The Pellissippi Press

By Laura Russell

The staff and faculty have been asked to participate in the giving toward the Pellissippi State Foundation Internal Campaign, which began on Nov. 12.

Les Fout, Director of the Major Gift Development, said the foundation has raised over $31,000 from the 194 employees that have pledged. This makes up 46 percent of the faculty at Pellissippi.

“It is a way for the employees to invest in themselves and their students,” Fout said.

The campaign consists of 80 options in which to contribute donation, including scholarships, academic departments and the building of the Bagwell Center.

The faculty and staff have three giving options. They can give in payroll deduction, monthly pledges or in a one-time gift. Fout said most employees choose the payroll deduction option.

Fout said there have been special scholarships established through this campaign, such as the Sue Carter Memorial Scholarship and the K.D. Lawson Scholarship, which will be awarded for the first time next fall.

“This is a donor driven campaign. Our employees have the opportunity to not only support the college, but they can contribute to the specific fund they strongly believe in supporting,” said Fout.

“It is an honor to work with such a dedicated group of people who are interested in changing the lives of our students,” Fout said.

by Joe King

If you plan to study nursing or business and industry then Blount County’s new campus may be the place for you.

Bill Eanes, assistant dean at Blount County, said that Pellissippi has wanted the new building for more than 10 years now.

“It’s just nice to have a bigger building,” said Eanes.

Today the Blount County campus holds about 740 students. Eanes said that many students who’ve wanted to attend the Blount County campus weren’t able to because of the smaller building.Since they weren’t able to attend Blount County, students had to drive out of their way to the Hardin Valley campus.

Eanes says that they are looking to open in 2010 and will offer more classes.

by Russ Warth 

Space is limited for the Pellissippi State trip to France. Students will receive three physical education credit hours for participating in recreational activities.  

The two-week trip will start at the end of April 2008.”There are only a few spots left,” said Cathy Clay, associate professor of human performance.

“You don’t need to speak French because this exchange program centers on sports such as sand sailing, scuba diving, surfing, hiking, rappelling and lots more,” Clay said . 

“You don’t need to be athletic either because the French are more interested in having fun that being competitive,” said Clay.

“There are a few particular requirements for this trip. Pellissippi students must be enrolled in the 2008 spring semester for a minimum of six hours and know how to swim,” Clay said.

Participants will visit Paris for a few days to shop and tour cultural sites, said Clay.

Most of the trip will be spent in the costal town of Cherbourg, Normandy.

“In Cherbourg we will stay with the families of French students from Institute Universitaire de Technologie,” said Clay.

The French students from IUT will come to Tennessee on April 12, 2008 for recreational activities like white water rafting, hiking, and golf, said Clay.

“They mostly want learn what it is like to live in Tennessee and get to know some Pellissippi students,” Clay said.

“This is our tenth sports exchange with IUT and the people of Cherbourg know us now. They have learned we are not all tall, rich or democrat. We are like them and they are like us,” said Allen Edwards, preisdent of Pellissippi State.

“More than 100 students have become better citizens from this cultural exchange,” said Edwards. 

The trip to France will cost approximately $1,600 for everything including souvenirs.   

“We still need a few families of Pellissippi students to host French exchange students,” said Clay.

To go on the trip or be a host family, contact Cathy Clay by phone at 865-694-6574. Clay can also be reached by sending emails to cclay@pstcc.edu.

by Todd Snodgrass

Pellissippi State Technical Community College recently announced that it has broken its enrollment record for the third semester in a row.

Pellissippi State reported an enrollment of 8,608 students for the 2007 fall semester. The new enrollment numbers break the previous record set just last spring, according to a release posted on the school’s website, http://www.pstcc.edu.

The fall enrollment is up over 5 percent from this time last year, an increase of some 420 students. It is the highest enrollment on record for the community college since its opening in 1974 as the State Technical Institute at Knoxville.

The enrollment milestone coincides with the Tennessee Lottery’s recent announcement that the lottery has raised over $1 billion in educational grants since its inception in 2004.

Pellissippi State president Allen Edwards told the school website, “In part, it’s the result of the state’s renewed commitment to make higher education a major funding priority.”

“This college is fortunate to have so many faculty and staff who are dedicated to ensuring student success. They are certainly a key factor in our recent growth, and we will continue to engage our students in every way possible,” said Edwards.

by Russ Warth

To explore new worlds, the captain of the ship says you must first engage.

The captain is Allen Edwards, president of Pellissippi State and he said students must engage their advisor, the faculty and other students in order to have a college experience that prepares them for a changing world. This is especially important to keep in mind during registration, said Edwards. 

According to the Pellessippi State Fact Book, only 8.7 percent of the first time freshmen that registered in 2004 graduated from Pellissippi State within three years.

“Making career decisions is tough and we are here to help,” said Cheryl Slayden Pellissippi State advising coordinator. 

“Don’t pick a major or career path just to put something down. Tell your advisor if you are not certain about your choices. Pellissippi State has advisors who specialize in helping students who are undecided,” said Slayden. 

Pellissippi has “undecided” codes for the basic decisions needed to register. An “undecided” student only needs to choose one of the following three career categories: business, engineering or other. 

By their second semester a student should choose between a technical path and a university path.Be careful when choosing the technical path, said Slayden. Those courses are designed to make the student employable in two years and most of them won’t transfer to a four-year college, said Slayden.  

By their third semester a student should have picked a major. “Make sure to pick a career you are interested in before considering what kind of money you will make. If you don’t like your job, the money probably won’t matter,” Slayden said.  

“Students can explore their interests by talking to their teachers and people in the field.Human resources people will be helpful and may offer some job shadowing. You can also discover your interests through the classes you chose. For nurses I recommend that they take anatomy and physiology first, sincethat is what nursing is all about,” said Slayden

“Exploring your interests is ongoing. There are careers coming that we have not even imagined yet. The tools keep changing, the careers keep changing, and that is why the basics are so important along with a curiosity and desire to be a life-long learner,” said Edwards.

by Kodie Underwood

Looking for a free way to celebrate the holidays with the kids? Then join Pellissippi State for its 20th annual “Breakfast with Santa”, Dec. 8 from 9-11 a.m.

Children and adults are invited to attend a morning of free fun. Events include a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa, games, crafts, music and more.

Professional clowns dressed as Santa’s elves will be face-painting, making balloon animals, and other interactive holiday crafts.  Santa will be on hand to hear Christmas wishes and take pictures, and “20th annual Breakfast with Santa t-shirts” for kids will be on sale.

Secretary of Student Support Services Gwendolyn Miller said, “it’s a great way for students, faculty and their families to get together for holiday activities.” Last year more than 300 people attended.

The event is sponsored by Student Life and Recreation, and will be held in the Hardin Valley campus cafeteria.  All students, faculty, staff and their families are welcomed to come.