Memories of Clarence

Long-time Vol State employee Clarence Dobbins passed away earlier this month. On Friday friends and family gathered for a memorial at Vol State. The pot luck featured stories from a number of speakers. They usually came back to the gruff but lovable nature of Clarence and his incredible knowledge of computer systems and software. Clarence, you will be missed. Our condolences to his family.

Greek Tragedies with Study Abroad Students

The location of the Oracle at Delphi

Until this summer, I had never been outside North America.  Thanks to the international study abroad program at Vol State and TnCIS, I am about to finish my first drama class, which focuses on Greek Tragedies.  When I saw all the negative hype in the media, I was hesitant with my choice, but I am so glad Vol State alumnae Samantha Hearn and MariAngel Zumbado talked me into selecting Greece.  They both attended and assured me that it was not only safe, but one of the best experiences they had ever encountered.  

Although the economy is bad and we have seen some protests, they have all been peaceful.  The Greek people have been exceptionally friendly and accommodating.  The food has been fantastic, but most impressive is the constant exposure to architectural structures built thousands of years ago by the founders of western thought. 

The Parthenon

We spent the first week in a small village named Tolo and took a field trip to Mycenae ~1650-1200 BC, which is thought to have been the home of the General of the Trojan War, King Agamemnon.  We followed up by hiking the 999 steps up to the Fortress of Palamidi in Nafplion. 

The second week was spent on the island of Crete where we visited one of the oldest known palaces in Knossos.  These people had flushing toilets by ~1500 BC and hot and cold running water.  This is possibly the home of Greek/Minoan mythology, starting the stories of Zeus, King Minos, and the Minotaur.

Palace at Knossos

We are finishing our drama class in Athens.  This gave us the opportunity to visit the Parthenon, Delphi, and the Temple of Zeus.

Temple of Apollo

We are studying with students from community colleges all across Tennessee.  I encourage anyone who can to take advantage of the study abroad program.  I have made new friends and experienced diversity in culture that I never knew existed.  Some of these skills should prove invaluable in my future.  This has definitely been a life-changing experience.


Volunteer State Community College

Important Dates for Summer Classes

Here are some important dates to remember for the summer semester at Vol State:

Registration for summer classes is open now, you will need to apply first.

SUMMER TERM DATES


Full term May 29- August 8
Weekend College/College@Home June 2- August 8
First 5-week May 29- June 30
RODP June 4 - August 9
Second 5-week July 5 - August 8
Hybrid May 29 - August 8
Online May 29 - August 8




On-site registration services also available for these special hours:

Main Campus May 24, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Livingston Center May 24, Noon - 6 p.m.

McGavock Center May 24, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Session Drop/Add

Full Term May 29-30

1st 5 Week May 29-30

2nd 5 Week July 5-6

RODP June 2-3

FEE PAYMENT DEADLINES:

If you register/add classes: Fees are due by:

Summer Term

Before May 21...May 21

May 21 through late registration At time of Registration

**The Deferred Payment Plan is not offered for Maymester or Summer term.

REMEMBER – If fees are not paid by the due date, you will be dropped from your classes, and you will have to re-register. Visit the Business Office website at www.volstate.edu/businessoffice for additional information.

WITHDRAWAL DEADLINES

Last day to withdraw from college or drop a class

Full term July 18

First 5-week June 21

RODP July 18

Second 5-week July 27

The College reserves the right to change the fees listed herein or add new ones whenever such additions are deemed necessary or as directed by TBR.

All Volunteer State students are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor before registering. If you do not know the name of your advisor, if you have not declared a major, or if you are not seeking a degree, contact the Advising Center for help at 615-230-3702 (toll-free: 1-888-335-8722, extension, 3702) or send an e-mail to advising@volstate.edu.

SUMMER 2011 REFUND DEADLINES:

Last Day for Refund of:

Session 100% 75% 25%

Maymester May 6 May 9 May 11

Full Term May 28 June 6 June 15

1st 5-Week May 28 June 2 June 6

2nd 5-Week July 4 July 9 July 13

RODP June 3 June 12 June 20

REMEMBER – If fees are not paid by the due date, you will be dropped from your classes, and you will have to re-register. Visit the Business Office website at www.volstate.edu/businessoffice for additional information.

The online payment system is working.

Travel Study Students Sing on Irish Radio

Vol State travel study students are keeping busy on their trips this month. Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 22) they will be singing on radio in Tipperary, Ireland between 7am and 9am Irish Time. That's pretty much the middle of the night here...1am to 3am. However, if you're a late night person you can listen in live at the following link: http://www.tippfm.com/

Volunteer State Community College

Hey Veterans- if you haven't been able to get VA educational assistance, you may be able to now

Many Vol State student veterans get VA educational assistance, but there are some folks, for many different reasons, who have not been eligible. There’s a new veterans program coming out very soon called the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). It potentially could help some of the student veterans without VA benefits. Here’s a letter from Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.


“We will start accepting applications for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)on May 15th for training that begins on or after July 1, 2012. If you are an unemployed Veteran, you may be eligible to receive 12 months of training assistance equal to the full-time monthly payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). You must pursue a program approved for VA benefits offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to a high demand occupation and result in an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree or a Certificate. Don't forget to sign up early as participation in the program is limited to a total of 99,000 Veterans with only 45,000 Veterans allowed to participate prior to October 1, 2012. The VA will publish more details on the program as they become available at our VOW website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/


Volunteer State Community College

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Interested in being an Emergency Medical Technician? Come to an info session...

Vol State has a popular Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program. Our grads are working for first responders and hospitals across Tennessee. They will be conducting advising sessions for the fall Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate courses. The sessions will be conducted at the Vol State main campus in Gallatin on June 4, 2012 at 1:00pm in the Caudill Building auditorium and 6:00pm in the Carpeted Dining Room in the Wood Campus Center. Students interested in enrolling in the EMT classes at the Highland Crest Center in Springfield or our other five off-campus sites should plan on attending one of the sessions. Please visit www.volstate.edu/emt for more information.

Volunteer State Community College

Logistics Students Awarded Scholarships

Carrie Irvin and Jeff Hartmann, Vol State students in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, are winners of the two $500.00 scholarships annually awarded by the Institute of Supply Chain Management-Nashville (ISM). Both Carrie and Jeff are Dean’s List students who have already completed their technical certificates in Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Carrie and Jeff plan to complete their associate degrees in fall 2012 Semester and move forward to earn bachelor degrees.

Carrie and Jeff both are Student Members of Institute of Supply Management-Nashville and regularly attend ISM-Nashville dinner meetings and special events.

Volunteer State Community College

Congratulations Graduate Award Winners!

The annual Graduate Awards Dinner was held last week. It highlights the exceptional students on campus- the ones who made a big difference academically and in the lives of others. The evening reminds us of the incredible talent and positive nature of the students here on campus. It gives us yet another reason to be proud to be a Pioneer. Congratulations to all. You can copy photos from that night by visiting this web page: http://volstate.edu/galleries/2012_graduate_awards/


JAMES "JIM" C. MOORE AWARD

Thomas A. Jones

William Kernodle

Brandon Shaw

JAMES L. TUTTLE AWARD

Gigi Beals

Katie Dossey

Hunter Harris

Kaitlyn Kohls

Chris Krause

Helen McBride

Crystal McCormick

PATRICIA B. LEBKUECHER AWARD

Gary Bickle

Matthew Cole

Brandon Shaw

Charmaine Stubblefield

MARY COLE NICHOLS AWARD

Carol Abney

Shelby Jo Fenter

Samantha Hearn

Shellie Leach

Jazmin Mercer

David Spears

R. WADE POWERS AWARD

Joey Brady

Tammy Hudson

Joseph Kaiga

Megan Weddle

HAL R. RAMER AWARD

Jason Aguilar

Traci Grant

POSITIVE DIFFERENCE AWARD

Paul Farmer


Allied Health Division Excellent Award- Rachel Jones

Humanities Division Excellence Award- Shellie Leach

Sullivan Award- Outstanding Math and Science Grad- Traci Grant

Social Science and Education Division Excellence Award-Hiba Ghanem

Business Division Excellence Award- Gary Bickle

International Education Excellence Award- Gary Bickle

Service Learning Faculty Award- David Johnson

Service Learning Student Award- Brandon Shaw


Outstanding Graduate Nominees

Carol Abney

Linda Anderson

Gary Bickle

Andrew Dunn

Amanda Fultz

Hiba Ghanem

Traci Grant

Skylar Hinton

Rachel Jones

Shellie Leach

Kenneth Steward II

Molly Webb

Another 100 Percent Pass Rate for Respiratory!

The Respiratory Care Program at Volunteer State Community College is celebrating another big accomplishment. All 19 students in the 2011 graduating class completed their board examinations this spring and passed the national certification exam on the very first attempt. It’s the fifth year in a row that Respiratory Care graduates have had a 100 percent pass rate on the first attempt. The students must pass the National Board for Respiratory Care exam to be credentialed, and they need to be credentialed to become licensed and gain employment. The national average first attempt pass rate for all respiratory care exam candidates is 57 percent. Volunteer State Allied Health programs traditionally have very high pass rates. Members of this Respiratory Care program will walk in the May 2012 graduation ceremony.


Vol State’s Respiratory Care credentialing board examinees:

Front row, left to right: Chet Creswell, Cody Morel, Jennifer Robbins, Danna Stockton, Stephanie Gould

Second row, left to right: Kim Christmon, Clinical Director, Bruce Burdine, Melanie Walker, Carmen Webster, Falin Gautz, Barbara Proffitt, Chas Osborn, Yasi Kiani, Timothy Patterson, Justin Randolph

Third row, left to right: Christina Hughes, Jennifer Bandy, Cory Martin, Program Director, Mark Risinger, Dusty Lilly, Penny West