Northeast State has a new mascot.  Thousands of online ballots were cast and a majority of voters selected the BEARS as the first mascot name to represent the College!

The Northeast State Bears

The voting results were revealed today in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater on the main campus at Blountville.  Voters selected the Bears over the Owls and Jets mascot options.  A Bear mascot will represent the College at various events as a goodwill ambassador.

Bears represent one of the most recognizable and awe-inspiring animals of our region and in the whole of North America.  References to bears are found in ancient and modern literature, folk songs, legends, mythology, and children stories.  Bears are among the first animals that children learn to recognize.

The College sought to establish a symbol to represent college pride and reflect a regional identity for the public.  Northeast State surveyed students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to develop creative ideas for the campaign.

Northeast State wishes to thank everyone who voted and all the project’s contributors for their work and support.

College coursework presents a challenge to a student living in a comfortable environment.  The challenge is magnified when the student lacks money or even a regular food supply.

Faculty and staff of Northeast State Community College endeavored to help students in need of food assistance through a pilot project with a regional food bank.  The College’s Student Needs Project partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank as a destination for their Mobile Food Pantry to serve to students.  Staff and student volunteers organized the first food deliveries made to the main campus on April 19 and designated for 45 in-need students.

“We hope to bring the mobile food pantry to the main campus once per month beginning in the fall semester,” said Raylene Steward, with Student Support Services TRiO Program at Northeast State.  “The only qualification they need to have is being an enrolled Northeast State student.”

Northeast State volunteers unload the Mobile Food Pantry.

A $5 donation from a pantry partner provides a student with 40 pounds of food.  Donations are solicited from individuals across campus not from students in need.  Faculty and staff members donated funds to cover the truck’s fuel costs and charges on this first trip.

Steward initiated the project as an assignment for a graduate level course she is taking at East Tennessee State University.  She contacted Second Harvest about the mobile food pantry earlier this spring.

The Student Needs Project hopes to see the pantry make one delivery per month beginning in fall.

The mobile food pantry vehicle delivers perishable and non-perishable foods to participating organizations.  The vehicle used by Second Harvest was provided through the “American Idol” television show’s charitable efforts.

“The need is there because our faculty talks to students and hears their stories every semester,” said David Haga, instructor of Mathematics and coordinator of the Student Needs Project. “Raylene did a fantastic job so we hope this is just the beginning of what we can do for students.”

Student Needs Project coordinator and mathematics instructor David Haga.

Haga took the helm of the Student Needs Project last fall during the Because of You fundraising campaign launched by the Northeast State Foundation.  He said the project aimed to offer food assistance for up to 60 students once each month during seven months of the 2013-2014 academic year.  He added the Northeast State at Kingsport and Elizabethton sites could be added as delivery points this fall.

“For many of our students, an education is the only way they have to get to a better life,” said Haga. “We are striving to keep them in class by helping meet those needs beyond the classroom.”

Northeast State Community College welcomed 93 new members to the Alpha Iota Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the 2013 spring semester.

Phi Theta Kappa

The new members were welcomed into Alpha Iota Chi during an induction ceremony held April 21 at the College’s main campus in Blountville.  The ceremony was led by Jane Honeycutt, the chapter’s faculty advisor and coordinator of the Northeast State Honors Program.

The newest members of Alpha Iota Chi are:  Jordan Appiah-Kesse; Tyler Arnold; Maria Beteta; Lauren Beuttel; Tiffani Bigelow; Donald Black; Jonathon Blackwell; Emmaline Bragg; Lori Burnettee; Kalena Butts; Tia Campbell; Tia Campbell; Sheryl Chapman; Jefferson Coalson; Patricia Coonley; Mary Cordero; Jonathan Creger; Mary Crowe; Christina Crowl; Elaine Cuddihee; Amy Dotson; Daniel Durbin; Rachel Durham; Stephanie Ernest; Alyssa Fair; Mallory Grey; Laurel Gustavsen; Brittany Hammitt; Courtney Harkleroad; Jamie Harris; Brooke Hartley; Steven Haun; Lindsey Hicks; Joshua  Hinkle; Kayla Hobbs; Hannah Hopper; Marc Huening; Katie Hyatt; Lacey Hyatt; Alicia Jantzen; Blake Johnson; Lori Jones; Glenna Kassem; Paige Kelly; Melissa Kendrick ; Virginia Ginny Ketron; Joy Kissel; Ryan Knowlden; Tyler Knowles;  Christopher Krajeck; Rebeka Lane; Ann Maines; Jennifer Marshall; Sarah Maxwell; James McCracken; Amanda McCracken; Christopher McGinn; Cassie McGrory; Savannah McKee; Natasha Miller; Nicole Neilson; Randa Norton; Holly O’Brien; Shannon Otterbine; Matthew Parker; Jennifer Pate;  Joe Pendergrass ;Jasmine Potter; Amber Quillen; Timothy Rice; Asten Rice; Cory Richardson; Austin Rowell; Katelyn Salyers; Stephen Saults; Elizabeth Savinsky; Scott-Michael Scarbrough;  Jessica Shoun; Dustin Silcox; Odette Simons; Bridgette Smith; Isabella Smith; Travis Sproles; Joshua Stansberry; Hannah Stevens; Amber Sturgill; Bonnie Tankersley; Edward Teal; Tracy Wagner; Cassandra Walls; Samuel Wells; Mackinzie Whitener; Matthew Wineman; and Jeff Woods.

To qualify for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, a student must be enrolled full-time in an associate degree program, have completed at least 12 hours of college-level coursework, and have a minimum 3.5 grade point average. A college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter extends membership invitations to students meeting these criteria.

 The Alpha Iota Chi chapter has achieved five-star status, the highest level of participation in Phi Theta Kappa activities. The society supports the four hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship that are designed to give members opportunities for personal growth as well as service to others.

Wayne G. Basler Library

Beginning with National Library Week (April 14 – 20, 2013) and continuing through May 3, the Basler Library is conducting its annual Student Survey (User Satisfaction Survey) and would appreciate your participation.

The survey can be accessed by clicking this link:

http://apps.northeaststate.edu/survey/library/spring/

The survey helps gauge what students and library patrons think the Library does well – they also help determine where the library might improve upon its provision of services and/or resources.  Numbers do matter – the more completed surveys submitted the more appropriate responses can be.

Ultimately this benefits the students more than anyone else on campus.  Please take a few minutes and let us know what you think.  Thank you for your participation.

Kane “Novakane” Smego, a nationally-recognized spoken word poet and artistic director of Sacrificial Poets, will perform April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Northeast State Auditorium.

Kane Smego

Smego is noted for his dynamic performances that explore the power of stories and voice as tools for self-transformation, non-violent resistance, and community engagement.

Smego grew up in North Carolina and graduated in 2010 with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a National Poetry Slam finalist and he has performed at prominent venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City, the, Chicago’s Green Mill, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.

For more information, visit http://www.consciouscampus.com/portfolio/kane-smego/.

The performing arts center is located at 2425 Highway 75 in Blountville, adjacent to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. Smego’s performance is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jim Kelly at jpkelly@NortheastState.edu or 423.279.7669.

Northeast State recognized the year’s distinguished students, staff, and faculty members at the annual Honors Convocation held Thursday night at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport.

The college’s Outstanding Student Award was presented to Elizabeth Ross. 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 holds a 4.0 grade point average.  Ross also won the Adult Learner of the Year Award given to a non-traditional student with high achievement after returning to college.  She will graduate summa cum laude in May with an associate of science degree in Speech Communication.

Beth Ross

Northeast State alumnus Dr. David Long, ’92, received the Outstanding Alumni Award for 2013.  Long serves as assistant director of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and Department of Engineering Science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

Prior to the Convocation, the College held a reception for the President’s All-Academic Team.   The team is composed of students who are graduating with a 4.0 grade point average.

The Northeast State Program Area Awards recognized outstanding students in the academic department. Program award winners are:

Advanced Technologies

Chemical Process Operations – Benjamin Sanders; Electrical Technology – James May; Electromechanical Technology – Michael Clay; General Technology – Todd Rust; Automotive Service – James Dollard; Auto Body Service Technology – Alan Daniel; Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning – Justin Brickey; Industrial Drafting Design – Jordan Pate; Machine Tool – Steven Hensley; Manufacturing – James Foster; Mechanical – Marshall Haney; Motor Sports – Alexander Arnold; Welding/Metal Fabrication – Michael Johnson.

 Behavioral & Social Science Division

Criminal Justice and Criminology – Justin Sparks; Early Childhood Education – Jamie Trivett; Mass Communications – Michael Wells; Psychology – Hannah Todaro; Public Safety and Justice Administration – Robert Conley;  Social Work – Rebecca Lecka; Sociology & Anthropology – Jasmine Potter; Speech Communication – Josh Shearer; Teacher Education – Mallory Grey; Teacher Education Pre-K-3 – Cory Parker.

 Business Technologies

Accounting – Kristen  Dempsey; Management – Michael Devereaux; Small Business Management – Billy Harrah Jr.; Computer & Information Science/Computer Networking Systems – Patricia Coonley;; Computer & Information Science/Computer Programming – Joshua Blevins;  Computer & Information Science/Internet and Web Development – Jonathan Hinkle;  Computer & Information Science/ PC Management – Jimmy Absher; Computer & Information Science / Information Technology – William Bailey; Office Administrative Technology/General – Laurie Anspaugh; Office Administrative Technology/Legal – Michelle Sprouse; Office Administrative Technology/Medical – Sandra Baker.

 Health-Related Professions Division

Dental Assistant – Jordan Dyer; EMT-Paramedic – Megan Archer; Medical Laboratory Technology – Steven Wagner; Surgical Technology – Kelli Turnmire; Invasive Cardiology – Angela Baker; Non-Invasive Cardiology – Erin Cassel.

 Humanities Division

Art – Tommy Laws, Jr.; English – Andrew Christian; History – Amanda Broome; Spanish – Jessi Stevens; Honors Program – Alicia Jennings.

Mathematics Division

Business – Diane Campbell; Engineering – Christopher Martinez; Mathematics – James Wagner.

Nursing Division – Debra Evans.

 Sciences Division

Astronomy – Kimberly Campbell; Biology – Brandie Newman; Chemistry – Stanley Pierce; Dental Hygiene – Rachel Hygiene; Health Professions – Jocelyn Spenillo; Nursing/Articulated – Angelica Bridges; Physical Therapy – Daniel Neubrander; Physics – Laura Wemple; Radiography – Ian Wolf.

President Janice Gilliam and the Outstanding Student Award finalists.

Northeast State President Dr. Janice Gilliam presented the Distinguished Staff Awards to Northeast State faculty and staff who were nominated by their colleagues for their outstanding service to students and the College.

David Lewis won the 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 also recognized students graduating next month with academic honors. A total of 129 students are graduating cum laude (honors), 65 will graduate magna cum laude (high honors), and 72 students are summa cum laude (highest honors) graduates.

The College’s spring graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on May 14 at the East Tennessee State University/Mountain States Health Alliance Memorial Center in Johnson City.

Northeast State invites students and community members to attend the Spring Career Fair 2013 Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts on the Blountville campus. The free and public event will provide opportunities to learn about job openings and talk with area employers.

Spring Career Fair is a great way to connect with employers.

“We’d like to invite not only our students but also the community to come out and meet our local employers,” said Marquita Tittle, Northeast State’s Coordinator of Career Services. “It will be an excellent opportunity to network and learn about current hiring needs.”

Tittle said last year’s fair drew more than 45 employers and more than 300 persons took part in the event.

“Last year’s event was a great success and we’re anticipating this year’s fair will be bigger and better,” Tittle said. “Our employers are eager to find qualified employees and we’re hoping that the Spring Career Fair will allow them to do so.”

Employers may register online at http://apps.northeaststate.edu/registration/careerfair/ until April 1. Companies do not have to be hiring to participate in the event.

Employers attending the career fair represent a variety of companies from around the region.

Employers attending the career fair will represent a wide variety of companies from around the region. Industry and business sectors include manufacturing, health-care, financial, information technology, insurance, automotive, education, retail, and food service.

The Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts is located on the College’s Blountville campus, 2425 Highway 75, adjacent to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. For more information, call 423.354.5167 or e-mail mbtittle@NortheastState.edu.

Honors Convocation recognizes the College’s best students.

Northeast State will recognize the year’s most distinguished students, staff, and faculty members of 2012-2013 at the annual Honors Convocation held Thursday, April 18 at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport.

The Honors Convocation recognizes Northeast State’s top student achievers in each academic department, students graduating in May with honors, and the Outstanding Student, Outstanding Alumni, and Outstanding Faculty award winners.  The Honors Convocation also recognizes the students involved with service learning programs, Volunteer Northeast State, club and individual awards won throughout the year from state and national organizations.

The event begins at 7 p.m. in MeadowView’s main convention center. For information, contact the office of Student Life at 423.354.2416.