Oak Ridge Today

Roane State’s Wurth honored for distinguished career in GIS

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Pat Wurth

Pat Wurth

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

When it comes to her expertise, Roane State’s Pat Wurth occupies a unique niche in Tennessee, and she has won a first-ever award for it.

Wurth, an associate professor at the college for nearly 19 years, recently received the accolade of appreciation for her “distinguished career developing GIS professionals.”

That’s what it says on the plaque she received during an April conference of the 500-member Tennessee Geographic Information Council. “It was quite an honor,” Wurth said.

GIS is about using geographic data to understand patterns, trends, and relationships. It’s widely used in environmental research, city planning, crime analysis, and by utility systems. [Read more…]

Butterfly Festival at UT Arboretum on Saturday, July 29

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

Monarch release, UT Insect Zoo, speakers, and children’s activities are highlights

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will present its Second Annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium and surrounding grounds, 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.  It is cosponsored by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center. The gate will be open at 9:30 a.m., with coffee and donuts available.  The event will take place rain or shine, a press release said.

The event, which drew hundreds of area participants in 2016, is designed for children and adults of all ages. There is ample parking in designated areas of the Arboretum adjacent to the event, the press release said.

The day’s highlight will be the release of 100 butterflies, some at noon and the remainder at 2 p.m.

“We invite children to help release the monarch butterflies, which will be offered at a cost of $10 per butterfly,” the press release said. Cash or credit cards will be accepted.

Nationally recognized author Rita Venable is the keynote speaker. An award-winning writer, photographer, and butterfly expert, Rita will speak about “Small-scale Butterfly Gardening” at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., she will speak on “Butterflies of Tennessee,” the subject of her popular book. Her book will be available for purchase and signing, the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane State paramedic alumni earn honors

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Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State's paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS's "Officer of the Year." Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS’s “Officer of the Year.” Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to distinguish themselves in their professions by earning honors bestowed by peers and supervisors, a press release said.

Two 2005 graduates of the paramedic program were recognized by Anderson County EMS during National EMS Week, held in late May each year.

Lieutenant Steve Seals was named “Officer of the Year,” while Millie Huddleston was recognized as “Paramedic of the Year.”

Co-workers and supervisors nominated them for the recognitions. In those nominations, Seals was described as exemplifying “our core values, including integrity first, service before self, as well as excellence in all we do,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools registration starts today

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All students new to Oak Ridge Schools need to register at their respective schools sometime between Monday, July 10, through Wednesday, July 19, a press release said. Registration hours on those days are from 9 a.m. to noon. Parents who pre-registered kindergartners in May also need to complete the registration process on those dates, the press release said.

Registration for new students in grades 9-12 will be made by appointment only, the press release said. For more information regarding high school registration, contact the registrar at (865) 425-9524.

Information necessary for new student registration includes the following: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools first in state to earn AdvancED STEM certification for all elementary, middle schools

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Students at Jefferson Middle School collaboratively plan problem-based learning (PBL). (Submitted photo)

Students at Jefferson Middle School collaboratively plan problem-based learning (PBL). (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Schools is the first district in the state to earn AdvancED STEM certification for all of its elementary and middle schools, a press release said.

AdvancED uses a research-based framework and criteria for the awareness, continuous improvement, and assessment of the quality, rigor, and substance of STEM educational programs, the press release said. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In the spring of 2016, three Oak Ridge elementary schools earned AdvancED STEM certification: Glenwood, Linden, and Woodland. These schools were the first in the district to demonstrate the capacity to prepare students for STEM fields of study and work, the press release said.

In the spring of 2017, three more schools in Oak Ridge received this distinction: Willow Brook Elementary, Jefferson Middle, and Robertsville Middle.

“Our district is the first in the state to certify every elementary and middle school in the district,” the press release said. “We are committed to preparing our learners for the careers of tomorrow by perpetuating their enthusiasm for STEM disciplines today. Our focus on STEM demonstrates our continued commitment to ensure every Oak Ridge student is prepared for college, career, and life success.” [Read more…]

Roane State adjunct instructor honored for saving infant last year

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Roane State adjunct professor Jason Fox, right, is pictured with Capt. Joseph Cate, also with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS, as they receive the statewide “Star of Life” award for reviving an infant. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State adjunct professor Jason Fox, right, is pictured with Capt. Joseph Cate, also with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS, as they receive the statewide “Star of Life” award for reviving an infant. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

A Roane State Community College adjunct instructor at the college’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences put his extensive training to use to save the life of a just born, premature infant who had stopped breathing and had no pulse.

For his actions, which he said were a “combination of training, instinct and a miracle,” Jason Fox received a statewide award titled the “Star of Life.”

Fox, who has been with Roane State for a year, is also a lieutenant with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS. He is credited, along with Morristown-Hamblen County EMS’ Captain Joseph Cate, for reviving the infant—who was three months premature when he was born at home.

“We asked what the baby’s name was and told her (mother Kellie Henrikson) that we would do everything in our power to save his life,” Fox said. The EMS professionals used cardiopulmonary resuscitation to revive Tanner Enix after the infant hadn’t been breathing for 11 minutes. [Read more…]

Roane State graduate overcame challenges to finish degree at age 51

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Thomas Chartrand, 51, returned to college late in life and obtained his associate's degree from Roane State Community College in May. (Photo by Roane State)

Thomas Chartrand, 51, returned to college late in life and obtained his associate’s degree from Roane State Community College in May. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

At age 51 with his new Roane State Community College associate degree in hand, Thomas Chartrand said he has learned a valuable life lesson.

“When anything gets hard in life, you can’t give up,” the Oak Ridge resident said. “If you give up, you’ll never have a chance to reach your goals and dreams.”

Despite numerous challenges, starting with a rough-and-tumble childhood, he didn’t give up.

Chartrand took night classes at Roane State after work while helping wife Keri raise their two young children, Tristan and Kyla. He recalls often studying past midnight. Now, he says, “I feel much better about myself, knowing that I earned my degree. The last thing you want to do is look back and wished you’d done it,” he said. “It’s never too late.”

It took him five years to earn his degree in contemporary management. That’s because he was often working overtime at his day job, attending and coaching his son’s sports games, and balancing work commitments. That’s why he had to cut down on the number of credit hours he could take each semester.

One class, Probability and Statistics, proved a temporary setback. Even though he had to take it again, he finished his Roane State career with a 3.4 grade point average. He said he was on the President’s List once and the Dean’s List twice. “With the help of all the great instructors and my advisor, David Rath, I was given the support that I can do this, and I did!” Chartrand said. [Read more…]

Xavier Harper, 9, of Linden, competes at USA Gymnastics Championships

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Xavier Harper

Xavier Harper

 

Xavier Harper, a rising fourth-grader at Linden Elementary School, competed in the USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling National Championships from June 27-July 2 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Xavier finished second in the nation on trampoline for level 9 in the 10 and under age group. He is affiliated with Premier Athletics in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Summer coding, technology classes for girls offered in Oak Ridge

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls or ORCSGirls is on a mission to inspire girls in the community to explore the possibilities of technology and computer science, a press release said.

In its short existence since the beginning of the year, ORCSGirls has already run 16 coding and technology events and reached more than 200 middle school girls thanks to TechShopz in a Box by TechGirlz and wonderful volunteers, including many from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (read about them here) and the girls from the Oak Ridge Wildbots, the press release said.

This summer, ORCSGirls has partnered with Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge and is offering three full day workshops for girls aged 13-18 at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. On July 8, girls will create their own mobile game and learn about app programming. Topics at the July 15 class will include an introduction to virtual reality, including making 360 degree pictures, building a Google Cardboard, and learning JavaScript. [Read more…]

City to host fourth preschool meeting, the last step in conceptual design

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Design concepts for the new Oak Ridge Schools Preschool at Scarboro Park, as published in May 2017. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

Design concepts for the new Oak Ridge Schools Preschool at Scarboro Park, as published in May 2017. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The City of Oak Ridge will host a fourth public forum-style meeting on the Oak Ridge Preschool on July 11. It’s the last step in the conceptual design process, a press release said.

“Once plans are affirmed by the community, architects will begin work on construction drawings,” the press release said.

The preschool will be built in Scarboro Park in central Oak Ridge.

The July 11 meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center. [Read more…]

Ticket prices could increase for football, basketball games starting July 1

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Ticket prices for Oak Ridge Wildcats football and basketball games could increase a dollar or two, although not for students at basketball games, starting July 1.

The price increases will be considered by the Oak Ridge Board of Education during a meeting that starts at 6 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the Robert J. Smallridge School Administration Building at 304 New York Avenue.

If approved, the changes would go into effect July 1.

Ticket prices have not increased since the 2007-2008 school year, according to the school board agenda. Meanwhile, expenses for transportation, officials, equipment, security, emergency services, and other required items for athletics have increased significantly. [Read more…]

‘When Good Trees Go Bad’: Lecture & walk at UT Arboretum on Thursday

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Oak Ridge Forest is pictured above in the spring of 2016. (Photo by UT Arboretum)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Oak Ridge Forest is pictured above in the spring of 2016. (Photo by UT Arboretum)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will present a short talk and lead a walk on Thursday, June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Led by Forester Jeff Holt, the short talk and walk will focus on the impact of disease and damage as observed in trees on the walk, a press release said. Holt will discuss how these issues relate to tree hazard mortality risk as they may relate to management and safety of the trees. During the walk, Holt will lead the group around the Arboretum to discuss affected trees, the press release said.

Celebrating 52 years in 2017, this program is one of many activities that will be offered this year by the UT Arboretum Society. The program is co-sponsored by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center.

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, is one of 10 outdoor laboratories located throughout the state as part of the UT AgResearch system. AgResearch is a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch, and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.