The University of Tennessee at Martin Faculty and Staff Newsletter | April 25, 2016

addendaI Heart UTM Week is here!

Monday: Philanthropy Day — Mike Munkel BBQ;

Pacer Pond; 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Faculty and staff without

meal plans can eat for $7.

Tuesday: Donor Day — Students who write thank

-you notes to alumni receive free donuts and “I Heart

UTM” items; Boling University Center north patio;

8-11 a.m.

wednesday: Senior drive-thru at the Dunagan

Alumni Center; graduating seniors (spring and fall)

will receive a free blueberry muffin, orange crush and

UTM car decal; senior walk begins at 3 p.m. on the

Boling University Center north patio; Everyone is

encouraged to wear your “I Heart UTM” shirt.

thursday: Community Day — Department of

Housing to provide snow cones beginning at 6 p.m.;

Community bonfire; Pacer Pond; 7 p.m.

friday: Alumni Day — Games in the quad from

10 a.m.-2 p.m. with free Chick-Fil-A sweet tea and

lemonade.

Schedule

I Heart UTM Week Events: April 24-29

Sunday: Athletics Day—Free Hotdogs/Hamburgers at Skyhawk baseball game @ 1pm.

Monday: Philanthropy Day—Mike Munkel BBQ 4:30-6:30pm @ Pacer Pond. Free “I Heart UTM” tank top with donation of 5 canned goods.

Tuesday: Donor Day—Thank You Note Writing to Alumni on UC North Patio 8am-11am. Free Donuts and I Heart UTM items for writing donor notes.

Wednesday: Senior, Faculty, and Staff Day—Senior Drive Thru @ Dunagan Alumni Center. Free blueberry muffin and orange crush and UTM Car decal to all graduating seniors (spring or fall). Senior Walk @ 3pm

beginning on UC North Patio. (Everyone encouraged to wear I Heart UTM shirt!)

Thursday: Community Day—Fire & Ice Night—Bonfire @ Pacer Pond at 7pm. Free Snow Cones provided by UTM Housing starting at 6pm.

Friday: Alumni Day—Games in the Quad from 10am-2pm with free Chick-Fil-A sweet tea and lemonade.

I Heart UTM Week Events: April 24-29

Sunday : Athletics Day—Free Hotdogs/Hamburgers at Skyhawk baseball game @ 1pm.

Monday: Philanthropy Day—Mike Munkel BBQ 4:30-6:30pm @ Pacer Pond. Free “I Heart UTM” tank top with donation of 5 canned goods.

Tuesday: Donor Day—Thank You Note Writing to Alumni on UC North Patio 8am-11am. Free Donuts and I Heart UTM items for writing donor notes.

Wednesday: Senior, Faculty, and Staff Day—Senior Drive Thru @ Dunagan Alumni Center. Free blueberry muffin and orange crush and UTM Car decal to all graduating seniors (spring or fall). Senior Walk @ 3pm

beginning on UC North Patio. (Everyone encouraged to wear I Heart UTM shirt!)

Thursday Community Day—Fire & Ice Night—Bonfire @ Pacer Pond at 7pm. Free Snow Cones provided by UTM Housing starting at 6pm.

Friday: Alumni Day—Games in the Quad from 10am-2pm with free Chick-Fil-A sweet tea and lemonade.

UT Martin is hosting its third annual “I Heart UTM” week April 25-29 with different activities for students, faculty and staff each day.

A primary component of the week’s events will be the second annual Captain’s Challenge, which encourages new and recurring gifts to the university.

This year, Captain has challenged the university community to raise $250,000 in just five days.

According to the Office of Alumni Relations, 72 percent of gifts made to UT Martin are less than $100 each. In 2015, those gifts added up to more than $182,000, so even small contributions do make a difference.

Those who choose to donate may designate their funds toward particular scholarships, campus projects, colleges or departments. Gifts can also be added to an open fund to be used whenever the university may need assistance.

Gifts can be made by mail or in person to the Office of University Advancement. Online contributions are also accepted at challenge.utm.edu.

To make an online gift, visit

the website and click “Support UTM” along the top bar. Then, choose the account you would like to support.

University gifts can also be collected through payroll deduction for faculty and staff. Contact the Office of University Advancement for more information on the benefits of payroll deduction.

Another important milestone during “I Heart UTM” week is the traditional senior walk, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., April 27.

Seniors will gather on the north patio of the Boling University Center to walk in procession across the quadrangle to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center for graduation practice.

Faculty and staff members are encouraged to line the walkways to cheer on the graduating class and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

The entire university community is encouraged to support the events through social media using the hashtags #beutmproud and #iheartutm throughout the week.

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 731-881-7610.

page 2 | addenda |April 25, 2016

YoUTMs faculty, staff and student excellence

Dr. Louis Glover and sophomore Tory Theus, an educational studies major, presented “First Year Teachers: Making STEM Science More Stimulating” at the Tennessee Association of Middle Schools 2016 Spring Drive-In Conference held April 9 in Knoxville. Beginning teachers were provided with tools and activities to help make STEM classes relevant and exciting for students in grades 4-12.

Jim Nance, Heidi Busch and Sara Rachels, faculty and staff from the Paul Meek Library, recently attended the Tennessee Library Association conference in Kingsport. They gave a presentation titled “50 Years of Civil Rights through the Lens of Juvenile Literature” based on a topic from UT Martin’s 2015 Civil Rights Conference.

Dr. Danny Walker, assistant professor of animal science, has been elected to represent West Tennessee as a member-at-large on the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association executive board.

FEATURED SCHOLAR – Dr. David Dietrich (center, left), assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies, was honored as the spring 2016 Featured Faculty Scholar during a reception April 20. Selections of Dietrich’s professional work are on display in the Paul Meek Library and open to the public for viewing. His name will also be added to a plaque permanently displayed in the library. Dietrich is pictured with (l-r) Dr. Bob Smith, interim chancellor; Dr. Jerald Ogg, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Cindy West, dean, College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences.

Send your Addenda news to Nathan Morgan at nmorga15@utm.edu by the Wednesday of each week.

page 3 | addenda | April 25, 2016

YoUTMs faculty, staff and student excellence

Drs. Aaron Rowland and Justin Martin, assistant professors of sociology, presented papers April 15-16 at the 79th annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society in Buckhead, Ga. Rowland presented a talk titled “What I Wish I Knew… Planning for SoTL While Preparing Courses.” Martin, along with his co-author, Amanda Mansfield, a junior sociology major, presented a paper titled “Lifestyle-Exposure Theory and Cyberbullying: Locating Predictors of Victimization and Barriers to Reporting.”

Nelda Rachels, instructor, Office of International Programs and International Admissions, had the article “Conversation Cards and Calendars” published in the winter 2016 edition of the Tennessee TESOL Newsletter. Her article describes how to use cards and calendars as an English acquisition tool while building rapport between teachers and second language learners.

SMITH HONORED FOR SERVICE – The Weakley County Chamber honored Dr. Bob Smith, interim chancellor, for his service and leadership to both the university and the county during the chamber’s annual awards banquet April 19 in the Boling University Center Duncan Ballroom. Smith is the co-founder of both the WestStar Leadership Program and the Leadership Weakley County program. He has specialized in executive leadership development for more than 35 years and has taught in university executive programs across the nation. Smith returned to UT Martin to fill the interim chancellor’s position in June 2015 and is helping prepare the campus for a national chancellor’s search.

Dr. Anton Garcia-Fernandez, assistant professor of Spanish, presented a paper titled “Jan Potocki’s ‘Manuscript Found in Saragossa,’ Miguel de Cervantes, and the Picaresque Tradition” on April 7 at the South East Coastal Conference on Languages and Literature in Savannah, Ga. He then attended the Kentucky Foreign Language Conference held April 16 at the University of Kentucky and presented “The Triumph of the Rogue: Juan Cortes de Tolosa’s ‘Lazarillo de Manzanares’ and the Canon of Picaresque Literature.”

In the period ending March 31, the sick leave bank beginning membership was 199, and there were two terminations and no additions, for an ending membership of 197.

Three requests were made, and all were granted. The bank began with 6,689.39 hours, and there were no enrollment or needs assessed.

Two hundred and sixty-eight hours were granted this quarter with none recovered for an ending balance of 6,421.39.

This year to date, the bank

Sick Leave Bankbegan with 221 members and had 16 additions and 40 terminations, for an ending membership of 197.

There have been five total requests this year, and all have been granted. The bank began with 6,525.39 hours and gained an enrollment assessment of 372 hours, for a sub-total of 6,897.39 hours.

Four hundred and seventy-six hours have been granted with none recovered for a final ending balance of 6,421.39 hours.

page 4 | addenda |April 25, 2016

UT Martin Ripley Center welcomes new directorDr. Simpfronia “Sim” Taylor

is the new director of the UT Martin Ripley Center, effective April 18.

Taylor most recently served as director of student affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, a position she began in 2010. She previously served UTHSC as student affairs coordinator and as grant coordinator in the college of medicine.

Before beginning her UT career, Taylor spent time as office manager at Montessori School of Louisville, Ky., and principal of Timothy Christian Academy in Athens, Ga.

She received her educational doctorate in workforce education in 2011 and a Master of Education degree in business education in 1996, both from the University of Georgia.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Dillard University in 1989. Taylor also holds certifications as a middle grades teacher and a business education teacher from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Taylor and look forward to the expertise and excitement she brings to our efforts,” said Dr. Brian Donavant, interim

executive director, UT Martin Office of Extended Campus and Online Studies.

Taylor succeeds Texas Culver, who served as interim director and will return to his faculty position as lecturer of educational studies at the center.

“I am grateful for his (Culver’s) counsel and stewardship during this transitional period and look forward to his continuing contributions to our students and operations in Ripley,” said Donavant.

For more information, contact Taylor at the UT Martin Ripley Center at 731-221-8778.

In Memory

Carolyn Boling (center), wife of the late UT President Emeritus Ed Boling, passed away April 17 at the age of 86. Boling served as president of the UT System from 1970-1988, the longest recent term of service in the office.

“She was totally devoted to her family and to the University of Tennessee,” said President Emeritus Joe Johnson. “She always represented herself and the university in the kindest and most caring way.”

She is pictured with her

husband, the late Ed Boling (right), former UT System president, and Dr. Margaret Perry, UT Martin chancellor emeritus, upon the dedication of UT Martin’s Boling University Center. Services were held April 23 in Knoxville.

Dr. Simpfronia Taylor, director, UT Martin Ripley Center

“Questions and Answers” about

UT Martin

•Question – How was the UT Martin chancellor search committee chosen?

•Answer – The 20-member search committee was chosen by UT President Joe DiPietro. The committee includes faculty, staff, student, alumni and UT Board of Trustees representation. Dr. Steve Angle, UT Chattanooga chancellor, is the search committee chair. Current information about the search can be found at http://tennessee.edu/execsearch/utm-chancellor/

Submit your questions to the Suggestion Box link at

www.utm.edu.

YoU Tell Me

page 5 | addenda | April 25, 2016

Employee Relations Council Summary: April 20The Employee Relations

Council met April 20 and received updates on a variety of topics including the legislation regarding facilities outsourcing, campus construction projects, the 2016-17 budget and the chancellor’s search.

The following is summary of the points discussed. Please contact your area’s ERC representative for more complete information.

•Debbie Hunter, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, attended the Employee Relations’ Advisory Board meeting March 22 and received an update on the state facilities management contract bid.

According to UT System President Joe DiPietro, each campus in the UT System must provide a strong case to opt-out of the contract. However, the decision to participate will be made on a campus-by-campus

basis. This process is ongoing.•Chancellor Smith urges all

departments, both academic and non-academic, to be represented at the accreditation training May 11.

The data gathered through this process by maintenance and facilities offices will be helpful to defend the case for opting out of the state facilities contract bid.

•Smith also announced that the operation in Somerville has been officially approved as a UT Martin extended campus center.

A construction grant to renovate a building for the center has been approved and a recurring budget line has been granted. He hopes the new center will be in its new building in 2017.

•The chancellor will bring the “Soar in Four” campaign before the UT Board of Trustees in June. Contrary to common perception, students will not be

required to take 15 credit hours per semester to be considered full-time students.

Full time will still be 12 credit hours. However, students should be strongly encouraged to register for 15 or more credit hours each semester in order to graduate in four years.

Improvements are being made in advising procedures, additional faculty are being hired for common “gateway courses” and a new career center, requested by the student body, is being constructed to facilitate this initiative.

•Living-learning communities for select majors will begin this fall semester. Students who participate in these communities will be housed together in Cooper Hall and take a set of common courses to promote academic and social success. These communities will expand over time to include all academic

areas.•Petra McPhearson, Division

of Finance and Administration, says the search for a new chancellor is underway and applications should be submitted before June 30 for full consideration. There were 26 submitted applications as of meeting time, although names are confidential until campus visits in the fall.

•There is a preliminary plan in place for a two percent across-the-board raise in fiscal year 16-17. A one percent market/equity increase and a one percent one-time merit bonus may be available as well, both contingent on fall enrollment numbers.

•The UT Compliance Hotline is a new way to anonymously report waste, fraud, abuse of authority, or other concerns. Visit tennessee.edu/hotline for more information.

The UT Martin SHAPE Club recently donated $1,000 to Special Olympics of Tennessee, Upper West Region. The funds were collected during the club’s annual 5K color run April 9.

“We are extremely grateful for the SHAPE Club’s generous donation and are thankful that they chose Special Olympics as their cause,” said Dr. Clinton Smith, UT Martin assistant professor of special education and area director, Special Olympics of West Tennessee, Upper West Region. For more information, contact Smith at 731-881-7167 or by email at csmit279@utm.edu.

SHOWING SUPPORT – The UT Martin SHAPE Club recently donated $1,000 to the Special Olympics of West Tennessee, Upper West Region. Pictured at the check presentation are SHAPE Club members (l-r) Logan Callins, vice president; Taylor Daughtery; Karis Theus, secretary; Anna Warren, president; Dr. Clinton Smith, area director, Special Olympics of Tennessee, Upper West Region; Dacy Thomasson; Tanner Petty; Kirsten Ford; Alexandria Hancock; and Tyrell Wakefield.

SHAPE Club supports Special

Olympics

page 6 | addenda | April 25, 2016

Capital Projects•The new football stadium

building is progressing through the efforts of Searcy Construction. The completed project will provide a 20,000-square-foot facility to accommodate football and additional classroom needs. The first UT Martin home game will be Sept. 17.

•The four new sorority lodges on Peach Street are nearing completion and will be finished in time for the fall 2016 semester.

•Improvements to the Boling University Center include the student and administrative offices on the second floor and a reception lounge and Welcome Center for potential

Notes from the Physical PlantThis is a new recurring section to give updates on capital construction projects, maintenance efforts and other physical plant endeavors.

Please contact Tim Nipp, director, at 731-881-7601 or by email at timnipp@utm.edu for more information.

students and parents on the first floor. Work on these projects should be completed by the end of June.

•Window replacements are in progress for the Sociology Building, Communications Building and Holland McCombs Center. The Andy Holt Humanities Building and the Hall-Moody Administration Building are slated to receive new windows this summer.

•The Sociology Building, Crisp Hall, Ellington Hall and the Margaret N. Perry Children’s Center will also receive new roofs this summer, and the restrooms in the Hall-Moody Administration Building will be renovated.

•Design drawings are

completed for the upgrades to Clement Hall, and asbestos abatement is scheduled to begin within a few weeks and be completed in August. The actual building renovations will begin in the fall and be a 12-month project. The parking lots for Cooper Hall and the Business Administration Building are also scheduled to be repaved.

Maintenance•The Physical Plant is

building a finance laboratory-type classroom in room 102 of the Business Administration Building. This area will resemble a professional trading floor with a 16-foot stock ticker, video wall, wall-mounted monitors and 16 computer work stations. The

room is scheduled to be open for classes in the fall 2016 semester.

•The Physical Plant completed 504 work orders during the month of March.

Employees of the Month•The Physical Plant selects

an Employee of the Month based on peer nominations and committee vote. This award recognizes those employees who go “above and beyond” the call of duty to support the Physical Plant and the campus. The award winners for 2016 are Melinda Dilday, custodian (January); Kelly Bruner, HVAC (February); Rebecca Baker, Physical Plant (March); and Randy Pigg, electrician (April).

Let the Physical Plant know how they are doing at www.utm.edu/departments/physplant/survey.php.

CAPITAL PROJECTS – (above) The stadium project is progressing and will be completed for the first home football game Sept. 17; (left, top) The four sorority lodges on Peach Street are nearing completion; (left, bottom) The second floor hallway in the Boling University Center is finished and the office spaces will be completed by the fall semester.

page 7 | addenda | April 25, 2016

•April 25-29 – I Heart UTM Week activities (see page one)•April 25 – Master class: Rande Sanderbeck, drum set; Percussion Recital Hall; 2 p.m.•April 25 – Orchestra concert; Fulton Theatre; 7:30 p.m.•April 26 – Baseball vs. Chris-tian Brothers; Skyhawk Park; 6 p.m.•April 26 – Jazz band concert with Rande Sanderbeck; Fulton Theatre; 7:30 p.m.•April 27 – Senior walk and celebration; quad near Paul Meek Library; 3 p.m.•April 27 – Commencement practice for students; Elam Center; 4 p.m.•April 27 – 2016 UT Martin Collegiate Business Pitch Con-test; Boling University Center, room 111; 6-8 p.m.•April 27 – Contemporary music group spring concert; Blankenship Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m.•April 28 – Student chamber ensemble recital; Blankenship Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m.•April 29 – Last day of spring classes•April 29 – Baseball vs. SIU Edwardsville; Skyhawk Park; 6 p.m.•April 30 – Baseball vs. SIU Edwardsville; Skyhawk Park; 3 p.m.•May 1 – Baseball vs. SIU Edwardsville; Skyhawk Park; 1 p.m.•May 1 – Department of Music signing day; quad outside the Fine Arts Building; 3 p.m.

The 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. Robert M. Smith – Interim Chancellor • Nathan Morgan – Addenda Editor

UT Martin is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. E05-0425-00-001-16

addenda

Calendar McClanahan receives spring 2016 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award

Brittany McClanahan, of Martin, received the spring 2016 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award during an awards ceremony April 24.

The award is named for the late Beth Maloan, longtime UT Martin director of budgeting and payroll, who was a strong advocate of student employment. It recognizes exemplary work ethic and commitment to the university.

McClanahan has served as a student worker in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources for the past two years, working primarily in the Graves Stables located in the university’s Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources Teaching Complex.

She is responsible for feeding and caring for the university horses used by the equestrian team and the livestock laboratory classes. She also helps instruct animal science students who work in the stables during feeding times as part of class requirements.

Meghan Cunningham, equestrian coach, nominated McClanahan for this award based on her dedication not only in normal working situations, but also in those that require extraordinary effort.

“During the spring of 2015 when we had terrible weather conditions and the university was closed for extended periods of time, Brittany never missed a day. There were times when, because of road conditions, the

regular staff was unable to get to the farm, but Brittany filled in as needed,” Cunningham explained on the nomination form.

“She took the initiative and extra time to haul water to our animals when pipes were frozen during extreme temperatures without being told to do so. Brittany puts the animals on our farm first and is very conscious about her quality of work. She treats the university animals as if they were her own and provides care and oversight beyond anyone’s expectations.”

McClanahan is a senior studying veterinary health technology. She plans to graduate in May 2017.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT EMPLOYEE – Brittany McClanahan (left), of Martin, received the spring 2016 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award during a ceremony April 24. She is pictured with Beth Maloan family members (l-r) Jennifer, Collin and Kate Stroh, and Mike Maloan.

Fly with us!