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.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Wilson County Land for New Campus Finalized
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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. |
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.
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.
Fall graduate awards were given out last week. Here's a link to see the winners.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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.
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.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Health Sciences at Career Exploration Fair in Nashville
Several Vol State Health
Sciences programs attended the 11th 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.
Friday, November 22, 2019
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.
Monday, November 18, 2019
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.
Sunday, November 17, 2019
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.
Monday, November 4, 2019
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.
Monday, October 28, 2019
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.
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.
Friday, October 25, 2019
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:
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!
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
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.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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.
Monday, October 7, 2019
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
Monday, September 30, 2019
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.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
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.
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.
Monday, September 16, 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
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.
Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash
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
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
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.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
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.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
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
Saturday, August 31, 2019
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.
The Gallatin News also has this piece about the upcoming Foundation dinner, which is celebrating 30 years of service to the college.
Monday, August 26, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Monday, August 19, 2019
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.
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