Class Registration System Down from 5pm December 1 - 8am December 6

Due to computer upgrades the Vol State class registration system will be shut down from 5pm on Thursday, December 1 to 8am on Tuesday, December 6. Students wishing to register for spring classes should do so before or after those dates. The computer work will also shut down the My Vol State portal, but students will be able to access their online courses and student e-mail via links that will be put on the portal page. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Environmental Science Might be a Good Class for You

I would never have chosen BIO 1050 from Vol State on my own, but now I am glad I did.  Dr. Phil Clifford, affectionately called Dr. Phil by his students, has proven his skill in making education enjoyable.  He is just as entertaining as world famous scientist Steve Spangler.  Our current lab experiments (Seven EcoCubes) are on display in the Warf Building.

The idea came from a Christmas gift Clifford received in grad school.  “It was an Eco-Sphere that had algae, a carefully balanced population of bacteria with some decomposers and pink shrimp swimming around,” said Clifford.  “I wanted to look at a lab that allowed us to look at air quality, water quality and soil quality.  This was perfect because we could build a complete ecosystem, and we can learn just as much from a failed system as we can from a stable one.”

Debbie Breese is studying for a degree in Environmental Resources.  “I especially like the labs,” said Breese.  “Dr. Phil makes the class fun, but his labs are where I learn the most.  This is a great foundation.  We had a fish in our EcoCube, but it died.  When it is all over we are going to examine what went wrong and what went right.”

This is Daniel Russell’s first science class.  “Dr. Phil is a great professor, his lectures are informative and the labs have great hands on experience,” said Russell.  “My EcoCube is going pretty good.  We had pill bugs and beetles to eat the decaying biomass and spiders to pick off anything else that was struggling.  We even have a tree growing, but I can’t see the bugs anymore.  I recommend this class and plan on taking the follow up class in spring.”

Public Relations major Crystal McCormick was worried about which science class to take but is now happy she chose BIO 1050. “I would have never guessed that we could learn so much from an EcoCube.  We had worms, spiders, grasshoppers, and tried to create a natural Tennessee environment.  I love it.  The class is not easy, but it’s very fun.  We get to go outside and see how things affect our everyday environment.  I have enjoyed this class and suggested it other students.”

Volunteer State Community College

Opportunities for Student Writers this Spring

Students interested in writing and art should consider enrolling in the two English practicum offerings related to the publications "Number One" and "Squatters' Rites". A student enrolled in a three-credit practicum will work on collecting submissions, book layout including work with Quark or InDesign layout software, keeping up with correspondence with writers and artists and (in the case of Number One) assisting the faculty editors.
"Number One" is Vol State's literary publication and publishes stories, poems, essays, and interviews from all over the country. It is staffed by faculty.

"Squatters' Rites" is a student publication; student staffed, with faculty advisors, and publishing student poems, stories, and artwork in full color on the cover and on four inside pages. "Sqauatters' Rites" has won a national prize for several years in a row. We also need student submissions for SR.

The class numbers are:
ENGL290p-001 = Number One, Instructor C. Wyatt
ENGL290p002 = Squatters’ Rites, Instructor D. Kelley

For more info contact Cindy Wyatt at 230-3203

Interested in EMS? Read This...

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education Program at Vol State will be conducting advising sessions for our upcoming Spring Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate courses. The sessions will be conducted in the Carpeted Dining Room of the Woods Campus Center at the Vol State main campus in Gallatin on November 28, 2011 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm. Students interested in enrolling in the EMT classes at all locations should plan on attending one of the sessions. Please visit www.volstate.edu/emt
for more information.

Vol State and China

D. K. Wu of China NOW made a visit to Vol State on Monday to finalize arrangements for a return trip to China this spring for the TnCIS program. Last year, students, including Molly Bridges and Gary Bickle, and faculty member George Wilson of the Logistics program, traveled to China for a three-week itinerary including stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. The 2012 itinerary will be similar, except that the travel-study will expand to four weeks to provide for additional language training, a tour of a solar panel production facility, and a service learning project to a Chinese orphanage. Courses available in China for 2012 are logistics, architectural engineering, philosophy, and sociology. During his visit to campus Mr. Wu visited with Karen Mitchel, Vice President for Resource Development, among many others. Left to right: George Wilson, Molly Bridges, Karen Mitchell, D.K. Wu and Gary Bickle.

Saluting Our Veterans

Vol State students, faculty and staff remembered Veterans Day with a number of activities today. History instructor Peter Johnson brought out his incredible collection of World War II equipment and uniforms for display in the Ramer Great Hall.

Student leaders put together a very moving display in the cafeteria recognizing POWs and MIAs. The table and place setting has a special meaning. The table is round and set for one symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her oppressors. The single rose signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice for their nation.

Some folks decorated doors to mark the day and created a wall of heroes. In Livingston, they put together a bulletin board to remember those who have served.

We have a new Coordinator of Veterans Affairs on campus, Ken Hanson, and he helped to get veterans together today. Check out the new Veterans Affairs webpage, with tons of info for current student veterans and those considering college: www.volstate.edu/veterans
Ken is your Veterans liaison here at Vol State. Don't hesitate to contact him if you have questions.

            Volunteer State Community College Veterans

Vol State Celebrates 40th Anniversary- You're Invited November 18

There are many ways to describe what 40 years means in the life of a community college. Perhaps the best way comes in the form of a number: 134,280. That’s the estimate of how many people have attended Volunteer State Community College in the last 40 years. That means former Vol State students, if assembled together, would be the sixth largest city in the state.
Vol State is celebrating the 40th anniversary with a free community event on Friday, November 18. There will be special tours of the college, including program highlights to show-off what the college is doing currently. The International Education program will have displays about international travel-study and the international student population at the college. There will be story sharing, student music, a performance by the Pioneer cheerleaders and a free lunch. College leaders hope that alumni, retirees and the community will join current students, faculty and staff for the celebration.

Ground breaking for Volunteer State Community College was held on a cold and blustery day in November of 1970. Vol State opened for classes in October of 1971.
The free community celebration will be held in the Tiled and Carpeted Dining rooms in the Wood Campus Center on Friday, November 18 with lunch and tours of campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event itself will start at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, November 19 the celebration culminates with the annual Homecoming basketball games, which will be held at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. with special 40th anniversary events throughout the day.

The college has a 40th anniversary web page with a picture gallery of Vol State through the decades. There are a number of blogs in which alumni, retirees and others can post their memories of Vol State through the decades, including a special blog for couples who met at Vol State. Those blogs and picture gallery can be visited at www.volstate.edu/forty

For more information about the event visit the web page or call 615-230-3571.

Vol State Student Sings for Presidential Candidate

Nashville is often referred to as Music City and seems to have a magnetic attraction for talented people like Vol State student Tammy Allen.  Like other artists, she wants to make a difference in her community and share something beautiful with others.  But following her dream has not been easy.  As a single mother, small business owner, and full-time student she has made sacrifices that clearly display her passion and commitment to her goals.  Last week Allen once again gleaned the harvest of her labors when she sang at a private dinner held for Presidential candidate Herman Cain.

“I really want to sing in places that I can make an impact,” said Allen.  “In the past I have performed in venues like bars, and I just didn’t get any gratification from that.  You have to take a stand for what you believe in and you will attract others with similar beliefs and convictions.  Nothing is free in life and you can expect some regrets, but if you are true to your self you will never regret that.”

Allen just finished shooting her first music video and is currently in the studio working on a three song EP.  For more information about Allen visit her homepage.

Volunteer State Community College