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Roane State joins National CyberWatch Center as college grows high-tech cyber defense program

Posted at 2:19 am August 7, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

George Meghabghab leads Roane State's cyber defense program. The college is now part of the National CyberWatch Center. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

George Meghabghab leads Roane State’s cyber defense program. The college is now part of the National CyberWatch Center. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

In this era of widespread hacking, ransomware, and other cyberattacks, Roane State Community College is about to launch an educational counterattack.

Preparations are under way for the college to become a center for academic excellence in cyber defense.

George Meghabghab, professor of computer science and director of Roane State’s computer information technology program, recently unveiled the college’s long-range plan to expand its IT (information technology) curriculum.

“We’re going to begin a culture of cybersecurity,” he said. “Cybersecurity is a growing field, and our goal is to build a program that teaches the very latest technology and is closely aligned to industry needs.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: Bob Fowler, cyber defense, cybersecurity, Diane Ward, George Meghabghab, National CyberWatch Center, Roane State, Roane State Community College, STEM

Roane State to offer extended business hours beginning Aug. 21

Posted at 1:53 am August 7, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College will offer extended business hours to help students get ready for the start of the new semester. Fall classes begin August 28.

Extended hours for the Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses are:

  • Monday, August 21-Thursday, August 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Monday, August 28-Thursday, August 31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses will maintain usual business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) on Fridays. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: extended business hours, Roane State, Roane State Community College

Roane State’s Collins named Paramedic Student of the Year

Posted at 7:43 pm August 2, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

Russell Collins with American Medical Response—Blount County has been named Roane State Community College’s Paramedic Student of the Year.

Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine presented the award to Collins during Roane State’s annual Knoxville paramedic program luncheon. Students completing the paramedic program were recognized at the event, which was sponsored by TeamHealth.

Collins, of Maryville, has served with American Medical Response—Blount County for five years.

“It’s been extremely challenging, but very rewarding,” Collins said of his experience in Roane State’s program. “The schedule and the hours are tough, especially working full-time and having a family. The reward is the knowledge. You learn an immense amount in a short time.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Police and Fire Tagged With: David Blevins, Erik Geibig, paramedic, paramedic student of the year, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Russell Collins, TeamHealth Emergency Medicine

Roane State’s Wurth honored for distinguished career in GIS

Posted at 10:59 am July 16, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Pat Wurth

Pat Wurth

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

When it comes to her expertise, Roane State’s Pat Wurth occupies a unique niche in Tennessee, and she has won a first-ever award for it.

Wurth, an associate professor at the college for nearly 19 years, recently received the accolade of appreciation for her “distinguished career developing GIS professionals.”

That’s what it says on the plaque she received during an April conference of the 500-member Tennessee Geographic Information Council. “It was quite an honor,” Wurth said.

GIS is about using geographic data to understand patterns, trends, and relationships. It’s widely used in environmental research, city planning, crime analysis, and by utility systems. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: GIS, GIS program, Pat Wurth, Roane State

Roane State paramedic alumni earn honors

Posted at 11:11 am July 14, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State's paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS's "Officer of the Year." Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS’s “Officer of the Year.” Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to distinguish themselves in their professions by earning honors bestowed by peers and supervisors, a press release said.

Two 2005 graduates of the paramedic program were recognized by Anderson County EMS during National EMS Week, held in late May each year.

Lieutenant Steve Seals was named “Officer of the Year,” while Millie Huddleston was recognized as “Paramedic of the Year.”

Co-workers and supervisors nominated them for the recognitions. In those nominations, Seals was described as exemplifying “our core values, including integrity first, service before self, as well as excellence in all we do,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, College, Education, Police and Fire Tagged With: Anderson County EMS, Darek Shetterly, David Blevins, EMS, Millie Huddleston, Nathan Sweet, Officer of the Year, Paramedic of the Year, paramedic program, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Steve Seals

Roane State adjunct instructor honored for saving infant last year

Posted at 3:50 pm July 4, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Roane State adjunct professor Jason Fox, right, is pictured with Capt. Joseph Cate, also with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS, as they receive the statewide “Star of Life” award for reviving an infant. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State adjunct professor Jason Fox, right, is pictured with Capt. Joseph Cate, also with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS, as they receive the statewide “Star of Life” award for reviving an infant. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

A Roane State Community College adjunct instructor at the college’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences put his extensive training to use to save the life of a just born, premature infant who had stopped breathing and had no pulse.

For his actions, which he said were a “combination of training, instinct and a miracle,” Jason Fox received a statewide award titled the “Star of Life.”

Fox, who has been with Roane State for a year, is also a lieutenant with the Morristown-Hamblen EMS. He is credited, along with Morristown-Hamblen County EMS’ Captain Joseph Cate, for reviving the infant—who was three months premature when he was born at home.

“We asked what the baby’s name was and told her (mother Kellie Henrikson) that we would do everything in our power to save his life,” Fox said. The EMS professionals used cardiopulmonary resuscitation to revive Tanner Enix after the infant hadn’t been breathing for 11 minutes. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Community, Education, Police and Fire Tagged With: David S. Blevins, Dr. Michael Carr Tennessee EMSC State Star of Life Award, EMS, Jason Fox, Joseph Cate, Knox County Center for Health Sciences, Morristown-Hamblen EMS, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Star of Life, Tanner Enix, Tennessee Emergency Medical Services for Children

Roane State graduate overcame challenges to finish degree at age 51

Posted at 3:30 pm July 4, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Thomas Chartrand, 51, returned to college late in life and obtained his associate's degree from Roane State Community College in May. (Photo by Roane State)

Thomas Chartrand, 51, returned to college late in life and obtained his associate’s degree from Roane State Community College in May. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

At age 51 with his new Roane State Community College associate degree in hand, Thomas Chartrand said he has learned a valuable life lesson.

“When anything gets hard in life, you can’t give up,” the Oak Ridge resident said. “If you give up, you’ll never have a chance to reach your goals and dreams.”

Despite numerous challenges, starting with a rough-and-tumble childhood, he didn’t give up.

Chartrand took night classes at Roane State after work while helping wife Keri raise their two young children, Tristan and Kyla. He recalls often studying past midnight. Now, he says, “I feel much better about myself, knowing that I earned my degree. The last thing you want to do is look back and wished you’d done it,” he said. “It’s never too late.”

It took him five years to earn his degree in contemporary management. That’s because he was often working overtime at his day job, attending and coaching his son’s sports games, and balancing work commitments. That’s why he had to cut down on the number of credit hours he could take each semester.

One class, Probability and Statistics, proved a temporary setback. Even though he had to take it again, he finished his Roane State career with a 3.4 grade point average. He said he was on the President’s List once and the Dean’s List twice. “With the help of all the great instructors and my advisor, David Rath, I was given the support that I can do this, and I did!” Chartrand said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: Carol Hollar, Denette Flynn, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Tennessee Reconnect Act, Thomas Chartrand

Roane State to host information sessions for adults interesting in going back to school

Posted at 3:21 pm June 7, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Adults thinking about returning to college or enrolling for the first time can get any questions they may have answered during three upcoming meetings at Roane State Community College.

Adult learner information sessions will be Thursday, June 15, and Wednesday, July 19, in the City Room of Roane State’s Coffey-McNally Building on the college’s Oak Ridge campus.

Another session on Thursday, July 13, will be in the Raider Room in the Dunbar Building on main campus in Harriman.

All of the sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m., and they are free. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: adult learners, adult learning, Bill Haslam, Jim McDaniel, last-dollar scholarship, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Tennessee Reconnect, Tennessee Reconnect Act

Roane State basketball players visit Roane Academy youth

Posted at 12:18 pm June 6, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

From left are Grant Holt, Roane Academy Activities Director Andre McCullum, Coach Alan Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman. (Photo by Roane State)

From left are Grant Holt, Roane Academy Activities Director Andre McCullum, Coach Alan Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman. (Photo by Roane State)

 

ROCKWOOD—Five members of the Roane State Raiders basketball team recently took time off from studying for finals to become role models for some Roane Academy youth.

Squad members spent the afternoon of April 26 at the Roane Academy, a residential facility for adolescent males who have experienced complex trauma. Currently in the state child welfare system, the children have been exposed to multiple traumatic events—such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, multiple losses—that can have substantial and lasting effects if left untreated.

Teresa Duncan, vice president of workforce development for the college, became familiar with Roane Academy through visits its residents have made to local athletic events as rewards for growth and change that shows in treatment progress and safe, healthy decisions. In response, she contacted Roane State Raiders Head Coach Randy Nesbit, requesting that the team spend some time with Roane Academy youth.

Raiders team members Grant Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman interacted with Roane Academy residents, from playing pickup basketball games to dunking exhibitions to simply talking with them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, K-12 Tagged With: Blake Ervin, community service, Garrett Crandell, Grant Holt, Randy Nesbit, Ricky Shearman, Roane Academy, Roane State, Roane State Raiders, role models, sports, Teresa Duncan, Tyler Thompson

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

Posted at 11:42 am June 6, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, College, Education, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Anderson County High School, CNS, CNS Community Investment Fund, CNS grant, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, Doug Stooksbury, education, Gordon Williams, grant, Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility, mechatronics, Roane State, Sinjin Smith, workforce, Y-12 National Security Complex

Mother, daughter graduate from Roane State, will start business together

Posted at 11:31 am June 6, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

This mother-daughter team is learning together and soon intend to be earning together.

Holly Green and daughter Ciarra Wallace are finishing the massage therapy program at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus and plan to go into business as therapists in Jacksboro.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share this adventure and milestone with my daughter,” Green said. “This way, the family stays together and we help one another.”

Mom and daughter have made the 45-minute commute from their Campbell County home to take their classes.

Green and Wallace obtained their certificates in May, will take the licensure exams this summer, and intend to rent space in Simplicity Salon in Jacksboro, 111 Rusty Road, for the family business. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: Ciarra Wallace, education, Holly Green, massage therapy, Roane State

Roane State Tennessee Promise student ready to take next step after graduation

Posted at 11:21 am June 6, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

For Roane State’s Shelley Edwards, the Tennessee Promise scholarship and mentoring program came along at just the right time.

Edwards was among the first group of students to take advantage of Tennessee Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that allows students to go to community colleges tuition-free.

“With the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise, I haven’t had to pay anything for my education,” said Edwards, 19, the daughter of Michael and Linda Edwards of Rockwood.

She’s maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average at Roane State.

She received an associate of science degree in chemistry in May, setting the stage for her transfer next fall to Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. She plans to major in chemical engineering with a concentration in bio-molecular engineering. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: education, Hope Scholarship, Roane State, Shelley Edwards, Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Promise scholarship

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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