Entrepreneurial Students

Small business owners aren’t just established college graduates. Vol State student Jamie Sutton decided to unleash his entrepreneurial spirit and start his own business.

With the help from Charles Alexander, The Director of (TSBDC) Tennessee Small Business Development Center here at Vol State, Sutton’s business is ready to go.

Sutton came up with the idea of launching a music web based business. “Charles Alexander looked over my plan and gave me specific advice. He referred me to a lawyer and marketing people. From the time I wrote the business plan to the time I got it up and running it was about eight or nine months,” Sutton said.

Charles Alexander said, “I’m under continuing education, and I teach workshops on a full time basis. This is primarily for the business community. The small business center offers counseling to those who either have a small business or those who want to start a business.”

“We are a news and information website for the Nashville music industry. We have CD reviews, band interviews, and cover concerts. It is called The Nashville Listener,” said Sutton. “I write most of the material, and I do interviews with local acts about upcoming shows,” he said.

On December 4, 2009, Sutton had the launch party for his website. “We are hooked up with soundforest.org. They are a charity that works with musicians and plants trees in the middle Tennessee area. All proceeds of the cover of the event go to the charity,” said Sutton.

“At the launch party we will have a winter wonderland theme, and pine trees will be decorated as Christmas trees that you can purchase and have planted in your name throughout middle Tennessee,” he said.

Anyone wanting more information about starting a business may contact Charles Alexander at Charles.Alexander@volstate.edu or 230-4780.

Volunteer State Community College

We Have A TV Studio!

One of Vol State’s best kept secrets is the state of the art television station located in the Ramer building.

In addition to shooting the cable television show “Inside Politics,” it is used to teach students video editing.

Vol State will be offering an Intro to Video Class in spring 2010, and Karen Russell will be teaching.


“It is a basic introduction to learning the studio,” Russell said. She said that it covers pre and post production from editing to writing the scripts. Russell said,” I worked for Fox 17 for ten years in promotion and production then moved on to producing the morning broadcast. This is my first time teaching this class, and I am excited.”

Director of Media Services Terry Heinen said, “The media services department serves the entire campus. We are part of the academic affairs division, and the primary focus is to support any of the academic programs with their media production needs.”

“In addition to academic affairs we also do production for everyone else on campus; primarily PR, the office of the president, and the foundation. Typically if students are involved in the communications programs they may have access to the studio,” said Heinen.

Heinen said, “In addition to Vol State projects we occasionally assist with area not for profit organizations and government agencies.”

Rick Hindman is the videographer. In addition to his position as videographer, he does editing and graphic design. He said, “It is a modern up to date studio and the school has a lot to be proud of.”

To see some of the work produced at the television studio, go to YouTube.








Volunteer State Community College

Showstopping Holiday Event

Singing, dancing, and festive lighting will fill the Caudill Hall auditorium during the holiday concert.

“Christmas at Volunteer State” is being presented by Vol State’s department of Visual and Performing Arts with the “Showstoppers” and Commercial Music Ensemble performing various holiday songs.

A.J. Hughes said, “We’ve been rehearsing since the first day of school. I’ve invited a ton of people. I sing ‘Believe’ as a soloist from ‘The Polar Express.’ I do a lot of harmonies throughout.” Cody Pennington said, “I’m in the winter medley and ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ Those are my favorites.”

Several Vol State students are providing accompaniment as well by playing drums and keyboard along with a few other instruments. “I play drums and percussion for the Commercial Music Ensemble,” said Steven Phillips.

Not only have the performers been rehearsing since the beginning of the semester, but a lot goes on behind the scenes as well. Theatre major Andrew Givens said, “I do lighting and sound, and I do all of the theatrical events.”

There will be two opportunities to see the holiday production. Opening night is Saturday December 5, at 7:30p.m., with an encore presentation Sunday December 6 at 2:30p.m.

There is a suggested donation of five dollars, and ten dollars will get you into the show as well as a CD of the performance.

Volunteer State Community College

Green Science Projects

As part of the Biology 1040 class -Environmental Science - students are performing “green” activities in their communities. They have been asked to prepare presentations on what they have accomplished (photos, handouts, etc.) and during their last lab period they will be displaying these at the Vol State Rochelle Center on the first floor of the Thigpen Library. This will be on December 7th from 2:00pm – 4:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to wander through and see what they accomplished!

Phil Clifford, PhD.
Volunteer State Community College
Mathematics and Science Division
Office: 615-452-8600 X 2309

Final Month!

The holidays are steadily approaching, and if that isn’t enough, Vol State students are gearing up for final exams.

Final exams are from Saturday December 12 until Friday December 18. For a detailed time schedule, click here.

Students have differing opinions about finals. Some are ready, and some are feeling the stress a bit more. Nicole Slate is a Radiology major and said, “I’m ready I think.” “I’m as ready as I’m going to be. You can only make up for so much in two weeks,” said Communications major Hank Elliot.

Brandon Teel said, “I’m ready for it to be over with honestly.” Teel also said that he is a little stressed about his History final. Justin Clark said, “It is just certain classes I’m worried about; math mainly.”

As a fellow student, I can definitely understand the stress that can accompany final exams. Even if you feel ready, there still seems to be a bit of anxiety when it comes to that last test of the semester.

Take a deep breath and do your best. Good luck!

Volunteer State Community College

Help Make Christmas Brighter

Amy Mitchell is running the Vol State Christmas with the Kids campaign this year, and she needs your help:

The Annual SGA Christmas with the Kids tree is up in the Wood Campus Center Tiled Dining Room and has ornaments representing the children of VSCC students who need some extra magic this Christmas. Please consider picking up an ornament and helping make the holidays special for our collective College family. Each ornament indicates the gender, age, and needs and wants of a child. SGA invites you to pick up an ornament and purchase gifts not to exceed $50.00.

The last day to get the bulbs off of the Christmas tree is Thursday, December 3rd by 1:00pm. The last day to drop of the gifts (unwrapped and placed in a gift bag) for the kids is Friday, December 4th, by 4 pm. Gifts should be returned to the Student Club Center in Wood 213.

Christmas with the Kids will be on Sunday, December 6th from 3 until 5 pm in the cafeteria. If you have any questions at all please feel free to email me at amitchell31@volstate.edu or amitchell008@gmail.com

Thanks,
Amy L. Mitchell

Giving Warmth

The holiday season is here again, and this year Vol State is having a coat drive for the second year.

Associate Professor of English Daniel Kelley is heading this event. “This is in conjunction with the ‘Good Morning America’ campaign. This is the second year and we have already gotten twenty three coats. My goal is one hundred coats,” said Kelley.

Students who are just learning about the coat drive are showing interest. Darae Schafer said, “I think it is a really good thing.” “I think I may have something to donate,” Alex Mabry said when asked if he may participate.

Kelley wants to point out that donations aren’t just for students, faculty, and staff. “Students should encourage friends and family members to donate.”

Last year the coats got delivered to Burlington Coat Factory, and then The Nashville Rescue Mission. “They don’t have to be winter coats. They can be jackets and sweaters. We even took hats and gloves last year. They can be any size for males and females as long as they are in good condition,” said Kelley.

Kelley said that new donations are welcome as well. Those wanting to donate should bring the coats to Professor Kelley’s office located in the Ramer building room 135. Questions can be directed to Daniel Kelley at daniel.kelley@volstate.edu or 615-230-3242. Donations can be given between now and December 18th.

Volunteer State Community College