The Northeast State Scholars Foundation student club formally established a scholarship in the name of a late Northeast State alumnus and met their goal to raise $10,000 for student scholarships.

The Scholars Foundation announced the creation of the Tait Obadiah White Memorial Book Scholarship available for the upcoming fall semester during the Student Leadership Luncheon held earlier this month. White graduated magna cum laude from Northeast State in summer 2011.  He passed away during the fall of 2012 while enrolled at East Tennessee State University.

Tait Obadiah White

“Tait embodied the leadership we expect in our student leaders,” said Greg Walters, dean of Student Development who worked closely with White.  “We could not do what we do without our student leaders.”

The Scholars Foundation sought to create a scholarship in White’s name in November of 2012.  Fundraising projects earned more than $2,400 with faculty and staff donations adding more than $300.  The Scholars were able to fund the scholarship for at least nine semesters thus far.

The book scholarship will benefit a second-year Foreign Language, Political Science, or Psychology major with a grade point average of 2.75. The first award will be made during the 2013 fall semester.  The monetary value of the scholarship to the recipient will be $300 per semester for two semesters.  A plaque commemorating White and recognizing each scholarship recipient will be displayed in the office of Scholarship Programs on the main campus.

White was an Honors Program student and served as the first president of the Scholars Foundation and president of Psi Beta, the psychology honors society.  He also helped develop the Scholars’ constitution and create a logo.  A teenage missionary who traveled to Panama and Peru, he served as a counselor as well as a laborer at Doe River Gorge Christian camp.

Greg Walters and Mark White

Tait’s father, Mark White, attended the luncheon and praised his son’s friends and classmates for their efforts to establish a scholarship to honor his legacy.  He also presented the college with a plaque that includes a photo of Tait and one of his original poems for display.

“He wasn’t the kind of person who bragged about what he did,” White said.  “He gave whatever he did his all, and I believe that made him so successful.”

The Scholars Foundation supports the efforts of the Northeast State Community College Foundation through student-driven initiatives to promote private giving and service learning. Membership is composed of students receiving Northeast State scholarships, Honors Program students, or members of other campus honor societies.

The Scholars club also celebrated surpassing the $10,000 mark this year in funds raised for Foundation Scholarships. The Scholars Foundation becomes eligible for membership the College’s President’s Trust which recognizes donors exceeding $10,000 of giving.

“It was very exhilarating considering all the work we put in,” said Rachel Lawson, student president of the Scholars Foundation.  “Seeing it grow from zero to $10,000 made it very satisfying.”

Northeast State Community College celebrated the Class of 2013 on May 14, awarding 1,247 degrees and certificates at commencement exercises. This is the largest class ever graduated by the College.

The event was held at the Mountain States Health Alliance Athletics Center on the East Tennessee State University campus.

Northeast State awarded 6 academic certificates, 389 technical certificates, 334 associate of applied science degrees, 24 associate of arts degrees, 25 associate of science in teaching degrees, and 469 associate of science degrees. A total of 129 students graduated cum laude (3.6 – 3.74 GPA), 66 received magna cum laude distinction (3.75 – 3.89 GPA), and 74 students were summa cum laude (3.9 – 4.0 GPA) graduates.

Northeast State awarded 1,247 degrees and certificates Tuesday’s commencement exercises.

Newt Raff, chair of the Board, First Tennessee Bank, Northeast Tennessee Region, delivered the commencement address. Raff was the founding chair of Northeast State’s Foundation.

“It’s a great day and great to celebrate your success. I have certainly enjoyed celebrating others’ success my whole career … so it’s great to be here” Raff said. “Northeast State has changed my life just like I know it’s changing your life and will continue to change your life for the better.”

Northeast State President Dr. Janice Gilliam noted that Raff was named recipient of the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for 2013. The award is based on criteria of generous giving of time and resources to TBR institutions and ethical leadership, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and integrity.

The 2013 graduating class was the largest ever at Northeast State.

Raff started his career with First Tennessee Bank in 1976 as an operations officer. He quickly moved up the ranking, serving in various roles and capacities. In 1985, he accepted the role of regional president for First Tennessee Bank in Kingsport and Bristol, where he doubled the bank’s size from $85 million in 1986 to $177 million in 1989.

In 1992, Raff was promoted to chair and CEO of First Tennessee Bank Northeast Tennessee and initiated and closed the purchase of Home Federal, an $840 million savings in loan. In 1997, he was selected as one of the top 25 CEO’s in the region and he was awarded Executive of the Year at the Greater Tri-Cities Business Awards in 1998.

East Tennessee State University honored him as an Honorary Alumnus in 2005 and in 2009 Raff was inducted into the ETSU College and Business and Technology Hall of Fame and awarded the Excellence in Business Award.

More than 260 students graduated with honors.

During commencement ceremonies, Gilliam recognized the College’s Outstanding Student Award recipient and Distinguished Staff Award recipients.

Elizabeth Ross earned the Outstanding Student Award. She holds membership in the College’s Alpha Iota Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Northeast State Scholars Foundation, and the President’s All-Academic Team. She graduated summa cum laude with an associate of science degree in Speech Communication.

Ross recently earned the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship – an award that honors the best community college students in the nation. The program – the largest private scholarship for community college transfer students in the country – provides up to $30,000 per year for up to three years to students who are nominated by their schools based on a number of factors including academic excellence, and financial need.

Graduates shared the night with family and friends.

In 2013, the Foundation received 769 nominations from 377 community colleges in 45 states and the District of Columbia. A highly selective scholarship, Ross was one of only 73 recipients receiving the award.

David Lewis earned the College’s Distinguished Support Staff Member Award. Lewis provides support services around campus and takes on the challenging job of lab assistant with the Sciences Department.

Sandra Gardner received the Distinguished Administrative/Professional Staff Member Award. She is an academic advisor with the Student Success Center providing guidance and learning resources for students.

Jim Kelly was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Member Award. He is an associate professor of history and humanities at Northeast State. Kelly also chairs the College’s Cultural Activities Committee that brings educational and entertaining speakers to campus each year.

Northeast State welcomes award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor to campus to kick off the Summer Concert Series with a free live performance on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Taylor will perform in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater on the main campus, adjacent to Tri-Cities Regional Airport.

Completely self-taught, Taylor has enjoyed a remarkable musical career.  He has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world. As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humor, with a strong stage presence.

Martin Taylor

Taylor established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing.  No less than Jeff Beck said of Taylor, “He out-shred’s all of us put together….I’ve never seen anything like it.”

As well as his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genre including, Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck, Gary Burton, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum. He spends much of the year travelling the world, playing in concert halls in Europe, North America, Japan, Asia, and Australasia as well as presiding over the uniquely innovative Martin Taylor Guitar Academy online.

The concert is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  For more information, contact 423.279.7668 or jpkelly@northeaststate.edu.

Northeast State welcomed more than 50 new members to the Nu Sigma Chi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society during the past academic year.  Alpha Sigma Lambda recognizes the achievements of adults who reach academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work.

The new members were inducted into the honors society for non-traditional college students at fall and spring induction ceremonies held at the College’s main campus in Blountville.  The chapter’s faculty advisors Mahmood Sabri and Maggie Flint, and staff advisor Virginia Salmon, direct the chapter’s membership and activities.  The newest Nu Sigma Chi members for 2012-13 and their academic majors are as follows: 

Fall 2012: Kathy Adams, Business Management & Small Business Management; Daniel Anders, Medical Lab Technician; Sandra Baker, Office Administration Technology:  Medical; Sheri Blankenbeckler, Sociology & Speech Communication; Joshua Blevins, Computer Programming/Web Development; Timothy Crigger, Business Management; Charles Forstall, Electromechanical Technology; Jessi Garino, Psychology; Lionel Grady, Jr., Nursing & Biology Transfer; Mallory Grey, K-6 Education:  Special Education; Charles Harrell, Heating & Air; Talli Hunigan, Nursing; Marty Kilby, Chemical Process Operations; Sherri Lester, Public Relations/Advertising; Amber McGuire, Dental Hygiene; Wade McMackin, Electromechanical Technology; Autumn Morgan, Psychology;  Kevin Ray, Electrical Technology:  Electrical Concentration; Crystal Simpson, University Parallel; James Wandell;  Terry Weber, Computer and Information Sciences:  Networking Systems; and Randall Whitson, Biology and Police Science.

New Nu Sigma Chi chapter members of fall 2012.

Spring 2013:  Julia Allen, Business; Nancy Bailey; Kimberly Campbell, Business Accounting; Mary Jo Cardwell, Office Administration Technology: Medical; Sheryl Chapman, Cardiovascular Technology/Non-invasive; Daniel Chess, Welding/Metal Fabrication; Derick Cook, Mechanical Tool Technology; Patricia Coonley, Computer Science: Networking; Lisa Cross, University Parallel; Altheria Davis, General Studies; Kristen Dempsey, Accounting; Angela Durham, Pre-Pharmacy; Charlene Flynn, Office Administration Technology; Mary Johnson, Computer Science; Paige Kelly, Surgical Technology; Kimberly Lane, Early Childhood Education; Frankie Nunley, Nursing; Leslie Peery, Psychology; Jeanann Sanders, Medical Laboratory Technology; Padra Turner, Early Childhood Education; Heather Wendt, Psychology and Pre-Secondary Education; and Dana Williams, Social Work.

New Nu Sigma Chi chapter members of spring 2013.

Student members must have completed a minimum of 24 graded semester hour credits.  Student members selected also must have a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

 Alpha Sigma Lambda is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By so doing, this Society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Northeast State Community College recognized its fifth class of Nursing graduates at the 2013 Pinning Ceremony held Tuesday night at the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts on the main campus in Blountville.

Northeast Nursing grads got their pins Tuesday night.

The graduating class of students received their nursing pins from the dean of Nursing, Dr. Melessia M. Webb.  In the Dean’s charge to the graduates, Webb expressed her admiration for the graduates’ attitude of “paying it forward” to their classmates and friends.

“The attribute that sticks out about this graduating class is your generosity,” she said. “These students shared books, study materials, and even got together to provide financial support to their fellow students.”

Northeast State Nursing graduates for 2013 are: Crystal Adams, Crystal Arnold, Tammy Beavers, Brian Campbell, Kristina Carter, Cassandra Deloach, Amanda Downing, Debra Evans, Sonia Fields, Heather Ford, Melissa Ford, Brandon Garber, Richard Green, Britny Hall, Jennifer Harrah, Michelle Harris, Haley Hartley, Heather Hayes, Cynthia Haynes, Cristy Heck, Cynthia Hill, Debra Holden, Donald Horvath, Kapui Ip, Melissa Jennings, Jessica Kilgore, Chelsea Kiser, Jessica Lasiter, Lisa Laster, Lyndsey Mason, Melody McKeehan, Rosemary McMahan, Brooks Monroe, Sara Morelock, Edgar Myers, Kina Nash, Lauren Orsburn, Meredith Pardee, Chetna Patel, Kimberly Pierce, Kimberly Plemmons, Tina Quillen, Heather Ramey, Amanda Reece, Julie Richardson, Chessi Riner, Jennifer Roberts, Jeremy Robinette, Casey Seay, Whitney Snyder, Lindsey Stafford, Alisha Taylor, Kayla Thomas, Laura Thomas, Amanda Turner, Christy VanDine, Becky Wahrer, and Kelly West.

The pinning ceremony provided a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession. Each graduating student received the Northeast State Nursing pin on his or her white lab coat signifying completion of the associate of applied science degree program.

Nursing students take the “Nightingale Pledge.”

Selected to answer the Dean’s charge on behalf of the graduates was Melissa Jennings. She thanked the nursing faculty, her classmates, and all their families for their support during the trying times of nursing school.

“We started out together just wanting to pass and ultimately succeed,” said Jennings. “But we didn’t just want that for ourselves, we wanted it for each and every one of us.”

Debra Evans received the program’s Outstanding Student Award.  Tammy Beavers and Lindsey Stafford were dual winners of the Adult Learner of the Year Award.

The nursing students receive their diplomas on May 14 at the College’s spring commencement ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m. at East Tennessee State University/Mountains State Health Alliance Athletic Center on the campus of ETSU in Johnson City.

“We come to the end of this chapter of our life,” Jennings told her fellow graduates. “But we have a lot more chapters left to write.”

Bridging the past and present, the Northeast State at Bristol teaching site – located in the historic City Central Building at 620 State Street in downtown Bristol – was unveiled May 6 during a grand opening hosted by Northeast State and the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce.

Northeast State is leasing 16,000 square-feet of third-floor space to house classrooms and offices. As currently configured, the facility will have nine classrooms – all of which are outfitted with state-of-the-art computer-based teaching technology.

King University President Dr. Greg Jordan praises President Dr. Janice Gilliam and the collaborative work of public and private entities to establish Northeast State at Bristol

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey was on hand for the event and noted the facility “rivals anything in the state of Tennessee,” saying the teaching site would aid Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative to raise the number of Tennesseans who hold two- and four-year degrees to 55 percent by 2025.

Northeast State President Dr. Janice Gilliam said the College plans to offer two-year associate degrees, certificates, workforce development training, and GED/Adult Education at the site. Initial enrollment is estimated at 75 students for the summer term and 150-200 for the fall semester.

“It’s a truly historic day in an historic building and we are delighted to be in Bristol, Gilliam said. “Our goals are about access, completion, and community and this facility plays an important role in our goal of having a teaching site within 20-30 miles of every citizen in the College’s service area.”

Northeast State at Bristol is located at 620 State Street.

In addition, Northeast State officials are planning to offer an entertainment technology program that will mesh with Bristol’s “Birthplace of Country Music” brand. The program would focus on equipping students with sound, lighting, and rigging skills, which could be used in performances, hotels, churches, theaters, and other related venues.

The College is also seeking partnerships with other area higher education institutions including Virginia Highlands Community College, King College, and East Tennessee State University.

The facility is the former H.P. King Building, which J. Allen Hurley, president of Vision, LLC and former CEO of Touchstone Wireless, purchased from the City of Bristol. Hurley, a Northeast State alumnus, has proceeded with plans to make the facility a downtown attraction. The building has multiple-sized venues for events and the 620 State Restaurant & Venue is located on the first floor.

The open house brought out dozens of citizens demonstrating their support for Northeast State at Bristol.

“It’s a great day for Bristol, a great day for Northeast State, and a great day for the community, Hurley said. “If you’re working a full-time job 8-10 hours a day and you have to drive 40 minutes one way to get to class – and then get someone to watch the kids – it makes is hard to go back to school. Now, Northeast State a Bristol changes that and makes access to education easy and convenient for students in the area.”

Registration is now under way for summer sessions which begin June 4.

Classes for the full term (June 4 – Aug. 8) include Developmental Writing, Computer Applications, Learning Support Math 1, Learning Support Math 2, Learning Support Math 3, and Basic and Developmental Reading.

Classes for the first term (June 4 – July 3) include Composition I, U.S. History I, Introduction to Humanities I, and Fundamentals of Speech.

Classes for the second session (July 5 – Aug. 1) include Composition II, American Literature, U.S. History II, Intro to Humanities II, and General Psychology.

In addition, Northeast State at Bristol will host a Summer Institute for Entertainment Technology featuring bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson. Topics will include sound, lighting, production, and performance techniques. The institute is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23, 24, and 25. For more information, call 423.354.5214.

For more information about the Northeast State at Bristol, visit www.Northeaststate.edu/Bristol or contact Dr. Keith Young, dean of Off Campus Programs and Services at 423.354.5237 or ckyoung@NortheastState.edu.

Northeast State’s Advanced Technologies Division has announced the addition of a new concentration in Automotive Body/Collision Repair within the existing associate of applied science degree in Industrial Technology. The 60-hour program will offer classes starting in fall 2013.

The new Automotive Body/Collision Repair degree program begins this fall.

Students will receive state-of-the-art training in areas such as welding, metal fabrication, refinishing, auto painting, body and chassis electronics, computer and engine controls, and repair estimation.

The College currently offers a 21-hour technical certificate in Auto Body Service Technology and students who finish, or have finished, the certificate may transfer those hours into the A.A.S. program.

“This really takes the program to another level for our students and opens up more opportunities for advancement in the auto body industry,” said Sam Rowell, dean of Advanced Technologies. “The additional general education, estimating and management, and quality and inspection courses will give students added value as employees.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of automotive body technicians is expected to grow 19 percent from 2010 to 2020 and “those with formal training and industry certification should have very good job opportunities.”

Employment for auto body techs is expected to grow 19% through 2020 .

The program is housed at the Pal Barger Regional Center for Automotive Programs, 337 W. Center St. in downtown Kingsport. The facility, which opened in February of 2012, has two classrooms, two offices, 14 workstations, four virtual paint stations, a large shop area, and a state-of-the-art paint booth.

The building is the fifth facility at Northeast State at Kingsport. Other buildings include the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the Regional Center for Health Professions, and the Regional Center for Applied Technology.

Students interested in admission to the Auto Body Service Technology program may contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 800.836.7822 or e-mail admissions@NortheastState.edu.

The Northeast State Foundation will turn Bristol’s Foundation Event Facility into a miniature Church Hill Downs May 4 with a fund-raising event that features hats, roses, food, music, and fun.

NeSCC’s Derby Day returns to downtown Bristol.

Last year, the event raised more than $10,000 for scholarships, and Dr. Heather Cook, executive direction of the Foundation, said plans are under way to make the occasion even bigger and better this year.

“More than 200 people attended last year and it was a fun and successful event,” Cook said. “With the experience of last year, we expect it will be a must-attend affair for Northeast State supporters.”

Cook said the event will feature wall-sized video screens for viewing the race, a silent auction, a hat contest, and live music by the Spirit of Soul Dance Band to round out the evening. The facility is located at 620 E. State St.

For more details, visit www.derbynortheast.com. Tickets for the events can be purchased online or by calling 423.279.7630.