Vol State in the News

Fall Graduation received quite a bit of coverage, here in Cookeville, in Livingston, and also in the Nashville area in the Tennessean.

Congrats to the Livingston folks for coming in second in the education division of the annual Christmas Parade.

Wilson County Land for New Campus Finalized

The land closing: L to R. Rita Anderson, realtor;  Beth Carpenter; Sandra McFarland; Susan Redmond (Sandra and Susan are mother and daughter and donors of part of the property) and Dr. Faulkner.

Vol State closed last week on a sale and donation of land in Wilson County that will be the home of a new campus. The McFarland family donated 2.5 acres of land and the college has purchased an additional 7.5 acres for the campus. The 10 acres are located on East Division Street in Mt. Juliet, a half mile east of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce building. The college is raising funds for the development and design of the building and working through a multi-part State of Tennessee process for the new campus. The finished facility will have multiple classrooms and other educational facilities that will allow Vol State to offer a variety of classes. The size of the building and a timeline for the project are still being determined.  

We have submitted a capital project request to the Tennessee Board of Regents system office for the construction of the building.  They in turn have submitted the request to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).  THEC did not include our project in their budget recommendation to the Governor although the Governor and/or the Legislature could decide to include the project in next year’s appropriations. 

The Tennessean had this story about the sale.

Vol State in the News

Today and tomorrow is your last opportunity to see the craft artists exhibit at the Vol State Art Gallery in SRB. The Hendersonville Standard had this story.

We're gearing up for spring semester, which starts January 21. A reminder to encourage people who don't already have a college degree to apply for TN Reconnect to take classes in the spring. The Gallatin News has this story.

Graduate Profiles

We are once again featuring interesting graduates on social media, leading up to commencement on Saturday. You can find them on the student blog and Facebook. We have a few up now and have a couple more planned for this week.

Fall graduate awards were given out last week. Here's a link to see the winners.

Christmas Concerts this Weekend

Vol State students will be performing Christmas music in Gallatin and Nashville this weekend.

In Gallatin, “Christmas Past and Present” will feature several groups from the Performing Arts Department: the Commercial Music Ensemble, the Jazz Music Ensemble, and the Vol State Showstoppers. The concerts also mark the release of a CD of Vol State student work. This year’s CD will be for sale at the shows. The concerts will be held on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 in the Wemyss Auditorium in Caudill Hall. The show time is 7:30 p.m. each evening. A suggested donation of $5 benefits the Vol State Steinway Piano Fund. Admission and a copy of the “Christmas Dreams” CD will be $10.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Vol State Singers perform with the West End United Methodist Church Choir for a Christmas Concert at the church in Nashville, 2200 West End Blvd. There is a new time for this concert. It is now to be held at 4pm.

For more information contact the Office of Humanities at 615-230-3202.

Health Sciences at Career Exploration Fair in Nashville

Several Vol State Health Sciences programs attended the 11^th Annual Metro Nashville Public Schools "My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair, sponsored by Alignment Nashville and the Nashville Hub.  The career fair is an interactive, hands-on professional exploration opportunity for more than 5,000 high school freshmen. It was held at the Music City Center last week.

Vol State faculty members from Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology,  EMS/Paramedic, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Sleep Diagnostic Technology were in attendance to provide program information for students interested in a career in Health Sciences.

Vol State in the News

A new data center in Sumner County will also mean a partnership with the college for an apprentice program. The Gallatin News has the story.

Craft Artists Exhibit at Vol State Art Gallery

The work of eight craft artists is now on display at the Vol State Art Gallery. Artists include: Chase Gamblin from Bloomington, IN; David Mcbeth from Martin, TN; Amanda Ross from Spencer, IN; Paula Bowers from Asheville, NC; Jay Replogle from Sparta, TN; Abraham Pardee from Sparta, TN; Linda Kieu Phuong Tien from Bloomington, IN, and Russ Jacobsohn from Sparta, TN. The displays are in a variety of style and media, including: fibers, metals, wood, and clay. Most of the artists are from Tennessee or have Tennessee ties. The show runs from November 13 until December 10. There will be a reception for the artists at the Gallery on November 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Vol State Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Steinhauer-Rogan-Black (SRB) Humanities Building on the Gallatin campus at 1480 Nashville Pike. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 615-230-3202.

Pictured: Menorah by Abraham Pardee.

Vol State in the News

Vol State joined the Nashville Technology Council in a grant request that was recently awarded to the tune of $1 million. The Vol State portion will be used to pay for some student IT certification testing and programs for faculty members. The Nashville Post has this story.

Tim Amyx Named to AACRAO Board of Directors

The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) is an organization representing admissions, records, and enrollment management professionals. Tim Amyx, Vol State Director of Admissions and College Registrar, has been named to the AACRAO Board of Directors. He has been involved in the association since 2005 and held many state and national positions. In his new role as Vice President at Large, he will be tackling a number of projects. He has been participating in national lobbying for the organization and that role will continue.

“I’ve been able to participate in Hill Days activities in Washington D.C. for college and university issues, specifically reverse transfer and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,” Amyx said. “There hasn’t been a formal reauthorization in some time. Much like the budget, they just keep extending it rather than instituting any real change.”

The College Affordability Act, introduced in the House of Representatives a few weeks ago, would provide that change. One measure included is the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act, which AACRAO says would “create a new exemption under FERPA and facilitate a four-year institution’s ability to share an education record with the two-year institution where a student was previously enrolled for the purpose of evaluating whether between the two institutions the student has enough credits for a credential from the community college.  The student must still provide consent that they would want the credential.”

Student success is another topic Amyx will be working on.

“I am Co-Chair and Board Sponsor for a student success whitepaper which looks at best practices for student success,” he said. “My next project will be a working group for mentoring and succession planning in the admissions and records world. In the next few years there will be a massive number of retirements in those areas.” This is a link to that paper.

AACRAO has more than 11,000 members in the United States and countries world-wide.

More info on the House College Affordability Act. 

P-16 BEST Awards

The North Central P-16 Council recently announced the 2019 BEST (Businesses Empowering Students and Teachers) Award winners. The BEST Award celebrates the accomplishments of community leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. It recognizes those who share knowledge and expertise, advocate, and foster student success in pre-K through postsecondary education. The P-16 Council is made up of area secondary school educators, higher education leaders and business people. It is led by Volunteer State Community College. The goal of P-16 is to promote the relationship between education and the value of work, develop a highly trained workforce, and create a culture of lifelong learning by positively impacting student success through awareness, advocacy, and action. The BEST Award winners were honored by the Council at the October meeting. The 2019 award winners are left to right: Susan Peach, Sumner Regional Medical Center, for Sumner County; Lindsay Johnston, representing James Woodcock, Fleetwood Homes, for Macon County; Timothy Dowell, Electrolux Home Products, NA, for Robertson County; Michael Towns, DVM Trousdale County Veterinary Services, for Trousdale County; and Vol State president, Jerry Faulkner. Honorees not pictured: W.P. Bone, III, Wilson County Motors; and Robert “Bob” McDonald, Cedar Stone Bank; both for Wilson County.

Vol State in the News

A moving tribute to former Vol State student Lexus Williams capped a domestic violence event on campus last week. Faculty and students organized the event with Gallatin Homesafe. John Cross with the Gallatin News has this story.

Celebrating Ramer Renovations and SACS

Vol State faculty and staff gathered for a non-alcoholic toast on Friday to celebrate a successful SACS accreditation process. It was also an occasion to tour the offices involved in a large renovation project: Advising, Human Resources, Public Relations, and Admissions. It's part of the effort to make the Ramer Building a one-stop-shop for people considering college.

Charles Alexander was the winner of two tickets to the Grand Ole Opry and Human Resources had some excellent baked goods on offer. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Respiratory Care Week

Respiratory Care Week began on October 20th. The Respiratory Care students celebrated the week by providing information about smoking cessation, COPD education, and Hands-Only CPR to the campus community. Dr. Jerry Faulkner joined the group on Wednesday, as they sponsored a one-mile Walk for Lung Health around the square. Kim Kermeen, the Director of Respiratory Care at Sumner Regional Medical Center, delivered lunch to the group to show appreciation for the patient care that is provided by the students during clinical rotations. Applications for the upcoming cohort of students are still being accepted. For more information go to https://www.volstate.edu/academics/health-sciences/respiratorycare/application or contact Kim Christmon, Program Director, at 615-230-3329. #RCWeek19

National Radiologic Technology Week

The Vol State Radiologic Technology Program is celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week next week. NRTW is celebrated annually to recognize the vital work of Radiologic Technologists across the nation. The celebration takes place each year during the week that includes Nov. 8th to commemorate the discovery of the x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895.

The week-long celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. NRTW 2019 will be celebrated Nov. 3-9.

Celebrating First-Generation College Students

First-Generation college students are a big part of Volunteer State Community College. They represent people who have embarked on a college career without, perhaps, the same level of knowledge about the college-process, as other students. November 8, 2019 is being marked as a day to celebrate First-Generation college students. Vol State is taking it a step-further with an entire week of events, sponsored by TRIO and Student Services.

This is our definition of a First-Generation College Student:

A First-Generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor's degree and who is resilient, determined, driven, persistent, tenacious, hopeful, supportive, AND is a trailblazer who inspires others!

Please spread the word. There are ways for everyone, including those who are not First-Generation college goers to show support. There will be pledge cards, t-shirts and buttons. Info on how to get those and for the activities is below. If you have a question please contact the TRIO Office at 3732.

Monday, November 4           The Well Tables

Get your First-Gen t-shirts and for faculty and staff. “I Pledge to Support First-Gen College Students” pledge cards and buttons available. Hosted by Student Engagement.

Gallatin: 9:15-9:45AM and 11:00-11:30AM, SRB 2nd floor hallway. (Refreshments)

Highland Crest: 9:15-11:00AM

Tuesday, November 5           First-Gen and Information Tables

Get info on services from TRIO, The Access Center, Diversity and Inclusion, and Adult Learners and Veteran Affairs. First-Gen t-shirts and “I Pledge to Support First-Gen College Students” pledge cards and buttons will be available.

Gallatin: 9:00-11:00AM, Wood, Mary Cole Nichols Dining Room A. (Refreshments)

Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs, Information and First-Gen Table for evening students

Gallatin: 4:30-6PM, Mattox Hallway. (Refreshments)

Wednesday, November 6      Lunch/Learn: What’s Next after Vol State?

A discussion of university transfer and workforce decisions. Hosted by Diversity and Inclusion and TRIO.

Gallatin: 11:15AM Wood, Mary Cole Nichols Dining Room B. (Lunch)

Highland Crest: 11:15AM Zoom Only, Room 146. (Lunch)

Livingston: 11:15-1:00PM Zoom, Room 109, plus First-Gen Table (student lounge area). (Lunch)

Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs, Information and First-Gen Table for evening students

Gallatin: 4:30-6PM, Wallace North Hallway (Refreshments)

Thursday, November 7         First-Generation Student Celebration

A discussion with first-generation college students, faculty, and staff hosted by President Faulkner. Everyone is encouraged to wear their First-Gen t-shirt and/or button. Prize drawings for gear and book scholarships for students.

Gallatin: 12:45PM Mary Cole Nichols Dining Rooms A and B. (Lunch)

Highland Crest: 12:45 Zoom, Room 146, 12:00-3:00PM First-Gen Table (Lunch)

Cookeville: 8:00-3:30PM, First-Gen Table only (Atrium) (Lunch)

Irish Visitors on Monday, October 28

We have visitors from Ireland coming to the Gallatin campus on Monday, October 28 and you can hear them perform in the Ramer Great Hall at 10am.They are 48 students and 7 faculty and staff from The Presentation School, Thurles, County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. The students will be performing choral music in the Great Hall about 10AM and visiting with Vol State students and faculty during the day. Vol State has worked with, and visited, the Presentation School in Ireland a number of times in the past ten years. Our Education and Music students have done performances and visited the school classes in Ireland a number of times. Please join us in welcoming them to Vol State!

Work Based Learning Partnerships

Vol State team members Thomas Ekman-dean of Math & Science; Pat Kiley- Mechatronics instructor; Rick Parrent- administrator of Work Based Learning; and Nick Bishop- vice president for Economic and Community Development, recently met with officials from Beretta to discuss  plans for a Work Based Learning (WBL) partnership between Vol State and Beretta.  It will provide WBL opportunities for Mechatronics students starting in January 2020, with opportunities in other programs to soon follow. 

Beretta has also provided support to Vol State’s Mechatronics program through the recent donation of equipment, as well as providing subject matter experts to serve on the Mechatronics advisory board.

Vol State in the News

The Tennessean sent a photographer to the Fall Fiesta on Saturday and put up this picture gallery from the event.

Vol State recently signed the MTSU Promise agreement. WGNS radio has the story.

This Warf reopening celebration story was in the Gallatin News. We appreciate their coverage of Vol State events.

Gregory Promoted to Dean of Academic Support

Rhonda Gregory has been promoted to the position of dean of Academic Support at Volunteer State Community College. The newly created role supervises academic support programs, Distributed Education, and International Education at the college. She had been director of Distributed Education at Vol State since 2015.

“Academic support is so important to the college mission. This position is really about promoting student success,” Gregory said. “The Learning Commons is a one-stop-shop for student academic support. We’ve integrated faculty advisory groups to help give direction in that effort and worked to create even more synergy with the great Learning Commons staff.”

Gregory also worked in higher education at Greenville University in Illinois. She held several positions there over nine years, including director of Instructional Technology, adjunct instructor, academic advisor, instructional technologist, and Online Learning Program coordinator. She holds a bachelor of science degree from DeVry University and a master of arts degree from Greenville College. She also has an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis.

Vol State in the News

Gallatin High School has a new Fire Science Dual Enrollment program in conjunction with Vol State. The Gallatin News has the story.

Mike McDonald Honored

Current adjunct faculty member and professor emeritus of Communication, Mike McDonald, was presented the 2019 “Communicator of the Year” award at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Communication Association recently. He is shown here being congratulated by Vol State  Communication Department chair, Melva Black. Mike was honored for his lifetime of service to communication education, both as a college professor and as a tireless proponent of communication and higher education while representing Sumner County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Vol State in the News

Everyone is invited to the Grand Reopening of the Warf Math and Science Building on Friday, October 18 from 11am to 1pm. We are inviting the community to take a look at our new facilities, as well. It's important to show people our commitment to Math and Science education and our wonderful new home for the Mechatronics program. Help us get the word out. Here is the story in the Hendersonville Standard.

Open Educational Resources Conference Presentation

The use of Open Educational Resources (OER) is expanding at colleges and universities across the country and Vol State is beginning the journey in how OER resources might shape the courses we offer.  OER are educational materials built by faculty and embedded into the course itself. They can take the place of an outside textbook, saving students money and making it easier for them to have access to all of the educational materials they need in the course. A pilot program is underway at Vol State in the Communication Department. Speech 2045 is being offered in an OER format. Recently, three faculty members, Sheri Waltz, Jennifer James, and Shellie Michael, presented at the TN Communication Association conference regarding the work they have done for the pilot and how OER is transforming the Public Speaking course. 

“Although the endeavor was time consuming, access to the course and the learning material should be available to all students regardless of socio-economic status, said Waltz. “ It is important that all students have equal and free access to course materials so each student may excel in the course.”

The revised Public Speaking course is being piloted for the first time in all sections in the Fall 2019 semester. Faculty members say the initial reception from students has been promising. There are other faculty also using OER at Vol State. Dean of Academic Support, Rhonda Gregory, said that Sidney Hardyway is using OER in PSYC 1030 and Phil Hearn uses it in a Project Management course. Other courses are still being planned for fall 2020 with the hopes to create at least three or four OER courses each year.

Marilyn Murphy Exhibit at Vol State Art Gallery in October

The drawings of Nashville artist Marilyn Murphy are on display at the Vol State Art Gallery through October. The professor of Art emerita at Vanderbilt University has been shown in 390 exhibitions nationally and abroad.

“My drawings typically include one or two figures involved in an improbable action or working at some curious task,” Murphy said. “While occasionally my art has a political element, many of the pieces in this series comment upon the act of seeing, the creative process or some aspect of human experience.”

“There is a particular logic inherent in Murphy’s conjunction, one based on visual punning and the slightly too bright, almost halated quality of her tonalities,” said Peter Frank, a Los Angeles curator.

“If this is dreaming, it is lucid dreaming, a knowing exploitation of the dream state by Murphy to provide her and us, with images and sensations of improbable freedom and thrilling or hilarious juxtaposition.”

Murphy has had a mid-career survey at the Frist Center in Nashville and a two-person exhibition at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Her work is in many public and private collections including the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Boston Museum School, and the Prudential and Bridgestone Collections. 

The Vol State show runs from September 30 until October 31. There will be a reception for the artist at the Gallery on October 19 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Vol State Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Steinhauer-Rogan-Black (SRB) Humanities Building on the Gallatin campus at 1480 Nashville Pike. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 615-230-3202.

Pictured: Marilyn Murphy, Civic Still Life Control.

Vol State in the News

Multiple news outlets helped to get the word out about an attempted abduction of a student at the Cookeville campus two weeks ago. Campus Police are still looking for the assailant. Cookeville Police are helping with extra patrols of the area. Campus police officers are on duty at CHEC during all class times and an hour and a half after the last class dismisses for the evening. We will have updates when they are new details in the case.

The upcoming appearance of Body Farm founder, Dr. Bill Bass, has been receiving much attention on social media and also in the news media. This story is from the Hendersonville Standard.

Respiratory Care Honored

The Respiratory Care program at Vol State has been honored with the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The award was presented at the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Summer Forum awards ceremony held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The award is given as part of CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement.

With a focus on program effectiveness, the CoARC views the RRT credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations. When selecting programs for the recognition, the CoARC Board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics documented in the 2018 Annual Report of Current Status. Programs are required to: (1) have three or more years of outcome data; (2) hold accreditation without a progress report; (3) document RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above, and (4) meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for certified respiratory therapist credentialing success, attrition, and positive job placement.

Presenting the award from left to right: Dr. Allen Gustin, Jr, CoARC’s president of the Board of Commissioners; Kim Christmon, Vol State program director; Mallory Higginbotham, director of Clinical Education; and Bradley Leidich, CoARC’s immediate past president of the Board of Commissioners.

Vol State in the News

Vol State is bringing more specialty courses to the Highland Crest campus. The Robertson County Connection has this story about a new phlebotomy class.

Foundation donations come from many community sources, some of which have been donating regularly for many years. The Gallatin News has a story on one of those donors.

The EYH science event for girls is coming up soon on the Gallatin campus. The Gallatin News has this piece.

Documentary Film Crew Comes to Gallatin Campus Next Week

A documentary film crew will be on the Vol State Gallatin campus next week, Tuesday and Wednesday. They are shooting a project tentatively titled “Voices of Pathways.” The project is focusing on guided pathways implemented at community colleges across the country. Guided pathways is an educational approach that includes clear academic plans for all students and a range of supports, including career exploration, first-year experience programs, completion coaches, and academic assistance, such as our co-requisite Math and English classes.

The crew has filmed at four colleges thus far, in Milwaukee, Austin, Maryland, and Oregon. The filmmakers will conduct a few interviews and film scenes around campus. They have already identified participants for the film, but you may be included in a scene if you happen to be where they are filming. The production team may ask you to sign a release if you are on camera. Next Chapter Communications, and documentary filmmakers Meridian Hill Pictures, are leading the project. The finished product may be up to five short films on the subject. We’ll have more word on where it is available once the project is completed.

Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash

Body Farm Founder Speaks in Two Presentations

Dr. William Bass, the creator of “The Body Farm” in Knoxville, makes a return engagement to Volunteer State Community College on Thursday, October 3 for two public lectures. The forensic anthropologist is best known for his work in founding the Anthropology Research Facility at U-T Knoxville. Researchers there study the decomposition of donated bodies in various weather and burial conditions. The findings, including methods to help determine when a person died, revolutionized forensic science and criminal investigation. To expand the work, and provide expertise to the world, the Forensic Anthropology Center was opened in 1987. It curates the largest collection of contemporary human skeletons in the nation and provides professional training. Bass, now retired, became a bestselling author and inspired many fictional characters in TV and movies. His first presentation, at 11:15 a.m., will discuss “The History of the Body Farm.” His second lecture will be at 6 p.m. and is titled “The Mysterious Case of Colonel William Shy.” Both events are free and open to the public and will be held at Caudill Hall on the Vol State campus at 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin.  The college encourages attendees to bring non-perishable food donations for the Feed student food bank.

Vol State in the News

The story of a Robertson County alumnus who has been awarded a US State Department fellowship is in the Robertson County Connection.

Vol State Graduate Wins Prestigious State Department Fellowship

Orlinda, Tennessee is 6,934 miles from Beijing, China, but that didn’t stop a young Isabella Greene from dreaming about China and what it was like to live in Asia or Africa, for that matter. She was homeschooled in Robertson County, worked in her parents flower shop in Portland, and found joy in arranging stems and blooms. Greene took her talents to Volunteer State Community College at the age of 19. It didn’t stick. She returned again at age 25. Now the 35 year-old has arrived in Washington, D-C to work on master’s degree at American University. It’s part of a prestigious U.S. Department of State scholarship as a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow.

“I always wanted my degree,” Greene said. “I just felt that for me to get the most out of myself I needed to get a bachelor’s degree. I changed my major at Vol State several times- Business, Nursing, and Respiratory Care.” Greene still had that love of world history. A meeting with an advisor convinced her to follow her dream.  “Michelle Vandiver talked about a relative of hers that was not happy in their career and they finally made a change. She encouraged me to take the leap.”

That leap of faith led to China studies, and a mastery of the Chinese language, while at Western Kentucky University (WKU). There she also met a liaison with the U.S. State Department. He encouraged her to apply for State Department scholarships. It took several tries, a process that involved interviews, applications, and a lot of preparation. Finally, this summer, she received notice that she had been accepted.

“I balled my eyes out and so did my mother. It was very emotional. There was so much hard work that went into it. I read books and magazines and watched videos online; anything to learn about the State Department.”

The Fellowship includes two summer internships: one year working with the State Department in Washington, D-C and the other summer in an international posting. If she does well, she will serve as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer after graduation.

“Those positions are usually filled with Ivy League or large university graduates,” said History professor, Carole Bucy. “Isabella always says, whenever she is asked, how remarkable her educational journey has been.  The fact that a 35-year-old from Orlinda, Tennessee received the fellowship is a testament to the confidence she developed while at Vol State.  Now, she has become an inspiration to me.”

The international experience won’t be Greene’s first. She answered some of her childhood questions by studying in China for 10 months while at WKU. She described arriving in Beijing for the first time. “At first, I was exhilarated and then I felt culture shock when I realized it was nothing like Tennessee,” Greene said. “I freaked out. It was the first time in my life I had to find someone that could speak English.” She settled into her China experience and soon reveled in the fact that she was studying with students from across Europe and experiencing Chinese culture at the same time.

Greene knows that her Tennessee upbringing provides unique insights for international relations. “We’re in a time, more than ever, that we need to understand other cultures, which is why I want to be a diplomat. There’s often miscommunication between cultures. I would like to use commonalities to work together for a greater good.”

Pictured: Vol State History professor, Carole Bucy, wishes Isabella Greene well the day before her travel to Washington, D-C. They are shown in the family flower shop in Portland, Tennessee.

PTA Students Community Service

Health Sciences students often get out into the community as part of their education. Here is another example. Physical Therapist Assistant students spend 3 hours each week at Veranda Ministries assisting clients in fun, engaging activities for those who have been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here's a video of them in action.

Vol State in the News

The EYH science event for girls is coming up in October. Help us get the word out. Here's a story from the Gallatin News.

The Gallatin News also has this piece about the upcoming Foundation dinner, which is celebrating 30 years of service to the college.

A Busy Spring and Summer for Plant Ops and IT

2019 has been The Year of Renovation on the Vol State Gallatin campus. The results are awesome, but getting here has taken plenty of hard work for the Plant Operations and IT staff. The Warf project involved moving a Division Office, labs, classrooms, and faculty offices and spreading them across campus. The project was just completed last week. That meant hundreds of boxes and computers being moved back and forth. And that was just Warf. Four offices in Ramer also moved for renovations in the past 8 months: Admissions, Public Relations, Advising, and Human Resources. Each move meant packing up, temporary offices and then a move back. Contractors may have done most of the renovation work itself, but supporting those projects required a lot of planning and physical work.

The faculty and staff in those offices also had to pack and un-pack, spend time as a refugee in some other office, and then pack and un-pack again. However, we have lovely new offices to show for it.

So, take a moment to look around to see what has been done to improve the campus and thank the Plant Ops and IT staff and administration on a job well done.

Vol State in the News

Leslie LaChance retired from the English Department last year. She has been battling lung cancer. Recently, she did an interview with US News and World Report for a piece that shared personal stories of fighting cancer. 

Catherine Berresheim in the English Department has taught in prisons. She describes that work and what creative writing means for the incarcerated in a recent post for the Spalding University's School of Creative and Professional Writing's blog: "Life of a Writer." 

History professor Joe Douglas recently joined Davis Nolan from News2 at Mammoth Cave for a segment they call "Davis Nolan Underground." Check out the story here.

Meet the New President's Ambassadors

Vol State has a new group of President’s Ambassadors for 2019-2020. The Ambassadors represent the college at events, conduct campus tours and help with public relations. Students selected for the President’s Ambassadors scholarship program go through a rigorous vetting and interview process.  Successful candidates are selected from over two thousand eligible students.  To be eligible for the program students must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and have completed at least 12 college-level credit hours at Vol State.  The scholarship covers full tuition and fees at the in-state rate, as well as a $300 per semester book stipend.  Students selected serve a one-year term.

Front row: Alex Carman, Human Services, Portland; Maddy Woodson, Pre-Law, Camarillo, CA; Lindsey Wray, Pre-Nursing, Mt. Juliet; Hunter Casteel, Computer Information Technology: Programming, Gallatin; Erika Hix, Biology, Lafayette; Rodrigo Galvez Vega, Accounting, Lebanon; and Guadalupe T. Hernandez, General Studies, Santa Fe, NM. Back Row: Giulia Giordani, General Studies, Desenzano del Garda, Italy; Stephen Thomas, Speech Communications, Hendersonville; Dylan Phillips, General Studies, Hilham; Austin Phann, Biology, Cookeville; Joshua Bryant, Chemistry, Gallatin; and Tori Reagan, Health Science, Livingston.

Convocation Welcome Picture

Here is the group photo from Convocation.

Employee Service Awards

Congrats to all of the faculty and staff honored for their service at Convocation. If you would like a copy of the photo, double click to bring it full screen and then save it to your desktop.