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College Town Talk

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College Town Talk is a podcast from Tennessee Tech University in partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, Soundcloud and YouTube.
 
Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic leaders – who are making a difference and living Wings Up in their community. College Town Talk is a celebration of the people and places that make Cookeville Tennessee’s College Town.
 
Catch up on the latest episodes below and email Tech’s Jonathan Frank at jonathanfrank@tntech.edu with podcast questions, feedback or suggestions.


Stream the Latest episodes:

 

Episode 37: Jameson Wharton and Rachel Wingo
Jameson Wharton and Rachel Wingo
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan talk with Jameson Wharton, a Tennessee Tech junior and defensive back for the Golden Eagle football team who founded the nonprofit "Football for the Cure" to raise money for cancer research. Jameson tells us how he turned his grief into action by starting his nonprofit at just 10 years old after the passing of a beloved aunt. Then, we're joined by Rachel Wingo, cultural arts superintendent for the City of Cookeville, former executive director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and adjunct instructor of religious studies at Tennessee Tech. Rachel shares about upcoming arts events in Cookeville, pays tribute to former Tennessee Tech First Lady Joan Derryberry, and explains how she handles teaching a complex topic like religion. 


Episode 36: Trudy Harper and Randy Wilmore
Trudy Harper and Randy Wilmore
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Trudy Harper, the chair of Tennessee Tech's Board of Trustees. Trudy is a two-time graduate of Tech's College of Engineering, a devoted philanthropist, and the former president of Tenaska Power Services Co., the power marketing affiliate of Tenaska - one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Then, we're joined by Randy Wilmore, the chief relationship officer for Farm Bureau Health Plans and recipient of the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association’s 2024 Outstanding Service Award. Randy also gives us an update on his cousin, NASA Astronaut and Tennessee Tech trustee Barry Wilmore, who is currently stationed at the International Space Station.


Episode 35: Maria Baltazar and Damon "Dee" Prince
Maria Baltazar and Dee Prince
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Maria Baltazar, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and former local elementary school teacher who now serves as the new recruitment specialist in Tech’s Office of Access, Belonging and Community Outreach. Maria shares about being a first-generation college graduate and the sacrifices that her immigrant parents made to equip her for success in life. Then, we’re joined by Damon “Dee” Prince, a Tennessee Tech alumnus and community leader who was named to Cookeville Lifestyle’s inaugural “Most Influential People” list. Dee tells us about the long road that led to his college degree, the importance of mentorship, and his heart for community service.


Episode 34: Sidonie Sansom and Kelly Chambers
Sidonie Sansom and Kelly Chambers
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are sitting down with Sidonie Sansom, board president for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, the Upper Cumberland's professional symphony that operates in partnership with Tennessee Tech's School of Music. Sidonie tells us about her time serving in Antarctica on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and discusses the rich musical legacy of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, now in its 61st season. Then, we hear from Kelly Chambers, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and the current assistant director for the university's Crawford Alumni Center. Kelly shares about favorite alumni she has interviewed over the years, a recent 100th anniversary event she helped plan for The Oracle, and ways that alums can visit exciting destinations across the globe through the "Golden Eagle Travel" program.


Episode 33: Dr. Harry Ingle and Andrea Kruszka
Dr. Harry Ingle and Andrea Kruszka
On Episode 33 of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Dr. Harry Ingle, Tennessee Tech's executive director for Student Affairs and head of the university's new Office of First-Generation Student Success. Dr. Ingle shares about his passion for reaching first-generation students as well as his volunteerism with causes such as IMPACT Cookeville and the Putnam County Library. Then, we hear from Andrea Kruszka, assistant director of the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation, a celebrated local artist and current Tennessee Tech graduate student. Andrea discusses the importance of Tech's Rural Reimagined Grand Challenge, how a difficult season helped her rediscover her love of photography and the outdoors, and the unlikely road that led to her "dream job" promoting local tourism and inspiring students. 


Episode 32: Kelsey Hewitt and Sen. Paul Bailey 
Kelsey Hewitt and Sen. Paul Bailey
This week, we’re joined by Tennessee Tech 2024 – 2025 Student Government Association President Kelsey Hewitt. Kelsey is a junior from Signal Mountain, Tenn. and shares about her passion for student government, her favorite things about Cookeville, and how she hopes to put her education and foreign language majors to use in her future career. Then, we’re joined by State Senator Paul Bailey, who discusses the importance of Tech’s Rural Reimagined Grand Challenge, lessons he learned from an early campaign loss, future goals in the state legislature and the impact of Tennessee Tech on his district and his own life. 


Episode 31: Megan Atkinson and Steve Taylor
Megan Atkinson and Steve Taylor
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by University Archivist Megan Atkinson. Megan discusses the history behind the upcoming centennial anniversary of Tech's identity as the Golden Eagles and shares about Tech's rich concert history, including performances on campus from Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Neil Diamond and others. Then, we hear from Tech alumnus and former assistant basketball coach Steve Taylor. Steve spent 27 years with the FBI and was named to Tech's all-century basketball team in 2022, but his proudest accomplishment is his family - including his daughter Maria Taylor, the host of "Football Night in America" on NBC.


Episode 30: Amy New and Bobby Wilder (Season 2 Premiere)
Amy New and Bobby Wilder
On the season two premiere of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Amy New, a Tennessee Tech alumna, member of the Tennessee Tech Foundation Board, and the President and CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. Then, we hear from Tennessee Tech head football coach Bobby Wilder about his plans for the Golden Eagles' upcoming season.


Episode 29: Kaitlin Salyer and J.R. Russell (Season 1 Finale) 
Kaitlin Salyer and J.R. Russell
On the season one finale of College Town Talk, we're joined by Kaitlin Salyer, a Tennessee Tech graduate and former Tech staff member who now serves as talent development director for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and was this year's recipient of the Mandala Award at Tech's annual "Window on the World" festival. Later, we hear from J.R. Russell, a proud Tennessee Tech alumnus who now serves as administrator of the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program at the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville.


Episode 28: Lela Gracy and Thomas Corhern
Lela Gracy and Thomas Corhern
On this week's episode of College Town Talk, we're joined by Miss Tennessee Tech 2023 Lela Gracy. Lela shares with us about being a computer science major with a concentration in cybersecurity and French and discusses the importance of women's representation in STEM fields. Then, we hear from Tech alumnus and award-winning sports writer Thomas Corhern. Thomas has been Tech's sports information coordinator since 2016 and shares with us about his excitement for the upcoming renovation of Tucker Stadium and his memories as a writer for The Oracle, Tech's student newspaper.


Episode 27: Bob Luna and Amelia Greer 
Bob Luna and Amelia Greer
This week on College Town Talk we're joined by Bob Luna, a longtime community leader, proud Tennessee Tech alumnus and the voice of the Golden Eagle Marching Band for more than 30 years. Then, we hear from Amelia Greer, the morning anchor for WDEF News 12 in Chattanooga and a proud graduate of Tennessee Tech's class of 2023.


Episode 26: Chelsea Dartez and Dr. Helen Hunt

Chelsea Dartez and Dr. Helen Hunt
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are visited by Chelsea Dartez, founder and publisher of the popular local magazine Cookeville Lifestyle. Then, we hear from Dr. Helen Hunt, director of the Women's Center and associate professor of English at Tennessee Tech University. 


Episode 25: Jay Albrecht and Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza
Jay Albrecht and Rosa Vasquez Espinoza

This week on College Town Talk, we're joined by Tennessee Tech alumni Jay Albrecht and Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza. Jay owns the popular local restaurant "Seven Senses" and is a former newspaper publisher who was recently named chair of the board for the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Espinoza is a native of Peru and a proud graduate of Tech Honors. Today, she is an award-winning chemical biologist, National Geographic explorer, sought-after speaker and host, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional.


Episode 24: Morris Irby and Lori Jackson Strode
Morris Irby and Lori Jackson Strode
As Black History Month comes to a close, Jonathan and Shan are joined by two trailblazing Tennessee Tech alumni: Morris Irby, the first Black baseball player recruited to Tennessee Tech and a Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame member, and Lori Jackson Strode, a three-time Tennessee Tech graduate who recently directed and co-created the Cookeville Theatre Company's production of "I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dream," a musical and spoken-word production honoring the struggles and triumphs of Black history.


Episode 23: Penny Grace Judd and Cheryl Montgomery 
Penny Grace Judd and Cheryl Montgomery
On a special Presidents' Day episode of College Town Talk, we chat with a bipartisan pair of Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles who previously served in presidential administrations. First, we hear from Tech alumna and former SGA President Penny Grace Judd, who served as an aide under President George W. Bush. Then, we're joined by Cheryl Montgomery, director of program development and engagement in Tech's College of Business, who worked on the Clinton-Gore 1992 presidential campaign and transition team and later served in the administration as a top aide to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

 
Episode 22: Dr. M. Dianne Murphy and Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge
Dr. M. Dianne Murphy and Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge
This week on College Town Talk, we're catching up Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, a trailblazing athlete, coach, and university administrator. Dr. Murphy is a Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame member and the 2005 winner of the university's Distinguished Alumna Award. Later on, we are joined by Luke Eldridge, the vice mayor of Cookeville and a proud Tennessee Tech alumnus from the class of 2010.