Category: People

For more than 40 years, Ed Wilson, P.E. was a colleague, mentor, leader and friend to many within the geoprofessional community. As a thank you to Wilson and to encourage the next generation of young earth sciences and civil engineering geoprofessionals, the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), with support from Wilson’s family, friends and colleagues, established the L. Edward Wilson Endowed Scholarship at Tennessee Tech.

Read the full story here: Geoprofessional community establishes scholarship in memory of Tennessee Tech alumnus Ed Wilson Meta Title (tntech.edu)

Purchase your 2021-2022 Tennessee Tech Yearbook today!

Simply scan the QR code or click here to purchase.

Please contact Alex Rinks at agrinks42@tntech.edu for any questions.

A new scholarship will allow Tennessee Tech to recruit the best and brightest female engineering students.

The Trudy A. Harper Engineering Scholarship will be awarded to students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering or mechanical engineering. Incoming freshmen must have a 3.75 high school GPA and 27 ACT composite score, and preference will be given to female students from Tennessee. The scholarship may be renewed for up to eight semesters.

Recipients of the scholarship will be known as “Harper Scholars” and will have the opportunity each semester to meet with the Tech alumna who established the scholarship.

Read the full story here:  Development News – Trudy Harper Scholars Program (tntech.edu)

Ever since Tennessee Tech announced plans for a Football Operations Center, dozens of former players have stepped forward to say, “I want to be a part of this.”

One of those former players is Sam Smith, `83 geology. When Smith saw that the new facility included opportunities to name spaces both inside and outside, he knew he wanted to do something to honor Don Wade. Wade served as Tech’s head football coach from 1968 to 1982, and as athletic director from 1974 to 1980.

“In my four years at Tech, I learned that Coach Wade was genuine,” said Smith. “He was tough, sarcastically funny, loyal and loving – albeit tough love. Coach Wade’s impact continues to influence my life today.”

Smith began making phone calls to former teammates, and soon he had organized a group of dedicated football alumni who plan to raise $500,000 for a Don Wade Memorial inside the Football Operations Center.

To read the full story, visit https://www.tntech.edu/univadv/football-operations-center/donor-stories.php

Dr. Syed Ali Asad Rizvi is a new member of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering. Here are a few facts you should know about him.

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Pakistan.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology (Pakistan). I then earned my master’s in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Sciences and Technology. I got my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia, USA.

What is your research area?
My research area lies at the intersection of control theory, artificial intelligence, and optimization along with their application to autonomous systems.

What is your favorite part of being at Tennessee Tech so far?
I love the calm and peaceful vibe of the scenic Tech campus and the Cookeville city that gives me a sense of belonging in this small, but beautiful place.

Welcome, Dr. Rizvi!

Dr. Michelle Estes is a new member of the Department of Sociology and Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Here are a few facts you should know about her!

Where are you from?
I’m from Mt. Pleasant, TN.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I went to Columbia State Community College for my associate degree. Then I went to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for my bachelor. I earned my Master of Arts at Middle Tennessee University, continuing with a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies at MTSU. Then I earned my Doctor of Philosophy at Oklahoma State University.

Tell us your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in: My research broadly focuses on inequality in the criminal legal system. More specifically and recently I have been examining the negative consequences that are produced by wrongful convictions.

What are your hobbies/interests?
In my spare time I enjoy participating in outdoor activities.

Welcome, Dr. Estes!

Dr. Jaime Williams is a new member of the College of Business, Department of Decision Sciences and Management. Here are a few facts you should know about her!

Where are you from?
I’m from Albertville, Alabama.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned my Bachelor of Arts at Ashland University. I acquired my Masters in Business Administration at the University of North Alabama. Then I earned my PhD in Business Management at the University of Mississippi.

Tell us your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in:
My research area is composed of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, Cross-cultural Organizational Behavior; Gender Diversity and Shareholder Activism.

What are your hobbies/interests?
I love to travel and do so as much as possible, I am huge Disney nerd, and I love sports but, my favorite is Softball. I played in college then three seasons in Europe professionally (The Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland).

Welcome, Dr. Williams!

Dr. Josh Hall is a new member of the Biology Department in the College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Physiology, and Comparative Anatomy. Here are a few facts you should know about him!

Where are you from?
I grew up in Milan, TN.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned a bachelor’s with a double major in Biology and English from Union University in Jackson, TN. I got my master’s in Biology from Mississippi State University. I earned my PhD in Biology from Auburn University.

Tell us about your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in:
My research is mainly concerned with ecological developmental biology. That involves studying the various ways that the environment during early-life has lasting effects on organisms later in life.

What is your favorite part of being at Tennessee Tech so far?
Cookeville is a great town and is surrounded by a broad range of natural areas/habitats that are fun to explore.

Welcome, Dr. Hall!

Dr. Allison Toth is a new member of the College of Business, Decision Sciences and Management. Here are a few facts you should know about her.

Where are you from?
I’m from Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned my bachelor’s in Psychology and Spanish at Clemson University. Then I went to UNC Charlotte for my master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, continuing to earn my PhD in Organizational Science at UNC Charlotte as well.

Tell us your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in:
My research is in the area of Organizational Behavior. I study work-life conflict, coworker relationships and interactions, and how social skills are developed and used at work.

What are your hobbies/interests?
When I am not on campus, I enjoy spending time with my husband and cat, Meister. I also love playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading and watching sci-fi, and traveling internationally.

Welcome, Dr. Toth!