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Agriculture and Natural Resources Military Science and Leadership
• Fall 2007 enrollment in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences was the highest ever - - 1133 (up 3%);
• Enrollment for the college has been up every year for the last 6 years - an increase of 25.9% over the same period;
• Brehm Hall expansion began May, 2008. The new space will house classrooms, labs and offices for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources;
• The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences has hired Mrs. Kristina Pitz as a grant writer for the college faculty. This is a pilot venture for UTM - - if it works, other colleges may be interested. A number of younger faculty want more involvement with securing grants to expand their research and service, but heavy teaching and advising loads limit their time. Mrs. Pitz should help relieve the burden of writing and managing grants, contracts and reports.
• Six new faculty will join the college this fall: • Dr. Scott Parrot, Ag Business • Dr. Bradley Ray, Fisheries • Dr. Sue Tryznka, Nursing • LTC Angela M. Odom, Professor Military Science and Leadership • Major Walton Moore, Military Science and Leadership • MSG James E. Harbin, Senior Military Instructor
International:
• Shirley Fry/Nursing – guest lecturer at Hirosaki University in Japan;
• Diane Austin/Nursing – guest lecturer at the University of New Brunswick St. John in Canada. Diane Lectured on the “Health Care systems: Comparison of Canada and the United States;”
• Dr. Joey Mehlhorn and Dr. Craig Darroch working with Center for Global Studies (Andrew Brown) on a NAFTA initiative with sister universities in Canada and Mexico;
• Dr. Joey Mehlhorn led a group of students to study agriculture in Mexico.
Conferences held at UTM:
• North American Marketing Expo (Center for Global Studies took leadership, and we helped host);
• No Child Left Inside (partnered with the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences).
Agriculture and Natural Resources
• ANR serving high schools with freshmen level ANR courses (ANSC 110, PLSC 110, NRM 100 - - and possibly AG Econ 110). Courses are presented through Apreso distance technology, concurrently with on-campus classes. It's worked extremely well in three high schools so far - - up to eight more have expressed an interest, including one in Boston, Massachusetts;
• Significant ANR student transfer agreements have been worked out with Jackson State Community College and Columbia State Community College. Two others have expressed interest (Dyersburg State Community College and Southwestern Community College);
• UTM landed one of three TN Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Diagnostic Centers. Using TDA funds, an existing building was renovated. TDA is providing annual operating funds, and Dr. Janet Bailey, our faculty veterinarian, is running it. It opened May 2008;
• The ANR Department received grants from TN Department of Agriculture and USDA Rural Development to expand the Smith Livestock Merchandizing Center. The check presentation ceremony was held July 24, 2008. The expanded size will help us better handle livestock sales and shows;
• Dr. Tom Greer, retired professor of Agric Business, passed away this spring;
• Funded by the TN Departments of Education and Agriculture, the fifth Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences was held at UTM for five weeks in June – July 2008. A total of 36 high achieving high school students from across the state attended. All successfully received six hours of college course credit;
• Dr. Paula Gale is chair-elect of the Wetland Soils Division of the Soil Science Society of America;
• Dr. Richard Joost serves on the national Board of Directors of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology;
• The online MS in ANR program has expanded its options to include Ag Education and Natural Resource Management. UTM has also joined a consortium of nine universities to offer online graduate courses in NRM.
Other new programs: • Land Surveying (certification program) - - with Department of Engineering;
• GIS/GPS (certificate program) - - with Department of Geology, Geography and Physics;
• Agriculture Engineering Technology (concentration);
• Farm and Ranch Management (option in Agriculture Business);
• Hosted the West TN Youth Outdoor Jamboree, an event drawing approximately 2000 youth and parents;
• Hosted Southeast Section of the Wildlife Society Student Conclave.
Two endowments started: • John E. McMahan and Earl Knepp Endowment. Goal: $600,000 ($44,375 raised so far). Purpose: to name the Agriculture Teaching/Demonstration Complex for these two former key professors in the ANR department - - and to perpetually provide resources for the Complex, especially workships for students to gain experience working at the Complex.
• Livestock Judging Team Endowment. Goal: $150,000 ($11,500 raised so far). Purpose: to provide travel funds for the livestock judging team.
• Collegiate FFA Chapter named best in Tennessee;
• Heather McClean serving as National FFA Ambassador (second UTM has had);
• Adam McCall serving as National President of American International Junior Charolais Association;
• ANR Department hosts monthly career fairs, with a few different employers coming each month;
• The ANR Department has 16 students who serve, or have served, as a state FFA officer;
• We now have a Collegiate Clay Target Team and a Collegiate Bass Fishing Team;
• A group of students have started a garden, in the Teaching Demonstration Center to grow produce for We Care, the local food bank. The students developed the idea while taking Dr. Paula Gale's Soil and Water Conservation class; • Dr. Philip Smartt has instituted a service – learning component into all the Park and Recreation Administration Courses. Students conducting eagle tours on Reelfoot Lake is a prime example.
• The Department of FCS has implemented an online version of their M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences. This is a 24/7 program designed for working professionals who need a masters degree, but can't quit work or move to a campus;
• Dr. Marti Herndon serves on the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth - - and the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Tennessee 's Early Intervention Systems - - appointed to both of these by Governor Bredesen;
• Dr. Georgina Awipi was appointed by Governor Bredesen to the Tennessee Board of Nutrition and Dietetics;
• Dr. Sue Byrd chairs the Council for Certification of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences;
• Dr. Sue Byrd and Dr. Mira Ahn led a group of students to New York to study fashion merchandising and interior design;
• Dr. Sue Byrd was awarded the AAFCS Leader Award at the annual meeting of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in June. Established at the association's 75th anniversary observance in 1984, the AAFCS Leaders Award honors family and consumer sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the profession through their national leadership in AAFCS.
• Nursing has expanded its programs to UTM Centers in Ripley and Parsons. A full time nursing faculty member has been hired for each site;
• Dr. Nancy Warren chaired a site visit at Newman College in Aston, Pennsylvania - - for reaccreditation of the BSN program by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission;
• The Tennessee Nursing Association, Chapter 10, and Sigma Theta Tau-Pi Tau Chapter hosted the 2008 Nurses Day Banquet at Hampton Inn where the Lobbyist for TNA spoke regarding political issues of interest to nursing on Capitol Hill; • Dr. Esther Christian and Ruby Black co-authored a book chapter titled, Contributions of African-Americans Nurses to TNA and ANA, A 100 Year History of the Tennessee Nurses Association 1905-2005. Published by the Tennessee Nurses Foundation, Nashville, Tennessee;
• Ruby Black, Jo Aden, Diane Austin, and Peggy Davis presented research from their grant at two national conferences held Franklin, TN and Knoxville, TN. The presentation was entitled, “ Meeting Health Education Needs of Adults: A Plan for Providers;”
• The Senior Leadership and Management Class orchestrated “The Excellence in Nursing: Advanced Practice” seminar under the guidance of Shirley Fry and Dr. Esther Christian;
• The first Canadian Student from the University of New Brunswick, St. John, will be arriving this fall for classes in the Department of Nursing.
Military Science and Leadership
• The Military Science and Leadership Department has developed a partnership with five Jackson area colleges and universities - - to provide military leadership classes, and officer commissioning opportunities. Working with UTM are: Jackson State Community College; Freed Hardeman University; Lane College; Lambuth University; and Union University;
• Lieutenant Sarah Hensley was commissioned into the US Army on August 9, 2008 and will serve in the Army National Guard;
• UT Martin's ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander Richard G. Casada was awarded the Legion of Valor Cross for Achievement. Out of several thousand student cadets in 273 universities in the U.S., only ten of these awards are given. It is based on scholastic achievement and leadership;
• Ten UT-Martin cadets completed the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) or operation WARRIOR FORGE, which is the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet. The 33-day training event incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. WARRIOR FORGE tests intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual's ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations. WARRIOR FORGE places each cadet in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, cadets will receive evaluations from platoon tactical and counseling (TAC) officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets and officer candidates must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills. Cadets must excel at WARRIOR FORGE to be considered competitive for a commission as an Army officer;
UT-Martin's ROTC Department prepared cadets for 13 training events during the Summer 2008;
• Two Cadets spent 28 days of their summer at Leader's Training Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky, developing their physical and mental strength and building leadership skills;
• Two Cadets completed Cadet Troop Leading Program , which is a four week leadership experience conducted at units in the Continental US, Alaska , Hawaii , and Europe . Students are placed in charge of a regular Army platoon of approximately 35 soldiers. The student's objective is to perform the leadership and management tasks necessary to train the platoon's soldiers and maintain it's equipment. UT-Martin's cadet completed their training at Fort Hood , Texas and Korea );
• Five Cadets completed Airborne School . This is a three week school conducted at Fort Benning , Georgia. Cadets in good physical condition may compete for a school allocation. A minimum Physical Fitness score of 250 is required. At Airborne school, cadets will train alongside Regular Army officers and enlisted men and women, as well as members of the other armed services, to jump from an Air Force aircraft (C130 and C141). Upon completion of the course, cadets will earn the coveted jump wings and be parachutist qualified! This course is extremely safe and boosts the confidence of all who have the opportunity to attend;
• One Cadet completed Air Assault course, conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It is two weeks of mental and physical challenges. This school is designed to teach air assault skills and procedures, improve basic leadership skills, instill the Air Assault spirit and award the Air Assault Badge. During the course you will face such challenges as: Obstacle Course - You will be required to negotiate a demanding obstacle course. Physical Training - PT is conducted daily. Distance runs of up to three miles are standard;
• One Cadet completed the Mountain Warfare School , which is a two-week course taught by the Vermont National Guard at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho , Vermont . Both a summer and a winter phase are offered. The training is designed to make you an expert in mountain operations. Mountain Warfare School is both physically and mentally demanding. Training is non-stop, 15 hours per day, for 14 days. You are required to carry a 65-pound rucksack up to five miles per day in mountainous terrain and are competent with both day and night land navigation;
• One Cadet completed Cadet Field Training ( United States Military Academy ). It is an 4-week program of instruction that provides training and instruction in the following areas: * Military Training, both individual (rifle marksmanship, communications, combat skills, etc…) and collective (patrolling, convoy, QRF, Cordon and Search, etc…)
• Most training for Cadet Field Training takes place in and around Camp Buckner , which is located on the West Point Military Reservation approx. 6 miles west of the main post area. Cadets will also travel to Fort Knox, Kentucky for a 3-day period in the latter half of training to conduct Mounted Maneuver Training (MMT).
• Upcoming Events?
• Participating in UT-Martin's Homecoming's Quad-City on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The ROTC department will have a “Rock Wall” and a Humvee on site;
• Ten ROTC cadets will compete in the 5 th ROTC Brigade's Ranger Challenge competition at Fort Jackson, South Carolina from October 30, 2008 –November 2, 2008;
• We are projected to Commission two cadets into the US Army as Second Lieutenants on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 9:00 am in UT-Martin's Fine Arts Building.
Events______________________________
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October 3-5, 2008 |
This electronic newsletter is produced by the Office of Alumni Relations and electronically distributed to alumni of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.