The University of Tennessee at Martin Faculty and Staff Newsletter |October 27, 2014

addendaUT President Joe DiPietro Named to SACSCOC Board of Trustees

UT President Joe DiPietro was recently appointed to the board of trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The organization is the recognized regional accrediting body for accrediting degree-granting institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and some institutions in Latin America.

As a board member, DiPietro will be part of a 77-member body representing more than

Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch

800 institutions. Trustees have responsibility for determining policy, reviewing and making decisions on the accreditation of institutions, conducting initial review for any proposed dues changes or modifications to commission standards, and serving as a liaison between membership and commission staff. DiPietro will serve as a member of the Tennessee delegation.

“Accreditation in higher education, as in all education institutions, is important for setting standards and achieving and maintaining quality, and

accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the gold standard to which all its member institutions aspire, including the University of Tennessee,” DiPietro said.

“I am a strong proponent of standards for students and of standards to ensure excellence in the institutions that educate students. I’m honored to have the opportunity through serving on this board to impact the quality of higher education throughout Tennessee and beyond.”

DiPietro’s fellow Tennessee delegation members represent

UT President Joe DiPietro

the full range of colleges and universities – public and private, large and small – operating in the state. He begins his service to the board at the 2014 annual meeting of SACSCOC in December in Nashville.

Three University of Tennessee faculty members have been appointed by the State Board of Education to serve Gov. Bill Haslam’s initiative to review

Tennessee’s K-12 academic standards in English language arts and math.

Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch, professor of mathematics and director of the West Tennessee STEM Center for Learning at UT Martin, has been appointed to serve on the Mathematics Standards Review and Development Committee and to the role of advisory team leader for the Mathematics Advisory Team for grades 9-12.

Dr. Susan Groenke, associate professor of English education and director of the Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature at UT Knoxville, has been appointed to serve on the English Language Arts Standards Review and Development Committee and

to the role of advisory team leader for the English Language Arts Advisory Team for grades 9-12.

Dr. Jo Ann Cady, UT Knoxville associate professor of mathematics education, has been appointed to serve on the Mathematics Advisory Team for grades K-5.

Haslam asked the State Board of Education to appoint two committees, the English Language Arts Standards Review and Development Committee and the Mathematics Standards Review and Development Committee, and three advisory teams for each of those committees.

The advisory teams will review Tennessee’s current standards and gather input to

Stephanie Kolitsch to serve on Governor’s K-12 Standards Reviewmake recommendations to the two committees, which will then propose possible changes to the State Board of Education.

The two standards review committees will each be made up of six Tennessee K-12 educators and two representatives from Tennessee higher education institutions for a total of 16 Tennessee professional educators.

Haslam announced the process for public review of the state’s K-12 academic standards in English language arts and mathematics on Oct. 22. The process will partner with the State Board of Education and will include input from educators and citizens from across the state.

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“Questions and Answers” about UT Martin

n Question – Will the tree by the Friends statue be replaced?

n Answer – We are currently looking at some different landscape plantings at the Friends statue. We probably will not plant a long-term tree at this location because of the concrete sidewalks that bound this area. The concrete sidewalks confine the growth as the tree matures. The Physical Plant works in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources – specifically Dr. Philip Smartt – in the planting of new trees on the Quad. Dr. Smartt aids in the identification and location of the trees to plant in the the Quad. We try to plant new trees in the Quad every year to ensure that the beauty of the area is maintained for all future students. We want the Quad to look as pretty in 50 years as it does today.

Submit your questions to the Suggestion Box link at www.utm.edu.

YoU Tell Me

FORMER CONGRESSMAN SPEAKS AT UT MARTIN – Former U.S. Rep. John Tanner, of the 8th Congressional District, spoke at 2 p.m., Wed., Oct. 22, in the Legislative Chamber of the Boling University Center. His topic was “NATO and the Ukraine Crisis.” The university’s International Security Studies Program sponsored Tanner’s appearance.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SURVEY OPENS NOV. 3 – Rich Bowyer (right), co-founder of ModernThink, and Mary Lucal (center), UT director of employee relations, visited the UT Martin main campus Oct. 13 to discuss the upcoming employee engagement survey that opens Nov. 3 and remains available through Nov. 21. ModernThink provides services and expertise in workplace and organizational development and will administer the survey to all UT campuses and units. UT Martin employees provided a 75 percent response rate to the 2012 survey that covered topics such as workplace quality and benefits satisfaction. Chancellor Tom Rakes and Phil Bright, director of human resources, led a campus-wide meeting about the survey Oct. 22 in Watkins Auditorium and challenged the campus to exceed the 2012 response. Learn more about the survey at yourvoice.tennessee.edu.

Help UT Martin remain a leader in responding to the Employee Engagement Survey, Nov. 3-21. The survey is open to all regular employees working 50 percent time or more. This survey opens Nov. 3.

Help UT Martin be the best workplace possible!

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OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES HONORED – Julie Cooper (left), of Gleason, and Debbie Walden, of Union City, are joined by Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin chancellor, after receiving the UT Martin Fall 2014 Outstanding Employee Awards. Cooper received the non-exempt award and Walden the exempt honor. The awards, presented Oct. 21 during a special program at the Boling University Center, recognize outstanding service to the university and are presented each fall and spring semester to two employees. Most of Cooper’s 30 years of university service have been spent in various positions in the Paul Meek Library. She works with acquisitions, cataloguing, reference and systems personnel, assuring that access is provided to print and electronic journals. She also makes sure that materials are ordered and received in a timely manner. Walden has worked with the university’s Child and Family Grant Programs since 1995 and was specifically honored for her work with the Healthy Start Program. Walden locates families deemed at-risk and offers Healthy Start services to those families. She visits and collaborates with professionals and service agencies across Northwest Tennessee to help reduce the rate of child abuse.

HIROSAKI UNIVERSITY VISITORS WELCOMED – Visitors from Hirosaki University participated in a welcome event on Oct. 18 at the home of Dr. Ross Dickens, dean, College of Business and Global Affairs. The gathering welcomed the Hirosaki visitors and honored faculty members who have gone and will be traveling on the faculty exchange to the university. Pictured are (first row): Satoshi Ahiko, faculty of education administration, Hirosaki University; Kazushi Akeoka, contracts department, Hirosaki University; Nita Helgeson, wife of Dr. Richard Helgeson; and Lane Last, professor of art; (second row) Mikiko Takeda, public relations and international affairs, Hirosaki University; Dr. Sue Byrd, chair, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Amy Fenning, director, International Programs and International Admissions; and Masami Ishidoya, administrative chief, faculty of education, Hirosaki University; (third row) Dr. Hiroyuki Sato, science and technology faculty Hirosaki University; Dr. Mason Kim, assistant professor of political science; Kyoko Hammond, lecturer of Japanese; and Dr. Taiji Wake, vice president, Hirosaki University; (back row) Dr. Bob Hathcock, professor emeritus of plant science; Dr. Malcolm Koch, executive director, Center for International Education; Glen Byrd, assistant director and academic coordinator, Office of International Programs and International Admissions; Dr. Craig Darroch, professor of animal science; Dr. Richard Helgeson, dean, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences; Dr. Ross Dickens; Victor Carpenter, professor, faculty of humanities, Hirosaki University; and Debbie and Dr. Robert Lemaster, professor of engineering.

Igniting Innovation event set for Nov. 1

The inaugural class of the Ned McWherter Institute for Collaboration and Innovation will put their leadership skills to work by hosting a UT Martin-sponsored event called Igniting Innovation, 7 p.m., Sat., Nov. 1, in the University Student Life Center located at 199 Moody Street.

Three speakers have been invited to discuss their backgrounds in business and entrepreneurship.

Igniting Innovation is free and open to the public. For more information about Igniting Innovation, see the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/262872800579221/.

AIREE HONORED – Dr. S.K. Airee (center) received the E. Ann Nalley Southeastern Regional Award for Volunteer Service during the 66th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Oct. 16-19, in Nashville. The award recognized Airee for contributing significantly to the goals and objectives of the American Chemical Society and was presented Oct. 18 during the SERMACS Awards Luncheon. Back on campus, Airee is congratulated by Dr. Rich Helgeson, dean, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and Dr. Rick Thomas, department chair, chemistry and physics.

YoUTM students, faculty and staff working together

n Drs. S. K. Airee, Robbie Montgomery, Abigail Shelton, Phillip Shelton, Genessa Smith, and Kate Stumpo, all in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, accompanied by 19 students, participated in the 66th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Oct. 16-19, in Nashville. SERMACS is the premier annual gathering of nearly 2,000 academic and industrial chemists in the southeastern region of the United States. At the meeting, seven UTM students presented research posters, showcasing work from the Montgomery, Phillip Shelton, Smith and Stumpo research labs. Abigail Shelton and Smith served as program co-chairs for the SERMACS meeting, approving and organizing over 440 general and poster submissions in organic, inorganic, medicinal, polymer, agricultural, chemical education, nuclear, nucleic acids, environmental, green,

mass spectroscopy, biological, organometallic, materials, computational and physical chemistry divisions. Abigail Shelton, Airee and the UTM chapter of the Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) president Krysten Harris were members of the planning committee. Phillip Shelton served as the moderator for an organometallic chemistry general session. Montgomery organized an invited symposium entitled “Forensic Science: From Teaching to Research” that included 26 presentations, including Donna Nelson, the science consultant for the hit television show “Breaking Bad,” Dr. Brian Donavant, associate professor in the Criminal Justice Program, and Mike Stockdale, a forensic scientist for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and adjunct professor in the Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources Department. Montgomery

also presented in the invited symposium a presentation entitled “Forensic Chemistry: There is Chemistry Involved.” Airee received the E. Ann Nalley Southeastern Regional Award for Volunteer Service for contributing significantly to the goals and objectives of the American Chemical Society; he was honored Oct. 18 at the SERMACS Awards Luncheon (see photo lower left).

•The UTM chapter of SMACS, with Krysten Harris as president and Dr. S.K. Airee as faculty advisor, hosted the undergraduate program of the meeting with financial support from the ACS Society Committee on Chemical Education and Eastman Chemicals. The program included 344 research papers (out of a total of 1,110) presented by undergraduates, an eminent scientist lecture by Dr. Albert L.Wiley, of Oak Ridge, on Medical Preparedness and Response to Nuclear Power Plant Accidents, a “chemagic” show by Dr. Al Hazari of UT Knoxville, “demomania” presentations by SMACS from five universities, including one by UTM SMACS, a networking luncheon and College Chemistry Bowl. Eleven universities from a five-state area competed in the bowl, which is patterned after the former “The G. E. College Bowl” television show. Concord University in West Virginia won the championship, the University of Alabama at Birmingham was the first runner-up, with Fisk University and Tennessee Technological University as second runners-up. Recognition plaques, trophies, and SERMACS undergraduate program T-shirts were presented by

SMACS to winners, judges and oral sessions emcees. Fourteen SMACS spent about two hundred man-hours getting ready and executing this project. The chapter was assisted by Smith, Abigail and Phillip Shelton, Stumpo and Rick Thomas.

•Dr. Christies Chen, assistant professor of management, was recently informed that “The Journal of American Business Review, Cambridge” had accepted her research report for publication. The research report is titled “Investigation of Buyer-Supplier Trust, Behavior and Performance.”

•Dr. Karen DiBella, assistant professor of educational studies and director of the Reading Center, is mentor to University Scholar student Mary Medling who will graduate in December. They recently returned from presenting Mary’s honors project at the Florida Reading Association. The title of the presentation was “The Role of Children’s Literature in Content Area Classrooms.” The presentation description was: Using children’s books throughout content area classrooms in an effort to provide deeper meaning while meeting applicable Common Core Standards. Attendees will participate in a make-and-take hands-on activity. DiBella said, “Mary did an amazing job job on her presentation, and many attendees came up following her presentation to commend her for a job well done. Additionally, several attendees said (to me) that UTM must have an amazing program because they were shocked to find out that she (Mary) is an undergraduate student.”

cont. on page 5

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addendaThe University of Tennessee at Martin

Published weekly during the academic year and biweekly during the summer by UT Martin, Martin,

TN 38238

• Dr. Joseph DiPietro - President, University of Tennessee System

• Dr. Thomas Rakes - Chancellor •Bud Grimes - Addenda Editor• Nathan Morgan - University

Photographer

UT Martin is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section504/ADA/ADEA employer. E05-0425-00-007-15

•War of 1812 exhibit, J. Houston Gordon Museum, Paul Meek Library (through Oct. 31)

•Senior Art Exhibition (Aaron Burks, Kayla Warden and Gracie Atkins), Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building, 4-5 p.m., Oct. 27-31)

•Employee Engagement Survey, Open Nov. 3-21

•Oct. 27 – Athletics Board Fall Meeting, 229 Boling University Center, 3 p.m.

•Oct. 28 – Treble Honor Choir (all-day event), Harriet Fulton Theatre, Fine Arts Building, concert, 6:30 p.m.

•Oct. 29 – (Open)

•Oct. 30 – Skyhawk Rodeo at West Alabama

•Oct. 30 – Vanguard Theatre Fall Production, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,”

CalendarLittle Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 8 p.m.

•Oct. 31 – Skyhawk Rodeo at West Alabama

•Oct. 31 – Skyhawk Soccer vs. Murray State, Skyhawk Field, 7 p.m.

•Oct. 31 – Skyhawk Volleyball at SIU Edwardsville, 7 p.m.

•Oct. 31 – Vanguard Theatre Fall Production, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Little Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 8 p.m.

•Nov. 1 – Skyhawk Rifle at Morehead State

•Nov. 1 – Skyhawk Cross Country at OVC Championships

•Nov. 1 – Skyhawk Rodeo at West Alabama

•Nov. 1 – Woodwind and Improvisation Workshop with Guest Artist Miles Osland, Band Rehearsal Hall, Fine

Arts Building, 10 a.m.

•Nov. 1 – Skyhawk Football at Murray State, 1 p.m.

•Nov. 1 – Skyhawk Volleyball at Eastern Illinois, 2 p.m.

•Nov. 1 – Vanguard Theatre Fall Production, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Little Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 8 p.m.

•Nov. 1 – Igniting Innovation, Student Life Center, 7 p.m.

•Nov. 2 – Skyhawk Rifle at Kentucky

•Nov. 2 – Vanguard Theatre Fall Production, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Little Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 3 p.m.

•Nov. 2 – UTM Percussion Ensemble with Guest Artist Miles Osland, Band Rehearsal Hall and Blankenship Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building, 3 p.m.

•Nov. 2 – Christopher Dodson, Senior Project in Music-Tuba, Blankenship Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building, 7:30 p.m.

(Note – The Addenda calendar is not a comprehensive listing of university events. Check the Events Calendar at www.utm.edu or utmsports.com for additional university events and activities.)

•Terry Duncan, mentor, Student Services and Success Mentoring Center, recently performed as trombonist with the Paducah Jazz Ensemble at the annual Harvest Moon Ball held at the Robert Cherry Civic Center in Paducah. He also performed with the Paducah Jazz Ensemble Polka Band at the fourth annual Maiden Alley Oktoberfes held at the Market House Square on the Riverfront in Historic Downtown Paducah.

•Dr. Nell Gullett, professor of finance, presented a paper Oct. 16-17 at the annual meeting of the Academy of Finance Services in Nashville. Her co-author is Dr. Arnold Redman, and the paper is titled “Dividends and Share Repurchases: Effects on Common Stock Returns.”

•Dr. Patricia Hewitt, professor of education, and Dr. Cherry Watts, associate professor of education, presented papers Oct. 7, 2014, at the National Social Sciences Association’s national conference. Hewitt’s presentation was entitled “Children’s Literature as a Vehicle in Countering Middle Students’ Misconceptions About Native Americans,” and Watts presented “Common Core Standards Collide with Differentiated Instruction: Practical Approaches.”

•Dr. Jessie Thoman, assistant professor of horn and music history, recently returned from a weeklong tour with the Mirari Brass that included clinics, masterclasses, and performances in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The group worked with

middle school all the way up to university level students. Mirari continues to receive much praise for its creative and engaging programming, as well as their inspirational work with students of all levels.

The quintet looks to record their second album and were invited to be featured guests at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. They will be touring the Kansas/Missouri area in February where they will be presenting an educational workshop at Missouri Western State University, a masterclass at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, as well as performances at both of these universities and on a variety of concert series.

Currently on the Ariel Artist roster, the quintet looks forward to many exciting

events, including a commission specifically for the Mirari Brass, and a commission consortium with well-known composer Clint Needham and The Ohio State University Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Russell Mikkelson.

The Mirari Brass

YoUTM cont. from page 4

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Dr. George DanielCoordinator

Student Affairs Program Evaluation

I walk 30 miles a week for an average of 6 miles per day with a goal of 15 minute miles. I perform yard work on Saturdays instead of walking – leaf season in my yard means moving and mulching leaves on a regular schedule! I also utilize the recumbent bike and weights at the Student Recreation Center for variety.

George’s motivation: It stems from my desire to be active with my family as I get older. My family watched helplessly as my mother died an ugly death from diabetes at age 58. By controlling my weight and blood sugar level, my goal is to lead an active and engaging life free of diabetes.

George’s tip: I recommend to anyone who begins or continues an exercise regimen to keep a daily calendar log of their exercise and lifestyle accomplishments (both good and bad). The written record provides motivation because you can see your work toward your goal(s), what past work has produced, and is an excellent way to provide a history for your doctor.

The Office of Campus Recreation is recognizing individuals and groups who are making extra efforts to elevate their fitness levels. We commend your friends and colleagues by deeming them “UTM Fit.”

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PARSONS CENTER CELEBRATES HOMECOMING – The UT Martin Parsons Center showed its Homecoming 2014 spirit by holding a Superhero Pajama Day during homecoming week. Pictured in their favorite superhero pajamas are from left to right: (row one) Lauren Mooney, Katelyn Epperson, Deidre McCaig, Tammy Hudson. Dr. Kelli Deere, Tammie Patterson, Kayla Cagle, Brandy Gwathney, Rhonda Moses, Sarah Petty and JaAnna Person; (row two) Heather Collazo, Cary Haggard, Hannah Chumney, Jessica Brownyard, Aren Ragsdale, Autumn Ratliff and Cheyanne Wood.