Category: People

(UPDATE, 5/29/26: Please note, all spots are currently filled)

Looking for a fun, safe, and skill-building activity this summer? Campus Rec is excited to offer private swim lessons for swimmers of various ages and skill levels – and spots are filling up fast!

These personalized, one-on-one, lessons are a great way to build confidence, improve safety skills, and enjoy the water all season long. With expert guidance from our instructor, now is the perfect time to dive in and make the most of your summer. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the pool!

Don’t wait – secure your spot today!

Register online or stop by the Membership Office (M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm)

Private Swim Lessons Summer 2026 – Tennessee Tech Campus Recreation

Shawn Zeringue-Krosnick of the Department of Biology is the recipient of the 2025-2026 College of Arts & Sciences Award for Research and Scholarly Activity. This award recognizes a significant research publication or creative project appearing during the previous two years and receiving expert critical review.  The award recognizes Dr. Zeringue-Krosnick’s joint work with Dr. Kelly Moore of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to increase student knowledge and appreciation of plants and to immerse students in the use of herbaria as a resource of information about the natural world.  Their work led to a paper in Plants People Planet.

Tony Lamantia, a senior pursuing a double major in Geoscience and Computer Science, is the recipient of the 2026 Kurt Eisen Excellence in Liberal Arts Award. This is the highest student award given by the College of Arts and Sciences.   In her award nomination letter, Dr. Jeannette Luna wrote that Tony, “is an exceptional student with a bright future as a creative thinker at the intersections of geoscience, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and computer science.” Tony is recognized for completing a detailed geologic map of a lunar landing site, designing a project and leading a small team to map more than 90,000 boulders around the lunar south pole, and participating in a geospatial project mapping invasive rhododendron on the Isle of Raasay, Scotland.  His work will result in two publications on which he is lead author.

Shelley Brown of the Department of Sociology and Political Science and Michael Olsen of the Department of Foreign Languages are recipients of the 2025-2026 College of Arts & Sciences Award for Innovative Teaching. This award recognizes a recent significant innovation in undergraduate teaching. Professor Brown is recognized for integrating ePortfolios into internship courses, AI Fact Check assignments into introductory sociology, and a real-world theory application project titled Theory in the Wild.  Dr. Olsen is recognized for the development and implementation of a hybrid Latin American Culture and Civilization course (SPAN 2550) that explores the culture and cultural influence of Latin America through music.

We’re excited to invite you to Exam Jam on April 30! This fun, annual tradition brings together students and faculty for a late-night meal, karaoke session, and more in the Caf. Food and drinks will be provided by Domino’s, Cream City, Rock N Roll Sushi, Southern Swirl, and Pepsi! We hope you join us for a night of fun!

John W. Smith, a longtime leader in Tennessee Tech’s Division of University Advancement, has been named interim vice president for University Advancement.

A two-time Tech graduate, Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA. He began his career in University Advancement in 1995 and assumed leadership of Advancement Services in 2014. He was named interim associate vice president of University Development in 2020 before being appointed to the role full-time in 2021.

In recognition of his impact on colleagues and the profession, Smith was named 2021 Mentor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III.

Most recently, as AVP, Smith provided both strategic leadership for the university’s philanthropic initiatives and day-to-day guidance for the development team, while also maintaining a portfolio of donors and serving as a key partner to campus leaders.

Spring is here—and so is a brand-new group fitness schedule at The Burn! If you’ve been craving a fresh routine, new class options, or more chances to sweat with your favorite crew, this update is made for you.

Our updated spring schedule brings renewed energy to every workout, with expanded class times, exciting formats, and motivating instructors who encourage you to be your best. Whether you’re powering through strength training, chasing that cardio high, or centering yourself with breathwork, there’s never been a better time to show up and turn it on.

The new schedule makes it easier than ever to fit fitness into your day and stay consistent all season long. Check out the updated spring lineup here and claim your spot—your strongest spring starts here.