Category: People

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!

Dr. Erin Hoover is a new member of the English Department in the College of Arts & Sciences. Here are a few facts you should know about her.

Where are you from?
I grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned my bachelor’s in Liberal Arts at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. I then earned my master’s in Creative Writing at the University of Oregon, and my Ph.D. in English (Creative Writing) at Florida State University.

What’s your favorite part of being at Tennessee Tech so far?
Hands down, the students. I’ve found that the students at Tech are curious, eager, and determined to get it right when it comes to their assignments and in-class activities.

Tell us about your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in:
I write poetry and some creative nonfiction. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with other writers and editors to seek increased equity in publishing.

Welcome Dr. Hoover!

Energy Land and Infrastructure’s (ELI) president and co-owners know the quality of a Tennessee Tech engineering education. ELI, a professional engineering and survey firm focused on energy, civil and transportation infrastructure, employs approximately 60 people. And nearly a dozen of those employees — including the president and co-owners — are Tech graduates! ELI perennially ranks in Nashville Business Journal’s Top 25, based on its number of local licensed professional engineers.

“We have 15-plus universities represented at ELI, and we have really talented people from all over the southeast,” said Thomas “Chuck” Saunders, president and owner of ELI. “But I always say Tennessee Tech is one of the best engineering schools in the southeast and best in the state. There’s a lot of practical knowledge in the graduates coming out of Tech. When I hire a Tech grad, there’s that instant comradery.”

Read the full Employer Spotlight story here: Employer Spotlight (tntech.edu)

Tech engineering students – especially those in civil engineering – who are interested in working for ELI are encouraged to contact ELI Human Resources Generalist Jessica Hynds at jessica.hynds@eli-llc.com.

Dr. Subha Pratihar is a new member of the Chemistry Department in the College of Arts & Sciences. Here are a few facts you should know about her.

Where are you from?
I’m from Lubbock, Texas.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?
I earned my PhD in Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur, India, 2010), and post-doctoral research experience from Texas Tech University (2011 -2019).

Tell us about your research area or the area of academic study you are most interested in:
My research area is Computational and Theoretical Physical Chemistry. I supervised undergraduate research program at Texas Tech University.  Currently, I am teaching General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry at Tennessee Tech.

What is your favorite part of being at Tennessee Tech so far?
I enjoy my office, and the laboratories in the new LCS building and the beauty the campus has to offer. My utmost satisfaction is in conveying the joy of chemistry to my students.

Welcome, Dr. Pratihar!