Stories

Maddie Maas

Tennessee Tech University sophomore Sara Owens of Brentwood, Tenn., first discovered her love of computer science during middle school. Her passion ignited when she attended her school's Coding Club and only grew stronger as she progressed into high school and took every computer science-related course she could.

For Clayton Elton Wilmore, choosing Tennessee Tech wasn't just about pursuing a degree--it was about continuing a family tradition.

Tennessee Tech students and faculty work to repurpose hazardous waste into usable resources

Graduates and faculty of Tennessee Tech University’s School of Environmental Studies are helping to find and protect an endangered species of catfish that has only been found in Tennessee.

Mohamed Mahmoud

Jeremy Blair, associate professor of art education at Tennessee Tech, was awarded the 2023-2024 Art Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA).

Carla Hurt, associate professor of biology at Tennessee Tech University, has been tracking Alpheus armatus, also known as the "pistol shrimp," for a documentary through National Geographic.

Pedro Arce, Ph.D, chemical engineering professor, university distinguished faculty fellow at Tennessee Tech University and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, found his love of education early.

Jonathan Channell arrived at Tennessee Tech University with dreams of space exploration, majoring in mechanical engineering as a stepping-stone to a future in space. However, after joining the Navy, he discovered a deep passion for military service.

When Ali Lannom first stepped onto the Tennessee Tech University campus to major in exercise science/physical wellness, she felt an immediate connection. "Tech felt like home," she recalls. "I was drawn to Tech because of its academic programs and the opportunities the university provided to students. Tennessee Tech truly supports student development professionally, socially and personally. Trust me, I never wanted to leave!"

Cristina Carbajo grew up in Oak Ridge, Tenn., surrounded by the buzz of scientific inquiry. She was drawn to the world of environmental biology thanks to her high school science teachers who were former researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Aaron Thomas Lay earned his degree in agriculture from Tech in 2022, where he originally intended to pursue a career in agriculture policy. He minored in political science, which solidified his interest in law and turned him down a different track. Now, he is starting his second year at Harvard Law School.

When Ramon Damas of Cookeville, Tenn., first enrolled at Tennessee Tech University, he chose mechanical engineering as his major, however, he'd barely made it to his first spring break as a college student before his life was turned upside down. His mother was deported back to her home country of Honduras, devastating the family.

Kristy Herr of Baxter had been working in corporate marketing for Frontier Communications when she learned that her parents were thinking of selling their family business, Advanced Cleaning Service in Algood.