Oak Ridge Today



 










Volkswagen, UT, ORNL announce collaboration, innovation hub

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Volkswagen Group America Innovation North University Tennessee Research Park
Volkswagen Group of America will lease space in the Innovation North building on the UT Research Park campus. (Photo courtesy University of Tennessee)

Volkswagen Group of America, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee on Friday announced a collaboration to create Volkswagen’s first innovation hub in North America at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm.

“Working with the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a great opportunity to continue growing Volkswagen’s engineering footprint in the North American region,” said Wolfgang Demmelbauer-Ebner, executive vice president and chief engineering officer for Volkswagen’s North American region. “This hub, along with other research institutions here, is an integral part of Volkswagen’s global research and development efforts and can also directly contribute to vehicles in North America.”

The collaboration involves research opportunities for doctoral students and space in the Innovation North building at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm in Knoxville, a press release said. Initial work will focus on developing lighter vehicle components made from composite materials and the electrification of vehicles.

[Read more…]

Advertisement

First ORHS Middle College class at Roane State about to graduate

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School Roane State Community College Middle College 2020
Pictured is the first class of Roane State Middle College students from Oak Ridge High School. Seated from left are Aamariah Crow, Isabella Kelly, Chloe Mallett, Savannah Shropshire, Selena Sterling, and Christina Thomas. Standing from left are Caroline Webb, Katie Swigert, Haley Snyder, Jacob Wright, Shaelyn Deal, and Cameille Schubert. Not pictured: Cameron Malone and Marissa Colvais. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

One wants to be a doctor. Another, a lawyer involved in immigration cases. Two plan to become engineers, another wants to be involved in mission work, and one intends to work as an ultrasound technician.

They are among 14 Oak Ridge High School students who are members of the first Roane State Community College Middle College class, and they’re getting ready to graduate this spring, both from high school and college.

Although they have varying career goals, they have several things in common. They all say they have enjoyed their Middle College experiences, they’ve all been accepted to colleges and universities to continue their educations, and they’re fans of their advisor and English instructor, Assistant Roane State Professor Margaret “Maggie” Bouldin.

[Read more…]
Advertisements

Roane State students analyze Election Commission website for hacking

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Digital Forensics Cyber Security
A team of students from Roane State Community College’s Digital Forensics class was recently requested by Homeland Security to explore the cyber hygiene vulnerability of the Election Commission website of a West Tennessee county. (Photo courtesy RSCC)

Submitted

Roane State team assesses Election Commission website for vulnerabilities

A team of students from Roane State Community College’s Digital Forensics class was recently requested by Homeland Security to explore the cyber hygiene vulnerability of the Election Commission website of a West Tennessee county, said George Meghabghab, head of the college’s computer science division.

The project was initiated by Homeland Security official James Cotter, who met with Meghabghab during July and August to flesh out the project, including expectations from each other and outcomes. Such a project is ongoing on other Tennessee election commission websites, Meghabghab said. He described the efforts as critical tasks of Homeland Security in Tennessee.

[Read more…]
Advertisement



Advertisement



Roane State wins $1 million grant to help mechatronics, cyber security programs

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

New telescope offers peeks into universe’s distant reaches

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

John Jaruzel, who donated the powerful telescope shown above to Roane State Community College’s Tamke-Allan Observatory, helps a young visitor get acquainted with the device. (Photo courtesy RSCC)

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…]

Roane State art professor’s ceramics showcased in national magazine

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

This ad featuring some of the whimsical creations of Roane State Community College art professor Bryan Wilkerson was featured in a recent edition of “Ceramics Monthly.” (Photo courtesy RSCC)

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…]

Winter term launches at Roane State with online courses

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

ORISE to host virtual career fair for STEM internships, fellowships, research opportunities

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

‘Lighting of the Tree’ is Nov. 25 in Roane County

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

All things—even fish—grow in Nancy’s greenhouse

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College Greenhouse Oct 2 2019
Nancy Humphreys is pictured inside the Roane State Community College greenhouse, admiring one of the many flowering plants inside. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

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…]

Roane State hosts launch of ‘Dream It. Do It.’ competition

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Dream It Do It Oct. 14 2019
Roane State Community College hosts the 5th annual ‘Dream It. Do It.” competition launch at the Clinton Higher Education and Training facility on Oct. 14, 2019. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

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…]

New at Street Painting Festival: Take the STEAM challenge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Artists turned Jackson Square into a work of art last year at the annual Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at Jackson Square. (Submitted photo)

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…]

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today