Oak Ridge Today

Honors: Y-12 garners third year as American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Y-12 Fit Friendly Work Site

B&W Y-12 was recognized by the American Heart Association for the third year as a Fit Friendly Worksite. Part of the criteria for such a designation is providing employees support for physical activity, such as Y-12’s LiveWise program, an onsite wellness program.

For the third year, the Y-12 National Security Complex has been recognized as a Fit-Friendly Worksite.

The Fit-Friendly Companies program recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and create a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace.

B&W Y-12 joins 12 other East Tennessee companies as a Gold-level company, which includes offering employees support for physical activity, promoting a wellness culture, providing healthy eating options at the worksite, and implementing at least nine specific criteria outlined by the American Heart Association related to physical activity, nutrition and culture.

“As a Gold-level award recipient, you have not only recognized the importance of a healthy workplace for your employees but have taken important steps to create a culture of wellness by providing support to employees, and we commend you and your employees,” said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown.

Spotlight: Youth Leadership Anderson County visits Nashville

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County Youth Leadership Visits Nashville

Youth Leadership Anderson County visited Nashville for a state government trip on March 12. (Submitted photo)

Youth Leadership Anderson County—sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and consisting of high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Anderson County High School and Clinton High School—visited Nashville for their State Government Trip on March 12.

The class had an opportunity for a “photo op” with Gov. Bill Haslam, Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. Dennis Powers, and Rep. John Ragan. The class visited the Titans Stadium and the Capitol, and participated in a mock session led by McNally, Powers and Ragan.

Those attending were Amber Bumgardner, Ivey Cates, Ryan Collinsworth, Rachel Crabtree, Jacob Craft, Hope Gass, Autumn Hicks, Sam Horn, Madison Ivey, Sami Joy, Olivia Kelly, Morgan Labelle, Tiffney Littlejohn, Matthew Lloyd, Matthew Longmire, Ali Matteson, Sarah Mawhinney, Victoria Parray, Erika Seiber, Taylor Spradlin, Sean Wallace, Brooklyn Webster, and Matthew Wilson. [Read more…]

Spotlight: TNBank donates to March of Dimes

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tom Tuck and March of Dimes

TNBank President Tom Tuck, left, presents a $1,000 check to Aaron Richardson of March of Dimes for the March of Dimes Campaign, March for Babies.

The March for Babies Walk is Friday, May 2, at A.K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge and Saturday, May 10, at the Knoxville Civic Center.

Spotlight: Oak Ridge welcomes travel writer tour

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Travel Writers at ORNL Wall of Flags

Travel writers take a break at the Wall of Flags at ORNL that features flags for all home countries of current employees. Pictured left to right, front row, are Tori Cuddy, Lisa Sonne, Scott Cochran, Tricia Szulewski, and Clement Salvadori; and, second row, Nicole Elliott and Wayne Newton. (Photos courtesy ORCVB)

North American journalists experience adventure in America’s Secret City

Travel writers from across North America were in Oak Ridge on Thursday, researching interesting stories to help promote tourism to the area. With a focus on outdoor adventure and heritage tourism, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partnered with the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with surrounding tourism organizations, to host the group.

The team of 17 journalists spent the first day of spring with local experts in heritage tourism and outdoor recreation. Each writer had the opportunity to ask many questions while experiencing both the natural beauty of Oak Ridge and the importance the city plays in scientific and technological discovery. Due to the excellent presentations given at each of the stops on the tour, all journalists left with a newfound love and appreciation for the exciting tourism opportunities Oak Ridge has to offer.

“Working with our partners in the capital and around East Tennessee helps Oak Ridge leverage our exposure in larger markets and reach out to broader audiences,” said Katy Brown, executive director of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We rely heavily on our tourism partners in Oak Ridge as we roll out the red carpet for these visiting writers.” [Read more…]

Spotlight: REAC/TS gives tour to radiologic technology class from Roane State

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State REAC/TS Tour

The Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) leads a recent tour of the REAC/TS facility with a radiologic technology class from Roane State Community College. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Submitted

A former REAC/TS participant and current professor at Roane State Community recently led a radiologic technology class on a tour of REAC/TS.

REAC/TS is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education facility managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities for the U.S. Department of Energy with the mission to strengthen the medical response to radiological and nuclear incidents. REAC/TS provides 24/7 medical support and deployment to provide emergency medical consultation for incidents involving radioactive materials and ionizing radiation worldwide. REAC/TS also conducts ongoing research into the biological effects of radiation and provides continuing medical education for healthcare providers.

Pictured above from left are nurse/paramedic Rob Beauchamp from the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS); Julie Hall, right, Roane State Community College radiologic technology program director and assistant professor, and one of her students, Drew Campbell, back. Hall is a former student of the Roane State Radiologic Program who went to REAC/TS as a student for assistance in her research and studies.

Honors: Jutta Bangs receives Certified Global Business Professional credential

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jutta Bangs

Jutta Bangs

Roane State Community College’s Jutta Bangs has been awarded the Certified Global Business Professional, or CGBP, credential by NASBITE International.

Bangs has more than 20 years of experience in the global business industry. She is the director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, which assists future and existing business owners with training and confidential counseling. [Read more…]

Honors: DOE employee listed among area’s rising leaders

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Heather Cloar of U.S Department of Energy

Heather Cloar, a U.S. Department of Energy employee in Oak Ridge, was named as a member of this year’s 40 Under 40.

By Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management

Earlier this year, the Greater Knoxville Business Journal compiled a list of East Tennessee’s top rising business and community leaders under the age of 40. The 2014 listing featured Heather Cloar, a contracting officer with the Energy Department in Oak Ridge.

Specifically, Heather, an Energy Department employee since 2002, is the federal official responsible for administering the $2.2 billion environmental cleanup contract with URS-CH2M Oak Ridge LLC, or UCOR. She is responsible for reviewing and approving all contract actions and guaranteeing that the contract remains aligned with EM’s priorities. She also certifies that the contractor’s work is performed in a cost-efficient manner to ensure the best value for American taxpayers. As a testament to her watchful oversight and frequent interaction with contractor leadership, UCOR completed the department’s largest-ever demolition project one year ahead of schedule and approximately $300 million under the current budget.

“Heather is making sure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayers under the contract and making sure the contract stays on schedule,” said Karen Shears, chief of the special acquisitions branch for DOE’s procurement and contracts division. “She’s got excellent judgment and great leadership skills, which is something you need because you interact with so many stakeholders.” [Read more…]

Spotlight: March art display at library by Jacqueline Page

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jacqueline Page Oil Painting at Oak Ridge Library

Submitted

The art display at Oak Ridge Public Library for March is a collection of vibrant oil compositions painted by Jacqueline Page.

Page is a native of East Tennessee and received a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College in Greenville. After working 28 years at the Y-12 National Security Complex, she now dedicates her time to pursuing her lifetime dream of becoming a freelance artist. She has won many awards at local competitions and placed first, second, and third at the Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair in September 2012.

The collection includes studies in the relaxed poses of children, floral still lifes, and views of the touching relationship between people and dogs. One focal point of the collection is a large painting of a young woman in a blue evening gown.

Please visit Oak Ridge Public Library during the month of March to view the beautiful paintings that are on display.

Spotlight: Y-12 dietician conducts educational tour of local grocery store

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Karen Lacey, Amy Hinkel, and Vickie at Food City

Karen Lacey, LiveWise dietician at the Y-12 National Security Complex, explains how to read the nutrition facts from the label on a loaf of gluten-free bread as Amy Hinkel and her mom Vickie listen. Lacey has been advising Y-12 employees for the past three years on how to make good food choices. She recently led a field trip to Oak Ridge’s Food City to educate employees and their families on making good choices when shopping.

 

Karen Lacey, LiveWise dietician at the Y-12 National Security Complex, recently led a field trip to Oak Ridge’s Food City to educate employees and their families on making good choices when shopping. Lacey has been advising Y-12 employees for the past three years on how to make good food choices. [Read more…]

Honors: Trumpet ensemble includes former OR student, performs at prestigious event

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Emory and Henry College Trumpet Ensemble

A trumpet ensemble that includes a former Oak Ridge student at Emory and Henry College has been selected to perform at the 2014 International Trumpet Guild Conference, a prestigious event that attracts the best trumpet performers from colleges and universities in the United States and abroad.

The E&H musicians who will be attending the conference include Chris Gillenwaters, a first-year student from Oak Ridge.

The conference, which will be held in May at Valley Forge, Pa., is known for including schools with the strongest instrumental music programs, including Baylor, Northwestern, and Florida State universities, as well as the universities of Louisville, North Texas and Oklahoma, the college said. International institutions that have often participated in the conference include the Lyon Conservatoire in France and the Escola Superior de Music e Artes do Espetaco in Spain. [Read more…]

Honors: Former Wildcat receives national football honors, academic recognition

Posted at
By 2 Comments

James Normand and TTU Academic All Star Team

Former Oak Ridge Wildcat James Normand received national honors when he was named to a football academic all-star team earlier this year, and he was also among the scholar-athletes who helped the football team at Tennessee Tech record its second-highest GPA last semester.

Normand is a graduate offensive lineman for the Golden Eagles in Cookeville. In January, he and junior running back Stephen Bush were selected to the 16th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team.

The two Golden Eagle standouts were included on the 43-player team that was chosen by a panel from among 90 nominees, Rob Schabert, TTU Golden Eagles assistant athletic director for sports information, said in early January. The announcement was made at the site of the FCS Championship game. [Read more…]

Honors: Norwood Elementary names teacher of the year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Amy Gaskins

Amy Gaskins

Amy Gaskins, a fourth-grade teacher, has been named the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year at Norwood Elementary School in Oliver Springs.

Gaskins has been teaching at Norwood, which are part of Anderson County Schools, since 2006. She taught first grade for six years, and this is her second year teaching fourth grade.

In addition to teaching, Gaskins in the coordinator for the UTrust program, sponsor of The National Junior Beta Club, and co-sponsor of the Spelling Bee Club, a press release said. [Read more…]