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August 2019
Varsity Cinema/Alumni Building to Celebrate 50th anniversary
On September 11, 1969, the Varsity Cinema opened in Cookeville. Today, Tennessee Tech owns the building which houses the Crawford Alumni Center, Advancement Services, and University Development.
We invite you to celebrate this iconic and historic building on Friday, September 13 (Friday the 13th!) from 4-6 p.m. at the former Varsity Cinema, located at 705 N. Dixie Ave, Cookeville, TN. Join us for popcorn and candy, movie-themed costume contests, and maybe a surprise or two!
Tech Tomorrow campaign tops $60 million goal
University officials announced that more than $60 million has been raised towards the Tech Tomorrow capital campaign, topping Tennessee Tech's goal even though two years remain in the campaign. This is the largest amount raised in the history of the university, with more than 3,600 new donors to the institution, and comes on the heels of three consecutive record-setting fundraising years for Tech.
Class of 2023 officially welcomed to Tennessee Tech
The newest class of Tennessee Tech students was officially welcomed to campus on Friday at Fall Convocation. The annual ceremony formally inducted more than 1,700 students into Tech's academic community and signaled the start of their college careers.
Show your Tech Pride on National College Colors Day
Friday, August 30, 2019, is National College Colors Day! Each year, students, parents, fans, and ALUMNI across the United States celebrate College Colors Day to commemorate the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience. Did you know that purple and gold have been Tech's colors since before 1925? They were chosen because of two wildflowers--ironweed and goldenrod--that grew in abundance on campus in the early years. No matter where you are in the world, we hope you'll wear your purple and gold with pride on August 30.
Need a new Tech Shirt?
Tech hosts 15th Annual Nolan Fowler Constitution Day
Tech's 15th Annual Nolan Fowler Constitution Day Celebration will be Sep. 19 at 6 p.m. in Derryberry Hall. The event is free and open to the public, and this year's speaker will be Drew Westen, Ph.D., of Emory University. Dr. Westen is a professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, the founder of Westen Strategies, a strategic messaging firm, and co-founder of Implicit Strategies, a marketing firm that focuses on people's unconscious responses to ads, brands, and other media. He is the author of three books and more than 150 scholarly articles, including The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation, which has influenced campaigns and elections around the world. Dr. Westen has been a frequent contributor in political and psychological issues on radio, television, and in print, and in venues such as CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. He has advised a wide range of organizations and groups including U.S. presidential campaigns, international presidential and prime ministerial campaigns, nonprofits, and the Caucuses in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Tech adds two new academic programs to begin in 2020
Two new Tennessee Tech academic programs in engineering and counseling will help meet the needs of society and industry by producing trained professionals ready to make an impact. This month, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved a master's degree in engineering management and a doctoral degree in counseling and supervision. Both programs will start in fall 2020.
Construction, traffic, and parking updates as of August 2019
The summer has seen the completion of a number of construction projects, progress on current construction projects, and changes to the campus traffic system.
Alumni and friends publish books with Tennessee Tech connection
Are you looking for something new to read? Maybe with a Tennessee or Tech connection? Check out A Murder in Music City and Ghosts of the Cove.
In February 1964, while babysitting her younger brother, 18-year-old Paula Herring was murdered in her home. A judge's son--John Randolph Clarke--was convicted of the crime. But did he really do it? Decades later, private citizen Michael Bishop stumbled upon a secret file related to the case and, with the help of forensic experts, uncovered the truth. Bishop's book A Murder in Music City: Corruption, Scandal, and the Framing of an Innocent Man tells the story of the investigation, how he determined that Tech alumnus John Randolph Clarke was innocent, and who actually murdered Herring.
Vicki Bennett, '74 medical technology, recently published a book titled Ghosts of the Cove. Set primarily in one of the most visited areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ghosts of the Cove takes readers from the turmoil of the Civil War to present-day East Tennessee, while providing a glimpse of a unique pioneer community and the people who settled there.
What professor changed your world?
George Holmes, '71 industrial technology, remembers three professors who changed his world.
"Bill Lewis, Chairman of the Department of Industrial Technology, was the nicest and most supportive of any instructor I had at Tech. What a fine gentleman.
J.B. Clark left an impression that I shall never forget. Really made the college experience unique. I doubt I can add any new stories not already told about him, but I know all the ones I have heard are true. One does not need to exaggerate when describing Dr. Clark.
Mr. Joe Floyd changed my life in that the things I learned from his woodworking class stayed with me and allowed me to do several woodworking projects at home through the years. Really useful stuff!"
READ PREVIOUS "WORLD-CHANGING" PROFESSOR STORIES
1958 recording of Tech Hymn now available online
So many of you loved Ken Cooper's story about the Parthenon Record Company and 1958 recording of the Tech Hymn! We are pleased to share that we have digitized the recording, and it's available online if you wish to hear what the 1958 performance sounded like. Click the link below to check it out.
University Archivist Megan Atkinson is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible materials of historical significance to the University and the Upper Cumberland. Follow Archives and Special Collections on Facebook, email Megan's office with questions, and watch for more "Archives with Atkinson" in future editions of The Alumnus.
Listen to the 1958 recording of the Tech Hymn
Do you want to give back to Tech but aren't in a place financially to do so? Have you ever thought about partnering with your place of employment and the Center for Career Development to help current students become career-ready and find employment after graduation? In this month's Career Corner, Center for Career Development Director Russ Coughenour explains how you and your employer can give back by providing internships and advertising jobs. The result? New talent for your organization and opportunities for Tech students!
Do you have a question about resume writing, interviewing, or career planning? Email Russ, and you might just see your question answered in a future edition of "Career Corner"!
James Peterman received the IEEE-USA Jim Watson Student Professional Awareness Achievement Award for his sustained leadership and active contribution to the IEEE Student Professional Awareness Program and student activities. James received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1983 and a Master of Science Degree in 1985. Read the full article here.
Sarah Davis-Candeto, '83 marketing, was elected as International Vice President of Alpha Delta Pi. Sarah served her Tech chapter as president, secretary, panhellenic delegate, and recruitment counselor.
Uthman Mohamed Ali, '17 civil engineering, is Illinois Center for Transportation's (ICT) new research engineer and is leading the new Industry Affiliates initiative for ICT.
Amanda Prentice, '11 child and family studies, was crowned Mrs. Tennessee Galaxy 2019 and will compete for Mrs. Galaxy in Orlando, FL. Read the full article here.
Shannen Stewart, '09 communications, received a 2019 Nashville Emerging Leader Award. She is the founder of Heels & Handshakes, a private networking group that gives women access to business leads, job opportunities, and connections with other successful women in the event industry. Read the full article.
Gail Vaughn Ashworth, a founding member of Wiseman Ashworth Law Group, was recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2020. Gail graduated from Tech in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and in 1979 with a Master of Arts in Special Education.
Phaneendra Kondapi, interim assistant dean and founding director for engineering programs at the University of Houston at Katy and a professor with UH's subsea engineering program, will receive the Society of Petroleum Engineers' Projects, Facilities and Construction Award. Phaneendra received a Ph.D. in Engineering from Tech in 2000. Read the full article here.
Email us your promotions, awards, and other achievements, and we'll share in the next edition of The Alumnus!
Political science professor Michael Gunter recently established the Judy and Michael Gunter initiative to assist political science majors and to honor Judy Gunter who passed away in May of 2019. Judy's love and support as a homemaker enabled her husband to pursue his successful career of teaching, publishing, and public speaking.
Bookstore sale: 25% off Champion brand this week
August
25% off Champion Brand Aug 26 - 30
September
25% off Women's Sep 2 - 6
20% off Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas Sep. 9 - 13
25% off Redshirt Brand Sep 23 - 27
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