Oak Ridge Today

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…]

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…]

Centrus donates precision surface plate to Roane State

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A precision surface plate donated by Centrus Energy will be used in Roane State’s planned welding program. From left are Keith Barding and Ben Jordan with Centrus Energy and Roane State dean Markus Pomper. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Centrus Energy of Oak Ridge has donated a precision surface plate for use in Roane State Community College’s planned welding certificate program.

The granite surface plate is needed for taking precise measurements. The surface plate, which is kept in a classroom at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, is valued at approximately $10,000 and weighs about 3,000 pounds.

“Centrus has assisted us in many ways as we planned our welding certificate program,” said Markus Pomper, dean of Roane State’s Mathematics and Sciences Division. “They have helped us design the curriculum and provided us with resources such as the surface plate. We are incredibly appreciative of their efforts to help us create a high-quality welding certificate program.”

Pomper said Roane State’s planned welding certificate program, pending approval, will be a one-semester program. The training is needed in Oak Ridge, Pomper said, where work on projects such as the Uranium Processing Facility requires welders with advanced skills. [Read more…]

Roane State, ORHS dual enrollment art program gives students unique experiences, opportunities

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Roane State associate professor of art and design Bryan Wilkerson teaches dual enrollment ceramics at Oak Ridge High School, partnering with ORHS teacher Gisela Schrock. Front from left are student Katie Stewart, Wilkerson, and students Olivia Hoyt and Brennan Whitson. Back, from left, are students Waverly Mullins, Josh Stanfill, Chloe Southmayd, Stevie Logan, Kaitlan Paine, Melena Haynes, Katie Roach and Mary Klages. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State associate professor of art and design Bryan Wilkerson teaches dual enrollment ceramics at Oak Ridge High School, partnering with ORHS teacher Gisela Schrock. Front from left are student Katie Stewart, Wilkerson, and students Olivia Hoyt and Brennan Whitson. Back, from left, are students Waverly Mullins, Josh Stanfill, Chloe Southmayd, Stevie Logan, Kaitlan Paine, Melena Haynes, Katie Roach, and Mary Klages. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Artists working in ceramics must also be part scientist and part engineer, says Roane State’s Bryan Wilkerson, an associate professor of art and design on the college’s Oak Ridge campus.

Oak Ridge High School students involved in the college’s dual enrollment program in ceramics are mastering those challenges as they mold their artistic skills. They are being supervised and taught by Wilkerson and high school art teacher Gisela Schrock.

Wilkerson and Schrock launched the dual enrollment program after meeting at the Knoxville Museum of Art and becoming friends.

“Gisela and I are very different in how we approach teaching art,” Wilkerson said. “I think it’s good for students to get multiple feedback and instruction, but we also communicate so we’re on the same page.” [Read more…]

True grit: Roane State softball player Briar Mays refuses to let cancer stand in her way

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Roane State softball player Briar Mays, left, is undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer but intends to return to the squad in the spring. She is pictured with teammate Kacee Hedrick. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State softball player Briar Mays, left, is undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer but intends to return to the squad in the spring. She is pictured with teammate Kacee Hedrick. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Briar Mays said she started noticing it last September—her right leg and hip were hurting.

During warm-ups and workouts as a freshman member of the Roane State Community College women’s softball team, Briar said she had to use her arms to pull her legs up for some exercises.

Physical therapy was recommended and undertaken, but that didn’t help ease the pain.

Still, the 18-year-old former standout for Forrest High School’s softball team in tiny Chapel Hill, Tennessee, finished out last fall’s season for the Roane State squad, playing left field.

It was only after an MRI in January that Briar received the devastating news: she had cancer. [Read more…]

Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus to host fair for adults who want to go back to college

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Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus will host an information fair for adults who want to go back to college.

The Adult Information Fair will be held on Thursday, November 10, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge campus, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. The fair is free and open to the public.

Adults will be able to learn about Roane State programs, getting academic credit for work experience, and the statewide Reconnect initiative to encourage adults to finish their college degrees. [Read more…]

Roane State, AC Chamber, CNS Y-12 to host Manufacturing Day celebration, Dream It/Do It kickoff

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Area middle school students will learn about creative, high-tech careers in manufacturing as part of a Manufacturing Day celebration on Friday, October 21, at Roane State Community College’s training facility in Clinton.

The college is teaming up with the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and CNS Y-12 to host the event, titled the Dream It/Do It Manufacturing Showcase: Think, Create, Build. The event begins at 9:30 a.m., and it will include tours and equipment demonstrations. The public is invited.

Roane State’s Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility is located at 214 Nave Street. [Read more…]

Watch a free showing of movie ‘Psycho’ Oct. 20 at Princess Theatre in Harriman

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Roane State English professor DeAnna Stephens will introduce a free screening of “Psycho,” regarded as Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece of a psychological thriller, at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

The R-rated film, often described as “creepy,” is the tale of a woman on the lam who checks into the mysterious Bates Motel, apparently vacant except for proprietors Norman Bates and his mother.

The 1960 movie, now considered a classic, gives audiences a whole new perspective on taking showers and became Hitchcock’s biggest hit. [Read more…]

Roane State offering spring start for paramedic program; apply by Oct. 31

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There’s an October 31 application deadline to start Roane State Community College’s paramedic program in the spring semester.

The three-semester program, which features several courses each semester, is normally not offered with a spring semester starting point. It has been added to meet a local, statewide, and national shortage of paramedics, said David Blevins, program director.

The shortfall in advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics is frequently mentioned during monthly regional meetings of EMS directors, he said.

There are 12 openings for the program, and candidates must be licensed as advanced EMTs or be in the Advanced EMT program now in progress. [Read more…]

Roane State NASA scholars named for fall 2016

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Roane State Community College Logo

Four Roane State Community College students have received NASA scholarships worth up to $5,000 to support their pursuit of degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields.

NASA provided funding for the scholarships through a $499,689 grant it awarded to the Tennessee Community College Space Grant Consortium. Roane State, Cleveland State Community College, Columbia State Community College, Northeast State Community College, and Pellissippi State Community College are part of the consortium. [Read more…]

Roane State mechatronics program to host Open House on Sept. 26

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Roane State mechatronics director Gordon Williams, center, says mechatronics is a field that requires creativity along with technical skills. (Photo by Roane State)

 

It’s the well-paying field of mechatronics, where skilled technicians operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems, and Roane State Community College is hosting an open house in September to recruit for next spring’s mechatronics classes.

The event will be from 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday, September 26, at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility, located in a former National Guard Armory off Charles Seivers Boulevard at 214 Nave Street in Clinton.

Current mechatronics students will be available to answer questions. Prospective students will have “the hands-on opportunity to work with the equipment, including robotic arms,” program director Gordon Williams said. Light refreshments will be served. [Read more…]