Oak Ridge Today

Chadwick, Emch are Roane State’s 2016 Outstanding Alumni

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Lisa Chadwick

Lisa Chadwick

 

A healthcare expert and a leading geospatial scientist are Roane State’s Outstanding Alumni for 2016.

The recipients are Lisa Chadwick of Knoxville, director of risk management for Functional Pathways in Knoxville, and Whitney Emch with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Chadwick graduated magna cum laude from Roane State Community College in 1991 with an associate degree in nursing. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Berry College and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of St. Francis. [Read more…]

George joins elite group as ORNL-UT Governor’s Chair

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Easo George becomes the 15th Governor’s Chair. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

 

Easo George, one of the world’s foremost authorities on advanced alloy development and theory, has been named the 15th Governor’s Chair at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee.

George comes from the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, where he has been professor of materials design and director of the Center for Interface Dominated High Performance Materials since November 2014. Prior to that, he had a career of nearly three decades at ORNL, where he was a distinguished research staff member and head of the Alloy Behavior and Design Group. He was also a professor of materials science and engineering at UT since 2002, a press release said.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this position,” George said in the press release. “There is already tremendous synergy between ORNL and UT in advancing materials research, and I cannot wait to help build even more momentum.” [Read more…]

Business sponsorships sought for robotics competition

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Roane State Community College and Morgan County Career and Technical Center are seeking business sponsors for a VEX Robotics Competition event that will be held January 12-13 at Roane State’s Clinton location.

The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, is the largest and fastest growing middle school and high school robotics program globally with more than 16,000 teams from 40 countries playing in more than 1,350 competitions worldwide.

Roane State’s Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility will host a state VEX Robotics Qualifier Tournament Competition from January 12-13. Approximately 30 high school and middle school teams are expected to participate, a press release said. [Read more…]

Roane State campuses will be closed Dec. 17-Jan. 2 for holidays

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Roane State Community College campuses will be closed Saturday, December 17, through Monday, January 2, for the holidays.

The college will reopen Tuesday, January 3, and spring classes will begin on Tuesday, January 17.

Registration and other self-service options are available through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).

ORISE accepting applications for DOE energy fellowship summer program

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Women and minorities encouraged to apply; deadline is Dec. 30

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is currently accepting applications for the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2017 Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program, or MLEF, which is a 10-week summer program for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The MLEF Program provides students with the opportunity to gain and develop research skills by training under the mentorship of program officials and scientists within the DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, a press release said. This program is open to currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking students in a science, technology, engineering, or math, or STEM, program at an accredited college or university at the bachelor’s (sophomore or higher), master’s, or doctoral level with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. U.S. citizenship is required.

Participants will support Office of Fossil Energy mission-related research while gaining insight into how DOE is working to meet the energy challenges of the future. The goal of the program is to improve opportunities for women and minority students in the STEM fields although all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply. [Read more…]

Roane State emergency services students gather donations to help firefighters

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Students Ruben Sotomayor, left, and Cameron Driskill gather supplies at Roane State’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences that will assist emergency responders working the Sevier County wildfires. (Photo by Roane State)

Students Ruben Sotomayor, left, and Cameron Driskill gather supplies at Roane State’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences that will assist emergency responders working the Sevier County wildfires. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

KNOXVILLE—A student at Roane State’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences collected donations for exhausted firefighters who have been combatting the inferno that has devastated Gatlinburg and the surrounding region.

Ruben Sotomayor, 29, of Caryville launched his effort Tuesday morning after seeing news reports of the widespread destruction.

“I felt I needed to do something,” he said. “They (firefighters) are exhausted. They need something to eat and drink.”

Sotomayor quickly received Roane State’s approval to set up a collection site at the college’s Knox County campus, 132 Hayfield Road. The campus is a hub for the college’s emergency medical services programs and courses. [Read more…]

Audition for Roane State’s spring production of Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’

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The Roane State Community College music and theatre arts departments are holding auditions for parts in Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!”

Auditions are scheduled at the college’s Oak Ridge and Roane County campuses: [Read more…]

TN College of Applied Technology gets $5.7 million grant for Anderson County facility

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The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville will receive a $5.7 million Drive to 55 Capacity Fund Grant to be used for a training facility in Anderson County, state officials said Thursday.

The grant was announced by Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican; Representative John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican; and Representative Dennis Powers, a Jacksboro Republican after they were notified by Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, or THEC.

“It is critical that we prepare our students with the skills they need for 21st century jobs,” said McNally, who as Finance Committee Chairman has supported the Drive to 55 Capacity grants. “This grant not only aids us in that effort, but also helps us bring new jobs to Tennessee as businesses are looking for a skilled workforce. I am very pleased that these funds will be coming to Anderson County.” [Read more…]

Business launched by Roane State staff member earns national recognition

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Melissa Kreis-Stephens

Melissa Kreis-Stephens

 

By Bob Fowler

Roane State staff member Melissa Kreis-Stephens homegrown business has become an overnight success, and it’s only taken 15 years.

Kreis-Stephens, an avid outdoorswoman, is the college’s math and science lab supervisor. She’s also the owner of a suddenly thriving business of organic lotions, balms, and salves that has won a national award titled the Golden Innovator.

Kreis-Stephens’ business is Tomboy Organic Skincare Co., and she’ll be accepting the national Best Brand award for organic salves and skin care from American Choice Awards during a February ceremony in New York City.

Her all-natural creations were judged as tops in the category. In all, American consumers judged 1,500 brands across 190 categories. [Read more…]

Davis named ORAU director of government relations

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Joe Davis

Joe Davis

 

Joe Davis, former senior vice president with Artemis Strategies, has been named ORAU director of government relations.

Davis is a government and public affairs professional who has 25 years of policy experience at the corporate, federal, and congressional levels, a press release said.

In his new role, Davis will lead ORAU’s governmental and public affairs outreach with the U.S. Congress, various government agencies, and other stakeholders, the release said.

“We’re excited to have Joe join our team in this leadership role,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “His public policy expertise will help our organization navigate the policy, political, and business environments at the federal level.” [Read more…]

Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second at nationals

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The Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second nationally at the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships. From left are Nathan Hembree, Nathan Wattenbarger, Ty McCaskey, Madeline Kittrell, Assistant Coach Kevin Hembree, Head Coach Kenneth Carey, Assistant Coach James Wattenbarger, Lauren Sanders, Andy Carey, Andrew Smith, and Codey Dean. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler

CROSSVILLE—These marksmen—and women—are among the nation’s best.

The eight-member Roane State Community College Shooting Sports Team was on target for runner-up high overall national champion team, along with two national runner-up wins and a third place finish in the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships.

“We’re very proud of the team and their accomplishments,” volunteer head coach Kenneth Carey said of the squad’s achievements in the SCTP competitions, held October 28-30 in Marengo, Ohio. “They have an excellent work ethic. Their practice and ability and skill proved to be a force nationally.”

Some 271 athletes representing teams from 16 states participated. The Raiders are in the Division 3 category—squads with 10 members or less. That division was “by far the most competitive,” Carey said, because 14 teams were involved.

Roane State’s Raiders competed against teams from the University of Alabama, Arizona State, and Florida State, among others. [Read more…]

Roane State course will teach emergency responders how to fly drones

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Roane State has partnered with and Avion Unmanned Solutions Inc. to offer a course for emergency responders on how to fly drones. Sign up by visiting www.roanestate.edu/che or call (865) 539-6904. (Submitted photo)

Roane State has partnered with Avion Unmanned Solutions Inc. to offer a course for emergency responders on how to fly drones. Sign up by visiting www.roanestate.edu/che or calling (865) 539-6904. (Submitted photo)

 

Drones will be buzzing the skies near Roane State Community College’s Roane County campus in early December as students learn how to safely use remotely piloted aircraft, formally called Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

The five-day class, intended for emergency responders—from law enforcement to fire departments and rescue squads—is a partnership between the college and Avion Unmanned Solutions Inc., which is based in Huntsville, Alabama.

Drones have shown their worth in search and rescue operations, storm damage assessment, wildfire support, hostage situations, aerial reconnaissance, and natural disaster support, officials said.

Certified instructors will teach the class, which will be eight hours a day from December 5-9. About $250,000 worth of several different types of drones and the technology to use with them will be deployed, an Avion representative said. There’s a $2,245 tuition fee. [Read more…]