Oak Ridge Today

Flexible Roane State financial services program was good fit for working student

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June 4, 2018
Flexible Roane State financial services program was good fit for working student

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

JAMESTOWN, Tenn. — It took determination, and Tiffany Atkins persisted.

Now Atkins is one of the first graduates to obtain Roane State’s associate degree in financial services — a flexible, adult-friendly program designed for those who want to start or advance their career in banking, finance, or insurance.

It wasn’t easy balancing a full-time job as a teller at the Bank of Fentress County with taking classes. To help fit the program into her schedule, Atkins took online classes and courses at Roane State’s nearby Fentress County campus in Jamestown.

“I loved being able to do interactive (live video) classes at Fentress County,” Tiffany said.

Roane State officials were more than helpful as she pursued her degree, she recalled. “Everyone was wonderful and I never had a problem. They knew I worked, and they worked with my schedule. I got help with everything I needed.”

Roane State’s financial services program is now one of the college’s most flexible options. Students have the opportunity to attend classes from their personal computer or mobile device from anywhere. Through Roane State’s new distance education platform (Zoom), students can attend interactive classes with live lectures, or record the classes and take them at their convenience.

Tiffany started her college studies when she was 19 and completed them three years later. Her financial services studies meshed nicely with her training at the bank, where she was being groomed as a loan processor. “I could use what I was learning in class for work, and vice versa.”

Now, Tiffany is 24 and prepares loan documents for the Bank of Fentress County while her husband, Aaron, works at Cumberland Farmers Cooperative in Crossville.

They’re getting ready for the birth in August of their first child, a boy they plan to name Mason.

“She (Atkins) is an excellent example of how you can come back to Roane State as a returning, busy working adult and finish a degree,” said Roane State Vice President of Workforce Development Teresa Duncan.

“Now she is going to soon have her first child, and she can head into motherhood as a college graduate who can provide even more opportunities for her child in the future.”

To learn more about Roane State’s two-year financial services program, visit roanestate.edu/financialservices or contact Mike Farmer, farmerwm@roanestate.edu or (865) 354-3000 ext. 4862.

Remember, eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at roanestate.edu/reconnect.

Roane State student thrives in Middle College program

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June 4, 2018

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

Ask Connor Murphy about Roane State’s Middle College program, and his face lights up.

“I really like it,” said Connor, 17, who completed his first year of the innovative program while achieving academic honors.

In Middle College, eligible high school juniors attend Roane State classes in the mornings and return to their respective schools in the afternoons to complete their high school courses.

By the time Middle College students graduate from high school, they also receive associate degrees from Roane State, giving them a two-year head start toward a bachelor’s degree.

Connor thrives on courses like Calculus II and Calculus-based Physics, but he found the Roane State art appreciation course last fall to be a bit daunting and filled with concepts new to him.

“I thought Connor could coast through that (art appreciation),” said his father, Jack Murphy. “But there were quizzes every week, and it was challenging.”

Connor’s abilities in math and science perhaps aren’t too surprising, especially for someone whose hobbies include computer programming and mining cryptocurrencies.

Connor has been a familiar sight around the college’s Oak Ridge campus this year, piloting his motorized wheelchair with his 85-pound golden retriever, a service dog named “Tank,” by his side.

Connor has an ailment called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. His mom, Lise Murphy, accompanies him to Roane State and helps out when needed. Both parents have become huge fans of Roane State and its Middle College program as a result of their son’s experiences.

“I love it,” Lise Murphy said. She’s been going to school with Connor since kindergarten, but her role has changed over the years. “I used to help the teachers, but now, I’m just trying to keep up with the classes,” she said.

“The (Roane State) teachers have been so wonderful, and I’ve seen this first-hand. It’s been a great, great experience, and I give huge kudos to the professors.”

“Middle College gives the kids a chance to excel in academically challenging classes,” Jack Murphy said. “I think Middle College is a huge opportunity.”

Both parents and Connor’s aunt, Marianne Murphy, heap praise on college officials for being so accommodating. “They can’t do enough (for Connor),” Lise Murphy said.

One of Connor’s courses was moved to a downstairs classroom in the college’s Coffey-McNally Building when an elevator was briefly out of order, Marianne Murphy recalled.

For Connor, Roane State’s fall semester will include more challenging courses, especially in math and science.

He’s completed the necessary requirements to graduate from Clinton High, but he still goes there for robotics club and National Honor Society meetings.

Then, it’s on to a university — perhaps the University of Tennessee — where he wants to major in bioengineering.

To learn more about Middle College, visit roanestate.edu/middlecollege or contact Middle College coordinator David Lane, (865) 354-3000 ext. 4223 or lanedr@roanestate.edu.

Roane State Community College Receives Training Ambulance from Lifeguard Ambulance Service

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June 1, 2018

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

KNOXVILLE – Roane State Community College EMS students now have an ambulance for hands-on training, thanks to a donation from Lifeguard Ambulance Service in Knoxville.

Officials recently accepted the keys and title to the vehicle at the college’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences.

The gift of the 2002 Ford Type II ambulance “is very much welcomed,” said Roger Badger, who teaches EMT and paramedic classes. “We’ve got a lot of opportunities here.”

The ambulance will be outfitted with standard response equipment and allow college faculty to offer an emergency vehicle operations course, which must be completed as a new hire with an EMS service.

“This will make our programs even stronger so graduates can handle any emergency they may face in the field,” said David Blevins, Roane State Director of EMS Education.

Students will learn first-hand how to work in an ambulance’s close quarters, said Kristin Davis, operations supervisor for Lifeguard Ambulance. As part of the company’s policies, the ambulance – which has more than 500,000 miles on it — was retired from service and donated to Roane State.

“We got together (with Roane State) and made it happen,” said Bernie Hayes, director of Lifeguard’s Knoxville office.

The college offers classes for Emergency Medical Technician, advanced EMTs, paramedics and critical care paramedics.

“We’re excited to provide our students with more in-depth training prior to their ride-alongs with EMS services during their education,” Blevins said. Students beginning their EMS careers and those wanting to obtain more degrees or certifications will benefit from the donation, he added.

The donation occurred during National EMS Week May 21-24.

This generous gift in support of Roane State health sciences programs was arranged in partnership with the Roane State Foundation. The foundation is a 501c3 corporation governed by an independent Board of Directors and established to provide financial support for Roane State students and programs.

The Roane State Foundation seeks to enhance community awareness of the college, to secure private contributions and bequests, and to manage donated monies and properties. Learn more at roanestate.edu/foundation.

To learn more about Roane State’s EMT and paramedic programs, visit roanestate.edu/ems or contact Blevins at 865-354-3000, extension 4768 orblevinsds@roanestate.edu. Eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at roanestate.edu/reconnect.

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Caption: Roane State Director of EMS Education David Blevins, center, accepts the donation of training ambulance from Kristin Davis, Operations Manager (left) and Bernie Hayes, Director (right) with Lifeguard Ambulance Service in Knoxville.

Roane State art students honored

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May 29, 2018

Archie Clark won top honors for outstanding achievement in art in Roane State Community College’s annual juried student art show, said Art Professor Stacy Jacobs.

Kevin Rodriguez was awarded the Anne Powers Promise Award, given to an artist deemed to have exceptional potential, while an entry titled “Dripping Pillow” by Taylor McMahan won the Art Spirit Award for experimentation in media.

Rodriguez took best in show for his entry, “Party Animal,” while Gracie Scott’s creation, “Assimilation Sub-Cult,” was second place, and Samantha Allen won third place for “Jumpshot.”

Honorable mentions were “Daydreaming” by Rodriguez, Braeden Gibson’s “Untitled,” “Inner Demons” by Victoria Waterman, “Curly Sue” by Samantha Allen, “Suspended Rings” by Gibson, and “Belle Meade Carriage House” by Clark.

Jacobs said a new scholarship has been established in memory of Jason Lee Golliher, a Roane State graduate who won a scholarship to study at The Art Institute of Boston and passed away in 2016.

“The Roane State Foundation is honored to award this scholarship in Jason’s memory to help other talented art students achieve their dreams,” a news release announcing the award stated.

Golliher’s mother, Susan, attended the scholarship presentation. This year’s recipient is Jessica Symonds.
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Caption: Pictured, from left, are winners of the Roane State juried art show: Samantha Allen, Gracie Scott, Archie Clark, Victoria Waterman, Kevin Rodriquez and Braeden Gibson.

Roane State dental hygiene students continue outstanding performance on board exam

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This unblemished record by graduating members of the Roane State dental hygiene program remains intact.

For the sixth consecutive year, 100 percent of the class passed the rigorous Dental Hygiene National Board examination on their first try, said Melinda Gill, program director. The students’ scores place Roane State dental hygiene students in the top 3 percent nationally of the more than 300 accredited dental hygiene programs where dental hygiene students take the exam, Gill said.

“I’m very proud of the students’ accomplishments and their dedication to success,” said Gill, who became program director six years ago.

Students took the national exam in March. The comprehensive exam features a lengthy blend of multiple choice questions and detailed questions about dental case studies. Only 12 students are selected each year to participate in the college’s dental hygiene program, and more than 100 routinely apply, Gill said.
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Pictured with director Melinda Gill, center, are members of the Roane State Dental Hygiene class who continued the department’s perfect record on national board, for the past six years. Front row, from left: Veronica Koon, Carrie Wheeler, LaTosha Wiggington, Jessica Rickman, and Natalie Beeler. Back row, from left: Kelly Tallent, Hannah Fox, Rachel East, Gill, Katie Zielinski, Bianca Gordon and Sydney Bailey.

Roane State dental hygiene students earn honors at poster competition

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May 16, 2018

Roane State dental hygiene students placed first and third in the annual 2nd District Dental Hygiene Society’s poster competition, said Melinda Gill, program director.

First-year students Alma Almanza of Lenoir City and Jennifer Cowan of Knoxville won first place among 16 competitors in the Second District competition for their entry, titled “Out of This World Ozone.”

Second-year students Natalie Beeler of Knoxville, Carrie Wheeler of Oak Ridge and Sydney Bailey of Lenoir City had a third-place finish for their poster, titled “Human Papilloma Virus, STDS and Oral Cancer.”

Both entries were in competition with dental hygiene students from Hiwassee College in Madisonville and other first- and second-year dental hygiene students from Roane State Community College.
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Caption: From left, Roane State dental hygiene student Alma Almanza and Jennifer Cowan.

See latest high-tech automation technology at Roane State’s Clinton facility on May 23

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May 15, 2018

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

Learning and technology will be at the forefront of presentations and tours on Wednesday, May 23, at Roane State Community College’s Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility.

That’s when a tractor-trailer named the Siemens Mobile Showcase will roll onto the campus, located off Charles Seivers Boulevard at 214 Nave St.

That 38-foot-long “demonstration-on-wheels” is “packed full of the latest and greatest high-tech automation, communications and instrumentation technology,” said Gordon Williams, mechatronics program director.

High school students from Anderson, Morgan, Roane and Loudon counties have been invited to tour the trailer displays between 9:30 and 11 a.m., and Williams said members of the public are also welcome then.

The displays will highlight how “Siemens technology can benefit a customer in the areas of designing, commissioning, monitoring and maintaining their automation equipment,” according to a news release.

Then, from 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., there’ll be an invitation-only, on-campus lunch for employees of local industries who are experts in engineering and technology.

Those 30 to 40 representatives will also be given a tour of Roane State’s Clinton campus as well as the mobile showcase. Those employees are invited to two technology-based presentations from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Siemens is a German industrial conglomerate and Europe’s largest industrial manufacturer. Brozelco of Rockford, Tenn., a supplier of Siemens products, is also helping facilitate the event.

For more information, contact Williams at (865) 354-3000 ext. 4899 or williamsg1@roanestate.edu.

Help launch Roane State’s new golf program at June 4 fundraiser, Oak Ridge County Club

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Roane State Community College will bring back men’s golf and add women’s golf for the Fall 2018 season.

The effort is led by volunteer Chris Griffin of Oak Ridge, who played golf for Roane State in the late 1970s. Griffin will also serve as golf coach for the 2018-19 academic year.

Griffin has organized a golf tournament to raise funds for the new teams. The tournament will be held on Monday, June 4 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Country Club.

The tournament will feature a four-person SWAT format and costs $600 per team (one handicapped division). The entry fee includes range balls, green fees and cart, on-course refreshments, and lunch.
Business sponsorships starting at $100 are also available through the Roane State Foundation.

“Coach Eddie Liskovec was the men’s golf coach during my career at Roane State and was instrumental in ensuring our collegiate experience was a positive one. I hope I can provide the same leadership to these upcoming 2018 student athletes as was provided for me and my teammates while at Roane State,” Griffin said.

For more information, contact Chris Griffin at griffincv@roanestate.edu or sign up at www.roanestate.edu/golffundraiser

Veteran sets example for his children by coming back to school at Roane State

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By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. – His life shattered by war, this veteran enrolled in Roane State Community College to send a message to young people.

“I want to show my five kids no matter how old you are or your circumstances, you can still go to college and better yourself,” former Army Sgt. Chris Walters said.

Walters, 46, enlisted in the Army right after graduating from Stratford High School in Nashville. He repeatedly fought for his country; in the first Operation Desert Storm, then Iraq, then Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he was attached to a special forces group; soldiers at the spear tip of combat.

He and three other GIs were in a Humvee on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Feb. 26, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated under the vehicle.

Two soldiers were killed, and Walters and the other surviving soldier sustained life-threatening injuries.

Walters said the explosion “messed up my back and neck,” along with numerous other injuries. He also sustained traumatic brain injuries and is almost deaf in his right ear.
Shrapnel remains embedded in an arm and hip. He also wears leg braces because his knees were damaged from too many parachute jumps.

Walters was diagnosed with chronic and debilitating Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and was told he could never work again. For years, he said he battled depression and drank heavily. He said he’s lucky if he can get three hours of sleep, and nightmares come frequently.

Then, there are the “triggers” – a tire blowing out, fireworks – that instantly bring back the horrors of war. Still, he calls his military service “just a job. I wish I could do it again.”

Walters credits his wife of 12 years – Angela – a Roane State student studying to be a nurse, for inspiring him to go to Roane State. “She’s been with me through it all,” he said of his post-combat ordeals.
“She looked at me one day and said, ‘Why don’t you go back to school?’”

Walters said he had taken some college courses while he was in the military, and he’s finished his first year of studies at Roane State. He kept a 4.0 grade point average his first semester. His spring semester was a “little tricky,” Walters said, but he’s still pulling down good grades.

“My 16-year-old looked at me and asked if his mom did all the work,” he said. Between him and his wife, Walters said they have five children, ranging in age from 4 to 20.

“The children are impressed with my GPA, and I’m encouraging them to enroll at Roane State,” he said. As for himself, Walters said he plans to return to Roane State’s Cumberland County campus next fall and obtain his associate’s degree.
“I’m extremely pleased with my instructors,” the Crossville resident said. “They’re outstanding. They offer support and help. They are on top of it.”

Walters is uncertain whether he’ll pursue a bachelor’s degree after he graduates from Roane State next spring.

He’s taking life one day at a time.

Remember, eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at roanestate.edu/reconnect. For more information about veterans services at Roane State, visit roanestate.edu/veterans.

Roane State graduation set for May 4-5

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Mike Krause

Mike Krause

 

Roane State Community College will hold commencement ceremonies on May 4-5.

The ceremonies, to be held in the gym on the Roane County campus in Harriman, will be equal in presentation. [Read more…]

Reception for Roane State Student Art Show is Thursday

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Roane State Community College will host a reception on Thursday, April 25, 2018, as part of its annual Student Art Show in the O’Brien Art Gallery on the Roane County campus. (Submitted photo)

Roane State Community College will host a reception on Thursday, April 25, 2018, as part of its annual Student Art Show in the O’Brien Art Gallery on the Roane County campus. (Submitted photo)

 

Roane State Community College will host a reception on Thursday as part of its annual Student Art Show in the O’Brien Art Gallery on the Roane County campus, 276 Patton Lane in Harriman.

The reception and awards ceremony is Thursday, April 26, at 12:30 p.m. in the art gallery. The public is invited, a press release said.

This annual event (April 19-26) is open to all Roane State student artists and is an opportunity for students to hone their skills and gain exhibition experience. This year’s juror is Marc Dombrosky.

For more information, contact Stacy Jacobs at jacobssl@roanestate.edu or (865) 354-3000, extension 4311; or Bryan Wilkerson at wilkersonbs@roanestate.edu, or (865) 354-3000, extension 4748.

This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.

Tuition-free college for adults is here: Get Reconnect Ready at Roane State May 1

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Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus is a great place for adult students to reconnect with their education, a press release said.

And the timing has never been better. Beginning this fall, the Tennessee Reconnect grant will provide eligible adults with the opportunity to attend Roane State tuition-free.

To learn more about Reconnect, come to Roane State’s free Reconnect Ready event at the Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue, on Tuesday, May 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [Read more…]