure to the workings of the Tennessee General Assembly. The proceedings include debates and lobbying for bills among delegates. Lieutenant governor was one of several elected positions he held through TISL, and Long is proud of the accomplishments and connections he gained through the organization.\r\n\r\nLong also served as UT Martin’s Student Government Association president during the 2017-18 academic year. As with TISL, his SGA presidency helped him to gain leadership experiences and expand this professional network. “It was a great opportunity,” he said of being SGA president. “It was an interesting year. ... It was a growing year in SGA’s life here at Martin.”\r\n\r\nLife after college began immediately, as Long started his position with Sen. Stevens’ office Dec. 17, a role in which he will work with legislation and assist Stevens in his various committee roles. “It’ll be a learning curve for sure, but it will be an experience that very few people at this age get, and I’m appreciative of him for that,” Long said. Regardless of what lies ahead, Long is up to the challenges, thanks to lots of hard work and preparation. “I do not think there’s any other school that would have afforded me the opportunities that UT Martin has,” Long said.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-520\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LongJordan_commencementfall2018-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby. \" />\r\n\r\nAs Long and others prepared to graduate Dec. 15, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver welcomed the capacity Elam Center audience that included graduating students from 60 Tennessee counties, 19 states outside of Tennessee and the countries of Australia, China, India and Saudi Arabia. The university’s Office of Academic Records reported that 659 students were eligible to graduate, including those who completed degree requirements in the summer. A total of 375 graduates participated in commencement exercises.\r\n\r\nFollowing a performance by members of the university’s Department of Music, Carver introduced speaker Jim Tracy, a West Tennessee native who served as a Tennessee state senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher.\r\n\r\nTracy, who lives in Shelbyville, challenged graduates to go beyond the milestone of earning a college degree and reach for greater things in life. He focused on the word “pride” and assigned a word to each letter to emphasize his points. Tracy spoke of potential, responsibility, influence, determination and enthusiasm as qualities that build pride in all a person does.\r\n\r\nHe said each graduate present has potential “whether you’re going to be a teacher, whether you’re going to be an engineer, whether you’re going to be a business owner, whether you’re going to go back on the family farm and be involved in agriculture, you have tremendous potential to be the very best you can.” He challenged graduates to tap into unrealized abilities and to become involved in public service, noting his own 23-plus years of public-service roles. “You’re the future of your community or wherever you decide to land,” he said.\r\n\r\nTracy said that responsibility includes “being accountable for your actions.” He added, “You’ve taken the responsibility this far to get your degree today. You’ve got your degree. Now take the responsibility to go forward into your life. Whatever that is in your life to do, take the responsibility to do that.” He then noted the importance of using influence properly. “All of you graduating today, you may not realize it … but you have a tremendous influence on people in your life,” he said. “Never forget that you have an influence on peoples’ lives, and use that influence.”\r\n\r\nTracy’s final points emphasized determination and enthusiasm. He advised graduates to set goals no matter the professions they pursue and stay determined to achieve those goals. He closed by noting that having enthusiasm is important to building pride. “Enthusiasm is catching. If you’re enthusiastic, you’re going to make people around you be enthusiastic. Find something you enjoy to do in this life. Be enthusiastic of what you’re doing, have pride in it, enjoy it, live for it, have excitement in what you’re doing.\r\n\r\n“And if you have excitement in what you’re doing, your fellow workers are going to have excitement. You’re going to bring enthusiasm. You’re going to be a better employee. You\'re going to be a better citizen. You’re going to be a better person. You’re going to influence people, so have enthusiasm for what you decide to do,” he said.\r\n\r\nAward presentations and recognition of honors graduates followed Tracy’s keynote address. Dr. Linda Martin, University of Tennessee vice president for academic affairs and student success, then congratulated all graduates on behalf of the UT System and highlighted the accomplishments of several members of the graduating class. “We are extraordinarily proud of your accomplishments and your attainment of this significant milestone,” she said to all graduates.\r\n\r\nThe recognition of graduates by Carver included the awarding of a posthumous degree in psychology to the family of Megan Cox. Cox, a senior from Camden, died Nov. 15 in a traffic accident. A standing ovation by the Elam Center audience honored the family and her accomplishments and memory.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-521\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cox-Megan_posthumous-degree-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma. \" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Jim Tracy urges graduates to reach for greater things','Summer and fall graduates received degrees Dec. 15 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.','inherit','closed','closed','','515-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:25:25','2018-12-17 17:25:25','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/515-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(523,3,'2018-12-17 11:33:04','2018-12-17 17:33:04','Political science became a passion for Jordan Long while he was a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Now, with his political science degree in hand, Long heads to Nashville and a staff position with Tennessee State Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) just ahead of the 2019 legislative session. Long joined other summer and fall graduates who received degrees during commencement Dec. 15 in the university’s Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s very exciting. It’s a great time in my life,” Long said in an earlier interview about receiving his degree. “I’ve looked forward to this day. I’ve enjoyed my time here, though, greatly. UT Martin has been such a good school for me to attend.”</blockquote>\r\nLong traces his interest in political science to family members who held elected office. In addition to political science classes that increased his academic knowledge, Long gained practical experience in government through involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, also known as TISL.\r\n\r\nThe annual event in Nashville provides college students with real-world exposure to the workings of the Tennessee General Assembly. The proceedings include debates and lobbying for bills among delegates. Lieutenant governor was one of several elected positions he held through TISL, and Long is proud of the accomplishments and connections he gained through the organization.\r\n\r\nLong also served as UT Martin’s Student Government Association president during the 2017-18 academic year. As with TISL, his SGA presidency helped him to gain leadership experiences and expand this professional network. “It was a great opportunity,” he said of being SGA president. “It was an interesting year. ... It was a growing year in SGA’s life here at Martin.”\r\n\r\nLife after college began immediately, as Long started his position with Sen. Stevens’ office Dec. 17, a role in which he will work with legislation and assist Stevens in his various committee roles. “It’ll be a learning curve for sure, but it will be an experience that very few people at this age get, and I’m appreciative of him for that,” Long said. Regardless of what lies ahead, Long is up to the challenges, thanks to lots of hard work and preparation. “I do not think there’s any other school that would have afforded me the opportunities that UT Martin has,” Long said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_520\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-520 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LongJordan_commencementfall2018-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Long and others prepared to graduate Dec. 15, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver welcomed the capacity Elam Center audience that included graduating students from 60 Tennessee counties, 19 states outside of Tennessee and the countries of Australia, China, India and Saudi Arabia. The university’s Office of Academic Records reported that 659 students were eligible to graduate, including those who completed degree requirements in the summer. A total of 375 graduates participated in commencement exercises.\r\n\r\nFollowing a performance by members of the university’s Department of Music, Carver introduced speaker Jim Tracy, a West Tennessee native who served as a Tennessee state senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher.\r\n\r\nTracy, who lives in Shelbyville, challenged graduates to go beyond the milestone of earning a college degree and reach for greater things in life. He focused on the word “pride” and assigned a word to each letter to emphasize his points. Tracy spoke of potential, responsibility, influence, determination and enthusiasm as qualities that build pride in all a person does.\r\n<blockquote>He said each graduate present has potential “whether you’re going to be a teacher, whether you’re going to be an engineer, whether you’re going to be a business owner, whether you’re going to go back on the family farm and be involved in agriculture, you have tremendous potential to be the very best you can.” He challenged graduates to tap into unrealized abilities and to become involved in public service, noting his own 23-plus years of public-service roles. “You’re the future of your community or wherever you decide to land,” he said.</blockquote>\r\nTracy said that responsibility includes “being accountable for your actions.” He added, “You’ve taken the responsibility this far to get your degree today. You’ve got your degree. Now take the responsibility to go forward into your life. Whatever that is in your life to do, take the responsibility to do that.” He then noted the importance of using influence properly. “All of you graduating today, you may not realize it … but you have a tremendous influence on people in your life,” he said. “Never forget that you have an influence on peoples’ lives, and use that influence.”\r\n\r\nTracy’s final points emphasized determination and enthusiasm. He advised graduates to set goals no matter the professions they pursue and stay determined to achieve those goals. He closed by noting that having enthusiasm is important to building pride. “Enthusiasm is catching. If you’re enthusiastic, you’re going to make people around you be enthusiastic. Find something you enjoy to do in this life. Be enthusiastic of what you’re doing, have pride in it, enjoy it, live for it, have excitement in what you’re doing.\r\n\r\n“And if you have excitement in what you’re doing, your fellow workers are going to have excitement. You’re going to bring enthusiasm. You’re going to be a better employee. You\'re going to be a better citizen. You’re going to be a better person. You’re going to influence people, so have enthusiasm for what you decide to do,” he said.\r\n\r\nAward presentations and recognition of honors graduates followed Tracy’s keynote address. Dr. Linda Martin, University of Tennessee vice president for academic affairs and student success, then congratulated all graduates on behalf of the UT System and highlighted the accomplishments of several members of the graduating class. “We are extraordinarily proud of your accomplishments and your attainment of this significant milestone,” she said to all graduates.\r\n\r\nThe recognition of graduates by Carver included the awarding of a posthumous degree in psychology to the family of Megan Cox. Cox, a senior from Camden, died Nov. 15 in a traffic accident. A standing ovation by the Elam Center audience honored the family and her accomplishments and memory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_521\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-521 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cox-Megan_posthumous-degree-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAdditional photos from the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony can be viewed below.\r\n\r\n<style>[data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;}</style><div style=\"position:relative;height:0 !important;padding-bottom: 75% !important;width:100% !important;\" data-ps-embed-type=\"slideshow\" data-ps-embed-gid=\"G00000rbNzdKpFls\"></div><script src=\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com/js/psEmbed.js\"></script>\r\n<script>_psEmbed(\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com\");</script> &nbsp;','Jim Tracy urges graduates to reach for greater things','Summer and fall graduates received degrees Dec. 15 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.','inherit','closed','closed','','515-autosave-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:33:04','2018-12-17 17:33:04','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/515-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(557,3,'2019-01-02 09:24:48','2019-01-02 15:24:48','University of Tennessee Interim President Randy Boyd announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness in an effort to clarify the roles and responsibilities between the University of Tennessee System administration and the individual campuses and institutes it serves. This announcement came Dec. 17 and is one of several changes already implemented as part of Boyd’s six priorities while in office.\r\n\r\nThe task force is co-chaired by David Miller, UT’s chief financial officer, and Richard Brown, executive vice chancellor for administration at UT Chattanooga. Each UT campus and institute has representation on the task force, and UT Martin is represented by Petra McPhearson, vice chancellor for finance and administration.\r\n\r\nOne of the core responsibilities of the UT System administration is to perform operations on behalf of UT’s campuses and institutes that would create duplication and additional costs if each entity performed the work independently. This approach saves the institutions, taxpayers and students significant costs.\r\n\r\n“The faculty and staff that make up the University of Tennessee are our greatest asset to helping ensure students can fulfill their dream of graduating college,” said Boyd. “My main goal is to determine if there are opportunities to share best practices, streamline processes, identify practical ways to do our jobs better and ultimately reduce costs.”\r\n\r\nUT has engaged in periodic reviews of roles and efficiency projects since the 1980s. Boyd has encouraged the task force to seek best practices from the business world and adapt them for higher education.\r\n\r\nInitially, the task force will explore five departments within institutional support. These areas include capital projects, communications and marketing, human resources, information technology, and procurement and contracting. The task force will provide recommendations to Boyd for consideration by late spring.\r\n\r\nTask force members include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>David Miller, UT System, chief financial officer (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Richard Brown, UT Chattanooga, executive vice chancellor for administration (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Tonja Johnson, UT System, executive vice president and chief operating officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Chris Cimino, UT Knoxville, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Petra McPhearson, UT Martin, vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Tony Ferrara, UT Health Science Center, vice chancellor and chief financial officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Tim Fawver, UT Institute of Agriculture, chief business officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Gail White, UT Institute for Public Service, budget director</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nFor more information, contact Melissa Tindell, UT System director of communications, at 865-974-0741or <a href=\"mailto:mtindell@tennessee.edu\">mtindell@tennessee.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','McPhearson represents UT Martin on new UT System task force','UT Interim President Randy Boyd recently announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness. ','publish','closed','closed','','mcphearson-represents-ut-martin-on-new-ut-system-task-force','','','2019-01-02 11:20:57','2019-01-02 17:20:57','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=557',0,'post','',0),(525,3,'2018-12-17 11:33:35','2018-12-17 17:33:35','Political science became a passion for Jordan Long while he was a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Now, with his political science degree in hand, Long heads to Nashville and a staff position with Tennessee State Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) just ahead of the 2019 legislative session. Long joined other summer and fall graduates who received degrees during commencement Dec. 15 in the university’s Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s very exciting. It’s a great time in my life,” Long said in an earlier interview about receiving his degree. “I’ve looked forward to this day. I’ve enjoyed my time here, though, greatly. UT Martin has been such a good school for me to attend.”</blockquote>\r\nLong traces his interest in political science to family members who held elected office. In addition to political science classes that increased his academic knowledge, Long gained practical experience in government through involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, also known as TISL.\r\n\r\nThe annual event in Nashville provides college students with real-world exposure to the workings of the Tennessee General Assembly. The proceedings include debates and lobbying for bills among delegates. Lieutenant governor was one of several elected positions he held through TISL, and Long is proud of the accomplishments and connections he gained through the organization.\r\n\r\nLong also served as UT Martin’s Student Government Association president during the 2017-18 academic year. As with TISL, his SGA presidency helped him to gain leadership experiences and expand this professional network. “It was a great opportunity,” he said of being SGA president. “It was an interesting year. ... It was a growing year in SGA’s life here at Martin.”\r\n\r\nLife after college began immediately, as Long started his position with Sen. Stevens’ office Dec. 17, a role in which he will work with legislation and assist Stevens in his various committee roles. “It’ll be a learning curve for sure, but it will be an experience that very few people at this age get, and I’m appreciative of him for that,” Long said. Regardless of what lies ahead, Long is up to the challenges, thanks to lots of hard work and preparation. “I do not think there’s any other school that would have afforded me the opportunities that UT Martin has,” Long said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_520\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-520 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LongJordan_commencementfall2018-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Jordan Long (right), of Martin, accepts his diploma from Chancellor Keith Carver (center). Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, stands nearby.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Long and others prepared to graduate Dec. 15, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver welcomed the capacity Elam Center audience that included graduating students from 60 Tennessee counties, 19 states outside of Tennessee and the countries of Australia, China, India and Saudi Arabia. The university’s Office of Academic Records reported that 659 students were eligible to graduate, including those who completed degree requirements in the summer. A total of 375 graduates participated in commencement exercises.\r\n\r\nFollowing a performance by members of the university’s Department of Music, Carver introduced speaker Jim Tracy, a West Tennessee native who served as a Tennessee state senator for the 14<sup>th</sup> Senatorial District from 2004-2017. He also has 24 years’ experience as a small-business owner and is a former high school agricultural education teacher.\r\n\r\nTracy, who lives in Shelbyville, challenged graduates to go beyond the milestone of earning a college degree and reach for greater things in life. He focused on the word “pride” and assigned a word to each letter to emphasize his points. Tracy spoke of potential, responsibility, influence, determination and enthusiasm as qualities that build pride in all a person does.\r\n<blockquote>He said each graduate present has potential “whether you’re going to be a teacher, whether you’re going to be an engineer, whether you’re going to be a business owner, whether you’re going to go back on the family farm and be involved in agriculture, you have tremendous potential to be the very best you can.” He challenged graduates to tap into unrealized abilities and to become involved in public service, noting his own 23-plus years of public-service roles. “You’re the future of your community or wherever you decide to land,” he said.</blockquote>\r\nTracy said that responsibility includes “being accountable for your actions.” He added, “You’ve taken the responsibility this far to get your degree today. You’ve got your degree. Now take the responsibility to go forward into your life. Whatever that is in your life to do, take the responsibility to do that.” He then noted the importance of using influence properly. “All of you graduating today, you may not realize it … but you have a tremendous influence on people in your life,” he said. “Never forget that you have an influence on peoples’ lives, and use that influence.”\r\n\r\nTracy’s final points emphasized determination and enthusiasm. He advised graduates to set goals no matter the professions they pursue and stay determined to achieve those goals. He closed by noting that having enthusiasm is important to building pride. “Enthusiasm is catching. If you’re enthusiastic, you’re going to make people around you be enthusiastic. Find something you enjoy to do in this life. Be enthusiastic of what you’re doing, have pride in it, enjoy it, live for it, have excitement in what you’re doing.\r\n\r\n“And if you have excitement in what you’re doing, your fellow workers are going to have excitement. You’re going to bring enthusiasm. You’re going to be a better employee. You\'re going to be a better citizen. You’re going to be a better person. You’re going to influence people, so have enthusiasm for what you decide to do,” he said.\r\n\r\nAward presentations and recognition of honors graduates followed Tracy’s keynote address. Dr. Linda Martin, University of Tennessee vice president for academic affairs and student success, then congratulated all graduates on behalf of the UT System and highlighted the accomplishments of several members of the graduating class. “We are extraordinarily proud of your accomplishments and your attainment of this significant milestone,” she said to all graduates.\r\n\r\nThe recognition of graduates by Carver included the awarding of a posthumous degree in psychology to the family of Megan Cox. Cox, a senior from Camden, died Nov. 15 in a traffic accident. A standing ovation by the Elam Center audience honored the family and her accomplishments and memory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_521\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-521 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cox-Megan_posthumous-degree-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Megan Cox, of Camden, was awarded a posthumous degree in psychology Dec. 15. Cox died in a traffic accident in November. Her sister, Stephanie (right), crossed the commencement stage to accept her diploma.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAdditional photos from the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony can be viewed below.\r\n\r\n<style>[data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;}</style>\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; height: 0 !important; padding-bottom: 75% !important; width: 100% !important;\" data-ps-embed-type=\"slideshow\" data-ps-embed-gid=\"G00000rbNzdKpFls\"></div>\r\n<script src=\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com/js/psEmbed.js\"></script>\r\n<script>_psEmbed(\"https://utmartin.photoshelter.com\");</script>','Jim Tracy urges graduates to reach for greater things','Summer and fall graduates received degrees Dec. 15 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Jim Tracy, UT Martin graduate and state director for USDA Rural Development, was commencement speaker.','inherit','closed','closed','','515-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 11:33:35','2018-12-17 17:33:35','',515,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/515-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(526,3,'2018-12-18 08:25:17','2018-12-18 14:25:17','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While receiving any degree is a milestone, Matlock has been through more heartache to reach this goal than most.\r\n\r\nAfter starting her undergraduate degree in social work at UT Martin in 2010, Matlock’s father passed away the following spring after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Then in October, two months after beginning her sophomore year at the UT Martin Parsons Center, Matlock, then Rachel Dickinson, married Matthew Draper. Exactly eight months later, Draper was killed in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.\r\n\r\n“He would always tell me ‘school first, school first, That is what’s important. You need to focus on school.’ He always made certain that I put that first. And so, when he passed away … I wasn’t able to make my Tuesday class because my husband’s funeral was that day, but I was back in class by Thursday because all I could hear was my husband saying ‘school first. You need to focus on school. School first,’” she said. “I needed to not give up on it. No matter what happened, I knew that was what I wanted, and I didn’t want to give up on it.”\r\n\r\nThe following years were difficult while Matlock dealt with the loss of her husband. Not wanting to let go of the dream of higher education, she took a brief absence from UT Martin to earn an associate degree from Nashville State Community College. However, the dream never died, and she returned to UT Martin in 2013 to finish what she started. She graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve always known that I wanted to do something big. … It was never a question for me growing up that I would go to college. I’m one of those people that so many things interest me, and I love to learn, and I love to grow. So I could never have seen myself not getting my degree,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHaving finished both two-year and four-year degrees, Matlock intended to start immediately on a master’s, but life again had other plans.\r\n\r\n“That fall of 2014, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and she became my priority. In the spring of 2015, I found myself divorced (from her second husband) and taking care of my mother while working full time. My three brothers, their wives, and I did the best we could to see after her. She lost her battle in my arms on Aug. 14, 2015,” said Matlock. “Somewhere, very deep down, I knew I was more than this loss as well, but it took much longer to realize that.”\r\n\r\nThe following year, in 2016, Matlock married her current husband, Doug Matlock, and learned she would give birth to her first child, a daughter she once thought would never come.\r\n\r\n“Throughout this pregnancy, I knew I wanted more. Not just for myself any longer, but for my child. I wanted to give her the world, and I also wanted to show my stepson that you don’t give up,” she said. She soon enrolled in the UT Martin master’s degree program in family and consumer sciences and finished her coursework during the summer of 2018.\r\n\r\nNow, the 26-year-old lives in Paris and works in community outreach at the Henry County Health Department, where she teaches school and community classes on health issues and personal care. She says her background in social work helps her understand what her clients may be going through.\r\n\r\n“I started out working in mental health when I got my bachelor’s degree from UT Martin. I worked with people who were severely and persistently mentally ill. They were coming out of psychiatric hospitals, and we were trying to rehabilitate them and teach them different independent living skills and life skills so they could live on their own,” she said. She began to notice a pattern of mental health issues combined with medical health issues, and now uses this connection to assist those in her community.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_528\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-528 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.[/caption]\r\n\r\n“I’m a firm believer that anything medical health is all going to be fueled by mental health. So many of our medical issues, they revolve around what we have going on in our minds. So I feel like they go hand-in-hand,” she added.\r\n\r\nLooking back on her journey, Matlock says UT Martin played a major role in helping her achieve her educational dreams.\r\n\r\n“Especially through all of the difficult times that I’ve had, UT Martin has been so good to me. … The professors I had during that time (when her husband died), there’s not one that gave me a problem any time I needed anything. When I was at (the UT Martin Parsons Center) when my husband passed away, they were so good to me – checking on me and sending me a card. Just like a family,” she said.\r\n\r\nHer academic adviser at the time, Michelle Horton, professor and director of the social work program, helped support Matlock through the uncertain time after her first husband’s death and encouraged her to continue her pursuit of higher education. Horton herself passed away in 2016 after a battle with brain cancer.\r\n\r\nMatlock would love to complete a doctoral degree someday, but she no longer holds to a life plan.\r\n<blockquote>“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life plans are kind of a joke because you don’t know,” she said. “In five years, I hope to know more than I know now. I hope to still be loving my family. I hope to still have all of my family that I have left. I hope to be happy. I hope to be doing something I’m passionate about. I hope to still be teaching people. I hope that people can still look to me as an example of doing things with your whole heart.”</blockquote>\r\nHer lesson to her children is this: “No matter what you choose to do, no matter what path you come across, no matter what cards you get dealt, whatever you do, do it with your heart. Put everything you’ve got into it. Don’t halfway do anything. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_529\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-529 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Never give up: Rachel Matlock completes master\'s degree','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. ','publish','closed','closed','','never-give-up-rachel-matlock-completes-masters-degree','','','2019-01-23 10:33:11','2019-01-23 16:33:11','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=526',0,'post','',0),(527,3,'2018-12-17 14:44:10','2018-12-17 20:44:10','','MatlockRachel1','Rachel Matlock is pictured during commencement Dec. 15. ','inherit','closed','closed','','matlockrachel1','','','2018-12-17 14:46:22','2018-12-17 20:46:22','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(528,3,'2018-12-17 14:44:31','2018-12-17 20:44:31','','MatlockRachel2','Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.','inherit','closed','closed','','matlockrachel2','','','2018-12-17 14:49:04','2018-12-17 20:49:04','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(529,3,'2018-12-17 14:44:58','2018-12-17 20:44:58','','MatlockRachel3','Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured. ','inherit','closed','closed','','matlockrachel3','','','2018-12-17 14:49:42','2018-12-17 20:49:42','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(530,3,'2018-12-17 14:45:27','2018-12-17 20:45:27','','MatlockRachel4','','inherit','closed','closed','','matlockrachel4','','','2018-12-17 14:45:27','2018-12-17 20:45:27','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(531,3,'2018-12-17 14:50:35','2018-12-17 20:50:35','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While receiving any degree is a milestone, Matlock has been through more heartache to reach this goal than most.\r\n\r\nAfter starting her undergraduate degree in social work at UT Martin in 2010, Matlock’s father passed away the following spring after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Then in October, two months after beginning her sophomore year at the UT Martin Parsons Center, Matlock, then Rachel Dickinson, married Matthew Draper. Exactly eight months later, Draper was killed in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.\r\n\r\n“He would always tell me ‘school first, school first, That is what’s important. You need to focus on school.’ He always made certain that I put that first. And so, when he passed away … I wasn’t able to make my Tuesday class because my husband’s funeral was that day, but I was back in class by Thursday because all I could hear was my husband saying ‘school first. You need to focus on school. School first,’” she said. “I needed to not give up on it. No matter what happened, I knew that was what I wanted, and I didn’t want to give up on it.”\r\n\r\nThe following years were difficult while Matlock dealt with the loss of her husband. Not wanting to let go of the dream of higher education, she took a brief absence from UT Martin to earn an associate degree from Nashville State Community College. However, the dream never died, and she returned to UT Martin in 2013 to finish what she started. She graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve always known that I wanted to do something big. … It was never a question for me growing up that I would go to college. I’m one of those people that so many things interest me, and I love to learn, and I love to grow. So I could never have seen myself not getting my degree,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHaving finished both two-year and four-year degrees, Matlock intended to start immediately on a master’s, but life again had other plans.\r\n\r\n“That fall of 2014, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and she became my priority. In the spring of 2015, I found myself divorced (from her second husband) and taking care of my mother while working full time. My three brothers, their wives, and I did the best we could to see after her. She lost her battle in my arms on Aug. 14, 2015,” said Matlock. “Somewhere, very deep down, I knew I was more than this loss as well, but it took much longer to realize that.”\r\n\r\nThe following year, in 2016, Matlock married her current husband, Doug Matlock, and learned she would give birth to her first child, a daughter she once thought would never come.\r\n\r\n“Throughout this pregnancy, I knew I wanted more. Not just for myself any longer, but for my child. I wanted to give her the world, and I also wanted to show my stepson that you don’t give up,” she said. She soon enrolled in the UT Martin master’s degree program in family and consumer sciences and finished her coursework during the summer of 2018.\r\n\r\nNow, the 26-year-old lives in Paris and works in community outreach at the Henry County Health Department, where she teaches school and community classes on health issues and personal care. She says her background in social work helps her understand what her clients may be going through.\r\n\r\n“I started out working in mental health when I got my bachelor’s degree from UT Martin. I worked with people who were severely and persistently mentally ill. They were coming out of psychiatric hospitals, and we were trying to rehabilitate them and teach them different independent living skills and life skills so they could live on their own,” she said. She began to notice a pattern of mental health issues combined with medical health issues, and now uses this connection to assist those in her community.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-528\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.\" />\r\n\r\n“I’m a firm believer that anything medical health is all going to be fueled by mental health. So many of our medical issues, they revolve around what we have going on in our minds. So I feel like they go hand-in-hand,” she added.\r\n\r\nLooking back on her journey, Matlock says UT Martin played a major role in helping her achieve her educational dreams.\r\n<blockquote>“Especially through all of the difficult times that I’ve had, UT Martin has been so good to me. … The professors I had during that time (when her husband died), there’s not one that gave me a problem any time I needed anything. When I was at (the UT Martin Parsons Center) when my husband passed away, they were so good to me – checking on me and sending me a card. Just like a family,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHer academic adviser at the time, Michelle Horton, professor and director of the social work program, helped support Matlock through the uncertain time after her first husband’s death and encouraged her to continue her pursuit of higher education. Horton herself passed away in 2016 after a battle with brain cancer.\r\n\r\nMatlock would love to complete a doctoral degree someday, but she no longer holds to a life plan.\r\n<blockquote>“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life plans are kind of a joke because you don’t know,” she said. “In five years, I hope to know more than I know now. I hope to still be loving my family. I hope to still have all of my family that I have left. I hope to be happy. I hope to be doing something I’m passionate about. I hope to still be teaching people. I hope that people can still look to me as an example of doing things with your whole heart.”</blockquote>\r\nHer lesson to her children is this: “No matter what you choose to do, no matter what path you come across, no matter what cards you get dealt, whatever you do, do it with your heart. Put everything you’ve got into it. Don’t halfway do anything. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart.”\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-529\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured. \" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Never give up: Rachel Matlock completes master\'s degree','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','526-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 14:50:35','2018-12-17 20:50:35','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/526-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(532,3,'2018-12-17 14:51:03','2018-12-17 20:51:03','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While receiving any degree is a milestone, Matlock has been through more heartache to reach this goal than most.\r\n\r\nAfter starting her undergraduate degree in social work at UT Martin in 2010, Matlock’s father passed away the following spring after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Then in October, two months after beginning her sophomore year at the UT Martin Parsons Center, Matlock, then Rachel Dickinson, married Matthew Draper. Exactly eight months later, Draper was killed in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.\r\n\r\n“He would always tell me ‘school first, school first, That is what’s important. You need to focus on school.’ He always made certain that I put that first. And so, when he passed away … I wasn’t able to make my Tuesday class because my husband’s funeral was that day, but I was back in class by Thursday because all I could hear was my husband saying ‘school first. You need to focus on school. School first,’” she said. “I needed to not give up on it. No matter what happened, I knew that was what I wanted, and I didn’t want to give up on it.”\r\n\r\nThe following years were difficult while Matlock dealt with the loss of her husband. Not wanting to let go of the dream of higher education, she took a brief absence from UT Martin to earn an associate degree from Nashville State Community College. However, the dream never died, and she returned to UT Martin in 2013 to finish what she started. She graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve always known that I wanted to do something big. … It was never a question for me growing up that I would go to college. I’m one of those people that so many things interest me, and I love to learn, and I love to grow. So I could never have seen myself not getting my degree,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHaving finished both two-year and four-year degrees, Matlock intended to start immediately on a master’s, but life again had other plans.\r\n\r\n“That fall of 2014, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and she became my priority. In the spring of 2015, I found myself divorced (from her second husband) and taking care of my mother while working full time. My three brothers, their wives, and I did the best we could to see after her. She lost her battle in my arms on Aug. 14, 2015,” said Matlock. “Somewhere, very deep down, I knew I was more than this loss as well, but it took much longer to realize that.”\r\n\r\nThe following year, in 2016, Matlock married her current husband, Doug Matlock, and learned she would give birth to her first child, a daughter she once thought would never come.\r\n\r\n“Throughout this pregnancy, I knew I wanted more. Not just for myself any longer, but for my child. I wanted to give her the world, and I also wanted to show my stepson that you don’t give up,” she said. She soon enrolled in the UT Martin master’s degree program in family and consumer sciences and finished her coursework during the summer of 2018.\r\n\r\nNow, the 26-year-old lives in Paris and works in community outreach at the Henry County Health Department, where she teaches school and community classes on health issues and personal care. She says her background in social work helps her understand what her clients may be going through.\r\n\r\n“I started out working in mental health when I got my bachelor’s degree from UT Martin. I worked with people who were severely and persistently mentally ill. They were coming out of psychiatric hospitals, and we were trying to rehabilitate them and teach them different independent living skills and life skills so they could live on their own,” she said. She began to notice a pattern of mental health issues combined with medical health issues, and now uses this connection to assist those in her community.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-528\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.\" />\r\n\r\n“I’m a firm believer that anything medical health is all going to be fueled by mental health. So many of our medical issues, they revolve around what we have going on in our minds. So I feel like they go hand-in-hand,” she added.\r\n\r\nLooking back on her journey, Matlock says UT Martin played a major role in helping her achieve her educational dreams.\r\n\r\n“Especially through all of the difficult times that I’ve had, UT Martin has been so good to me. … The professors I had during that time (when her husband died), there’s not one that gave me a problem any time I needed anything. When I was at (the UT Martin Parsons Center) when my husband passed away, they were so good to me – checking on me and sending me a card. Just like a family,” she said.\r\n\r\nHer academic adviser at the time, Michelle Horton, professor and director of the social work program, helped support Matlock through the uncertain time after her first husband’s death and encouraged her to continue her pursuit of higher education. Horton herself passed away in 2016 after a battle with brain cancer.\r\n\r\nMatlock would love to complete a doctoral degree someday, but she no longer holds to a life plan.\r\n<blockquote>“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life plans are kind of a joke because you don’t know,” she said. “In five years, I hope to know more than I know now. I hope to still be loving my family. I hope to still have all of my family that I have left. I hope to be happy. I hope to be doing something I’m passionate about. I hope to still be teaching people. I hope that people can still look to me as an example of doing things with your whole heart.”</blockquote>\r\nHer lesson to her children is this: “No matter what you choose to do, no matter what path you come across, no matter what cards you get dealt, whatever you do, do it with your heart. Put everything you’ve got into it. Don’t halfway do anything. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart.”\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-529\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured. \" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Never give up: Rachel Matlock completes master\'s degree','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','526-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 14:51:03','2018-12-17 20:51:03','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/526-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(533,3,'2018-12-17 14:51:36','2018-12-17 20:51:36','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While receiving any degree is a milestone, Matlock has been through more heartache to reach this goal than most.\r\n\r\nAfter starting her undergraduate degree in social work at UT Martin in 2010, Matlock’s father passed away the following spring after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Then in October, two months after beginning her sophomore year at the UT Martin Parsons Center, Matlock, then Rachel Dickinson, married Matthew Draper. Exactly eight months later, Draper was killed in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.\r\n\r\n“He would always tell me ‘school first, school first, That is what’s important. You need to focus on school.’ He always made certain that I put that first. And so, when he passed away … I wasn’t able to make my Tuesday class because my husband’s funeral was that day, but I was back in class by Thursday because all I could hear was my husband saying ‘school first. You need to focus on school. School first,’” she said. “I needed to not give up on it. No matter what happened, I knew that was what I wanted, and I didn’t want to give up on it.”\r\n\r\nThe following years were difficult while Matlock dealt with the loss of her husband. Not wanting to let go of the dream of higher education, she took a brief absence from UT Martin to earn an associate degree from Nashville State Community College. However, the dream never died, and she returned to UT Martin in 2013 to finish what she started. She graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve always known that I wanted to do something big. … It was never a question for me growing up that I would go to college. I’m one of those people that so many things interest me, and I love to learn, and I love to grow. So I could never have seen myself not getting my degree,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHaving finished both two-year and four-year degrees, Matlock intended to start immediately on a master’s, but life again had other plans.\r\n\r\n“That fall of 2014, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and she became my priority. In the spring of 2015, I found myself divorced (from her second husband) and taking care of my mother while working full time. My three brothers, their wives, and I did the best we could to see after her. She lost her battle in my arms on Aug. 14, 2015,” said Matlock. “Somewhere, very deep down, I knew I was more than this loss as well, but it took much longer to realize that.”\r\n\r\nThe following year, in 2016, Matlock married her current husband, Doug Matlock, and learned she would give birth to her first child, a daughter she once thought would never come.\r\n\r\n“Throughout this pregnancy, I knew I wanted more. Not just for myself any longer, but for my child. I wanted to give her the world, and I also wanted to show my stepson that you don’t give up,” she said. She soon enrolled in the UT Martin master’s degree program in family and consumer sciences and finished her coursework during the summer of 2018.\r\n\r\nNow, the 26-year-old lives in Paris and works in community outreach at the Henry County Health Department, where she teaches school and community classes on health issues and personal care. She says her background in social work helps her understand what her clients may be going through.\r\n\r\n“I started out working in mental health when I got my bachelor’s degree from UT Martin. I worked with people who were severely and persistently mentally ill. They were coming out of psychiatric hospitals, and we were trying to rehabilitate them and teach them different independent living skills and life skills so they could live on their own,” she said. She began to notice a pattern of mental health issues combined with medical health issues, and now uses this connection to assist those in her community.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-528\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.\" />\r\n\r\n“I’m a firm believer that anything medical health is all going to be fueled by mental health. So many of our medical issues, they revolve around what we have going on in our minds. So I feel like they go hand-in-hand,” she added.\r\n\r\nLooking back on her journey, Matlock says UT Martin played a major role in helping her achieve her educational dreams.\r\n\r\n“Especially through all of the difficult times that I’ve had, UT Martin has been so good to me. … The professors I had during that time (when her husband died), there’s not one that gave me a problem any time I needed anything. When I was at (the UT Martin Parsons Center) when my husband passed away, they were so good to me – checking on me and sending me a card. Just like a family,” she said.\r\n\r\nHer academic adviser at the time, Michelle Horton, professor and director of the social work program, helped support Matlock through the uncertain time after her first husband’s death and encouraged her to continue her pursuit of higher education. Horton herself passed away in 2016 after a battle with brain cancer.\r\n\r\nMatlock would love to complete a doctoral degree someday, but she no longer holds to a life plan.\r\n<blockquote>“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life plans are kind of a joke because you don’t know,” she said. “In five years, I hope to know more than I know now. I hope to still be loving my family. I hope to still have all of my family that I have left. I hope to be happy. I hope to be doing something I’m passionate about. I hope to still be teaching people. I hope that people can still look to me as an example of doing things with your whole heart.”</blockquote>\r\nHer lesson to her children is this: “No matter what you choose to do, no matter what path you come across, no matter what cards you get dealt, whatever you do, do it with your heart. Put everything you’ve got into it. Don’t halfway do anything. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_529\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-529 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Never give up: Rachel Matlock completes master\'s degree','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','526-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 14:51:36','2018-12-17 20:51:36','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/526-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(534,3,'2018-12-17 14:51:54','2018-12-17 20:51:54','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While receiving any degree is a milestone, Matlock has been through more heartache to reach this goal than most.\r\n\r\nAfter starting her undergraduate degree in social work at UT Martin in 2010, Matlock’s father passed away the following spring after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Then in October, two months after beginning her sophomore year at the UT Martin Parsons Center, Matlock, then Rachel Dickinson, married Matthew Draper. Exactly eight months later, Draper was killed in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.\r\n\r\n“He would always tell me ‘school first, school first, That is what’s important. You need to focus on school.’ He always made certain that I put that first. And so, when he passed away … I wasn’t able to make my Tuesday class because my husband’s funeral was that day, but I was back in class by Thursday because all I could hear was my husband saying ‘school first. You need to focus on school. School first,’” she said. “I needed to not give up on it. No matter what happened, I knew that was what I wanted, and I didn’t want to give up on it.”\r\n\r\nThe following years were difficult while Matlock dealt with the loss of her husband. Not wanting to let go of the dream of higher education, she took a brief absence from UT Martin to earn an associate degree from Nashville State Community College. However, the dream never died, and she returned to UT Martin in 2013 to finish what she started. She graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve always known that I wanted to do something big. … It was never a question for me growing up that I would go to college. I’m one of those people that so many things interest me, and I love to learn, and I love to grow. So I could never have seen myself not getting my degree,” she said.</blockquote>\r\nHaving finished both two-year and four-year degrees, Matlock intended to start immediately on a master’s, but life again had other plans.\r\n\r\n“That fall of 2014, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and she became my priority. In the spring of 2015, I found myself divorced (from her second husband) and taking care of my mother while working full time. My three brothers, their wives, and I did the best we could to see after her. She lost her battle in my arms on Aug. 14, 2015,” said Matlock. “Somewhere, very deep down, I knew I was more than this loss as well, but it took much longer to realize that.”\r\n\r\nThe following year, in 2016, Matlock married her current husband, Doug Matlock, and learned she would give birth to her first child, a daughter she once thought would never come.\r\n\r\n“Throughout this pregnancy, I knew I wanted more. Not just for myself any longer, but for my child. I wanted to give her the world, and I also wanted to show my stepson that you don’t give up,” she said. She soon enrolled in the UT Martin master’s degree program in family and consumer sciences and finished her coursework during the summer of 2018.\r\n\r\nNow, the 26-year-old lives in Paris and works in community outreach at the Henry County Health Department, where she teaches school and community classes on health issues and personal care. She says her background in social work helps her understand what her clients may be going through.\r\n\r\n“I started out working in mental health when I got my bachelor’s degree from UT Martin. I worked with people who were severely and persistently mentally ill. They were coming out of psychiatric hospitals, and we were trying to rehabilitate them and teach them different independent living skills and life skills so they could live on their own,” she said. She began to notice a pattern of mental health issues combined with medical health issues, and now uses this connection to assist those in her community.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_528\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-528 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Rachel crosses the stage to receive her masters degree Dec. 15 during UT Martin commencement.[/caption]\r\n\r\n“I’m a firm believer that anything medical health is all going to be fueled by mental health. So many of our medical issues, they revolve around what we have going on in our minds. So I feel like they go hand-in-hand,” she added.\r\n\r\nLooking back on her journey, Matlock says UT Martin played a major role in helping her achieve her educational dreams.\r\n\r\n“Especially through all of the difficult times that I’ve had, UT Martin has been so good to me. … The professors I had during that time (when her husband died), there’s not one that gave me a problem any time I needed anything. When I was at (the UT Martin Parsons Center) when my husband passed away, they were so good to me – checking on me and sending me a card. Just like a family,” she said.\r\n\r\nHer academic adviser at the time, Michelle Horton, professor and director of the social work program, helped support Matlock through the uncertain time after her first husband’s death and encouraged her to continue her pursuit of higher education. Horton herself passed away in 2016 after a battle with brain cancer.\r\n\r\nMatlock would love to complete a doctoral degree someday, but she no longer holds to a life plan.\r\n<blockquote>“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life plans are kind of a joke because you don’t know,” she said. “In five years, I hope to know more than I know now. I hope to still be loving my family. I hope to still have all of my family that I have left. I hope to be happy. I hope to be doing something I’m passionate about. I hope to still be teaching people. I hope that people can still look to me as an example of doing things with your whole heart.”</blockquote>\r\nHer lesson to her children is this: “No matter what you choose to do, no matter what path you come across, no matter what cards you get dealt, whatever you do, do it with your heart. Put everything you’ve got into it. Don’t halfway do anything. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_529\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"wp-image-529 size-large\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MatlockRachel3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /> Rachel Matlock (left) is pictured with her daughter, Elata Matlock, and husband, Doug Matlock, prior to commencement. Her stepson is not pictured.[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###</p>','Never give up: Rachel Matlock completes master\'s degree','Rachel Matlock, originally from Camden, crossed the commencement stage Dec. 15 to receive her Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee at Martin. ','inherit','closed','closed','','526-revision-v1','','','2018-12-17 14:51:54','2018-12-17 20:51:54','',526,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/17/526-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(535,3,'2018-12-18 14:39:12','2018-12-18 20:39:12','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.\r\n\r\nThe African-American student population was the largest since fall of 2015, with 875 students enrolled at the university, and other underrepresented populations were the largest in the past 10 years. UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver feels this increase is because of the university’s dedication to creating a diverse campus atmosphere.\r\n\r\n“We have put a focus on diverse student programs over the past few semesters, and our new hires in the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs have done an excellent job including all our student populations in their choice of campus events and outreach,” said Carver. “Diversity is also a key component in the university’s new strategic plan, and while we still have improvements to make, I feel we are moving in a good direction.”\r\n\r\nThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions has worked closely with the UT Martin Black Alumni Council, based in Shelby County, to increase and improve student recruitment efforts in that area. A popular event is the Red Carpet Day, which welcomes students from underrepresented populations to campus for a weekend visit each fall.\r\n\r\n“We make sure to incorporate our current students within that programming so (attendees) can actually have that first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be an underrepresented student here at UTM,” said John Blue, director of the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs.\r\n\r\nBlue and his assistant director, Anthony Prewitt, are also working with the student body to start the university’s first Hispanic/Latino student organization. Blue says student activities this past semester worked to expand on current offerings for underrepresented students and included the university’s first observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. His office is also partnering with the UT Martin Women’s Center and the Office of International Programs and International Admissions to make sure those student groups are included in campus programming as well.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s a known fact that students from underrepresented populations relate better to students, faculty and staff and amenities that look like them. … So (relevant student programming is) also a big factor in the retention of students,” said Prewitt. “We wanted to be very intentional in providing programs, leadership opportunities and other initiatives that develop those students, that encourage their participation in campus activities and expose them to a lot of different things.”</blockquote>\r\nBlue and Prewitt facilitate the Black Student Mentoring Collaborative across campus to provide a framework through which African-American students can create mentoring relationships with African American faculty and staff members across campus. This idea was originally created by John Paul Robinson, a former coordinator in the Office of Student Life.\r\n\r\n“The Black Student Mentoring Collaborative assists with retention of our currently enrolled students. I’m a firm believer that your current students are your best means of recruitment, so if they feel like they are valued and are seen on campus, then they’re going to go home to Nashville or Memphis or Jackson and talk about UTM in a positive manner,” said Blue.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_536\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-536 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Herman Ganison (center), of Memphis, speaks with Gina McClure, assistant vice chancellor for student life, after the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, held Dec. 14.[/caption]\r\n\r\nA new multicultural student council is also in the works and will be in charge of planning both social and educational events focused on multicultural affairs in semesters to come. Blue says this group will seek to enlighten the student body by bringing an extra-curricular component to learning about the various populations represented on campus.\r\n\r\nBoth Blue and Prewitt say the university’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion can be seen in the way upper administration approaches the student body and student programming.\r\n<blockquote>“I think it really helps us that we have a chancellor who is an advocate for our area and our office. The fact that he’s even included the diversity and multicultural component within the strategic plan is big,” said Prewitt. “He’s here, he’s visible, he’s supportive of our students. … That type of presence and support matters. … Whether it’s in residence life, Greek life or campus (recreation), it’s important that students are engaged, they’re involved and that they feel supported.”</blockquote>\r\nThe university hosted the fourth-annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony the night before fall commencement. More than 75 African-American students were eligible to graduate this past semester, and Blue and Prewitt seek to have that number increase each year.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin sees increase in minority enrollment','UT Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.','publish','closed','closed','','ut-martin-sees-increase-in-minority-enrollment','','','2018-12-18 15:21:36','2018-12-18 21:21:36','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=535',0,'post','',0),(536,3,'2018-12-18 11:40:41','2018-12-18 17:40:41','','12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004','Herman Ganison (center), of Memphis, speaks with Gina McClure, assistant vice chancellor for student life, after the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, held Dec. 14.','inherit','closed','closed','','12152018_blackgraduationceremony004','','','2018-12-18 11:43:42','2018-12-18 17:43:42','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(537,3,'2018-12-18 11:41:05','2018-12-18 17:41:05','','12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony008','','inherit','closed','closed','','12152018_blackgraduationceremony008','','','2018-12-18 11:41:05','2018-12-18 17:41:05','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony008.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(538,3,'2018-12-18 11:41:24','2018-12-18 17:41:24','','12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony010','(l-r) Tayh’lore Chism, Kendal Brookins, Chris Bass and Jason Andrews, all of Memphis, attended the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony held Dec. 14.  ','inherit','closed','closed','','12152018_blackgraduationceremony010','','','2018-12-18 11:43:54','2018-12-18 17:43:54','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony010.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(539,3,'2018-12-18 11:43:59','2018-12-18 17:43:59','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.\r\n\r\nThe African-American student population was the largest since fall of 2015, with 875 students enrolled at the university, and other underrepresented populations were the largest in the past 10 years. UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver feels this increase is because of the university’s dedication to creating a diverse campus atmosphere.\r\n\r\n“We have put a focus on diverse student programs over the past few semesters, and our new hires in the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs have done an excellent job including all our student populations in their choice of campus events and outreach,” said Carver. “Diversity is also a key component in the university’s new strategic plan, and while we still have improvements to make, I feel we are moving in a good direction.”\r\n\r\nThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions has worked closely with the UT Martin Black Alumni Council, based in Shelby County, to increase and improve student recruitment efforts in that area. A popular event is the Red Carpet Day, which welcomes students from underrepresented populations to campus for a weekend visit each fall.\r\n\r\n“We make sure to incorporate our current students within that programming so (attendees) can actually have that first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be an underrepresented student here at UTM,” said John Blue, director of the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs.\r\n\r\nBlue and his assistant director, Anthony Prewitt, are also working with the student body to start the university’s first Hispanic/Latino student organization. Blue says student activities this past semester worked to expand on current offerings for underrepresented students and included the university’s first observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. His office is also partnering with the UT Martin Women’s Center and the Office of International Programs and International Admissions to make sure those student groups are included in campus programming as well.\r\n\r\n“It’s a known fact that students from underrepresented populations relate better to students, faculty and staff and amenities that look like them. … So (relevant student programming is) also a big factor in the retention of students,” said Prewitt. “We wanted to be very intentional in providing programs, leadership opportunities and other initiatives that develop those students, that encourage their participation in campus activities and expose them to a lot of different things.”\r\n\r\nBlue and Prewitt facilitate the Black Student Mentoring Collaborative across campus to provide a framework through which African-American students can create mentoring relationships with African American faculty and staff members across campus. This idea was originally created by John Paul Robinson, a former coordinator in the Office of Student Life.\r\n\r\n“The Black Student Mentoring Collaborative assists with retention of our currently enrolled students. I’m a firm believer that your current students are your best means of recruitment, so if they feel like they are valued and are seen on campus, then they’re going to go home to Nashville or Memphis or Jackson and talk about UTM in a positive manner,” said Blue.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-536\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Ganison (center), of Memphis, speaks with Gina McClure, assistant vice chancellor for student life, after the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, held Dec. 14.\" />\r\n\r\nA new multicultural student council is also in the works and will be in charge of planning both social and educational events focused on multicultural affairs in semesters to come. Blue says this group will seek to enlighten the student body by bringing an extra-curricular component to learning about the various populations represented on campus.\r\n\r\nBoth Blue and Prewitt say the university’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion can be seen in the way upper administration approaches the student body and student programming.\r\n\r\n“I think it really helps us that we have a chancellor who is an advocate for our area and our office. The fact that he’s even included the diversity and multicultural component within the strategic plan is big,” said Prewitt. “He’s here, he’s visible, he’s supportive of our students. … That type of presence and support matters. … Whether it’s in residence life, Greek life or campus (recreation), it’s important that students are engaged, they’re involved and that they feel supported.”\r\n\r\nThe university hosted the fourth-annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony the night before fall commencement. More than 75 African-American students were eligible to graduate this past semester, and Blue and Prewitt seek to have that number increase each year.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin sees increase in minority enrollment','UT Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.','inherit','closed','closed','','535-revision-v1','','','2018-12-18 11:43:59','2018-12-18 17:43:59','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/18/535-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(540,3,'2018-12-18 11:44:21','2018-12-18 17:44:21','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.\r\n\r\nThe African-American student population was the largest since fall of 2015, with 875 students enrolled at the university, and other underrepresented populations were the largest in the past 10 years. UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver feels this increase is because of the university’s dedication to creating a diverse campus atmosphere.\r\n\r\n“We have put a focus on diverse student programs over the past few semesters, and our new hires in the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs have done an excellent job including all our student populations in their choice of campus events and outreach,” said Carver. “Diversity is also a key component in the university’s new strategic plan, and while we still have improvements to make, I feel we are moving in a good direction.”\r\n\r\nThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions has worked closely with the UT Martin Black Alumni Council, based in Shelby County, to increase and improve student recruitment efforts in that area. A popular event is the Red Carpet Day, which welcomes students from underrepresented populations to campus for a weekend visit each fall.\r\n\r\n“We make sure to incorporate our current students within that programming so (attendees) can actually have that first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be an underrepresented student here at UTM,” said John Blue, director of the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs.\r\n\r\nBlue and his assistant director, Anthony Prewitt, are also working with the student body to start the university’s first Hispanic/Latino student organization. Blue says student activities this past semester worked to expand on current offerings for underrepresented students and included the university’s first observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. His office is also partnering with the UT Martin Women’s Center and the Office of International Programs and International Admissions to make sure those student groups are included in campus programming as well.\r\n\r\n“It’s a known fact that students from underrepresented populations relate better to students, faculty and staff and amenities that look like them. … So (relevant student programming is) also a big factor in the retention of students,” said Prewitt. “We wanted to be very intentional in providing programs, leadership opportunities and other initiatives that develop those students, that encourage their participation in campus activities and expose them to a lot of different things.”\r\n\r\nBlue and Prewitt facilitate the Black Student Mentoring Collaborative across campus to provide a framework through which African-American students can create mentoring relationships with African American faculty and staff members across campus. This idea was originally created by John Paul Robinson, a former coordinator in the Office of Student Life.\r\n\r\n“The Black Student Mentoring Collaborative assists with retention of our currently enrolled students. I’m a firm believer that your current students are your best means of recruitment, so if they feel like they are valued and are seen on campus, then they’re going to go home to Nashville or Memphis or Jackson and talk about UTM in a positive manner,” said Blue.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_536\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-536 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Herman Ganison (center), of Memphis, speaks with Gina McClure, assistant vice chancellor for student life, after the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, held Dec. 14.[/caption]\r\n\r\nA new multicultural student council is also in the works and will be in charge of planning both social and educational events focused on multicultural affairs in semesters to come. Blue says this group will seek to enlighten the student body by bringing an extra-curricular component to learning about the various populations represented on campus.\r\n\r\nBoth Blue and Prewitt say the university’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion can be seen in the way upper administration approaches the student body and student programming.\r\n\r\n“I think it really helps us that we have a chancellor who is an advocate for our area and our office. The fact that he’s even included the diversity and multicultural component within the strategic plan is big,” said Prewitt. “He’s here, he’s visible, he’s supportive of our students. … That type of presence and support matters. … Whether it’s in residence life, Greek life or campus (recreation), it’s important that students are engaged, they’re involved and that they feel supported.”\r\n\r\nThe university hosted the fourth-annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony the night before fall commencement. More than 75 African-American students were eligible to graduate this past semester, and Blue and Prewitt seek to have that number increase each year.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin sees increase in minority enrollment','UT Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.','inherit','closed','closed','','535-revision-v1','','','2018-12-18 11:44:21','2018-12-18 17:44:21','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/18/535-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(541,3,'2018-12-18 11:45:00','2018-12-18 17:45:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.\r\n\r\nThe African-American student population was the largest since fall of 2015, with 875 students enrolled at the university, and other underrepresented populations were the largest in the past 10 years. UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver feels this increase is because of the university’s dedication to creating a diverse campus atmosphere.\r\n\r\n“We have put a focus on diverse student programs over the past few semesters, and our new hires in the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs have done an excellent job including all our student populations in their choice of campus events and outreach,” said Carver. “Diversity is also a key component in the university’s new strategic plan, and while we still have improvements to make, I feel we are moving in a good direction.”\r\n\r\nThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions has worked closely with the UT Martin Black Alumni Council, based in Shelby County, to increase and improve student recruitment efforts in that area. A popular event is the Red Carpet Day, which welcomes students from underrepresented populations to campus for a weekend visit each fall.\r\n\r\n“We make sure to incorporate our current students within that programming so (attendees) can actually have that first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be an underrepresented student here at UTM,” said John Blue, director of the Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs.\r\n\r\nBlue and his assistant director, Anthony Prewitt, are also working with the student body to start the university’s first Hispanic/Latino student organization. Blue says student activities this past semester worked to expand on current offerings for underrepresented students and included the university’s first observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. His office is also partnering with the UT Martin Women’s Center and the Office of International Programs and International Admissions to make sure those student groups are included in campus programming as well.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s a known fact that students from underrepresented populations relate better to students, faculty and staff and amenities that look like them. … So (relevant student programming is) also a big factor in the retention of students,” said Prewitt. “We wanted to be very intentional in providing programs, leadership opportunities and other initiatives that develop those students, that encourage their participation in campus activities and expose them to a lot of different things.”</blockquote>\r\nBlue and Prewitt facilitate the Black Student Mentoring Collaborative across campus to provide a framework through which African-American students can create mentoring relationships with African American faculty and staff members across campus. This idea was originally created by John Paul Robinson, a former coordinator in the Office of Student Life.\r\n\r\n“The Black Student Mentoring Collaborative assists with retention of our currently enrolled students. I’m a firm believer that your current students are your best means of recruitment, so if they feel like they are valued and are seen on campus, then they’re going to go home to Nashville or Memphis or Jackson and talk about UTM in a positive manner,” said Blue.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_536\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]<img class=\"wp-image-536 size-full\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12152018_BlackGraduationCeremony004.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" /> Herman Ganison (center), of Memphis, speaks with Gina McClure, assistant vice chancellor for student life, after the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, held Dec. 14.[/caption]\r\n\r\nA new multicultural student council is also in the works and will be in charge of planning both social and educational events focused on multicultural affairs in semesters to come. Blue says this group will seek to enlighten the student body by bringing an extra-curricular component to learning about the various populations represented on campus.\r\n\r\nBoth Blue and Prewitt say the university’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion can be seen in the way upper administration approaches the student body and student programming.\r\n<blockquote>“I think it really helps us that we have a chancellor who is an advocate for our area and our office. The fact that he’s even included the diversity and multicultural component within the strategic plan is big,” said Prewitt. “He’s here, he’s visible, he’s supportive of our students. … That type of presence and support matters. … Whether it’s in residence life, Greek life or campus (recreation), it’s important that students are engaged, they’re involved and that they feel supported.”</blockquote>\r\nThe university hosted the fourth-annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony the night before fall commencement. More than 75 African-American students were eligible to graduate this past semester, and Blue and Prewitt seek to have that number increase each year.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.\r\n\r\n###','UT Martin sees increase in minority enrollment','UT Martin saw an increase in enrollment for underrepresented students this past semester, with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Alaskan student populations all seeing increased numbers.','inherit','closed','closed','','535-revision-v1','','','2018-12-18 11:45:00','2018-12-18 17:45:00','',535,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/18/535-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(542,3,'2018-12-19 09:20:03','2018-12-19 15:20:03','In another life, Mark Lister coached college football at institutions across the country. Now, he is an inventor.\r\n\r\nLister, a Martin resident and recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, has a patent pending for a spring-loaded supplemental poultry feeder, an idea that occurred to him two years ago while working in the poultry barns he owns and operates with his wife, Becky.\r\n\r\nAccording to Lister, a system of feed lines in each barn automatically fills feed hoppers spaced along the lines. However, very young chicks are not large enough to reach these hoppers and require supplemental food in feeding trays placed on the floor. The openings that allow this additional food to fall into the trays can be rotated up or down to start or stop the flow of supplemental feed as needed.\r\n\r\n“When we get ready for new birds, we bring the feed lines down (from the ceiling) to about chest height, and we turn (the supplemental tubes) down,” he said. After this, the lines are lowered to ground-level and the young chicks arrive. “Then, in 10 days, you’ve got to walk down the line and turn each one up. And there are about 1,000 of them.”\r\n\r\nThe lines cannot be raised once they are filled with poultry feed, and repeatedly bending to rotate each tube is back-breaking work. Lister, then a junior engineering student, decided to find a solution.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s just one of those things where I thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way,’” he said. “So I talked to the people who sell the equipment. … I asked, ‘Why can’t you guys just come up with something where I can do all this without bending over?’ … But nobody ever did it.”</blockquote>\r\nLister began working on his first design during the summer of 2016 and entered into a partnership with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation to help finance the project and obtain a U.S. invention patent. The UTRF later selected his project to receive one of eight\r\n\r\nUT Research Maturation Grants in 2017, which allowed him to purchase a 3D printer and create new iterations of his design more quickly.\r\n\r\nAfter more than a year of testing the models in his own poultry barns, Lister is comfortable with the current design and believes his improved supplemental feeder will be useful across the poultry industry.\r\n\r\n“I basically made (the supplemental tubes) spring-loaded. So, you turn it down, and it’s tensioned, so it clicks. And you’ve got a lever. … I have to walk down the (feed) lines every day anyway to check on the birds, … so while I’m walking I can just tap these levers with my bucket, and they’ll just snap (upward),” he explained. “It seems simple, but nobody had thought of it.”\r\n\r\nLister is currently working with an equipment manufacturing company to produce and refine test models for mass production. He is also working with the UTRF to determine the product’s marketability in the United States. He says some poultry growers in the region have already expressed interest in the product, and one grower is willing to allow future product testing in his barns.\r\n\r\n“(The new feeder) could be used all over the world, actually, because they have these types of poultry operations all over the world,” he said. “I’ll be happy if I can get them in my barns and if I can also sell them that would be a bonus.”\r\n\r\n“I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the entire UTM engineering department for their guidance in all matters big and small throughout my four years as a non-traditional student,” added Lister. “I would like to especially thank Dr. (Doug) Sterrett, my adviser, for advocating for this project on my behalf so that it could be used as an internship. I’d also like to thank Dr. (Bob) LeMaster for his guidance throughout the project and creating the initial introduction with the UTRF.”\r\n\r\nLister finished his bachelor’s degree in engineering this fall and graduated from UT Martin during commencement exercises Dec. 15.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSPECIAL NOTE: The 3D printer purchased with Lister’s grant funding is now the property of the UT Martin Department of Engineering. It is a top-of-the-line fused deposition modeling printer that allows engineering students to print large projects in a range of materials.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Mark Lister invents spring-loaded poultry feeder','Mark Lister, a Martin resident and recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, has a patent pending for a spring-loaded supplemental poultry feeder.','publish','closed','closed','','mark-lister-invents-spring-loaded-poultry-feeder','','','2018-12-19 09:20:03','2018-12-19 15:20:03','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=542',0,'post','',0),(543,3,'2018-12-19 09:17:59','2018-12-19 15:17:59','','Lister, Mark','Mark Lister, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, invented a spring-loaded supplemental poultry feeder as part of his academic coursework. ','inherit','closed','closed','','lister-mark','','','2018-12-19 09:18:29','2018-12-19 15:18:29','',542,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lister-Mark.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(544,3,'2018-12-19 09:19:40','2018-12-19 15:19:40','In another life, Mark Lister coached college football at institutions across the country. Now, he is an inventor.\r\n\r\nLister, a Martin resident and recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, has a patent pending for a spring-loaded supplemental poultry feeder, an idea that occurred to him two years ago while working in the poultry barns he owns and operates with his wife, Becky.\r\n\r\nAccording to Lister, a system of feed lines in each barn automatically fills feed hoppers spaced along the lines. However, very young chicks are not large enough to reach these hoppers and require supplemental food in feeding trays placed on the floor. The openings that allow this additional food to fall into the trays can be rotated up or down to start or stop the flow of supplemental feed as needed.\r\n\r\n“When we get ready for new birds, we bring the feed lines down (from the ceiling) to about chest height, and we turn (the supplemental tubes) down,” he said. After this, the lines are lowered to ground-level and the young chicks arrive. “Then, in 10 days, you’ve got to walk down the line and turn each one up. And there are about 1,000 of them.”\r\n\r\nThe lines cannot be raised once they are filled with poultry feed, and repeatedly bending to rotate each tube is back-breaking work. Lister, then a junior engineering student, decided to find a solution.\r\n<blockquote>“It’s just one of those things where I thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way,’” he said. “So I talked to the people who sell the equipment. … I asked, ‘Why can’t you guys just come up with something where I can do all this without bending over?’ … But nobody ever did it.”</blockquote>\r\nLister began working on his first design during the summer of 2016 and entered into a partnership with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation to help finance the project and obtain a U.S. invention patent. The UTRF later selected his project to receive one of eight\r\n\r\nUT Research Maturation Grants in 2017, which allowed him to purchase a 3D printer and create new iterations of his design more quickly.\r\n\r\nAfter more than a year of testing the models in his own poultry barns, Lister is comfortable with the current design and believes his improved supplemental feeder will be useful across the poultry industry.\r\n\r\n“I basically made (the supplemental tubes) spring-loaded. So, you turn it down, and it’s tensioned, so it clicks. And you’ve got a lever. … I have to walk down the (feed) lines every day anyway to check on the birds, … so while I’m walking I can just tap these levers with my bucket, and they’ll just snap (upward),” he explained. “It seems simple, but nobody had thought of it.”\r\n\r\nLister is currently working with an equipment manufacturing company to produce and refine test models for mass production. He is also working with the UTRF to determine the product’s marketability in the United States. He says some poultry growers in the region have already expressed interest in the product, and one grower is willing to allow future product testing in his barns.\r\n\r\n“(The new feeder) could be used all over the world, actually, because they have these types of poultry operations all over the world,” he said. “I’ll be happy if I can get them in my barns and if I can also sell them that would be a bonus.”\r\n\r\n“I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the entire UTM engineering department for their guidance in all matters big and small throughout my four years as a non-traditional student,” added Lister. “I would like to especially thank Dr. (Doug) Sterrett, my adviser, for advocating for this project on my behalf so that it could be used as an internship. I’d also like to thank Dr. (Bob) LeMaster for his guidance throughout the project and creating the initial introduction with the UTRF.”\r\n\r\nLister finished his bachelor’s degree in engineering this fall and graduated from UT Martin during commencement exercises Dec. 15.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSPECIAL NOTE: The 3D printer purchased with Lister’s grant funding is now the property of the UT Martin Department of Engineering. It is a top-of-the-line fused deposition modeling printer that allows engineering students to print large projects in a range of materials.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Mark Lister invents spring-loaded poultry feeder','Mark Lister, a Martin resident and recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, has a patent pending for a spring-loaded supplemental poultry feeder.','inherit','closed','closed','','542-revision-v1','','','2018-12-19 09:19:40','2018-12-19 15:19:40','',542,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/19/542-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(545,3,'2018-12-19 12:40:51','2018-12-19 18:40:51','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.\r\n<blockquote>“When I joined the (Tennessee) Army National Guard, I found a brotherhood that I never had growing up. I found friendships; I found a bond that I was never exposed to (before). Being part of that, it created something inside me that I wanted to bring to others as well,” he said. “It’s been a very big part of my life. I definitely would not be here if it hadn’t been for the military. They have helped me out tremendously – personally, professionally and academically.”</blockquote>\r\nWhen he first enrolled at UT Martin, Williams was fresh out of basic training with the Tennessee Army National Guard. Unsure of his future plans, he turned to classmates and teachers to help find his way.\r\n\r\n“When I first came, I had a hard time. I was studying a lot, yet I wasn’t getting the grades that I wanted,” he said. “So I met some students who were getting the grades that I wanted as well, and I saw how they aligned their free time and their work load and how they balanced all of that out. … They all helped me along the way to make sure that I kept coming back each semester and putting my best foot forward.”\r\n\r\nHowever, he didn’t always have a clear path ahead of him. After rejecting suggestions to follow a career in computer science or engineering, Williams chose to study sociology after discovering an interest in the forces that shape society and the personal choices of each individual.\r\n\r\n“I really had to do some soul-searching. I really had to find out ‘what do I like to do?’ and find out what my hobbies are,” he said, “(Sociology) has allowed me to get a better understanding of different cultures around me and how people interact…. It challenges different biases that I had growing up, and it makes me reevaluate the world around me and look at it from a different perspective.”\r\n\r\nWhile Williams does have a job offer following graduation, he says he won’t commit himself to just one career choice just yet.\r\n\r\n“I’m a person that’s constantly evolving each year, so for me to have a ‘dream job,’ I don’t really have one at the moment because I’m involved in so many aspects in different parts of life,” he said. “I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of interests in life, so for me to just put myself into one category of what I want to do, I would be selling myself short. I have untapped potential that I know is going to come to light in the future.”\r\n\r\nMany students complete internships as part of their academic requirements, but Williams found an internship position on his own purely to gain experience working with the public and learn skills he could apply to a wide range of industries.\r\n\r\n“(That internship) was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure I had myself set up for the future. A lot of times in this world now, it doesn’t do you any good just to have academics and have your B.A. and your classes. People now want you to have real-world experience,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I had something concrete that I could easily adapt and be flexible for whatever (an employer) wanted from me.”\r\n\r\nHe worked in the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Cordova office near Memphis, and says the fast-paced environment challenged him to be better each day than the day before. He was also able to apply his sociology training to gain insight into his customers and the company’s business system. One of several student interns, he quickly rose to the top of the group and became a personally-requested servicemember for repeat clients and other Enterprise locations in the area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-547\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WilliamsLamarcus2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Lamarcus Williams\" />\r\n\r\nWilliams says the college experience has changed him over the years and helped him become someone better than the boy who first enrolled in 2014.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve changed to where I have a lot of love in my heart now for myself. When I first came here, I had a bad view of myself because of my background and what I’ve been exposed to. But coming here was a fresh start for me … to really define myself and get to know myself. I was able to have positive role models in my life at UT Martin – things that I didn’t have before,” he said.</blockquote>\r\n“Before I came (to Martin), I had this mindset of survival – doing anything I’ve got to do to survive, no matter what it takes, no matter what happens, no matter who gets hurt. So coming here allowed me to have a bit of a less-hardened heart,” he continued. “It allowed me to develop compassion, empathy and sympathy. These are all traits that I didn’t have before. It was a whole lot of personal growth. …\r\n\r\nA lot of times that I’ve been backed up in a corner and I didn’t meet the expectations that I’ve set, what kept me going is the love that I have for my fellow brothers and students, different connections I’ve made in the Army, and now a new compassion for my family at home.”\r\n\r\nHis advice to the students who follow him is to keep an open mind and remember there is often more than one way to think about a subject or reach a particular goal.\r\n\r\n“You don’t know everything,” he said. “Everybody’s opinion matters. Every voice matters. … The person making the goal in high school probably won’t be the same person who will be graduating (from college), so you’ve got to keep an open mind and find a way to establish who you are and find your true identity because as you find yourself, then will you be able to find out your true purpose in life.”\r\n\r\nWilliams was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the UT Martin Black Student Association.\r\n\r\n###','Lamarcus Williams finds personal growth at UT Martin','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.','publish','closed','closed','','lamarcus-williams-finds-personal-growth-at-ut-martin','','','2018-12-19 12:42:21','2018-12-19 18:42:21','',0,'https://www.utm.edu/news/?p=545',0,'post','',0),(546,3,'2018-12-19 12:37:38','2018-12-19 18:37:38','','WilliamsLamarcus1','Lamarcus Williams (right), of Brownsville, crossed the University of Tennessee at Martin commencement stage Dec. 15. He is shown giving Chancellor Keith Carver a hug as he passes, with Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, university provost, standing nearby. ','inherit','closed','closed','','williamslamarcus1','','','2018-12-19 12:38:01','2018-12-19 18:38:01','',545,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WilliamsLamarcus1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(547,3,'2018-12-19 12:38:51','2018-12-19 18:38:51','','WilliamsLamarcus2','','inherit','closed','closed','','williamslamarcus2','','','2018-12-19 12:39:21','2018-12-19 18:39:21','',545,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WilliamsLamarcus2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(548,3,'2018-12-19 12:39:31','2018-12-19 18:39:31','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.\r\n\r\n“When I joined the (Tennessee) Army National Guard, I found a brotherhood that I never had growing up. I found friendships; I found a bond that I was never exposed to (before). Being part of that, it created something inside me that I wanted to bring to others as well,” he said. “It’s been a very big part of my life. I definitely would not be here if it hadn’t been for the military. They have helped me out tremendously – personally, professionally and academically.”\r\n\r\nWhen he first enrolled at UT Martin, Williams was fresh out of basic training with the Tennessee Army National Guard. Unsure of his future plans, he turned to classmates and teachers to help find his way.\r\n\r\n“When I first came, I had a hard time. I was studying a lot, yet I wasn’t getting the grades that I wanted,” he said. “So I met some students who were getting the grades that I wanted as well, and I saw how they aligned their free time and their work load and how they balanced all of that out. … They all helped me along the way to make sure that I kept coming back each semester and putting my best foot forward.”\r\n\r\nHowever, he didn’t always have a clear path ahead of him. After rejecting suggestions to follow a career in computer science or engineering, Williams chose to study sociology after discovering an interest in the forces that shape society and the personal choices of each individual.\r\n\r\n“I really had to do some soul-searching. I really had to find out ‘what do I like to do?’ and find out what my hobbies are,” he said, “(Sociology) has allowed me to get a better understanding of different cultures around me and how people interact…. It challenges different biases that I had growing up, and it makes me reevaluate the world around me and look at it from a different perspective.”\r\n\r\nWhile Williams does have a job offer following graduation, he says he won’t commit himself to just one career choice just yet.\r\n\r\n“I’m a person that’s constantly evolving each year, so for me to have a ‘dream job,’ I don’t really have one at the moment because I’m involved in so many aspects in different parts of life,” he said. “I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of interests in life, so for me to just put myself into one category of what I want to do, I would be selling myself short. I have untapped potential that I know is going to come to light in the future.”\r\n\r\nMany students complete internships as part of their academic requirements, but Williams found an internship position on his own purely to gain experience working with the public and learn skills he could apply to a wide range of industries.\r\n\r\n“(That internship) was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure I had myself set up for the future. A lot of times in this world now, it doesn’t do you any good just to have academics and have your B.A. and your classes. People now want you to have real-world experience,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I had something concrete that I could easily adapt and be flexible for whatever (an employer) wanted from me.”\r\n\r\nHe worked in the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Cordova office near Memphis, and says the fast-paced environment challenged him to be better each day than the day before. He was also able to apply his sociology training to gain insight into his customers and the company’s business system. One of several student interns, he quickly rose to the top of the group and became a personally-requested servicemember for repeat clients and other Enterprise locations in the area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-547\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WilliamsLamarcus2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Lamarcus Williams\" />\r\n\r\nWilliams says the college experience has changed him over the years and helped him become someone better than the boy who first enrolled in 2014.\r\n\r\n“I’ve changed to where I have a lot of love in my heart now for myself. When I first came here, I had a bad view of myself because of my background and what I’ve been exposed to. But coming here was a fresh start for me … to really define myself and get to know myself. I was able to have positive role models in my life at UT Martin – things that I didn’t have before,” he said.\r\n\r\n“Before I came (to Martin), I had this mindset of survival – doing anything I’ve got to do to survive, no matter what it takes, no matter what happens, no matter who gets hurt. So coming here allowed me to have a bit of a less-hardened heart,” he continued. “It allowed me to develop compassion, empathy and sympathy. These are all traits that I didn’t have before. It was a whole lot of personal growth. …\r\n\r\nA lot of times that I’ve been backed up in a corner and I didn’t meet the expectations that I’ve set, what kept me going is the love that I have for my fellow brothers and students, different connections I’ve made in the Army, and now a new compassion for my family at home.”\r\n\r\nHis advice to the students who follow him is to keep an open mind and remember there is often more than one way to think about a subject or reach a particular goal.\r\n\r\n“You don’t know everything,” he said. “Everybody’s opinion matters. Every voice matters. … The person making the goal in high school probably won’t be the same person who will be graduating (from college), so you’ve got to keep an open mind and find a way to establish who you are and find your true identity because as you find yourself, then will you be able to find out your true purpose in life.”\r\n\r\nWilliams was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the UT Martin Black Student Association.\r\n\r\n###','Lamarcus Williams finds personal growth at UT Martin','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.','inherit','closed','closed','','545-revision-v1','','','2018-12-19 12:39:31','2018-12-19 18:39:31','',545,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/19/545-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(549,3,'2018-12-19 12:40:22','2018-12-19 18:40:22','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.\r\n<blockquote>“When I joined the (Tennessee) Army National Guard, I found a brotherhood that I never had growing up. I found friendships; I found a bond that I was never exposed to (before). Being part of that, it created something inside me that I wanted to bring to others as well,” he said. “It’s been a very big part of my life. I definitely would not be here if it hadn’t been for the military. They have helped me out tremendously – personally, professionally and academically.”</blockquote>\r\nWhen he first enrolled at UT Martin, Williams was fresh out of basic training with the Tennessee Army National Guard. Unsure of his future plans, he turned to classmates and teachers to help find his way.\r\n\r\n“When I first came, I had a hard time. I was studying a lot, yet I wasn’t getting the grades that I wanted,” he said. “So I met some students who were getting the grades that I wanted as well, and I saw how they aligned their free time and their work load and how they balanced all of that out. … They all helped me along the way to make sure that I kept coming back each semester and putting my best foot forward.”\r\n\r\nHowever, he didn’t always have a clear path ahead of him. After rejecting suggestions to follow a career in computer science or engineering, Williams chose to study sociology after discovering an interest in the forces that shape society and the personal choices of each individual.\r\n\r\n“I really had to do some soul-searching. I really had to find out ‘what do I like to do?’ and find out what my hobbies are,” he said, “(Sociology) has allowed me to get a better understanding of different cultures around me and how people interact…. It challenges different biases that I had growing up, and it makes me reevaluate the world around me and look at it from a different perspective.”\r\n\r\nWhile Williams does have a job offer following graduation, he says he won’t commit himself to just one career choice just yet.\r\n\r\n“I’m a person that’s constantly evolving each year, so for me to have a ‘dream job,’ I don’t really have one at the moment because I’m involved in so many aspects in different parts of life,” he said. “I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of interests in life, so for me to just put myself into one category of what I want to do, I would be selling myself short. I have untapped potential that I know is going to come to light in the future.”\r\n\r\nMany students complete internships as part of their academic requirements, but Williams found an internship position on his own purely to gain experience working with the public and learn skills he could apply to a wide range of industries.\r\n\r\n“(That internship) was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure I had myself set up for the future. A lot of times in this world now, it doesn’t do you any good just to have academics and have your B.A. and your classes. People now want you to have real-world experience,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I had something concrete that I could easily adapt and be flexible for whatever (an employer) wanted from me.”\r\n\r\nHe worked in the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Cordova office near Memphis, and says the fast-paced environment challenged him to be better each day than the day before. He was also able to apply his sociology training to gain insight into his customers and the company’s business system. One of several student interns, he quickly rose to the top of the group and became a personally-requested servicemember for repeat clients and other Enterprise locations in the area.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-547\" src=\"https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WilliamsLamarcus2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Lamarcus Williams\" />\r\n\r\nWilliams says the college experience has changed him over the years and helped him become someone better than the boy who first enrolled in 2014.\r\n<blockquote>“I’ve changed to where I have a lot of love in my heart now for myself. When I first came here, I had a bad view of myself because of my background and what I’ve been exposed to. But coming here was a fresh start for me … to really define myself and get to know myself. I was able to have positive role models in my life at UT Martin – things that I didn’t have before,” he said.</blockquote>\r\n“Before I came (to Martin), I had this mindset of survival – doing anything I’ve got to do to survive, no matter what it takes, no matter what happens, no matter who gets hurt. So coming here allowed me to have a bit of a less-hardened heart,” he continued. “It allowed me to develop compassion, empathy and sympathy. These are all traits that I didn’t have before. It was a whole lot of personal growth. …\r\n\r\nA lot of times that I’ve been backed up in a corner and I didn’t meet the expectations that I’ve set, what kept me going is the love that I have for my fellow brothers and students, different connections I’ve made in the Army, and now a new compassion for my family at home.”\r\n\r\nHis advice to the students who follow him is to keep an open mind and remember there is often more than one way to think about a subject or reach a particular goal.\r\n\r\n“You don’t know everything,” he said. “Everybody’s opinion matters. Every voice matters. … The person making the goal in high school probably won’t be the same person who will be graduating (from college), so you’ve got to keep an open mind and find a way to establish who you are and find your true identity because as you find yourself, then will you be able to find out your true purpose in life.”\r\n\r\nWilliams was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the UT Martin Black Student Association.\r\n\r\n###','Lamarcus Williams finds personal growth at UT Martin','Lamarcus Williams, of Brownsville, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology – a degree he says he would never have earned if not for the military.','inherit','closed','closed','','545-revision-v1','','','2018-12-19 12:40:22','2018-12-19 18:40:22','',545,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/19/545-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(552,3,'2018-12-20 16:14:21','2018-12-20 22:14:21','','01142016_BestOfUTMEdit13','','inherit','closed','closed','','01142016_bestofutmedit13','','','2018-12-20 16:14:21','2018-12-20 22:14:21','',551,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/01142016_BestOfUTMEdit13.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(554,3,'2018-12-20 16:16:31','2018-12-20 22:16:31','<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\">The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. This applies to offices on the main campus and at the five centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville. Offices will be open regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 31, and will reopen for regular hours on Wednesday, Jan. 2.</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\">Spring semester classes start Jan. 10.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 115%;\" align=\"center\">###</p>','UT Martin offices closed for winter holiday','The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. ','inherit','closed','closed','','551-revision-v1','','','2018-12-20 16:16:31','2018-12-20 22:16:31','',551,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/20/551-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(553,3,'2018-12-20 16:16:19','2018-12-20 22:16:19','<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\">The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. This applies to offices on the main campus and at the five centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville. Offices will be open regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 31, and will reopen for regular hours on Wednesday, Jan. 2.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\">Spring semester classes start Jan. 10.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 115%;\" align=\"center\">###</p>','UT Martin offices closed for winter holiday','The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. ','inherit','closed','closed','','551-revision-v1','','','2018-12-20 16:16:19','2018-12-20 22:16:19','',551,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/20/551-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(555,3,'2018-12-20 16:16:49','2018-12-20 22:16:49','<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\">The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. This applies to offices on the main campus and at the five centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville. Offices will be open regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 31, and will reopen for regular hours on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Spring semester classes start Jan. 10.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 115%;\" align=\"center\">###</p>','UT Martin offices closed for winter holiday','The University of Tennessee at Martin will close all administrative offices Dec. 24-28 for the winter holiday and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. ','inherit','closed','closed','','551-revision-v1','','','2018-12-20 16:16:49','2018-12-20 22:16:49','',551,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2018/12/20/551-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(559,3,'2019-01-02 09:22:56','2019-01-02 15:22:56','University of Tennessee Interim President Randy Boyd announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness in an effort to clarify the roles and responsibilities between the University of Tennessee System administration and the individual campuses and institutes it serves. This announcement came Dec. 17 and is one of several changes already implemented as part of Boyd’s six priorities while in office.\r\n\r\nThe task force is co-chaired by David Miller, UT’s chief financial officer, and Richard Brown, executive vice chancellor for administration at UT Chattanooga. Each UT campus and institute has representation on the task force, and UT Martin is represented by Petra McPhearson, vice chancellor for finance and administration.\r\n\r\nOne of the core responsibilities of the UT System administration is to perform operations on behalf of UT’s campuses and institutes that would create duplication and additional costs if each entity performed the work independently. This approach saves the institutions, taxpayers and students significant costs.\r\n\r\n“The faculty and staff that make up the University of Tennessee are our greatest asset to helping ensure students can fulfill their dream of graduating college,” said Boyd. “My main goal is to determine if there are opportunities to share best practices, streamline processes, identify practical ways to do our jobs better and ultimately reduce costs.”\r\n\r\nUT has engaged in periodic reviews of roles and efficiency projects since the 1980s. Boyd has encouraged the task force to seek best practices from the business world and adapt them for higher education.\r\n\r\nInitially, the task force will explore five departments within institutional support. These areas include capital projects, communications and marketing, human resources, information technology, and procurement and contracting. The task force will provide recommendations to Boyd for consideration by late spring.\r\n\r\nTask force members include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>David Miller, UT System, chief financial officer (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Richard Brown, UT Chattanooga, executive vice chancellor for administration (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Tonja Johnson, UT System, executive vice president and chief operating officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Chris Cimino, UT Knoxville, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Petra McPhearson, UT Martin, vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Tony Ferrara, UT Health Science Center, vice chancellor and chief financial officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Tim Fawver, UT Institute of Agriculture, chief business officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Gail White, UT Institute for Public Service, budget director</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nFor more information, contact Melissa Tindell, UT System director of communications, at 865-974-0741or mtindell@tennessee.edu.\r\n\r\n###','McPhearson represents UT Martin on new UT System task force','UT Interim President Randy Boyd recently announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness. ','inherit','closed','closed','','557-revision-v1','','','2019-01-02 09:22:56','2019-01-02 15:22:56','',557,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2019/01/02/557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(560,3,'2019-01-02 09:23:59','2019-01-02 15:23:59','','McPhearson_Petra_horizontal','Petra McPhearson, vice chancellor for finance and administration','inherit','closed','closed','','mcphearson_petra_horizontal','','','2019-01-02 09:24:17','2019-01-02 15:24:17','',557,'https://www.utm.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/McPhearson_Petra_horizontal.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(561,3,'2019-01-02 09:24:48','2019-01-02 15:24:48','University of Tennessee Interim President Randy Boyd announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness in an effort to clarify the roles and responsibilities between the University of Tennessee System administration and the individual campuses and institutes it serves. This announcement came Dec. 17 and is one of several changes already implemented as part of Boyd’s six priorities while in office.\r\n\r\nThe task force is co-chaired by David Miller, UT’s chief financial officer, and Richard Brown, executive vice chancellor for administration at UT Chattanooga. Each UT campus and institute has representation on the task force, and UT Martin is represented by Petra McPhearson, vice chancellor for finance and administration.\r\n\r\nOne of the core responsibilities of the UT System administration is to perform operations on behalf of UT’s campuses and institutes that would create duplication and additional costs if each entity performed the work independently. This approach saves the institutions, taxpayers and students significant costs.\r\n\r\n“The faculty and staff that make up the University of Tennessee are our greatest asset to helping ensure students can fulfill their dream of graduating college,” said Boyd. “My main goal is to determine if there are opportunities to share best practices, streamline processes, identify practical ways to do our jobs better and ultimately reduce costs.”\r\n\r\nUT has engaged in periodic reviews of roles and efficiency projects since the 1980s. Boyd has encouraged the task force to seek best practices from the business world and adapt them for higher education.\r\n\r\nInitially, the task force will explore five departments within institutional support. These areas include capital projects, communications and marketing, human resources, information technology, and procurement and contracting. The task force will provide recommendations to Boyd for consideration by late spring.\r\n\r\nTask force members include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>David Miller, UT System, chief financial officer (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Richard Brown, UT Chattanooga, executive vice chancellor for administration (co-chair)</li>\r\n 	<li>Tonja Johnson, UT System, executive vice president and chief operating officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Chris Cimino, UT Knoxville, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Petra McPhearson, UT Martin, vice chancellor for finance and administration</li>\r\n 	<li>Tony Ferrara, UT Health Science Center, vice chancellor and chief financial officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Tim Fawver, UT Institute of Agriculture, chief business officer</li>\r\n 	<li>Gail White, UT Institute for Public Service, budget director</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nFor more information, contact Melissa Tindell, UT System director of communications, at 865-974-0741or <a href=\"mailto:mtindell@tennessee.edu\">mtindell@tennessee.edu</a>.\r\n\r\n###','McPhearson represents UT Martin on new UT System task force','UT Interim President Randy Boyd recently announced the creation of a new task force to examine university administration effectiveness. ','inherit','closed','closed','','557-revision-v1','','','2019-01-02 09:24:48','2019-01-02 15:24:48','',557,'https://www.utm.edu/news/2019/01/02/557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0);
