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June 2024
Tennessee Tech hosts alumnus, trustee Butch Wilmore for video chat from the International Space Station
Tennessee Tech hosted a video chat on June 11 with a notable alumnus that was out of this world -- literally. Two-time Tech graduate, trustee and NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore appeared live from the International Space Station for a question-and-answer session with children of Tech faculty and staff.
Wearing Tech's signature purple and gold colors, Wilmore kicked off the event by joking that he had declared it "Tennessee Tech Day" at the International Space Station. He went on to answer questions ranging from "Where does space begin?" to "What does space food taste like?" and "How do you sleep in space?"
Wilmore is part of the historic two-person crew for the Boeing Starliner's maiden manned voyage which launched on June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
READ TTU SPORTS ARTICLE about wilmore's return to space
Class of 2009 and prior Tennessee Tech alumni visit outer space
If you graduated from Tennessee Tech in spring 2009 or prior, did you know you have been to space? Well, your name has!
When Tech trustee, alumnus and NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore experienced his first spaceflight in November 2009 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, he took a flash drive containing the names of all Tech alumni with him. So, be sure to brag to your friends that you have been to space!
Note: Only names were on the flash drive, and it was returned to Tech's Crawford Alumni Center upon Barry's return. No personal information was ever at risk, nor is it floating around in space somewhere -- cyber or otherwise!
Tennessee Tech named among top graduate schools in the country
Tennessee Tech University's College of Graduate Studies has been named among the top 250 graduate schools in the nation according to Abound, a college guidance system for degree-seeking adults.
Abound's 2024 rankings also named Tech among the top graduate schools in Tennessee and the top public graduate schools in the nation. The recognition comes as the state recently expanded the HOPE Lottery scholarship to include eligibility for the first year of graduate studies.
Tech offers more than 60 graduate programs and concentrations, including recent additions such as its online Master of Arts in Learning, Design and Technology and plans for a new Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering beginning in spring 2025, pending Tennessee Higher Education Commission approval.
The College of Graduate Studies' application deadline for fall 2024 is July 1.
To know her was to love her: Remembering Dr. Rose Leigh Vines
Dr. Rose Leigh Vines had a zest for life and took advantage of every opportunity to
engage with the world around her. She loved academia, philanthropy and people and
found ways to combine all three through a successful career as a professor of biological
sciences.
In retirement, she had more time to pursue her passion for travel. In fact, Vines was the very first person to sign up for Tennessee Tech's Golden Eagle Travel program, which officially launched in 2022.
Vines joined family, friends and fellow Tech alumni on trips to Utah in summer 2022 and South Dakota in summer 2023.
Vines passed away on Aug. 21, 2023, but she is remembered for her impressive career, love of friends and family and passion for travel.
Read more in the 2024 edition of Gratitude magazine, linked below.
History alumna establishes travel endowment as thank-you to Tennessee Tech's history faculty
Rebekah Tidwell Fisher (`98 history) says her Tennessee Tech degree prepared her for law school and gave her the skills needed to open her own commercial real estate law firm, Rebekah Fisher and Associates, PLLC. As a thank you to the department and the faculty who prepared her for success, Fisher established the Rebekah Tidwell Fisher History Faculty Appreciation Endowment.
"I was so well-prepared for law school because of the rigor of the reading and writing curriculum within Tech's history department," Fisher said. "That's exactly what law school is: reading, analyzing, writing and explaining. And I use those skills in my job every day."
Fisher says she had many fantastic professors at Tech, but three history faculty stand out as the reason for her endowment: Dr. Peter Field, Dr. Jeff Roberts and Dr. Kriste Lindenmeyer.
Read the full story in the 2024 edition of Gratitude magazine, linked below.
Faculty and staff share why they are True To Tech
Tennessee Tech alumni frequently recall university faculty and staff who made a difference in their lives. Whether it's a professor who delivers an inspiring lecture, an administrative associate who secures a registration permit for a popular class or an advisor who ensures timely graduation, Tech's employees are dedicated to student success.
And a large percentage of Tech's faculty and staff are members of True To Tech, a giving society that recognizes donors who make a gift to Tech every year.
In the latest edition of Gratitude magazine, Dr. Brian O'Connor, associate professor of mathematics; Gina Padgett, coordinator for the Office of Enrollment Management and Communications; Whitson-Hester School of Nursing Dean Kim Hanna and Tawnya Robinson-Moss, administrative associate for the School of Agriculture, share why they give to Tech.
Read more in the 2024 edition of Gratitude magazine, linked below.
Tennessee Tech alumni and friends cheer on Atlanta Braves at Alumni Association event
The Tennessee Tech Alumni Association hosted an event at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., this month. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event and Atlanta Braves game. We enjoyed meeting all of you and cheering the Braves on to a win!
We hope you'll make plans to join us at an alumni event on campus or in your area soon. Visit the link below to view a list of upcoming events.
Join the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association for cupcake decorating at The Cakery July 23
Do you want to strengthen your cupcake decorating skills? If so, this class is for you!
The Tennessee Tech Alumni Association is partnering with local bakery The Cakery for a fun cupcake decorating class. We will practice a variety of piping skills and decorating techniques. Each guest will leave with six personally decorated cupcakes!
No experience required. While you are welcome to bring guests, we ask that all registrants be at least 15 years old. The class is $40 per person which includes six prebaked cupcakes, frosting, supplies to use in decorating, box for transporting and instruction by The Cakery's Laura Bond. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible via the link below!
Tennessee Tech Alumni Association to host event at Tech vs. MTSU game August 31
On August 31, Tennessee Tech will open its 2024 football season in Murfreesboro when the Golden Eagles take on the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders.
Join the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association at a pre-game gathering for alumni, friends and fans! The event will be held on MTSU's campus before the 6 p.m. football game and will include a catered meal and optional game ticket. Whether you plan to attend the game or just live in the Murfreesboro area and want to meet fellow alumni, we hope you'll join us.
Register now via the link below.
Tennessee Tech Alumni Association to host event at Tech vs. Georgia game Sept. 7
Your Golden Eagle football team will take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 7 in Athens! The Tennessee Tech Alumni Association is hosting a pre-game event for alumni, donors, friends and fans. We offer charter bus travel, hotel, event and game tickets, and you can sign up for the options that works best for you.
Click the link below to learn more about the alumni event, bus and hotel options. If you need ONLY tickets to the Tech vs. Georgia game, call the Tech Ticket Office at 931-372-3940 M-F 8-4:30.
The deadline to register for the bus and hotel option is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28. Space is limited so register as soon as possible!
Where is the strangest place you've run into a Tech alum?
On the June 2022 alumni trip to Utah, we had not one but TWO small world moments. At a scenic overlook in Canyonlands, one alumni traveler noticed that the car parked next to our tour bus had a Tennessee license plate. He mentioned to the driver that our group was from Tech. Turns out, she was a Class of 2022 alum! She had just graduated and was on a road trip out west before starting a teaching job in the fall. A few days later, as Crawford Alumni Center travel hosts Kathleen Lordo and Kelly Chambers led alumni through Arches National Park, they passed a local tour guide who noticed Kathleen's shirt and shouted, "Tennessee Tech! I went to Tech!" It was Ellen Amuso (`84 elementary education) who works as a tour guide in Moab, Utah.
Email your stories to alumni@tntech.edu. We'll enter everyone who submits a story into a drawing for Tech travel SWAG! And if you run into a Tech alum while traveling this summer, we hope you'll snap a photo and share it with us.
Join fellow Tennessee Tech alumni in Cuba February 2025
Tennessee Tech's Crawford Alumni Center has partnered with group travel company Premier World Discovery to offer a trip to Cuba for alumni and friends!
Located 90 miles off the coast of Key West, Cuba is once again accessible to American travelers. Highlights include Vinales Valley, the Museum of the Revolution, an Old Havana walking tour, cigar factor tour, Havana Club Rum Museum, Hemingway's farm, Nacional Hotel Tour, Pinar Del Rio and more.
Click the link below to learn more or sign up using web code 182722.
Join fellow Tennessee Tech alumni in Cape Cod Summer 2025
Numerous Tech alumni have requested that we include Cape Cod in our Golden Eagle Travel schedule, and we are excited to announce that we'll be going there next summer!
We'll spend one night in Boston and five nights on Cape Cod to experience its beauty and history. Tour highlights include a Boston city tour, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Plymouth Rock, Provincetown, Newport Breakers mansion, New England lobster dinner and more.
Click the link below to learn more or sign up using web code 183108.
All-OVC and All-America Golden Eagle football alum Wayne Anderson gives back to Tennessee Tech Football
Wayne Anderson (`83 health education) says his experience playing football at Tennessee Tech will always be a part of him, and he hopes to always be a part of Tech football. That's why Anderson chose to give back to the program that provided so many fond memories, experiences and opportunities.
Anderson was the premier kicker in the Ohio Valley Conference from 1977 to 1980, earning three all-OVC honors and an All-America selection his senior year. He led Tech in scoring all four seasons compiling 180 points, and he ranked third all-time in scoring when his career finished. Anderson also received the Robert Hill Johnson Award, which is Tech's highest honor for a football player, and was inducted into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
Thanks to his experience as both a player and later as a volunteer coach, Anderson knows the many expenses that come with running a football program.
"Incidental expenses add up," Anderson said. "If I can throw my support their way, hopefully other alumni who played for Tech can do the same thing."
Alumni invited to participate in monthly Tech Trivia question
Last month we asked the following trivia question:
What was the original name of the building we know today as Oakley Hall? (Hint: It's also been known as the Student Union, Library Annex and South Hall, but it had another name to begin with.)
The answer was the Home Economics Building. Thank you to Tennessee Tech's School of Agriculture for inspiring this question with their National Retro Day social media post. And congratulations to Gwenette Gaddis (`94 M.A. English) who won the trivia prize!
The building we know today as Oakley Hall was built in 1931 as the Home Economics Building. Under President Everett Derryberry's leadership, two wings were added in 1954, transforming it into Tech's first official Student Union which housed student activity offices, the cafeteria, bookstore, lounge areas, post office and Home Economics Department. In 1971, the new University Center (today known as Roaden University Center) was completed, so the Student Union became the Library Annex and held overflow library materials from the Jere Whitson Memorial Library. Thanks to the completion of the Volpe Library in 1989, the annex was no longer needed and, in the mid-1990s, became known as South Hall. In 2015, the building was formally named and dedicated Oakley Hall in honor of Millard and J. J. Oakley. Today, Oakley Hall houses the Schools of Agriculture and Human Ecology and Department of Foreign Languages.
And now for this month's question:
Beginning in 1960, whenever Tech played Middle Tennessee State University, an Alaskan
totem pole called Shinny-Ninny was presented to the winner. In 1998, MTSU moved to
a different athletic division, so the rivalry ended. Where did the name Shinny-Ninny
come from?
Monthly trivia questions in The Alumnus are designed to test your knowledge of all things Tech! If you know the answer, email alumni@tntech.edu. We'll randomly select one of the correct answers to win some Tech SWAG! And if you have an idea for a trivia question, send it to us! You may see it in a future edition of The Alumnus.
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Summer "Break" in the Tech Archives
It is officially summer, and Tennessee Tech Archives would like to share some updates on our summer projects! Students may be on vacation, but the work in Tech Archives does not slow down for summer break!
This last year, Tech Archives' staff members were temporarily relocated while the archives workroom and reading room were renovated. The renovations, generously funded by Tech alumni Scott and Mary Alice Edwards, sought to give the reading room a sophistication worthy of Tech's collections and create a better learning environment for students in the archives. We will have an open house for the Week of Welcome in August to show students and the public the new facility.
Photo top left: Tech Archives' updated workroom and reading room
University Archivist Megan Atkinson and the University Archives staff are 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 their office with questions and watch for more "Archives with Atkinson" in future editions of The Alumnus.
James "Jim" Horace Geer
James "Jim" Horace Geer passed away on May 22, at his home in Parkland, Fla., where he lived with the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Kathleen "Kathy" (Huffman) Geer.
Jim was born in Sparta, Tenn. in 1939 and graduated from White County High School. He graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance. He was very involved in class government and was student body president.
Jim received his commission in November 1961 in the U.S. Army through Tech's ROTC program and, following graduation, served as a 2nd Lieutenant. He worked for a short time at the Commerce Union Bank in Nashville until the Army assigned him to Fort Bragg. During his time at Fort Bragg, he met several FBI agents who suggested he consider a career with the FBI and it was there he found his passion. Jim joined the FBI in May 1964 and served in various roles, retiring from the FBI in November 1989 as Assistant Director of Foreign Counterintelligence. Jim joined the DuPont Company in December 1989 as Director of Corporate Security for the company's worldwide operations and held that position until his retirement in 2000.
On May 5, 1986, the mayor of Sparta proclaimed Jim "A Most Illustrious Citizen of Sparta, Tennessee" and "Jimmy Geer Day" was celebrated at WCHS. He also received the Louis Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award from Tech's College of Business. For his service in the FBI, Jim received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Award of the FBI Executive Service.
To make a gift in Jim's memory, mail checks made payable to the TTU Foundation to TTU, Box 1915, Cookeville, TN 38505 or give online.
Thomas L. Moran
Thomas Moran passed away on April 28.
Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service, he pursued higher education at Tennessee Tech, graduating in 1958 with a degree in physics. He served as Tech's very first alumni director from 1965 to 1968 and was honored in 2021 as the Grand Marshal of the Homecoming parade.
Throughout his lifetime, Tom had a diverse career path, working as a sales engineer, fire inspector, funeral director and notary.
Tom often liked to tell the story of his "five minutes of fame" when he and fellow alumni Roy Loudermilk and Lewis Brown drove to the Monteagle Hotel in Monteagle, Tenn., removed the eagle from its post in front of the burned and abandoned hotel and brought it home to Tech.
Read more about Tom's legacy in the following articles: "Tennessee Tech's first alumni director to serve as grand marshal of homecoming parade" and "In his own words: Tom Moran and the great eagle heist of 1952."
Gifts can be made in Tom's memory to the Crawford Alumni Center by mailing checks made payable to the TTU Foundation to TTU, Box 1915, Cookeville, TN 38505 or online.
Thomas Henry Neal, Jr.
Thomas Henry Neal, Jr. passed away on June 1.
He was born in 1931 in Gallatin, Tenn. He attended Howard School and Gallatin High School. Tom graduated from Tennessee Tech and later obtained an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After fulfilling his commitment to the U.S. Army, he was honorably discharged as a Captain while stationed in Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.
His work in textile and shoe manufacturing took his family many places over the years, including various towns in Wisconsin, Kansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. He and his wife Betty retired to their small farm in Castalian Springs and later moved to Gallatin.
Tom and Betty were active in their community. Most recently, Tom served on the Sumner County Highway Commission, the Board of the Friends of the Gallatin Public Library, the Board of the Gallatin Economic Development Agency, the Tennessee Tech College of Business Advisory Board, the Volunteer State Community College Foundation Board of Trustees and various church committees. In 2018, Tom and Betty received the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for their work in making lasting contributions to Tennessee's colleges and universities.
To make a gift in Tom's memory, mail checks made payable to the TTU Foundation to TTU, Box 1915, Cookeville, TN 38505 or give online. Indicate that you wish to give to the Tom and Betty Neal Scholarship.
Davis Watts
Davis Watts passed away on June 18.
Davis graduated from Jackson County High School in 1964 and received a degree in agriculture from Tennessee Tech in 1969. His first job after college was as a United States Department of Agriculture food processing plant inspector in Columbus, Ohio, and West Tennessee.
In 1973, Davis returned to Cookeville and began his banking career at First National Bank. He graduated from the Vanderbilt Banking school in 1975 and the Louisiana State University Banking School in 1982. He retired in November 2017 from First Tennessee Bank as a Senior Vice President.
A dedicated supporter of Tennessee Tech, Davis was an Alpha Gamma Sigma National Ag Fraternity member and served as National President. In 2016, he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the College of Agriculture & Human Ecology. He also served on the College of Business Advisory Board and the Athletic Foundation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James Davis and Lou Ann Boyd Watts Scholarship at Tennessee Tech, Box 1915, Cookeville, TN 38505. Make checks made payable to the TTU Foundation or give online. Indicate the name of the scholarship in the field provided.
VISIT FRIENDS REMEMBERED webpage FOR FULL OBITUARIES
Dr. Janey Camp (`02 civil engineering and `04 M.S.) has been nominated to serve on the National Institute of Building Sciences Lifelines Advisory Panel. Dr. Camp currently serves as the Associate Director of Adaptation and Resilience for the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER).
Brandyn Crum ('21 chemical engineering) accepted a position as a Starship Terminal Hardware Engineer at SpaceX.
Addison Dorris ('24 business management and marketing) accepted a position as a Field Human Resources Coordinator at Dollar General.
Zachary Childress (`24 chemical engineering) was named Product Design Engineer at Fluid Routing Solutions in Lexington, Tenn.
Dr. Milad Rabbani Esfahini (`15 Ph.D. engineering) won the University of Alabama College of Engineering's annual Faculty Excellence in Professional Service Award.
Bethany Jones (`22 interdisciplinary studies) was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's largest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
Master Sgt. Jeremy Martin (`97 music education) recently completed a music composition to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6. The composition, titled "Normandy, 1944" was performed live on May 22. Master Sgt. Martin has been with the United States Air Force Bands since 2000.
Amber McNeeley (`22 biology) recently published a book titled Faith Over Fear. She is a traveling urgent care clinical technician, and her book gives a behind the scenes look at what it's like to be in the back of an ambulance.
Soraya Cates Parr (`81 plant and soil science) is the author of Nashville Native Orchids: Astonishing Science and Mysterious Folklore. Published by Vanderbilt University Press, the book features the science, ecology and personalized folk stories of commonly-found native orchids in Middle Tennessee.
Dr. Trisha Pinckney (`04 mechanical engineering) was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who for her expertise in management consulting services. Individuals are selected based on position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in their field. Dr. Pinckney has held the position of President at Dantli Corporation since 2006.
Dr. Alexis Pope ('04 elementary education and '08 M.A.) is the new Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Nashville State Community College. He previously served as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Augusta University and Director of Admissions for Tennessee Tech.
Trent Smith (`08 human ecology) leads a multidisciplinary design firm called Modern Out West in Salt Lake City, Utah, which specializes in architecture, interior design and furniture design.
Jim Stonecipher ('93 chemical engineering) was featured in a Tennessee Tech Career Stories article about a rewarding career in CHE that led to his current role as the chief operating officer of battery innovator ADVANO.
Spencer Tidwell ('11 chemical engineering) was featured in an article titled "'Chunk,' 'nerds' and densifiers -- Eastman's molecular recycling explained."
Jennifer Toney ('22 chemical engineering) started a new position as a chemical process engineer at BAE Systems.
Cookeville Lifestyle magazine recently announced its 2024 Class of Movers & Shakers. These individuals, all under 40, are a who's who of community leaders and entrepreneurs. And seven members of the 2024 class are alumni: Emily Bochette (`12 biology), Jamhile Eckert (`13 foreign language), Katy Farley (`16 business management), Ashley Martin (`08 agriculture), Elizabeth Sofia (`18 M.P.S. professional studies and `21 Ed.S.), Justin Vann (`13 mathematics) and Rachel Vann (`12 exercise science, physical education and wellness).
Photo top left: Spencer Tidwell (`11 chemical engineering), a chemical engineer for Eastman Chemical Company, stands in front of "chunk" waste plastic purged from a mechanical recycling facility at Eastman's mixed plastics processing facility in Kingsport, Tenn. (Photo: WJHL-TV)
We love hearing about the successes of Tennessee Tech alumni. Email us your promotions, awards and other achievements, and we'll share in the next edition of The Alumnus!
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