Oak Ridge Today

Roane State’s Rutledge earns Chancellor’s Commendation

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Jason Rutledge

Oak Ridge resident Jason B. Rutledge, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, has received the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans.

The commendation was conferred in the form of a specially designed Challenge Coin, and Rutledge, 47, was nominated for the honor by Roane State Community College President Chris Whaley, a press release said.

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings established the commendation in 2020 to honor the “service, bravery, and sacrifices of veterans in campus communities,” according to a TBR news release.

One veteran from each of Tennessee’s 37 community and technical colleges was chosen in 2021 for the annual honor.

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Roane State’s Technology Building renamed for Sen. Ken Yager

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Roane State Community College Technology Building

The Technology Building at Roane State Community College’s main campus in Harriman has been renamed in honor of Tennessee Sen. Ken Yager. (Photo by Roane State)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

One of the first buildings constructed on Roane State Community College’s Roane County campus has been renamed in honor of a lifelong public servant who is now a state senator.

The Tennessee Board of Regents has approved the community college’s request to rename the 41-year-old Technology Building the Ken Yager Building.

“Senator Yager has been an advocate for Roane State students for many years, as Roane County Executive, as a Roane State faculty member and dean, and now as a member of the Tennessee General Assembly,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. [Read more…]

Scholarships helps study abroad programs for Roane State students

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Roane State Study Abroad Scholarships

The Roane State Concert Choir traveled to Malaga, Spain, this spring, just one of the international education programs offered at the college. (Submitted photo)

 

A grant awarded by the Tennessee Board of Regents helped Roane State Community College students participate in study abroad programs this spring.

Access and Diversity grants are awarded by the Tennessee Board of Regents to projects promoting diversity, enhancing inclusiveness, and strengthening the presence of underrepresented groups on campuses statewide. Roane State associate professor of business Dave Rath applied for and received an Access and Diversity grant for 2013-14. Titled “Access Global Cultures,” the grant funded study abroad scholarships up to $1,000.

Scholarship applicants were required to write an essay and to complete a minimum of 30 hours of Roane State community service after returning from their study abroad program. Recipients were chosen based on individual need, GPA, and their essay.

The grant, for example, provided funding for music students who traveled to Malaga, Spain, in March to participate in an international choral festival. Of the 11 Concert Choir members who traveled to Spain, six applied for and received the Access Global Cultures scholarship. All six students agreed that without the scholarships, they would not have been able to participate. [Read more…]

TBR approves tuition increases, surgical tech program at Roane State

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The Tennessee Board of Regents on Friday approved maintenance fee and tuition recommendations at its universities and community colleges.

The proposed increases for students taking 15 credit hours would amount to an extra $102 per semester for community college students.

The TBR also approved a new associate of applied science program, a collaborative surgical technology program through Walters State and Roane State community colleges. [Read more…]

TBR names Whaley as Roane State president

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Chris Whaley

Chris Whaley

The Tennessee Board of Regents on Monday unanimously appointed Chris Whaley as the next president of Roane State Community College.

The college has its main campus in Harriman and several branch campuses, including one in Oak Ridge.

Whaley will start the new job on Nov. 1, a TBR press release said. He will replace Gary Goff, who is retiring Oct. 31 after leading Roane State for seven years.

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