Oak Ridge Today

All invited to open house at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus on Thursday

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An open house is scheduled for Thursday, November 9, in the atrium of the Coffey-McNally Building at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective Roane State students of all ages to learn about various academic programs, how to enroll, and how to apply for financial aid,” said Jim McDaniel, director of student enrollment.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. Information about curricula, admissions requirements, financial aid, the state’s new Reconnect program, and student life will be displayed on tables. Staff and faculty members will be available to answer questions, a press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge, Knox, private school students will try to break world record in computer coding

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Students from Knox County Schools, Oak Ridge City Schools, and area private schools will try to break the world record for the number of students learning how to code at the same time.

The students will make the attempt at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 8. In Oak Ridge, the attempt will occur throughout the district in the classrooms of teachers who choose to participate.

The idea to attempt a Guinness World Record came from Brandon Bruce, co-founder and chief operating officer of Cirrus Insight, and Caleb Fristoe, project manager of CodeTN—a Great Schools Partnership initiative that organizes coding clubs, camps, and competitions at area schools, a press release said. The effort is heavily supported by Knox County Schools and its Educational Technology and Information Technology departments, the release said.

“Amazing things are happening in Knoxville and Oak Ridge in technology and education,” Bruce said. “Attempting the Guinness World Record for the number of students learning how to code at the same time will help shine a light on the everyday great work of our students, parents, teachers, and principals. Keep an eye on East Tennessee for big successes in education and technology.” [Read more…]

Learn about Tennessee’s bats at UT Arboretum on Thursday

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Photo courtesy University of Tennessee Arboretum Society

Photo courtesy University of Tennessee Arboretum Society

 

You can learn about the 16 species of Tennessee bats at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

Sponsored by the UT Arboretum Society, this family friendly program will be led by Pandy English, the assistant chief of biodiversity for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a press release said. It’s scheduled to start at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 2.

“We know that bats eat mosquitoes and help pollinate plants, but there is so much more to this mysterious creature,” the press release said.

The program will be at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, which is at 901 South Illinois Avenue. It will include a PowerPoint presentation, bat “show and tell” items, and children’s activities at the end, the press release said. Attendees will learn about bat myths and facts, the characteristics and types of bats in Tennessee, and why bats are one of our most invaluable species. [Read more…]

Enjoy the ‘Kindred Spirits’ Halloween show at Roane State’s main campus on Saturday

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Members of the cast of last year’s version of “Kindred Spirits” perform before a large audience. This year’s performances are at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in the O’Brien Theatre on Roane State’s main campus in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

Members of the cast of last year’s version of “Kindred Spirits” perform before a large audience. This year’s performances are at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in the O’Brien Theatre on Roane State’s main campus in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

It’s a seasonal extravaganza that promises something for everyone.

It’s the 2017 edition of “Kindred Spirits,” with performances at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, in the O’Brien Theatre on Roane State’s main campus in Harriman.

There’s drama, dancing, costume parades for all ages, and Halloween trick-or-treating, all rolled up in one fast-paced hour of entertainment, Roane State music professor Brenda Luggie said.

“Kindred Spirits” is a collaboration between the college’s music department, Cumberland County High School’s Jet Theatrix Drama Club, and the Arts in Motion Dance Studios, with locations in Midtown and Rockwood. [Read more…]

Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop at UT Arboretum on Tuesday

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will hold a Make and Take Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop on Tuesday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the UT Arboretum Program Shelter at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Join UT Arboretum Education Program Coordinator Michelle Campanis to make a centerpiece in a fresh pumpkin,” a press release said. “Michelle will lead the group in looking at ideas and examples of fall-themed centerpieces using pumpkins, gourds, and other plants.”

Materials will be supplied. The class fee is $25. Registration is required and is limited to 20 participants. [Read more…]

Great American Eclipse in Oak Ridge Schools

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Glenwood Elementary School students worked with OBED Park Rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

Glenwood Elementary School students worked with Obed park rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

The Great American Eclipse was unique in Oak Ridge, as we were on the coveted path of totality. Some solar eclipse fanatics will travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars just to get themselves into The Path. We took advantage of this rare opportunity that came to our back yard for the breathtaking experience of totality with our students and staff.

We had an interesting challenge, though. The edge of the path of totality cut through town in such a way that four of our schools would only experience a partial eclipse if students and staff stayed on campus. The total solar eclipse has several attributes that are not visible outside the path of totality, such as the sudden appearance of stars and planets, the solar corona becoming visible, and a temperature drop. To ensure all of our students had the opportunity for this rich total eclipse experience, we provided transportation to move everyone who wanted to participate into The Path. [Read more…]

Roane State college success course includes service learning

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Virtually all Roane State Community College freshmen have to take the college success course titled COLS 1010: Study-Organize-Succeed (SOS), and it now includes eight hours of public service.

Two college officials have compiled more than 100 volunteer opportunities with agencies and nonprofit organizations in the Roane State service area, and they are available via the college’s website.

Go to www.roanestate.edu/servicelearning to learn more.

Proceeds from a $2,000 college grant were used to research those opportunities, which span 10 counties: Anderson, Roane, Knox, Blount, Fentress, Campbell, Cumberland, Scott, Loudon, and Morgan. [Read more…]

Dental Hygiene Clinic at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus provides vital service

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Roane State Community College Associate Professor Melinda Gill, director of the college’s highly regarded dental hygiene program, stands outside the dental hygiene clinic, located in the Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge branch campus. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College Associate Professor Melinda Gill, director of the college’s highly regarded dental hygiene program, stands outside the dental hygiene clinic, located in the Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge branch campus. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

The doorway into Roane State’s Dental Hygiene Clinic can be overlooked at times. It’s D-107, off the atrium and across from the library of the college’s Oak Ridge campus.

Unbeknownst to the casual passerby, it’s the entrance to a college program regarded as one of the top in the nation.

Inside:

  • a classroom outfitted with the most current dental teaching implements;
  • six spotless operatories/treatment rooms containing dental chairs, computers for inputting patient records, and the latest treatment technology;
  • two X-ray rooms with digital X-ray capability—one with panoramic X-ray equipment—and a room where X-rays are developed; and
  • a receptionist’s area along with a small office.

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 21

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

“Fall is the ideal time to add plants to your landscape,” a press release said. “Beaver Creek Nursery, East Fork Nursery, Riverdale Nursery, Sunlight Gardens, as well as the UT Arboretum Society’s members and friends, will be offering a variety of high quality plants at this sale.”

Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted for payment. [Read more…]

Roane State dental hygiene program honored

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Members of the faculty of Roane State’s dental hygiene program are, from left, director Melinda Gill, Kimball Burkett, standing to Gill’s left; and from left, Kellye Wilson, Sondra Roberts, Natalie Schubert, Wesley Singer, DDS; Michelle Jones, Pete Ruyl, DDS; Ed Guion, DDS; and Debbie Taylor. Schubert is the receptionist for the program’s dental clinic. (Photo by Roane State)

Members of the faculty of Roane State’s dental hygiene program are, from left, director Melinda Gill, Kimball Burkett, standing to Gill’s left; and from left, Kellye Wilson, Sondra Roberts, Natalie Schubert, Wesley Singer, DDS; Michelle Jones, Pete Ruyl, DDS; Ed Guion, DDS; and Debbie Taylor. Schubert is the receptionist for the program’s dental clinic. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Roane State’s acclaimed dental hygiene program can add another recognition to its list of accomplishments.

The program, located in the Coffey-McNally Building on the college’s Oak Ridge campus, has received the 100% Faculty Award for 2017 from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

There are 30,000 members of the association, which is based in Chicago and more than 100 years old. Roane State was among only 25 higher education institutions nationwide to obtain the designation.

It’s bestowed when all faculty members in a dental hygiene program are also members of the ADHA. [Read more…]

Roane State Dental Hygiene Program awarded grants

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Roane State dental hygiene program director Melinda Gill stands in the college’s state-of-the-art dental clinic at the Oak Ridge campus. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State dental hygiene program director Melinda Gill stands in the college’s state-of-the-art dental clinic at the Oak Ridge campus. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

The Roane State Community College Dental Health Clinic has received three grants for its free monthly clinics for area residents who have limited access to dental care, said associate professor Melinda Gill, director of the college’s dental hygiene program.

  • The clinic was awarded a $2,500 Community Action Grant from the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club to underwrite two Saturday morning clinics to serve Roane County residents.
  • The United Way of Anderson County has funded a $1,000 discretionary grant to purchase a high-speed handpiece used in filling cavities. With the addition of that second apparatus, it will increase the number of patients who can be treated, Gill said.
  • Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee has awarded a $5,000 grant to purchase dental equipment and materials to support the operation of the clinic to better serve the dental needs of the patients. This grant was in collaboration with Mid-East Community Action Agency.

[Read more…]

Roane State experience helped musician Devan Jones find his path

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Devan Jones (Submitted photo)

Devan Jones (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Ask Roane State alumnus Devan Jones about working full-time in the music business, and he’ll pull no punches. “It’s a hustle and hard work 24/7,” he says. “It’s a tough business.”

“Sometimes it feels like it’s moving in slow motion, but things are getting better all the time,” says Jones, who credits educators in Roane State’s music department for helping inspire his career.

Jones grew up in Kingston, attended Roane State and the University of Tennessee, and performed at several Knoxville venues. He now lives in Austin, Texas, where he says there are “many different opportunities to play music that inspires me.”

While in Knoxville, he put together a band, “Devan Jones and the Uptown Stomp.” That moniker reflects his love of blues, as well as jazz and swing music of the 1940s and 50s. [Read more…]