Category: People

Dr. Carla Hurt of the Department of Biology is a recipient of the 2021-2022 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. Dr. Hurt is recognized for using new methods of phylogenomic sequencing to create the first worldwide phylogeny of Alpheus snapping shrimp.

Professor Mark Creter of the Department of English is the recipient of the 2021-2022 College of Arts & Sciences Award for Innovative Teaching. This award recognizes a recent significant innovation in undergraduate teaching. Mr. Creter is recognized for his use of playwriting in Theater courses.  He introduced a playwriting exercise in Introduction to Theater classes and has developed a Fundamentals of Playwriting workshop course that culminates with students’ one-act plays being dramatically read by actors.

Destiny Lee is a passionate Nutrition and Dietetics senior who improves our community with diligent action. Dr. Hutson states she “excels in the classroom, is a leader to her peers, and is involved in various volunteer efforts.” Destiny serves as the President of the Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics Club and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society as well as the Community Service Chair and Vice President of the Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics Club. She is also the Student Liaison to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Her plethora of volunteer efforts include creating recipe cards and videos for schools, interning for the Farm Link Project, and devoting countless hours at the TN Tech Food Pantry. Destiny encourages, “Change begins with you. One act of kindness goes a long way.” While Destiny’s work is admirable, her impact is felt far beyond TN Tech. Destiny will continue to make a difference as a Registered Dietitian. Congratulations to Destiny for #LivingWingsUp!

Do you know a student who exemplifies Bold, Fearless, Confident, and Kind values? If so, take a moment to fill out our Student Affairs Monthly Student Spotlight Nomination Form.

Tech’s Commission on the Status of Blacks recognized Professor Michael E. Birdwell, as the 2022 Outstanding Diversity Advocate for his broad contributions to researching, preserving and chronicling African American history. Prof. Birdwell was featured in the PBS documentary, “Everybody’s Welcome at John’s Place,” which displayed his oral history skills, story-telling prowess and broad knowledge about the historically-black West End area of Cookeville, in which John’s Place served an integrated clientele prior to desegregation. Along with local residents, Prof. Birdwell worked to get John’s Place listed on the National Historic Register and, at the time of his death, was working to register the entire neighborhood.  Speaking about his work, one West Ender explained:  “These families were not just subjects or topics of discussion for him. He knew these families individually and felt…each story was important and worthy of being studied and discussed.” His legacy stands. (Photo: A. Banton)

Volunteer student judges are needed for a Science Fair at Jackson County Middle School on March 31, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Students interested can register here: https://tf.tntech.edu/machform/view.php?id=1268528

We are also looking for Judges for the Science Fair at Dekalb County HS on April 9, 2022, from 9-noon.

Students interested can register here: https://tf.tntech.edu/machform/view.php?id=1270841

Please contact Carlos Galindo at cgalindo@tntech.edu if you have any questions.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021-2022 Commission on the Status of Women Awards!
Commission on the Status of Women Excellence Award: Dr. Sandi Smith-Andrews

Alison Piepmeier Outstanding Student Award: Hannah Eitzen
About the Awards

The CSW Excellence Award: This award is presented annually to an individual employed by Tennessee Tech University who has contributed significantly to gender equity. The award honors three qualities that characterize the tradition of women’s leadership at Tech: perseverance, generosity, and mentorship. The award celebrates the efforts of Tennessee Tech employees to provide ongoing leadership and mentoring for the campus community and work towards gender equity for all.

The Alison Piepmeier Outstanding Student Award: This award celebrates Piepmeier’s legacy of fierce feminism by recognizing an exceptional Tennessee Tech student whose research, activism and/or outreach advances gender equity. It acknowledges a student who shows a passion for learning, goes the extra mile to assist others, and contributes significantly to campus and/or the local community.

Tennessee Tech pre-dental student, Alex Stovall, admirably gives meaning to the title servant leader. When nominating Alex for this student spotlight, Mrs. Coonce says, “In Alex’s leadership positions, he is bold, fearless, confident, and kind.” Alex represents this affirmation through his position as the volunteer Hospitality Leader in the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic, in which he recruits and hosts medical professionals and surpasses expectations through deeply caring for every volunteer present. Alex’s passion to serve others can also be seen in his involvement with Dr. Jesse Carrick’s research of materials to clean and recycle nuclear waste. Through his research, Alex has learned that “perseverance truly is the key to success.” He encourages students, “Find something you are truly passionate about and work to advance it. The results are not immediate, but with passion comes the perseverance necessary to succeed.” Thank you, Alex, for being an inspiration on campus.

Do you know a student who exemplifies Bold, Fearless, Confident, and Kind values? If so, take a moment to nominate them for the Student Affairs Monthly Student Spotlight. The nomination form is linked here!