Oak Ridge Today

ETEC accepting nominations for 2017 Muddy Boot Award, Postma Young Professional Medal

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The East Tennessee Economic Council is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medal, a press release said.

In 1973, the founders of ETEC (then the Roane Anderson Economic Council or R-AEC) created the Muddy Boot Award to reflect the efforts of the Manhattan Project founders of Oak Ridge, who worked through adverse conditions to build the community, the press release said. Each year since then, ETEC has honored individuals or groups of people who have continued to help build and bolster the community’s economic base. The award has been presented to elected officials, business leaders, representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, and others.

The objective is to recognize an individual—not an institution—for significant and long-term contributions to the East Tennessee region with respect to the federal government programs and its spin-offs by leveraging the federal presence to create private sector jobs, the press release said. Participation in the community beyond the workplace is essential.

The 2016 recipients included Mike Belbeck, Covenant Health; Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. Congressman, Third District; Frank Munger, recently retired from Knoxville News Sentinel; and Mike Pasqua, recently retired from SAIC/Leidos. [Read more…]

ORHS selected for Sprint 1 Million Project, providing free internet to students for homework completion

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Oak Ridge Schools bus

Oak Ridge High School is participating in the Sprint 1 Million Project program. Through that project, the high school will receive free internet devices and service to help students complete their schoolwork from home, a press release said.

“Sprint’s mission with this project is to provide free wireless devices and service to one million students who are in need of reliable internet service,” the press release said. “The 1 Million Project is the largest corporate initiative in U.S. history to bridge the digital divide and help close the ‘homework gap’ for students lacking home internet access.”

The press release said Sprint plans to welcome approximately 200,000 eligible high school students into the program each year for five years, offering them devices and connectivity for up to four years while in high school. Oak Ridge High School is now a part of this five-year program.

“For the 2017-2018 school year, we will receive 300 devices,” the press release said. “We will continue to communicate with Sprint annually to determine the device quantities needed for the following program years.” [Read more…]

ORHS student wins Tennessee Award for Aspirations in Computing

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Rhyannon Karney

Rhyannon Karney

 

Rhyannon Karney of Oak Ridge High School won the Tennessee Award for Aspirations in Computing by the National Center for Women and Technology.

The award honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests, a press release said. Awardees were selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.

Karney was honored at a banquet at Tennessee Technical University on April 22. She plans on attending Tennessee Tech and majoring in computer science and cyber security.

The award will provide her with a scholarship of $2,500 a year for four years, the press release said.

Submitted by Keith Jackson, instructor

Local students honored for exceptional academic success

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DURHAM, N.C.—Ipek Ozcan, Sidney Ozcan, and Eli Roth, seventh-grade students from Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, were among the students honored by the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) for their exceptional scores on the SAT and ACT, respectively. All three students were recognized at a state ceremony at Nashville on May 8 and at the Grand Recognition Ceremony on May 22 at Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students across the United States who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level standardized test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams to learn more about their abilities, a press release said. Duke TIP then hosts annual recognition ceremonies to honor the seventh graders with remarkable ACT or SAT scores. Those with the highest scores are invited to the Grand Recognition Ceremony.

Working with host academic institutions, Duke TIP sponsors 36 ceremonies in 16 states throughout April, May, and June. Speakers include university administrators and professors from the host institutions, state and government officials, and accomplished former Duke TIP students. [Read more…]

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

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Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Mother, daughter graduate from Roane State, will start business together

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Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

This mother-daughter team is learning together and soon intend to be earning together.

Holly Green and daughter Ciarra Wallace are finishing the massage therapy program at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus and plan to go into business as therapists in Jacksboro.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share this adventure and milestone with my daughter,” Green said. “This way, the family stays together and we help one another.”

Mom and daughter have made the 45-minute commute from their Campbell County home to take their classes.

Green and Wallace obtained their certificates in May, will take the licensure exams this summer, and intend to rent space in Simplicity Salon in Jacksboro, 111 Rusty Road, for the family business. [Read more…]

Roane State Tennessee Promise student ready to take next step after graduation

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Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

For Roane State’s Shelley Edwards, the Tennessee Promise scholarship and mentoring program came along at just the right time.

Edwards was among the first group of students to take advantage of Tennessee Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that allows students to go to community colleges tuition-free.

“With the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise, I haven’t had to pay anything for my education,” said Edwards, 19, the daughter of Michael and Linda Edwards of Rockwood.

She’s maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average at Roane State.

She received an associate of science degree in chemistry in May, setting the stage for her transfer next fall to Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. She plans to major in chemical engineering with a concentration in bio-molecular engineering. [Read more…]

ORAU named winner of 2017 EPEAT Purchaser Award

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Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU was named among the winners of the Green Electronics Council’s 2017 EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) Sustainable Purchaser Award for the third year in a row. The award recognizes excellence in the procurement of green electronics, or those electronics that have been manufactured to conserve energy, eliminate environmentally sensitive materials, and increase recyclability.

ORAU was among 10 organizations to receive a three-star rating, the highest possible, for its commitment to purchasing EPEAT-registered products in three categories: PCs and displays, imaging equipment, and televisions, a press release said. The Green Electronics Council awards one star for each category.

Other three-star award winners were: El Paso Intelligence Center; Loyola University Chicago; Mission Support Alliance, CH2M Hill PRC, Washington River Protection Solutions; National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Investigative Technology, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Office of Training, DEA; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, DOE; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. [Read more…]

DOE to conduct emergency preparedness exercise June 7

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Emergency responders from the U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, and East Tennessee Technology Park, along with federal, state, and local emergency management personnel, will conduct an emergency exercise Wednesday, June 7, a press release said.

“The public may observe emergency responders simulating response activities and performing environmental monitoring or sampling in the area surrounding the Oak Ridge Reservation,” the press release said. “These activities are part of the exercise.”

The exercise will begin at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday and conclude around 4:30 p.m.

This event is one of a series of emergency exercises conducted regularly by the DOE facilities in Oak Ridge. The exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations and ensure that the public, site employees, and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency at the facilities.

UT students, faculty members safe after London attacks

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Officials have accounted for the 43 University of Tennessee students and four faculty members in London, and all are safe, UT said Monday.

Oak Ridge Today has received a report that one of the students is from Oak Ridge, but UT wasn’t able to confirm that. A spokesperson said she didn’t have access to student information.

“I can tell you we have 43 students and four faculty members in London, and all have been accounted for/are safe,” said Katherine Saxon, UT coordinator for student communications and social media team member. [Read more…]

See design concepts for new Oak Ridge Preschool

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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 has posted the design concepts for the planned Oak Ridge Schools Preschool at Scarboro Park.

The design concepts are from Studio Four Design, an architectural firm in Knoxville. A general concept for the preschool building’s design is shown above.

Those who attended a public forum-style meeting at the Scarboro Community Center on Thursday, May 25, voted for their favorite of two potential site design concepts, which are shown below, the City of Oak Ridge said. Option one received 18 votes, and option two received 13.

Here are the two potential site design concepts, with option one first and option two second: [Read more…]

First United Methodist has Vacation Bible School this month

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first-united-methodist-church-of-oak-ridge-jan-2017

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will celebrate recent renovations with an open house on Sunday evening, Jan. 8, 2017. The church is located at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and North Tulane Avenue. (Photo courtesy Jeff Kile)

 

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will be hosting Vacation Bible School “Mighty Fortress” from June 19-22 (Monday-Thursday) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Children from 4 years old through 5th graders are welcome. FUMC is located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Erin Webb at ewebb@fumcor.org. [Read more…]