Author: rbogle

In March 2007 the University of Tennessee Faculty Club moved from its longtime campus location to the well-appointed quarters of Club LeConte, at the top of the First Tennessee Bank tower. Since then members of the University Club at Club LeConte have enjoyed hundreds of opportunities to mix and mingle.

The club provides Sunday Brunch, breakfast, lunch and dinner, a monthly meet and greet cocktail party and many other opportunities for faculty and staff to enjoy each others’ company and build lasting relationships. In addition, UT@CL members enjoy membership in over 400 university, golf and fine dining clubs around the world.

As of today, close to 400 faculty and staff from the university and the university hospital have joined UT@CL. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, call 974-7465.

Make plans to attend “Chatting with Chancellor Cheek,” a brown bag lunch with the UT Knoxville chancellor, at noon Monday, March 15, in the University Center Shiloh Room. Presented by the Exempt Staff Council, this event is open to all UT employees as an opportunity to learn more about what is happening both in higher education and at UT.

Chancellor Cheek will speak about the state of the university and will discuss the state’s new higher education legislation, as well as how it will influence education within the state, the UT system, UT Knoxville and individual departments. He also will answer questions from those in attendance. Those interested in submitting questions in advance may send them to [email protected].

Attendees are invited to bring lunch or purchase one in the University Center. For more info call 974-8772.

KNOXVILLE – An orange-hued image, located at the four corners on the exterior of Thompson-Boling Arena, is the new logo for UT’s basketball arena. The image represents a view of the arena as seen at an angle slightly above the roof.

Michael Cate, a UT facilities planning associate architect, said that because the arena is so massive, the designer’s intent was to break up the large surfaces with graphics and letters to give the arena more visual interest, identity and human scale.

“I believe they were successful on all counts,” Cate said. “We looked at many options to enhance the arena exterior. The graphic solution was inexpensive and also brought identity to the arena.”

Thompson-Boling Arena was named for the late B. Ray Thompson and former UT President Dr. Edward J. Boling. In the fall of 2008, the UT Athletics Department unveiled Phase 1 of a two-phase renovation project for the arena, the first major renovation since it opened in 1987. The $15 million project included new seats for the entire arena, a center-hung scoreboard and concourse refurbishments, such as graphics and other amenities. It also included new luxury suites and loge seating.

With all the enhancements to the interior of the basketball arena, said Arena Director Tim Reese, it is only suiting the exterior receive the same treatment. “I think the new logo adds a new exciting dimension to the exterior of the building that relates to all the new upgrades that have occurred inside,” said Reese.

Cate said the main comment he hears from people about the graphic logo is “why UT did not do this update 20 years ago.”

The designer of the new logo also developed a similar logo for UT Basketball used in the Pratt Pavilion.

Carolyn R. Hodges, vice provost and dean of the graduate school, has been elected to a three-year term on the executive committee of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS).

The organization, which had its annual meeting last week in Savannah, Ga., is comprised of over 200 graduate schools in fifteen states located in the southern region of the United States. Its purpose is to exchange ideas and information about graduate education and research, to promote standards and support activities of mutual interest to the member institutions, and to serve as a liaison with other national and regional educational organizations. Hodges will also serve the next academic year as president of the Tennessee Conference of Graduate Schools.

The UT College of Nursing is one of three colleges approved by the UT Board of Trustees to charge differential tuition. In this WATE news story, Dean Joan Creasia explains why increasing costs is necessary to maintain enrollment and the technologies needed to run a successful program.

As part of WUOT’s 60th anniversary celebrations, legendary NPR newscaster and “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” star Carl Kasell will share his experiences in public broadcasting and answer questions at a brown bag seminar from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, in the University of Tennessee’s University Center Shiloh Room.

WUOT will bring the beloved public radio personality (he really is the nicest man) and provide soft drinks — all you have to do is bring your lunch and $5 (exact change, please) to help the station cover the cost of Kasell’s visit. Space is limited, so please reserve your seat as soon as possible by calling Cindy Hassil at (865) 974-6167.

For more info, visit the station’s Web site.

John (Tom) Mentzer, UT Knoxville Chancellor’s Professor and Harry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence in Business in the Department of Marketing and Logistics, passed away on Friday, Feb. 26.

Mentzer taught at UT for more than 30 years. He received his master’s degree in marketing and a doctorate degree in both marketing and logistics from Michigan State. He taught at Virginia Tech for 15 years before he was recruited to Tennessee.

“Mentzer was a pre-eminent scholar,” said Jan Williams, dean of the College of Business Administration. “Each day he exemplified the best of the business academic discipline, consistently contributing through teaching, application and discovery. His presence was in great demand by a broad range of audiences, ranging from undergraduate students to CEOs of multinational corporations. He approached the business world as a laboratory, enabling him to integrate theoretical insights with cutting-edge practices. The knowledge he generated helped facilitate his impressive teaching and research record. He unselfishly extended those benefits to include his colleagues at UT and elsewhere in business and academe.”

Mentzer was one of the country’s leading scholars in marketing and logistics strategy. His research focused on the contribution of marketing and logistics to customer satisfaction and strategic advantage in supply chains; the application of computer decision models to marketing, logistics and forecasting; and the management of the sales forecasting function. He published more than 190 papers and articles, and nine books. Mentzer was recognized in 1996 as one of the five most prolific authors in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and in 1999, as the most prolific author in the Journal of Business Logistics. He was awarded the Academy of Marketing Science Outstanding Marketing Teacher Award in 2001.

Over the years, Mentzer held key leadership roles including the president of the Academy of Marketing Science, president of the Council of Logistics Management and executive director for the University of Tennessee Demand and Supply Integration Forums. He received numerous awards in the fields of marketing and supply chain management, including the Berkman Distinguished Service Award for lifetime service to the Academy of Marketing Science in 2008, the Armitage Medal of the International Society of Logistics Engineers in 2007 and the Council of Logistics Management’s Distinguished Service Award in 2004.

“To garner such recognition in one discipline is a great accomplishment; to be so highly recognized in two disciplines is extraordinary. He leaves a lasting legacy as mentor to dozens of former doctoral students now serving as faculty at institutions around the world,” Williams said.

Mentzer is survived by his wife, Brenda, and daughters, Ashley and Erin of Knoxville, and his mother, Minnie, and sister, Susan, of Harpers Ferry, W. Va.

Services will be held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be sent to either the Tom & Brenda Mentzer Endowment in Marketing and Logistics, UT College of Business Administration, 466 Haslam Business Building, Knoxville, 37996; or the Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Road, Building B, Hillsborough, N.J., 08844.

Congratulation to the UT College of Engineering’s Office of Engineering Communications on their recent award of a Bronze Citation of Excellence at the 2010 Addy Awards.

The award was for the 2009 College of Engineering Annual Report. The creative team for the project included Kim Cowart, Director of Engineering Communications; Mitchell Williamson, Graphic Designer; and Rip Noel of Noel Studios, photographer.

The Addy Awards are sponsored by the American Advertising Federation Knoxville Chapter and are held annually to recognize outstanding achievement in marketing, communications and advertising.

To view the 2009 College of Engineering Annual report, click here.

This WATE-TV article mentions that UTPD is one of just a few local law enforcement agencies that is using Twitter to keep people informed. You can follow UTPD’s Twitter activity at http://twitter.com/utpolice.

Hundreds of UT faculty and staff attended an employee appreciation event at the Clarence Brown Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 23, for a free showing of “Charley’s Aunt.” As one employee stated, “It was a most enjoyable evening. Charley’s Aunt was a wonderful production. The hors d’oeuvres were delicious and it was simply special to be attending an event put on with the focus of appreciation. I had an amazing time.”

To see photos from Tuesday’s performance, click here.

A second employee-only showing of the play is planned for Tuesday, March 2. Due to the overwhelming response for this event, all tickets have been distributed for next week’s production. Those with tickets who will be unable to attend the play are asked to contact Jan Hogan at [email protected] or 974-3078. In doing so, this will allow other UT faculty and staff on a waiting list the opportunity to attend.

The evening will begin with a reception in the Clarence Brown lobby at 6:30 p.m. Seating will open at 7 p.m., and the play will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Vol Vision, a planning process to engage the campus in a robust dialog regarding UT Knoxville’s future, has launched its Web site, which includes an online feedback form so that you can submit your thoughts electronically.

Along with the Vol Vision draft strategic plan document, the site includes a timeline, information about discussion groups and some background on the process. It also includes reports generated by subcommittees that met throughout the 2007-2008 academic year.

Through online feedback and at least 20 discussion groups to be held throughout this semester, we hope to refine the Vol Vision draft. Our goal is to produce a finalized plan by mid-fall semester 2010.

We hope you will review the material and help us to engage others in the process. We welcome all of your suggestions and comments. Please check the site from time to time over the coming months as we confirm discussion group meetings, which will include sessions for staff and open forums.

Visit the Vol Vision Web site here.

Dear Colleagues,

The tragic events that occurred at Inskip Elementary School on Wednesday have deeply affected our community at large and especially many members of the UT family, who are relatives, friends or colleagues of the two administrators.

I know that you join me in extending thoughts and prayers to Principal Elisa Luna and Assistant Principal Amy Brace and their families, our fellow educators on the faculty and staff of Inskip Elementary, and the students of the school during this difficult time. Ms. Brace is the daughter of Jim Brace, associate dean of students for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Both Ms. Luna and Ms. Brace are accomplished educators and alumni of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, to which they have both remained closely connected throughout their careers.

We have been closely involved with Inskip faculty and staff in an extensive outreach and research project at the school for several years, including placing numerous students as both full-time graduate teaching interns and involving undergraduate students in short-term teaching experiences as part of our teacher preparation program. Ms. Luna also has worked with the college and the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, and others, on furthering civic engagement and outreach in our community.

Acts of senseless violence such as these are acute reminders of how fragile life can be and of how important it is for us to support one another as a community, especially as a community committed to the transformative power of education and scholarship.

Sincerely,

Jimmy G. Cheek

Chancellor

KNOXVILLE — Students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will take the VolWalk of Life on Tuesday, Feb. 16: an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the many resources available on campus to aid in their academic success.

Representatives from colleges and campus organizations, along with campus life and graduation resources, will be on hand in the University Center ballroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discuss offerings and assistance with students. Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek and Provost Susan Martin will speak to students at 11:30 a.m. Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt and men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl will join Cheek and Martin in addressing students about the importance of their UT experiences and academic success.

Modeled after the popular Milton Bradley board game The Game of LIFE, the VolWalk of Life will provide students with the opportunity to plan the paths they wish to take during their undergraduate careers. Students who complete a set of activities during the event will be able to register for door prizes including a Jostens class ring, a Kaplan test prep course and items autographed by UT coaches.

As The Game of LIFE represents the progression of an individual’s life, VolWalk of Life will represent the progression through a student’s time at UT Knoxville — picking a major, registering for classes, becoming involved on campus, graduating and even post-graduate plans.

Event organizers believe the VolWalk of Life will be an entertaining and educational way for students to learn the options available for helping them succeed at UT Knoxville.

Upon arriving, students will receive a game card to complete as they circulate through the event. To complete their card, students must first visit representatives from their college and the university registrar. Students also must visit one organization from each of the following five categories: Get InVOLved, Get Help, Health and Safety, Campus Resources and Opportunities. The graduation and post-graduation areas also are required in order to complete the game cards.

The VolWalk of Life is sponsored by the Student Government Association’s Academic Affairs Committee and the Student Success Center. The event is open only to UT students.

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C O N T A C T :

Rebekah Winkler (865-974-8304, [email protected])

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to participate in the Office of Disability Services’ annual Recordathon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13.

In partnership with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD), the Recordathon is an opportunity for volunteers to assist in recording audio versions of academic books.

RFBD is a nonprofit organization that produces and maintains a library of educational audio books to individuals with print disabilities. The Office of Disability Services has worked with RFBD for several years in providing an avenue for volunteers to lend their voices and help provide students with books in alternative format.

Training is available. For more information or to make an appointment, contact C.C. Morris at 482-3496 or [email protected].

Each year, the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet celebrates excellence at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It is a time to honor academic and service achievements that represent the best of the university. This year’s banquet will be held on Monday, April 19, 2010, and nominations are currently being accepted.

Faculty, staff and students are asked to nominate those individuals who embody the highest level of scholastic and service accomplishments for awards to be presented at the banquet. Nominations for students for the Extraordinary Academic Achievement and Extraordinary Professional Promise awards must be turned in to the academic dean of the students’ colleges by Friday, Feb. 5. All other citation nominations are due by Friday, Feb. 12. You may learn more about the awards and nominate online at http://chancellor.tennessee.edu/honorsbanquet. If you have any questions about the awards, please direct those to the selection committee chairs listed on the site.