A reminder: Oak Ridge High School Masquers is presenting “Little Women” at the high school this weekend.
The first show was Thursday evening in the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center at ORHS.
The next two shows are at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, also in the Performing Arts Center.
[Read more…]By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
Roane State Community College has won a $999,950 state grant that will be used to expand dual enrollment studies in mechatronics and computer technologies at 11 high schools in four rural East Tennessee counties. Dual enrollment courses enable high school students to obtain college credits.
The community college’s grant proposal, titled “Fast Forward for Success,” was one of 28 grants selected for funding out of 61 requests filed under the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education program.
That effort prioritizes learning opportunities in rural counties and enhances career and technical education statewide, according to an announcement from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office.
“These funds directly support our workforce development efforts in distressed and at-risk counties and are a key component of our strategy to prioritize rural Tennessee,” Lee said in the announcement.
[Read more…]
By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
An eight-foot-tall telescope with an 18-inch diameter lens has been donated for use at Roane State Community College’s Tamke-Allan Observatory, and it offers the clearest views yet of the universe’s distant reaches.
Like the two powerful telescopes already in place at the observatory, the latest telescope is a donation, this time from former long-time Alaska resident and avid amateur astronomer John Jaruzel, who now calls Oak Ridge home.
“It is by far the most powerful telescope (at Tamke-Allan) in terms of collecting light,” said David Fields, director of the observatory. “This scope will enable the viewer to see extremely dim stars and objects,” he said.
“This is a wonderful thing to be able to offer the students views of such distant celestial objects,” Fields said of the gift. “It’s inspiring.”
[Read more…]
A Roane State Community College art professor’s whimsical creations—including grinning skulls and mystical creatures on ceramic mugs and bowls, and a brightly painted ceramic wheel—are showcased in a page ad in “Ceramics Monthly,” the nation’s foremost magazine devoted to clay artistry, a press release said.
Bryan Wilkerson’s handiwork, including his painting of a pottery wheel, are featured in the ad taken by AMACO Brent, also known as the American Art and Clay Company, in celebration of the company’s 50th year in business.
[Read more…]Cannabis in Tennessee will be discussed at “Lunch with the League” in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.
The speaker will be Patricia K. Freeland, professor and associate head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, a press release said.
The meeting will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
A long-time educator, Freeland has had an extensive and interesting career in all aspects of public administration and public policy, the press release said. She has written numerous books and articles on public administration, food policy, technology policy (drones), religion, and politics.
[Read more…]By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
It’s new at Roane State: a winter term with numerous online classes that can help boost grade point averages or enable students to finish college faster.
Classes ranging from American Government to Microbiology will be offered during the four-week program, a press release said. College officials touting the offering describe it as a way to “Succeed Ahead of Schedule.”
Registration for the innovative program is from November 11 through December 5, and the classes will run from December 16 through January 16, with two days off for both the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
[Read more…]The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education will host a virtual career fair on Wednesday, November 13, from noon to 3 p.m. Eastern time.
During this time, college students and recent graduates seeking STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) research, internship, and fellowship opportunities can interact with U.S. Department of Energy scientists, researchers, recruiters, and staff. They can explore virtual booths representing more than 25 programs in energy-related research, policy, and technology from national laboratories, field offices, and research facilities across the nation, a press release said.
“The ORISE Virtual Career Fair experience is a great opportunity for university-level students and post graduates to investigate research opportunities available at facilities across the DOE complex,” said ORISE Workforce Development Associate Director Craig Layman. “There will be representatives from many DOE program offices, including fusion energy, nuclear security, fossil energy, intelligence and counterintelligence, environmental management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and more.” [Read more…]
By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
It’s Roane County’s “Lighting of the Tree,” and it’s a highlight of the holiday season in the region.
Now in its third year, the family-oriented event is at Roane State Community College at 276 Patton Lane in Harriman, and it starts at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 25.
The event features the lighting of a huge Christmas tree and a “Festival of Trees,” featuring Christmas trees decorated by school groups, churches, civic groups, businesses, and individuals.
Also scheduled are holiday-themed games, refreshments, selfies with Santa, and Christmas carols sung by local choirs.
[Read more…]
By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
Most folks don’t know Roane State Community College has a greenhouse, much less its location.
But the hummingbirds do.
It’s not unusual for the tiny birds to dart among the bright flowers within— hovering with their wings a rapid-fire blur as they sip nectar from the blooms—after Nancy Humphreys opens the greenhouse door each morning.
Brilliant-hued flowering plants, some of them exotics, share space on wooden tables with succulents, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, orchids, and even pineapples.
[Read more…]
Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brian J. Hunt will present a program about the court’s approach to truancy issues in Anderson County schools, including Oak Ridge, on Monday, October 28.
The presentation will be during the general meeting of AAUW (American Association of University Women) at First Presbyterian Church, Room 122 at 11:30 a.m. Monday.
Hunt’s talk will begin shortly after noon, with a luncheon catered by The Soup Kitchen being served at 11:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations for the luncheon are $8.50 and may be made by calling Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043. A choice of soups and sandwiches will be available, with desserts and iced tea and coffee. Those attending who want to bring a sack lunch or not have lunch are asked to make a reservation to ensure adequate seating for the program, the press release said.
[Read more…]
By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer
Roane State hosted the launch of the fifth annual “Dream It. Do It.” competition last week at the community college’s mechatronics campus in Clinton, and it is also providing judges for the months-long events.
Now in its fifth year, the unique student competition highlighting manufacturing careers is sponsored by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce.
The event is held each October as part of the National Manufacturing Day celebration.
Chamber President Rick Meredith during the competition kickoff expressed appreciation for the college’s assistance. Gordon Williams, director of the mechatronics program in the Clinton Higher Education and Training facility, showed the students the various types of equipment used in mechatronics.
[Read more…]
The 20th annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival at Jackson Square on Saturday will offer a new challenge this year, a press release said.
The October 19 event will be held in historic Jackson Square, and it will offer the first STEAM Challenge. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
The festival will, as always, offer prizes for artists in each category, the press release said. But this year, artists in any category can win an all-ages, all-categories bonus prize as part of the STEAM challenge.
The Street Painting Festival is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge. It’s a fundraiser for Roane State Community College scholarships.
[Read more…]