Vol State Virtual Community

Paralegal Grads at the Tennessee Supreme Court and How You Can Get Started in Paralegal

2013-05-16T15:29:00.001-05:00

Donna Crimm (left) and Stephanie Wilson (right) are pictured here in the lobby of the Tennessee Supreme Court building where they both work. Donna Crim is a recent Vol State graduate with a certificate in Paralegal Studies. She started her job on May 1. Stephanie Wilson earned her associate degree in Paralegal Studies at Vol State last year. She finished in the summer and was employed by November.

Are you interested in a career as a paralegal? The next Paralegal Studies open information session is June 13, 2013 in the Mattox building on the Gallatin campus at 1480 Nashville Pike starting at noon. Contact Loretta Calvert or Mary Eidson at 230-3303 for more information. Visit the Paralegal web page for more info about the program:

www.volstate.edu/paralegal

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

2013-05-15T13:30:00.000-05:00

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 12, 2013 at 1 pm in the Caudill building auditorium and 6 pm in the Caudill building auditorium. Students interested in enrolling in the EMT classes at the Highland Crest campus in Springfield or our other off-campus sites should plan on attending one of the sessions. Please visit www.volstate.edu/emt for more information and to sign up for an advising session.

Vol State Students Span the Globe: Our First Trip Report

2013-05-15T08:50:00.002-05:00

Vol State students are traveling across the globe this month as part of the Vol State International Education travel-study program. We'll have several reports over the next week. The first is from Jesse Walker who is traveling in Europe right now:

Hey there!

I just wanted to write you a small bit about the trip so far!

I'm currently in Vienna, Austria. Today we started off with a walking tour of the city center. We saw Parliament and Town Hall buildings. We then used the metro system to travel to Belvedere (pictured). This palace is now an art gallery to some beautiful pieces from medieval, baroque, and many others periods. I'm studying Art Appreciation and our assignment was to observe the art to discuss it tonight during class. Hearing what others thought about it was a great way to pick up more information about the museum.

After walking around the spectacular gardens surrounding the palace, we mailed some postcards and found a great restaurant serving the traditional weiner schnitzel. So good!

Class was held outside at the hostel today and once finished, we went to a small amusement park and rode the Ferris Wheel which provided panorama views of the entire Viennese skyline. Amazing!

We have a free day tomorrow so it will most likely consist of a few other museums (specifically the Freud and Mozart museums). We travel to Budapest, Hungary the following day.

I'm having a great time and the trip is just getting started!!!

-Jesse Walker

Until We Meet Again

2013-05-09T14:06:00.000-05:00

I have become to think of Vol State as my second home, especially since I have spent more time on campus than I have at my actual home. The windowless newsroom in the Wood Campus Center can suck you in like a person with a gambling problem and you're inside a casino. Many nights I have spent in that room only to walk outside and realize it's a new day. Although coming back to college consumed most of my time, I would not trade my Vol State experience with anything in the world.

When I first decided to come back to college in spring 2011, it was scary and exciting. I came into Vol State for testing on a Saturday, registered, and started my first class the same afternoon. After being out of college for several years, and the only things that I had written were emails at work, it was no surprise that I needed to take a developmental writing class. Going from a developmental writing class to the social media writer for the school’s blog and editor of the school’s magazine within a year seems shocking, but I owe it all to the professors and instructors that I had here at Vol State.

Arlo Hall was my first instructor and he really inspired me to do my best when it comes to writing. Laura Black really helped me find my voice in her English class, and Grady Eades helped me structure my writing in his History class. Even with all my help from my instructors, without the Language Center and Susan Previte, I would have been lost. Once I started my communication classes, Clay Scott took everything that I thought I knew about writing and threw it out the window. Writing for media and AP (Associated Press) style is completely different from writing an academic paper. With the help of Eric Melcher and Scott I have learned to write for media, and also confuse myself when writing a paper for class.

I wish I could have spent my two years focusing mainly on literature, but it's mandatory to take other classes in the math, science and social science divisions. I really appreciate Carol Topping for making Psychology interesting enough to make me second guess my major in mass communication and think about neurology. Can you imagine me as a brain surgeon? Sounds funny, but she made it seem possible. Seth McCormick managed to teach me biology to where I could actually use it in everyday conversation, and Peggy Dyers stayed with me after class working on math problems that I did not understand during class. I truly do not believe that I would have received this hands on experience at any other school. Especially in the radio studio where I had my own radio show. Thanks to Howard Espravnik, I'm one step closer to being Oprah status!

Vol State has not been all academic, it has been a place to have fun and give back to the community. As a member of several clubs on campus, I have had the chance to work on several service learning projects as well as help entertain the students on campus with my involvement in student government and association of campus entertainment (ACE). I know that the student life office works extra hard to ensure that students feel like they are more than just a number, but a actual person who wants more from their school than just classes. Dr. Kenny Yarbough, Tabitha Sherrell and Lori Miller make it all possible, plus they listen to my rants.

It's not just the things that happen on campus, because of Vol State, I have been able to travel this beautiful country of ours as well as other countries. Thanks to the International Study Program, I have been to France, Holland, and Belgium. I am gearing up to travel to China this summer. I owe the world to Anne-Marie Ruttenbur for being a good friend and mentor to me and all of the Vol State students who travel the globe with the help of Dr. John Espey.

I have really enjoyed the past two years at Vol State and I know that I do not have to say good bye to anyone, because I’m sure that we will see each other again. Thanks to all the professors I have ever bugged with all my questions, everyone in student services, especially Patty Powell. And a big thanks to everyone in the Public Relations Department, for taking a chance on a writer who started her writing career in a developmental class. Tami Wallace is the best boss a person can ask for, and Lesa Durham and Holly Nimmo are so helpful, because they are all knowing. Jason Bugiada and Jefferson Furtado kept me entertained in the P.R. office. Because of my position, I have had an opportunity to meet so many interesting people who have been apart of Vol State, as well as individuals from around the world. I have also had the chance interview celebrities like former NBA player John Salley and a high profile attorney, Ray Whitley. These two years have been absolutely amazing. This is not me saying goodbye, but this is me saying, see you later. Once a Pioneer always a Pioneer!

The New Vol State Student Designed App

2013-05-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered where a certain office was on Vol State's campus or an office’s phone number? Well now there is a student designed app for that. Vol State students in the "Introduction to Programing Logic Using Mobile Applications" class has spent most of the semester working on Campus Hound, a mobile app to assist students around campus.

“This is strictly for the android platform,” said instructor Dan Arena. "It's bound to be found by campus hound."

The app has mapping features to give you directions to anywhere on campus, a directory of frequently called numbers, the academic calendar, and RSS feeds to campus news and information sources to let students know what’s going on.

"I think the new app is cool," said John Hogan. "I hate having to go online when I need to find a professor or phone number."

“There is a feature kind of like the Siri feature where you can talk and say things like Bookstore and the app will call the bookstore,” said Arena.

"That (Campus Hound) would be pretty helpful when I'm looking for the Bookstore's phone number, like yesterday when I couldn't find it anywhere," said Josh Maggart.

Maggart said that he looks up things involving Vol State all the time and he has found them one way or another, but now he has downloaded Campus Hound and he believes it will save him a lot of time previously spent on Google searches.

The students in Arena's class have come up with everything for the application, from the graphics to the name to the branding and marketing plan.

You can now download the app by scanning the QR code to the left or at the Google Play Store by searching "Campus Hound" or "VolState". Sorry, but this app is not available for iPhones or iPads.

Hey incoming freshmen, check out this program designed especially for you...

2013-05-06T13:32:00.003-05:00

Hey, incoming freshmen...check out this program designed especially for you....contact Kristi Huffine for more info at kristi.huffine@volstate.edu or 230-3619.

The Interview to go with that Great Picture

2013-05-02T09:02:00.004-05:00

You may have seen this photo from the Tennessean on Facebook and the blog earlier this week. It shows one of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) students helping a runner at the recent Music City Marathon. It was such a great photo we wanted to learn more about how Vol State EMS students participated that day, so we talked to Doyle Walker, the dedicated first responder in the picture. He's been in EMS for many years and had a different spin on what happened that day.

"The runner crossed the finish line. He was wobbling a bit so two of us grabbed him," said Walker. His legs went out so I picked him up and took him to the medical tent."

The original story from the newspaper had Walker taking the runner across the finish line. It's still shows the effort and dedication of our students. Walker says working the Marathon helped broaden his experience.

"I've been in EMS since 1997 and it's always been in the ER or in an ambulance. Those of us at the finish line were there for patients who were having trouble finishing. You look to pick out the ones who need to be treated. They suffered from dehydration, hypothermia, hyponatremia, we had two patients with contractions going into labor. Muscles cramps and dehydration were the main thing, though."

25 Vol State EMS students and faculty worked at the Marathon. Most were working in one of the medical tents, but five were picked out to help at the finish line. Congrats to all of our EMS students and faculty who worked the event. You did us proud. And a special thanks to photographer Jae S. Lee with the Tennessean for taking such a great photo. Here are the other students:

Andrew Bell

Dustin Woodard/Beard

Doyle Walker

Charles Price

Alex Bonick

Tammy Rawls

Tyler Cothron

Kyle Cravens

Stephen Jernigan

James Solomon

Mathew Lauger

Erich Czaplinski

William Frazier

Sam Turner

Tiffany Morris

Russ Heflin

Zackaria Mrayan

Vol State Student YouTubing his way to the Top

2013-05-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

As we have learned in college, it’s not always what you know but also who you know. With social media available in the palm of your hands, networking has never been so easy.Vol State student Shane Michael is using multiple social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more to network with individuals all over the world in order to pursue his dream of music.

Michael is a hip-hop artist who does not use profanity. He says his music is more about life stories that people can relate to and he uses social media to tell his story.

“It gives you a way to be able to socialize and build a relationship with your fan base,” said Michael. “It lets them know what type of artist you are.”

Michael says that he uses social media sites every day for networking opportunities.

“Without an audience you are nobody. You have to have supporters to keep you going,” Michael said.

With almost 2,500 subscribers to his YouTube channel, Michael feels that his music is being supported.

In March, Michael said that YouTube contacted him to be a part of “Playlist Live,” a showcase for the top YouTube artist. The showcase was held in Orlando, Florida.

“There is a lot of talent on YouTube,” Michael said. “I was one of the main rappers that were chosen, and it feels good to be picked out of all that talent.”

Between exposure at the Playlist Live showcase and networking online every day, Michael has garnered radio play in his home state of Michigan, in Massachusetts and even in Australia. Fans in Ireland often contact him via Twitter.

“If I didn’t have social media, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Michael said.

EMS students in action...Check out this photo!

2013-04-30T12:25:00.001-05:00

Courtesy Jae. S. Lee/Tennessean

How cool is this? Doyle Walker is one of our paramedic students who provided medical coverage for the Music City Marathon. Doyle carried a runner across the finish line to ensure they received their completion medal. Along with 25 studentsand faculty covering the on-course medical tents, Vol State provided 12 students and faculty instructors as additional support at the Nashville General Emergency Department. Way to go Doyle! And a special thanks to photographer Jae S. Lee with the Tennessean for taking such a great photo.

Once a Pioneer, Always a Pioneer

2013-04-29T15:20:00.001-05:00

For those of you who graduate in less than two weeks, it does not mean you have to say goodbye to Vol State. Alumni can always be an active part of the Vol State Community by being a member of the Alumni Association.

“It’s always exciting to come back and see what’s going on,” said Lori Johnson, resource development specialist. Johnson says the Alumni Association likes to encourage students to come back to campus and see what's new.

Benefits of the Alumni Association

Know what's going on at Vol State
Receive free admission to sporting events
Access to the library
Access to the training room

Receive the biannual alumni magazine (Volunteer Vision)

Free Alumni Events

Spring - Alumni Breakfast
Fall - Homecoming Bash

Alumni can also make donations toward the Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship that is available to any relative of an alumnus. In the past, there has been at least one scholarship given per year, but this past year the foundation was able to give away two. More information about the alumni scholarship can be found here.

Once you graduate, you automatically become apart of the Alumni Association. However, you will want to make sure all your information is up-to-date. The Alumni Association will be available at graduation rehearsal in order to update your information, or you can update the information here.

"We want you to feel like a part of the Alumni Association when you are a student, and then once you graduate, we want you to feel like you are still part of the campus," said Johnson.

For more of information about the Alumni Association click here.

From Vol State Practicum to Professional

2013-04-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Timothy Battle with Darius Rucker

“If I did not do it (WVCP-FM radio show) at Vol State, I would not be where I am now,” said Timothy Battle, the new producer for Clear Channel’s Big 98 WSIX-FM The Bobby Bones show.

Battle started his broadcasting career here at Vol State as a radio disc jockey for WVCP-FM in the radio practicum class COMM 291P.

“I started at the radio station in spring of 2008,” said Battle. ‘It was great because I was working Tuesday nights with an all request rock show.”

The Vol State radio practicum class, as well as other practicum classes, give students the actual real life experience that they will need for their future career.

“I could have gone to a four year school, but I chose Vol State because I was going to get a good education and it was more hands-on.”

Battle does not think he would have received the full experience of being part of a radio production if he went to a different school, and he would not have been prepared for the real life experience.

After graduating in fall 2011 with an associate's degree in radio and television broadcasting, Battle worked as a Clear Channel intern the following spring and summer. He heard about the job from a friend who was also working at WVCP-FM. He said he folded t-shirts, drove a truck, and assisted the talent.

“In radio it’s all about working your way up,” said Battle. “In February I got the job offer of being a morning show producer.”

Battle plans to continue to work his way up the radio ladder and he aspires to have his own radio show. Until then, you can hear him doing voice-overs for Clear Channel commercials broadcast on Big 98, 101.1 The Beat and 107.5 The River.

A New CD of Original Student Music Out Soon

2013-04-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

If you are anything like I am, then you love music. As a music lover, you are going to want to hear the new CD titled "Writers in the Storm" that Vol State students have produced.

The final edits are still being processed, but the CD will include 10-12 original songs all written, recorded, engineered, mixed, and mastered by students. The only thing not done by students is the actual manufacturing of CD's and printing of the inserts.

The CD offers a variety of music genres from all types of students.

"We have kids working on a song together who have never met,"said Assistant Professor of Music, Lynn Peterson.

Students who have not met will meet soon as everyone starts rehearsal for the Spring Music Showcase and CD release show on April 26th and 27th. The first part of the show will include music from the bluegrass ensemble, a jazz band and more.

"The second half of the show is like an album release concert, because we play all the songs on the album,"said Peterson. "The cool thing is that we are all involved together."

By "we", he is referring to the Vol State radio station, WVCP-FM, - that plays the music, the art department - that created the design, the theater department - that designed the stage set, and the studio - where the album was produced and engineered.

The show admission is $10, which will include a copy of the album. All proceeds go toward a scholarship for music students. Admission to the show is free with Vol State and the CD can be purchased.

"If you are a student of Vol State, old or young, you can submit a song to the album," said Peterson.

If you are an active student next spring, you can submit a song for the next spring album. Submissions begin in early February and continue throughout the month.

Logistics Students Connected to the Professional World

2013-04-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

One of the most well-connected programs on campus is the Logistics Management program in the Business Division. Logistics is simply the business of making things move: products, packages, information and even people. It's a process used by businesses and industries across the globe. The Logistics program not only trains students for a career in Logistics- a big part of the program are the relationships with area businesses that use Logistics to do business: Amazon, GAP Inc and LifeWay are just a few examples.

Recently, Vol State logistics Students toured the LifeWay Christian Resources Distribution Center in Lebanon. LifeWay General Manager Rodney Cathey and Outbound Transportation Manager Brian Heflin provided a two-hour tour highlighted by LifeWay's pick-to-light and pick-to-voice warehouse systems. Rodney is a Vol State Adjunct Instructor and a Logistics Advisory Board Member. Brian is a Vol State Logistics AAS Graduate and a Logistics Advisory Board Member.

Pictured left to right after the tour are Pamela Paschall, Brenda Fennell, Dawn Leady, Brian Heflin, George Wilson, Andrew Schneider, and John Kemper. Photo by Beverly Wilson.

Check out the Vol State Logistics program web page to learn more about this growing profession: http://www.volstate.edu/Logistics/?ref=az

Tips for Landing the Job

2013-04-17T14:54:00.001-05:00

As the end of the semester and summer approaches, a vast number of students are looking for employment. On April 24, 2013 Vol State will host its Spring Job Fair with about 80 potential employers and vendors. So, what can set you apart from other applicants? Dr. Rick Parrent, Director of the Office of Career Replacement, Cooperative Education, and Service Learning has tips to help you land that job or internship.

Tips for the Job Fair or Interview

Get a good night sleep

Dress for success

Be prepared (Have a resume)

Have a firm handshake

Don’t leave until you have something to take with you (business card)

Don’t wear perfume or cologne (someone may be allergic)

Resume Tips

Use a cover letter

Use action verbs

Organize to fit the employer's criteria

Include one valid phone number

At the career fair individuals should keep an open mind. "Don't just think that because maybe somebody is not exactly what you are looking for, that there is not somebody that you are actually looking for," said Parrent.

Sounds confusing right? But Parrent says just because you are looking for a job in computers information systems, don't say you're out of luck because there are no IT firms. There will be government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations there and all of those companies need individuals for IT.

Even if you are not graduating this semester or looking for a job, Parrent says, “Now is the time to begin to start networking and building relationship. It's a moment to be able to establish a rapport, be understood and known, then you can have an insider looking at you."

Parrent invites students seeking full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs to also visit the Career Placement website.

If you would like feedback on your resume or cover letter, send a copy to rick.parrent@volstate.edu.

"This is the office that helps with career development skills," said Parent.

EMT Students Participate in Mass Casualty Exercise

2013-04-15T15:26:00.001-05:00

The Boston Marathon tragedy shows the great need for emergency training and response. First responders are a big part of that training and our EMT students are the future first responders.

75 Vol State EMT students participated as simulated “patients/victims” in a large-scale mass casualty evacuation exercise recently. The exercise simulated a mass casualty disaster occurring out of state requiring the evacuation of people to Tennessee for extended medical care. "Patients" were offloaded from military aircraft at the Tennessee National Guard Air Base in Smyrna and transported by mass casualty buses and ambulances to seven hospitals in Middle Tennessee. Several students were moulaged (the art of applying make-up to mimic injuries) to simulate blast and burn injuries. The “patients” were triaged and treated at the regional hospitals. 15 Vol State EMT Instructors were stationed at each hospital and the air base to coordinate the loading and offloading of buses and ambulances.

EMS Education faculty and students received high praise from the VA regional emergency response team leaders and hospital officials.

-EMS Director Robert Davis

Catch the Fever -But Watch Out!

2013-04-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

Remember your senior year in high school and how it was all about you and your classmates? Your car windows were probably painted in bright letters, letting the world know that you are a senior, class of …. As graduation neared closer, you became anxious and nervous, a new adventure was just on the horizon.

Now, as a Vol State sophomore, you are probably gearing up for finals and it’s starting to feel like senior year in high school all over again. You may not be a senior but you sure have senioritis. You’re nervous about the end of the semester, finals and graduation. A whole new chapter of your life is waiting just beyond the horizon yet again.

“I can’t wait to get out of here,” said sophomore Naika Dorcelon.

Although Dorcelon is excited about graduation, she is still a little apprehensive about finals.

“I’m not ready at all,” Dorcelon said.

Like Dorcelon, many students may feel like there is not enough time to get everything finished before the end, or some may have slacked off a little around the middle of the semester. So now is the time to pick up the pace and get prepared for finals and graduation.

“I never got over my senioritis from high school,” said Joshua Rittenberry. “ Trying not to procrastinate, as much, can prove difficult because you don’t have a lot of free time with school and work. Sometimes I find myself skipping out on assignments.”

Rittenberry isn’t the only one skipping a few assignments. Student Bailey Armstrong says that she finds herself slacking off a little in the middle of the semester.

“In the beginning of the semester I’m really organized and on track,” Armstrong said.

“The end of the semester is a good time for me to pick up on my assignments,” said Evan Ray.

As the end of the semester rears it’s ugly head, students should be picking up the pace. We all know that senioritis is a dangerous disease that could cause failure and no one wants to repeat their senior year, yet alone their sophomore year.

“Once I get my associate degree, I feel like I’m moving forward,” said Austin Hayes. “I’m ready to get college over with.”

Respiratory Care Students Have 100 Percent Pass Rate on National Certification for Six Years in a Row

2013-04-10T08:52:00.002-05:00

The Respiratory Care Program at Volunteer State Community College is celebrating the completion of another fantastic year! Every one of Vol State’s Respiratory Care graduates successfully completed and passed their national certification exam on the very first attempt. It’s the sixth year in a row that Respiratory Care program graduates have experienced a 100 percent board passage rate on the first attempt. This board examination is necessary for graduates to obtain their national credentials in order to become licensed and employed as Respiratory Therapists in the state of Tennessee.

The Respiratory Care degree program consists of a general education core and four semesters of major core courses that combine class, laboratory and clinical experiences for the students. Members of this Respiratory Care program will walk in the May 2013 graduation ceremony.

Vol State’s Respiratory Care credentialing board examinees:

Front row: Suzanne Jackson and Ter’rez Crabtree;

Second row: Kim Christmon, Clinical Director, LaDona Hoyt, Traci Heckerman, Kristel Pruitt, Micah Pausina, Jamie Dorris, Tazlyn Saez, Kristyn Ellison, John McNab, Chris Martin;

Third row: Cory Martin, Program Director, Edwin Aymara, Josh Mullinax, Jonathon Rich and Chase Shehane.

-Cory Martin

We're Hiring a Student to Write for this Blog!

2013-04-08T10:40:00.003-05:00

Student social media writer Maggie Blakemore has done a terrific job this year writing stories for this blog. Now it's time to pass the torch to another student. We're accepting applications for the part-time position of Social Media Writer, working in the Public Relations office. It starts next August, about two weeks before school begins, and will run the entire school year, until late April. Only Vol State students, who plan to be enrolled and taking classes in the fall and spring, will be considered. It's about 15 hours a week of work.

You must enjoy writing and be able to come up with interesting stories on campus. We'll have some story ideas, but we need someone who can work independently to find cool things happening with Vol State students. The writer also takes pictures and uses Google Blogger to post blog entries. We can help with training on the technical stuff.

Interested in the job?

Click on this link and then click "Clerical/Support" to see the entire job listing and to apply. It's a good opportunity to build your resume, especially if you are interested in working as a writer in social media in the future.

Vol State PTK Students in San Jose

2013-04-05T12:31:00.001-05:00

Six Vol State students and one advisor have embarked on a learning experience and adventure across the country to San Jose California this week, to attend the annual Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international convention. The city of San Jose has really welcomed the members of PTK. The streets of the airport are lined with PTK banners, the hotels have proudly displayed the PTK logo, and the downtown area is offering tremendous discounts.

The convention is a place where we can come together with our fellow PTK members for support, fellowship and friendly competition.

Several companies like Coca-Cola and Geico offer scholarships to PTK members. Jennifer Erickson, Vol State’s PTK chapter president, will be honored for winning one of the Coca-Cola’s Silver Star scholarships. Our chapter is up for a Hallmark award, and I have won an award for most distinguished chapter member in our region (Tennessee). You may think, aw, an honor society, what a bunch of nerds. True, we may be nerds, but we are nerds who help our community and gain millions of dollars in scholarships every year.

Lady Pioneers are Playing Hard Despite Injuries

2013-04-04T12:44:00.001-05:00

Now that it is beginning to feel like spring, you may want to go out to the ball park and watch America’s favorite past time, but don’t forget about the ladies. Our softball team, The Lady Pioneers, is working hard to stay on top of their game.

“We’ve had a couple of injuries that we normally haven't had in the past,” said Coach Johnny Lynn. “We are basically hurt and injured right now, I think we have 12 live bodies and one is hurt and can’t run.”

Even with hurt players the team still maintains a great attitude about the season. The team consists of a freshmen majority with a few returning sophomores, so they have had to learn how to play together and how to deal with changes when someone gets hurt.

“I feel like this season has gone awesome,” said sophomore player, Molly Bellamy. “I expected us to kind of hang our head at first, but we have done a lot better, improved and we have come a long way.”

Being tied for second in the state illustrates how they have come a long way with hurt and injured players. Chelsea Burd says that she is very upset to be out for the season with an injury, but she continues to come to the games and practice to support her teammates.

”They are a good group that does what you tell them," said Lynn. “We didn’t know what to expect when all of this happened. They have battled and worked hard and that is all a coach can ask for.”

So, come out and watch the Lady Pioneers continue their battle this season. Check out the complete game schedule here.

Coming this Fall: Service Learning Practicum Courses

2013-04-03T09:59:00.006-05:00

Earn college credit, challenge yourself and make a difference in the community. What’s a practicum? It’s a supervised practical learning experience to help you build career skills. The classes are great for your resume and can help you decide what you might want to do after college.

Vol State has four course options this coming Fall semester. Any student can take any option. Explore something new or use the experience to expand your major work.

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Service Learning Practicum: 3 credit hours
Work with the EXPLORE program’s urban youth to build a greener Nashville along the Cumberland River by land and boat. CRN 83719.

• Humanities Service Learning Practicum: 1 credit hour
Take part in outside environmental sustainability projects at a state park. CRN 83435.

• Humanities Service Learning Practicum-Livingston: 1 credit hour
Organize an event to raise money for a community group. CRN 83666.

• Social Science and Education Service Learning Practicum: 1 credit hour
Teach children about health and wellness. CRN 83467.

Talk to your advisor for details on how to register. You can also call the Service Learning Office at 615-230-3307.

Express Your Point of View

2013-04-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

There's a new club on campus that is allowing students to think critically and debate today's issues without fear of ridicule. The Political Awareness and Current Events (P.A.C.E) club allows students to discuss current events from their own point of view.

"The club is open and welcomes a multiplicity of opinions and ideology," said Michael Lenz, the advisor for the club.

Lenz said the club was created to allow dialogue on campus about pressing political issues. He believes that it is important for students to get involved in the discussions and wants other faculty members to encourage students to take part.

Johnathan Reynolds, PACE president, directs the discussion by asking questions like, "What makes same-sex marriage relevant or irrelevant to the government?"

"I'm asking questions to provoke thought," said Reynolds during the March 22 meeting.

A lot of thought seems to occur with the students who participate in the discussion, it's like a light bulb has been turned on.

"Most kids our age are sheltered from what our parents don't want us to know," said Derflinger.

Derflinger says the club has allowed him to be open to other cultures and experiences that he wasn't as open to before.

Wade Browne said he attends the meetings because he has a desire to stimulate his mind. He grew up with a family that taught him things that he is beginning to realize may not be so true.

"More diversity leads to a much better group meeting," said Cody McFarlin. "Because when everybody is one sided, the conversation goes nowhere and it's not intriguing. When there is different voices of opinion, it's much more enjoyable."

Everyone has an opinion; some individuals like to express their opinions more than others, while some just stand in the background trying to avoid conflict. P.A.C.E allows students to voice their opinions without fear of confrontation.

Vol State Students Get the Inside Scoop on High-Profile Murder Case

2013-03-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's a case that shocked the community. Many people, including Vol State students, watched as the trial of Lindsey Lowe, a Hendersonville woman charged with the murder of her newborn twins, played out on national television.

After winning the case, Sumner County District Attorney General, Ray Whitley, spoke to Vol State students about the case. Paralegal Studies director Loretta Calvert asked Whitley to speak to her students.

“Loretta said that the criminal justice and paralegal students were dying to hear first-hand and I wanted to speak about it while it was fresh on my mind,” said Whitley.

Students who attended the Q and A were not disappointed, because Whitley was open about the case and his feeling about Lindsey Lowe and her babies.

“It’s good to let people know how it is on the front line and let people know what we have to go through to present a case. It's an enormous amount of work,” Whitley said.

Lowe was charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, first-degree premeditated murder and aggravated child abuse of her twin sons after they were born in September of 2011. A jury found her guilty of two counts each of felony first degree murder, felony premeditated murder and aggravated child abuse. The judge has sentenced her to life in prison for the counts of murder. The case was carried live on the TruTV cable network.

Whitley has been on the advisory board of the Vol State Paralegal Studies since the 1990’s, and works closely with Loretta Calvert. He wants to make sure students are aware of the laws and the consequences for breaking them.

“I always say learn as much as you can about the law, because you can always apply everyday situations to the law and make the right decisions, and know what your focus is and what your goals should be,” said Whitley.

Vol State Singers Present A Night in Italy - Tickets on Sale Now

2013-03-26T08:35:00.002-05:00

“A Night in Italy” is available close to home thanks to an annual Volunteer State Community College event that combines music and dinner. The Vol State Singers can transport you without ever leaving the USA. Vol State students will be performing “A Night in Italy” on April 19 and 20 at the Ramer Great Hall on the Vol State campus in Gallatin at 6:30 p.m. The menu is an Italian buffet. The $20 tickets must be purchased in advance at the Humanities Division office in the Ramer Building room 101 on the Vol State campus, 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. The proceeds will benefit the Visual and Performing Arts scholarship fund. For more information call 615-230-3201.

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Updated info about the student email change

2013-03-25T13:11:00.002-05:00

Your student Vol State Email account is changing to Gmail. What does that mean for you? More storage space, the ability to sync with your smartphone and a familiar Gmail interface. Only student email accounts are changing.

The change will happen automatically. But if you want to save any of your old messages you will need to do so before March 28. If you’re interested in saving messages, just go to this web page for directions: www.volstate.edu/EmailChange

There is one step that every student will need to take in order for the system to work. You will need to change your My Vol State password. You will not receive a prompt to do so…you will have to go in and change the password yourself. This will sync your My Vol State account to the new Gmail system. If you don’t want to save any emails you don’t have to do anything after you change your my Vol State password.

Go to the Portal. Do not log in yet. Look for the “Need Help” heading under the log-in request. Click “Change Your Password”. You must choose a new password with at least eight characters with one capital letter and one number.

Your email address will not change in this process, simply the email system itself. You will still have your old volstate.edu email address.

The entire email system will then be down from March 28 through March 31 for the changeover. You won’t be able to access email or change your password that weekend. Everything should be running again on Monday, April 1. You will be able to change your password after that to sync to the new Google system, if you have not done so yet. If you have problems you should visit the above web page. However, the IT Help Desk will also be able to assist at 615-230-3302.