Fifteen Incoming Freshmen Named as UT’s 2012 Class of Haslam Scholars

KNOXVILLE—This fall, fifteen high school seniors will enter the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as the 2012 class of Haslam Scholars, the university’s premier, four-year scholarship program. The group includes the program’s first male scholar-athlete, swimmer Ben Miller, and Franco D’Aprile, the sibling of a current Haslam Scholar.

The program admits up to fifteen first-year students each year from the university-wide Chancellor’s Honors Program and supports them with the university’s most generous named scholarships.

“This year’s class of Haslam Scholars, like those who preceded them, are a high-powered group of scholar-leaders. Our expectations for them as a group is as high as the scholars’ expectations for themselves individually,” said Steven P. Dandaneau, associate provost and director of the Chancellor’s Honors and Haslam Scholars programs. “They have been a joy to recruit. We anticipate four years of achievement, innovation, and excitement from this group.”

The Haslam Scholars selection process begins with nominations of high school seniors. From the nominees, sixty are selected and offered interviews. Of those interviewed, thirty are invited to campus for an interview weekend in early March. Selection criteria include scholastic achievement, leadership potential, special talents, maturity, and seriousness of purpose.

Haslam Scholars will be part of an intimate academic and leadership group mentored by top faculty. Program benefits include a $1,500 laptop computer and a study-abroad experience valued at $4,000, as well as up to $5,500 to support students’ honors thesis research and travel to present their work. In addition, each Haslam Scholar will receive a scholarship package that totals $17,300.

The first class of Haslam Scholars is graduating next week.

The new Haslam Scholars are:

Summer Awad—From Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Awad plans to major in languages and religious studies. Already learning Arabic, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese, she looks forward to studying comparative religion and imagines a career in international and intercultural affairs. Chris Barnes—From Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Barnes plans to major in biological sciences. In high school, he has enrolled in thirteen AP courses and is a swimmer. He is also an alumnus of the Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering. Barnes’s father is Craig Barnes, professor of inorganic chemistry at UT. Benjamin Brock—From Jefferson County High School in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Brock plans to major in computer science. He currently serves as captain/co-captain of the Scholars’ Bowl and debate team and is a member the Math and Science Bowl teams and German National Honor Society. Franco D’Aprile—Hailing from Martin, Tennessee, and Santiago, Chile, D’Aprile is a graduate of Westview High School. With plans to major in geology and environmental studies, he hopes to combine study of natural and social sciences and wants to pursue an international career, perhaps with the United Nations. His sister, Marianela D’Aprile, is a member of the 2010 class of Haslam Scholars and is in UT’s architecture program. Sharvari Desai—From White Station High School in Germantown, Tennessee, Desai plans to major in computer science. She is involved in dance, literature, mathematics competitions, piano, Model United Nations, student council, and a badminton club. Sarah Hagaman—From Franklin High School, Hagaman plans to major in classics. She is the founder of a National Honor Society chapter at her school, president of the National English Honors Society, captains the varsity basketball team, and contributes to the Franklin High Literary Arts Magazine. Macy Harrison—From Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas, Harrison plans to major in sociology or social work. She is interested in human society and problem solving, and she wants to pursue a career in global public policy. Craig Jones—From Franklin High School, Jones plans to major in global studies. He is involved as student body vice president and editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. He envisions a career in international development. Ben Miller—From Middle Creek High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Miller has yet to decide upon a major but is a member of the UT Vols swimming and diving team. His interests range from culture to natural science and Spanish. Grayson Mynatt—From Christian Academy of Knoxville, Mynatt plans to major in biological sciences. In addition to his pre-medical studies, he will study French. He regularly plays violin at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Andrea Richardson—From White Station High School in Memphis, Richardson plans to major in biomedical engineering. She participated in the 2010 and 2011 Carnegie Mellon University Summer Academy for Math and Science. She is also a vocalist and enjoys learning Spanish. Katie Lou Rogers—From Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee, Rogers plans to major in biomedical engineering. She would like to earn a doctorate, pursue research, and someday found her own school. Sahba Seddighi—From Farragut High School, Seddighi plans to study biological sciences and pursue a career in neuroscience or neurology. She has studied nuclear science at Michigan State University and is currently a research intern in virology/immunology at UT. Seddighi’s father is Reza Seddighi, assistant professor of anesthesiology at UT. Elizabeth Stanfield—From South Side High School in Jackson, Tennessee, Stanfield is undecided about her major. She is a pianist, track team captain, Beta Club president, and former student body president. She has worked with Habitat for Humanity for three years. Tor Voorhees—From Bearden High School, Voorhees plans to major in engineering but is undecided about which specialty. He has served as a research intern in UT’s Department of Animal Science.

The program was created three years ago with $2.5 million from Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Jimmy Haslam is president and CEO of Pilot Flying J. Dee Haslam is CEO of RIVR Media. The Haslams were co-chairs the Campaign for Tennessee for the Knoxville campus.

Jim and Natalie Haslam contributed an additional $2.5 million to support the program. Jim Haslam is founder of Pilot Corp. Jim and Natalie Haslam were two of the chairpersons for the systemwide Campaign for Tennessee.

For more information about the Haslam Scholars Program, visit the website.

Monday morning, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero met with Knox County Health Department Director Dr. Martha Buchanan, Knoxville Emergency Management Agency Director Alan Lawson and Knoxville Fire Chief Stan Sharp to discuss the status of the mulch fire burning near downtown.

Based on Knox County Air Quality data, Monday has been designated as an Orange Alert air quality day in Knoxville and Knox County. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion: people with heart or lung disease, and children and older adults. Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.

Members of the public who live or work in the area should remain inside with windows and doors shut, according to Dr. Buchanan. According to Knoxville Fire Department Captain D.J. Corcoran, it is okay to leave your air conditioning running. If possible, he says, it is ideal to turn your outside air intake off and switch your AC unit to re-circulating mode. Health officials say air conditioning units will help filter the air inside your home. Any citizen without air conditioning may go the Red Cross Chapter House at 6921 Middlebrook Pike.

Mayor Burchett has contacted Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Robert Martineau’s office to request additional temporary air quality monitoring and testing stations.

“The health and well being of our citizens is the most important thing in this situation, and I’ve instructed my staff to do everything they can to ensure that public safety is not compromised,” Mayor Burchett said.

“We are working with several agencies to ensure the safety of all our citizens,” said Mayor Rogero. “And we will continue to monitor the progress being made.”

The Knox County Schools have consulted with the health department and appropriate precautions have been taken at schools that are near Shamrock Organics. The school system will continue to monitor the situation closely and make adjustments as needed.

Mayor Burchett and Mayor Rogero will continue to receive updates on the situation from the health department, KEMA, KFD and other departments dealing with the various aspects of the mulch fire.

 

Founded in 2007 by Edward Mannis and Bart Watkins, Art in Public Places Knoxville began as a dream between two friends who were also Board Members of Dogwood Arts.  Both men are avid appreciators and collectors of art. Through their travels they had seen impressive public art work exhibited in cities throughout the country and recognized its transformative power to express the soul of a city, enliven the streetscape, and contribute to civic pride. They also believed that large-scale, outdoor art work helped identify a place as an arts destination, thus supporting the entire creative culture of that city. So, why not Knoxville?

Today, no matter whether you are one of the 2.5 million residents and visitors passing through the McGhee Tyson Airport, or the 13 million that LIVE, WORK, and PLAY in downtown Knoxville throughout the year, your path will be graced by masterful sculptures by contemporary artists showing in Dogwood Arts’ featured exhibition, Art In Public Places Knoxville. The exhibition presently on view, an interesting and inspirational collection of works by sculptors from the Southeast region and from across the nation, was selected and awarded by internationally acclaimed sculptor, John Henry.

Where: Downtown Knoxville and McGhee Tyson Airport
When: April 6, 2012-March 8, 2013
How Much: Free
Opening Reception: Friday, April 6, 5:00 – 9:00 pm at Nouveau Classics [128 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902]
Award Ceremony: Friday, April 6, 5:30 pm

We are honored to announce noted performance sculptor and curator, Allen Peterson, presently at SCAD-Atlanta, as the Juror for the 2012-2013 exhibition!  Allen Peterson’s work spans the disciplines of sculpture, performance, printmaking and public art, united by themes of the systems and interconnections at play all around us. Having curatorial expertise in a bevy of acclaimed academic sculptural exhibitions in Universities around the Southern United States, Peterson has also exhibited extensively in galleries, universities and museums across the country. He enjoys working collaboratively with a wide variety of artists in various performance works, including sculptors, dancers, choreographers, theatre directors, set designers, video artists, composers, musicians, pyrotechnics experts, his students and his mentors. Peterson received awards for excellence in art from the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Master’s of Fine Arts, and from Birmingham-Southern College where he earned his B.F.A. in 1994. He has been awarded Juror’s Awards in various juried shows at venues such as the Magic City Art Connection in Birmingham, AL, in 2001, and the Alternative Arts Alliance of Denver, CO, in 1994.

To purchase a sculpture, please call [865] 637.4561.

Yesterday, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society selected Knoxville to host the 2014 Medal of Honor Convention. Today, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett released the following statement:

“I am very excited about this opportunity and I think the selection committee made an excellent choice to hold the 2014 Medal of Honor Convention in Knoxville. This will mean a great deal to our city and all of Knox County, and I am proud of my staff and others who worked so hard to get to this point. The Congressional Medal of Honor is a unique and very prestigious award that is only given to those who have truly earned it by putting their country before themselves.

“Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.’ I look forward to the opportunity to stand with the citizens of Knox County as we honor those who stood up for this country.

“My father, a Marine, fought in the Pacific, and saw some of the fiercest combat of World War II on the islands of Okinawa and Peliliu. The stories he told me of his fellow Marines’ quiet courage still give me strength, even now, several years after his death.

“I want to especially recognize the hard work of Joe Thompson of Morgan Keegan and the rest of the local steering committee members who helped organize a successful effort to bring the Medal of Honor Convention to Knox County.”

 

Knoxville's only open-air ice rink opens November 25 at 10:00 a.m. in Downtown Knoxville at Market Square. Rink is open everyday, rain or shine thru Jan. 8 except for Christmas Day.

Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 years and younger.

Knoxville's Holidays on Ice is located in the heart of downtown Knoxville in Historical Market Square.

WEEKLY NIGHTLY SCHEDULE:

Monday: Skate with the Knoxville Ice Bears and Chilly
Tuesday:B97.5 Family Night every other night (next night 12-21)
Wednesday: Bring canned food, non perishable items, or toy for a donation and receive $2.00 off admission
Thursday: Come see Patch the Penguin, the mascot of Knoxville's Holidays on Ice
Friday & Saturday: Skate to disco lights and DJ music provided by Knox Vegas DJ
Sunday: Family Day

On Thursday, His Holiness Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj conveyed blessings and met with Mayor Brown to share his message of Universal Integration and Peace.

He presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mayor Brown for his "outstanding and dedicated community service and for exceptional efforts in promoting human values, peace and harmony."

H.H. is a Universal Yogi and a Spiritual Humanist from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India and is currently visiting Knoxville on his 11th visit to the U.S.A.

He has travelled across the country touching all the major cities and states on a journey to foster unity while meeting with people from all sections of society.

He has spoken to students at the University of Tennessee as well as meeting with serveral religious organizations.

"We all belong to only one family," Maharaj said. "Whatever the religion may be, whatever the race may be, whatever the nation may be, whatever the language may be, we are all human beings and we are all human family."

Colonel Steven J. Mead, Commander of the Tennessee State Guard’s 3rd Regiment (Knoxville, TN) was
promoted by Brigadier General Kenneth Takasaki, TNSG Commanding General, in a ceremony conducted at the
State Guard headquarters in Nashville on July 16, 2011.   

The Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) is a component of the Military Department of Tennessee.  The TNSG
mission is to provide a professional complement of military personnel to support the State mission of the
Tennessee National Guard, as a force multiplier, and at the direction of the Adjutant General, under orders from
the Governor, to assist civil authorities with disaster relief, humanitarian causes, ceremonial service, religious
and medical support for the well‐being and safety of the citizenry of Tennessee.

The 3rd Regiment is responsible for 24 counties in northeast Tennessee.

In addition to his duties as commander of the 3rd Regiment, Colonel Mead is a Senior Technical Staff
Engineer at the Y‐12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and was elected to the Anderson County
Commission in 2010.  He retired from the US Navy (Submarine Force) in 1987 having honorably served a total of
211⁄2 years on active duty in both the enlisted and officer ranks.  Colonel Mead has completed 7 years of service
with the Tennessee State Guard.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Monday announced his appointment of Brian Bills as Chairman of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. His term began July 1.

“I’m pleased that Brian has agreed to serve the Tennessee Housing Development Agency in this capacity,” Haslam said. “His years of management and business experience made him the best choice to fill this position, and he will serve Tennesseans well in this new role”.

With more than 17 years experience in management and business, Bills most recently served as Regional Line of Business Manager, Senior Vice President for SunTrust Mortgage in Knoxville.

“It has been my great pleasure to serve on the THDA Board for the past two years. I am very proud to be associated with such a mission driven, successful and professional organization,” Bills said. “The appointment to chair the THDA Board from Governor Haslam is an honor and a service opportunity that I am thankful for and one I am very excited about.  I am confident that the agency will continue its great work with the support of the entire board taking on and meeting the housing needs of many Tennesseans.”

Established in 1973 by the General Assembly, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) was created to promote the production of more affordable new housing units for very low, low and moderate income individuals and families in the state, to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units for such persons, and bring greater stability to the residential construction industry and related industries so as to assure a steady flow or production of new housing units.

Bills is a Michigan native who has made his home in Tennessee in 1979. He is active in several professional community organizations including the First Book of Knoxville and the SunTrust of Eastern Tennessee Diversity Council.

Bills holds a B.A. in Management from Maryville College.

BRISTOL, Conn. - Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley returns to the ESPN Studios on Monday for what the Worldwide Leader in Sports calls the 'Car Wash.' Dooley will take part in nearly a dozen ESPN shows on TV and radio as well as appearances on digital platforms.

Dooley has a busy slate of events in Bristol, Conn. The schedule is subject to change. Assistant A.D. for Media Relations Jason Yellin will be in Bristol with coach and will provide updates and photos throughout the day via Twitter @Vol_Football.

Here are some of the highlights and tentative times.

Dooley will have a live ESPN.com Chat session with fans between 2-2:30 p.m.

At 3:20 p.m., Dooley will be a live guest on SportsCenter, airing on ESPNEWS.

Between 3:30-4 p.m., College Football Live airs on ESPN, which will include a segment with Dooley.

Also between 3:30-4 p.m., Dooley will take part in a Twitter chat, questions can be sent @SportsCenter and the chat can viewed live on Twitter.com/SportsCenter.

 

Other segments that have not be set in terms of airtime include appearances on: ESPNU, ESPN RISE, ESPN GameDay Radio, ESPN Radio SportsCenter and ESPN.com Page 2 as well as social and digital media sessions involving Facebook.com.ESPN, YouTube.com/ESPN and Twitter.com/ESPN.

 

Again, for the latest updates on air times, Tennessee's Jason Yellin will post on Twitter @Vol_Football.

TN Achieves - a program which provides opportunities for public high school graduates in Knoxville and Knox County to attend community college free of tuition or fees - is seeking mentors to work with its latest class of students.

The privately-funded program gives students a chance to go to community college for two years by providing funding to fill the gap between any financial aid they are receiving and the total cost of tuition.

Each scholarship recipient is paired with a volunteer mentor from the community who can help them overcome the barriers associated with post-secondary education. The mentoring element is what sets tnAchieves apart from other college access programs as mentors provide encouragement and guidance to these students making the transition from high school to college.

Mentors generally spend 10-12 hours annually working with students and it's a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a young person's life. Mentors are required to attend a single, two-hour-long training session in September.

The program was established in Knox County as KnoxAchieves in 2008 and has since expanded to a number of other East Tennessee counties.

If you have questions or would like more information please contact Krissy DeAlejandro at 865-218-4093 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Graham Thomas at 865-218-4287 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please go to www.tnachieves.org/become-a-mentor to download a mentor application.