The University of Tennessee at Martin Faculty and Staff Newsletter | Dec. 12, 2011addenda

Youtm- Bob Peckham, professor of French organized and presented in a section called “One Language, Many Voices” at the annual confer-ence of the Tennessee Foreign Language Teachers Association, November 4-5, 2011 in Cool Springs, where he was also invited to entertain, performing French music at the AATF luncheon. He published an article, “Langue d’antan, langue d’avenir: American College French,” in the American Association of Teachers of French National Bulletin 37, No. 2, in November. Peckham’s latest project for the Andy Holt Virtual Library, “Manuscripts of Medieval France with Vernacular Texts, ” available at http://www.utm.edu/staff/bobp/vlibrary/frmedmss.shtml, is being reviewed by the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche, whose web publica-tion, Libraria, has already declared the AHVL’s larger “Consulting Medieval Manuscripts Online” to be the world’s richest resource for linked medieval manuscript facsimiles.

Jennifer Horbelt, former WPSD Local 6 evening news anchor, had no problem identi-fying with her audience as she delivered the commencement address Dec. 10.

Horbelt told how she is “mak-ing a leap, taking a risk” as she moves to a new position in an unfamiliar part of the country, a prospect likely facing many of the graduates in attendance at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

Horbelt became a reporter with WPSD in Paducah, Ky., in 2007 while in her senior year at UT Martin. She earned the female evening anchor position

at the station less than three years later, which she held until accepting a morning anchor po-sition with KOAA-TV in Colo-rado Springs/Pueblo, Colo. Her last day at WPSD was Dec. 5, and she begins her new job Dec. 19.

“We’re not that different. You’re making that leap, too,” she told the graduates, adding, “You’re going out there in a re-ally tough economy with the hopes of finding your place – your dream, passion, whatever you want to call it – and then to make it your career.”

Horbelt talked about her start in the TV news business and

reminded graduates “it won’t always be easy” gaining the ex-perience necessary for success. “The first several months of my time at WPSD (were) spent ei-ther beating my head against the wall, crying or contemplating quitting. … I got passed over for the hard-hitting stories because I was a rookie,” she said. But, she pursued her passion for news and, “Well, somehow, somehow I became the more experienced, the one with better contacts, the person others came to for guid-ance on how to write their sto-ries.”

She credited her late father (who died in 2009), her former

TV station and UT Martin facul-ty members for inspiration and guidance, both personally and professionally. “I chose a great place to start my career, and that was WPSD,” Horbelt said. “The people there really embraced my inexperience and made sure I was on the right path to success.

“I also chose a great place to prepare for a career (in) a very competitive field, and that’s UT Martin. I still keep in close con-tact with my former professors. They keep me grounded, and they make sure I’m always asking myself how I can do better in my craft.”

Continued on Page 2

commencementfall 2011

Horbelt encourages graduates at life changing event

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Horbelt also emphasized the importance of growing as a per-son, and she credited her volun-teer work as a “reading buddy” to an elementary school student for helping her to keep things in perspective. “He (the student) reminds me not take life or my job too seriously. And every time I visit him, I remember what it was like to be that age.”

She assured graduates that life beyond graduation “really isn’t all that bad,” adding, “You wouldn’t believe all the great things that are to come. I never imagined that I’d be where I am today, doing what I’m doing. But I’ve been open to opportu-nities, open to taking risks, and I had great preparation for that right here at UT Martin.”

UT President Joe DiPietro conferred degrees, and UT Mar-tin Chancellor Tom Rakes recog-nized graduates who represented 49 Tennessee counties, 13 states and eight nations.

Commencement, continued from page 1

CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR RETIRES FROM UTM AFTER 25 YEARS – The Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) honored retiring UT Martin professor, Dr. Robert Hartshorn, with a reception on Dec. 8. Hartshorn retired after 43 years of teaching, 25 of which were spent at UT Martin. Hartshorn received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Southwest Missouri State College, a master’s in education and a master’s of science from Bowling Green State University and his doctor of education degree from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He has taught chemistry at UT Martin since 1986 and has been involved in SMACS activities. His other merits include the publication of several scholarly articles, co-authoring a chemistry textbook and a laboratory manual, organizing and presenting at numerous workshops and winning outstanding teacher and educator awards on the campus and state level. Pictured front row left to right, Becky L. Lee, of Martin; Chelsea N. Peeler, SMACS secretary of Paris; Hartshorn; Corey L. Jones, SMACS president, of Linden; and SMACS vice president Lee A. Elliott of Martin. Back row left to right, Gilbert J. Forgays, SMACS president-elect of Clarksville; Gary Mansfield; Paul J. Jones, SMACS treasurer, of Bartlett; Lana Ferrell, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Brandon P. Gindt, of Lakeland; Dr. S. K. Airee, SMACS advisor.

Two Paul and Martha Meek Awards were presented at the recent fall 2011 commencement exercise. Dr. Margaret Toston, vice chancellor for student affairs, announced the awards, which are the only awards presented during commencement. The Meek Award is given to graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding qualities of leadership while at UT Martin. The award is made possible by the children of Paul and Martha Meek. Pictured with Toston, center, are Kyle Gillespie, left, of Cordova; and Sarah Rowland, right, of Selmer. A cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, Gillespie served UT Martin as a PEP leader with the freshmen initiative program and as Senator-at-Large in the Student Government Association. He is a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, the marketing fraternity, where he held a number of leadership positions. A magna cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Rowland served UT Martin as a resident assistant with the Department of Housing, as a student worker with the Hortense Parrish Writing Center, and as a staff writer for the student newspaper, The Pacer. Rowland also received the Central Housing Student Worker of the Year award .

Kim visits Hirosaki University

Jong-Chae Kim, assistant professor of sport management, was selected to be an exchange scholar for UT Martin’s Japanese partner school, Hirosaki University.

Kim visited Hirosaki University Nov. 15-22 and gave three lectures on sport management during his stay. The lectures were titled, “Principles and Practice of Sport Management: Collegiate Sport and Its Issues,” “Social Position, Instructional Principles, and Challenges: Coaches in America” and “Management of Amateur Sport: Collegiate, High School, and Youth Sport.”

“We have a long standing partnership with Hirosaki University in northern Japan. Every year, either a professor from there comes to our campus or one of our professors travels

to their campus. This is the year for someone from the College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences to travel to Japan, “ said Dr. Mary Lee Hall, dean of the College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences

Kim also met students and faculty from the Department of Health and Physical Education at Hirosaki University as well as the school’s president, Dr. Masahiko Endo.

Kim, left, met Hirosaki University president, Dr. Masahiko Endo.

Alan Wood, of Lutts, and Erin Dismuke Ison, of Jackson, are the recipients of the Carl Seale Student Teacher Awards for fall semester 2011.

The Carl Seale Student Teacher Award is given in

memory of Dr. Carl Seale, who served the university from 1971 to 1992 in numerous capacities.

The recipients are chosen by the Education Student Services Selection Committee from students with a major in

education/teacher licensure, who have been nominated for exhibiting exceptional classroom instruction, excellence in classroom management, professionalism and potential for leadership in the teaching

profession. The presentation of the awards was made at the recent student teacher recognition reception held at the Boling University Center.

Alan Wood (right) is pictured with Staci H. Fuqua, director of field placements. Not pictured - Dr. Terry Silver, university supervisor.

Erin Ison (left) is pictured with Dr. Johnathan Vest, university supervisor. Not pictured - Dr. Terry Silver, university supervisor.

Two receive Carl Seale Student teacher awards

Mercy Ford, of Dresden, is the fall semester recipient of the Jodi Woods Memorial Award.

The Jodi Woods Memorial Award was established at the University of Tennessee at Mar-tin in memory of the late Jodi Woods, a special education ma-jor, who died June 24, 2006. It is given each semester to one graduating special education major who excels in student teaching by including and build-

ing self-esteem in students with special needs. The award repre-sents Woods’ warm and caring demeanor. The funds from the award are given to assist the graduating teacher in stocking his/her new classroom.

Photo right - Pictured left to right, Stephanie Ruszkowski; co-operating teacher; Ford; Judy Todd, cooperating teacher; and Staci H. Fuqua, director of field placements. Not pictured - Kathy Bucy, university supervisor.

Ford receives Jodi Woods award

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Four UT Martin staff members recently completed various certifications. Susan Lemond, left, from the Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics and Political Science, completed her Communication Certification. Paula Boucher, middle, from ITS, completed her Customer Service Certification. Elaine Morrow, right, from the Office of Minority Affairs, completed her Customer Service Certification. Carrie Arant, not pictured, from the UT Martin Jackson Center, also completed her Communication Certification.

Four complete certifications

Tuesday, Dec. 13 - 7 p.m. - UTM Skyhawk

men’s basketball vs. Bethel University, Elam Center

Friday, Dec. 16 - 7 p.m. - UTM Skyhawk

women’s basketball vs. Evans-ville, Elam Center

Sunday, Dec. 18 - 1 p.m. - UTM Skyhawk

men’s basketball vs. IPFW, Elam Center

- 3 p.m. - UTM Skyhawk women’s basketball vs. SIU Carbondale, Elam Center

Calendar Dec. 13 - Dec. 18

On November 13, 2011, the UT Martin single reed studio, directed by Dr. Amy Simmons, premiered sophomore music education major, Josh Spaulding's, "Conversial Hairbows," for clarinet quartet. His composition was specifically written for four members of the clarinet studio who form the Four Stiks Clarinet Quarteta. The quarteta pictured left to right are Jennifer Reeves, Molly Waxman, Spaulding, Lizzie Lee and Cindy Morris. Spaulding studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. The quartet will also be performing the piece on a tour throughout Thailand in May 2012.

Larry Holder, a songwriter from Martin, commemorated the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 with a new song, “The Days the Earth Would Not Stand Still”, which debuted on local radio station WCMT on Monday, De-cember 5, during the Morning Show with Chris Brinkley and Paul Tinkle.

After researching the history of the quakes and writing the initial lyrics, Holder shared the song with his high school friend, Chris McGoldrick, who works at the Earthquake Center at the University of Memphis. McGold-

rick and his a s s o c i a t e s checked the words for h i s t o r i c a l a c c u r a c y . With a doc-u m e n t a r y video also in

progress, the song is being con-sidered for inclusion as the music during the rolling credits.

Local musicians Terry Lewis, Will Turner and Craig Ingram lent their talents to the project, providing the additional instru-mentation of mandolin, banjo, and lead guitar. Holder provided

vocals, guitar and bass. Col-lectively, the group is known as “Ralston Station” (taken from the original town name for Ralston, Tennessee). The mp3 and lyrics of the song are avail-able at: larryholdermusic.org/earthquake.html

The Reelfoot Lake Bicentenni-al Committee has also expressed an interest in using the song to promote the 200th anniversary of Reelfoot Lake, which was cre-ated as a direct result of the his-torical earthquakes.

Holder has debuted a number of songs on WCMT over the years, including contemporary

Christian songs as well as several humorous songs such as “I’ve Died and Gone to Starbucks” and “Everything I Know In Life I Learned From Chris and Paul”. Holder also co-wrote the theme song of the Tennessee Soybean Festival, “There’s Nothing Like the Bean,” with Dr. Jim Byford, former dean of the College of Ag-riculture and Natural Sciences.

Holder is a computer profes-sional and instructor at UT Mar-tin, as well as a musician and songwriter.

Holder

Faculty member’s song debuts on WCMT, commemorates earthquake anniversary

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Professor highlights parasite studies at Reelfoot Lake in researchAs part of the celebration of

Reelfoot Lake’s bicentennial, Dr. Mike Turner, lecturer of biology at the University of Ten-nessee at Martin, has written a history of zoological research originating from the Reelfoot Lake region. According to the author, Tennessee, unlike other southeastern states, has had relatively few of its ecological communities subjected to para-sitological studies, with most of these based in and around Reel-foot Lake.

These studies began 130 years ago with the collection of an unattached turtle leech taken from Indian Creek near the old Idlewild Hotel. Other early efforts involved public health workers investigating malaria and the mosquitoes that trans-mit the disease. Later, traditional natural history studies, primar-ily involving helminth (worm) parasites, were undertaken and were joined by recent compara-tive molecular work. Ninety re-ports of parasitology research,

authored or coauthored by 72 investigators and published in 19 different journals, have origi-nated from the region. Included in these reports, were descrip-tions of 62 new parasitic worm species recovered from animal hosts inhabiting the region. Six of the new species carry the spe-cific names reelfooti or reelfoot-ensis. Additionally, distribution records for 228 parasite species—including nine protozoans, 162 helminths, four leeches and 53 arthropods—were reported for

the region.Turner’s article, entitled “A

History of Parasitological Field Studies Originating from the Reelfoot Lake Region of Ten-nessee and Kentucky,” appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Electronic copies may be obtained at no charge from UTM’s institutional repository (IR), http://scholarship.utm.edu/ or by emailing the author at mturner@utm.edu.

There will not be an Addenda the week of Dec. 19