Volume 30, Number 4
December 2018 Newsletter
President’s Letter
Dear Friends,
As 2018 draws to a close, it is a perfect time to not only look back over the activities of the past year but to also eagerly anticipate the new year of 2019. The coming year will be an exciting one as we mark the fiftieth anniversary of the UTIA Retirees Association. During this golden year of celebration, I would like to encourage active participation by each retiree. Continue reading the entire letter…
Eastern Area Retirees Meet in Cosby
Steve Sutton, Eastern Area Vice President
The Eastern Area Retirees held their annual fall get-together on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, in Cosby. Thirty-five retirees and guests attended the event at Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant.
The group meet at 10:00 a.m. for a brief overview and history of the orchard before browsing through the locally grown apples and other fall produce. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing about their careers and catching up on their retirement experiences over a delicious country-style lunch in the onsite restaurant.
Those attending their first UTIA retirees event were recognized during lunch. They included Betty Greer, Denise Brandon, Jake Haun, and Michelle Vineyard. Everyone went home with lots of apples and good memories of a day spent with former coworkers. If you were not there, you were missed!
Eastern Area Extension FCS Retirees Gathering
Ruth Henderson McQueen, UTIA Retirees Association President
On a beautiful fall day, October 29, 2018, several former Family and Consumer Sciences agents from the Eastern Region gathered in Maryville for lunch at RJ’s Courtyard Restaurant. Faye Hochnedel has been coordinating this group for several years and a very enjoyable time was had by all. There was much catching up to do about recent activities and family happenings, as well as many stories told from the “olden days.”
Western Area Retirees Gather at the Preserve at Pickwick Lake
John Bradley, Western Area Vice President
Although it was a rainy day, the spirits of twenty-four attendees were not dampened as they gathered at the Club House in the Preserve at Pickwick Lake on October 25, 2018. This was the perfect luxurious setting for our group to be comfortable and relaxed while visiting and catching up on life during and after UT.
The Hickory Pit in Savannah, Tennessee, catered the meal of pork barbecue and all the trimmings. State President Ruth Henderson McQueen gave a brief overview of the UTIA state organization. In addition, a surprise birthday celebration was held for Ruth, who shared with the group her UT decorated birthday cake provided by Cherry Lane Darken. There was no formal program, however there was plenty of entertainment through stories by the retirees. Door prizes were awarded by Mary Kate Ridgeway, Western Area secretary. Mary Kate also asked for each member to submit suggestions and ideas for future meeting places and names of retirees to recruit to the gatherings. We will have a spring 2019 meeting with the location to be determined and announced.
District Three Retirees Meet in Lynchburg
Larry Moorehead, UTIA Retiree
District 3 retirees continue meeting in Lynchburg, a tradition started by Mary Ruth Hall, Moore County, and Jean Webb, Coffee County. This year, fifteen former employees shared a wonderful meal. The group decided to meet again next year on the first Tuesday of November 2019. If you’d like to make a trip to Lynchburg next year, call Larry Moorehead at 931-759-7163 or 931-580-6073 (cell) by October 25, 2019, to reserve your spot.
Central Retirees Enjoy Fellowship in Leiper’s Fork
Who Knew?
Ray Humberd, Retired Professor and Associate Dean, UT Agricultural Extension Service, and 2002-2003 president of the Former UTIA Workers Association—now UTIA Retirees Association
During the 1910s-1930s, four Humberd brothers lived within a one-mile radius in the Sugar Creek community of Bradley County. What is unique is from that small geographic area, a direct connection to UT Extension exists. Five children (all UT graduates) from those families were UT Extension agents, and a sixth married an Extension agent.
The Celebrating 75 Years personnel directory issued by UT in June 1989 documents employment by Milton Humberd, Bledsoe County (1941-43); Russell Humberd, McMinn County (1948-50); Sylvia Humberd Dillon, Coffee County (1950-1960); Layton Humberd, Campbell County (1964-1969 ) and Washington County (1969-1999); Ray Humberd, Polk County and elsewhere (1962-2001); and Kathleen Humberd Sutton, who married Raymond Sutton, Cocke County (1949-1986). Layton, Russell, and Kathleen were siblings. So were Sylvia and Ray. All were first cousins. Steve Sutton, Washington County and elsewhere (1973-2015), although not born in Bradley County, is related.
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Information About Retirees
Persist Orchardgrass Sales Still Strong
Persist orchardgrass, a new cultivar developed by Bob Conger, has had seed sales exceeding 800,000 pounds per year for each of the last three years. It was released by the UTAES in 2001 and licensed to Smith Seed Services in Halsey, Oregon, by the UTRF in 2002. It was awarded a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) patent by the USDA in 2007.
Jonathan Rupert of Smith Seeds said, “Persist seed is sold throughout the United States, Canada, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and Australia. In the United States, the largest volumes are shipped to Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Domestically Persist is sold as far south as Georgia and Alabama; as far West as California, Oregon, and Washington; and all along the Northern states. While sales are small into Canada, it is recommended as a variety proven for use up there.”
Persist is used for both pasture and hay and is touted for its higher resistance and persistence under drought and other adverse climatic conditions compared to other orchardgrass cultivars. Smith Seeds has posted an excellent website (Persist Orchardgrass). Click on various items, e.g., yield trials, history, testimonials, etc. Special acknowledgement goes to Ann Roberson of the UTRF (then UTRC) for her outstanding work in negotiations with various seed companies in the licensing of Persist.
Piano Concert Benefits East Tennessee Organizations
Hugh McCampbell will host his twelfth annual benefit Veterinary Piano Concert on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at 7 p.m. Piano, Banjo, and Tales of Country Life and Veterinary Practice will take place at Sweetwater Elementary School, 301 Broad Street, Sweetwater, Tennessee 37874, and will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, local Boy Scout Troops, and Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the Arts.
Hugh will host a reception at his home afterward. His house is a quick walk, just three doors down from the school, at 407 Mayes Avenue, Sweetwater, Tennessee 37874. Finger foods and fellowship will be on the menu. For more information, contact Hugh.
Martha B. Thomas Receives AARP Award
The AARP Cordova Chapter recently honored member Martha B. Thomas as a 2018 Community Service Award Recipient. She retired from UTIA in 2000 as an Extension family life specialist, and she is an active member of the Western Area Retirees.
Martha was sixty when she set out to make her vision for the Senior Conference at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church a reality. Almost twenty years later, the Annual Senior Conference at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church has never been cancelled. Despite personal and family medical challenges, she has always made sure the conference continued. The conference has grown from 14 exhibitors and 56 participants (in 2000) to 45 exhibitors and 170-plus participants in October 2017. The AARP Cordova Chapter nominated Martha for the Chapter’s 2018 Community Service Award not only for her dedication and passion, but because her conference adds value to the lives of aging individuals.
On October 29, Faye Hochnedel, retired UT Extension Sevier County agent wrote: Several retired agents in the Knoxville area had lunch together today and I realized that I no longer receive the retiree’s newsletter. My email address is still listed correctly in the Membership directory.
The UT Human Resources Office reports the following persons retired or departed recently from UTIA.
Retirements
- Deneal Lennette Branch, Accounting Specialist I, Plant Sciences, AgResearch
- Jane A. Czarra, Manager, Laboratory Animal Facility, UTCVM
- Mary Linda Hearon, Senior Clinical Specialist I, Large Animal Clinical Science, UTCVM
- Ruth Elaine Woolbright, Administrative Support Assistant II, Overton County, UT Extension
Departures
- Holly Lauren Baxter, Research Associate I, Plant Sciences, AgResearch
- Keith L. Belli, Professor and Head, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Teresa Lynn Fisher, Program Administrator, Small Animal Clinical Science, UTCVM
- Jeffery S. Hill, Building Services Assistant I, York 4-H Center, UT Extension
- Angela M. Hyde, Extension Program Assistant II, Shelby County, UT Extension
- Natalie Renee Lynn, Administrative Support Assistant II, Monroe County, UT Extension
- Lisa Michele Thomas, Administrative Support Assistant II, Sullivan County, UT Extension
- Mary Katherine Tolbert, Assistant Professor, Small Animal Clinical Science, UTCVM
Name links to obituary.
Hugh Oliver Jaynes died Saturday, November 3, 2018, in Knoxville, at the age of 87. He served in the US Army from 1953-1955, received his BS and MS in dairy manufacturing at UT Knoxville, and a PhD in food science at the University of Illinois. In 1970, he joined the faculty of the UT College of Agriculture, and retired as department head of Food Technology and Science in 1993. He received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and research, including the Webster Pendergrass Award for outstanding service.
He served on the board of trustees of Tusculum College for nearly 20 years and as president of the Tusculum Alumni Association. He is survived by Eleanor, his loving wife of 65 years, children Joseph T. Jaynes (Kim) and Mary Jaynes Giorgino (John), grandchildren Andy and Alex Jaynes, grandchildren Philip and Alyssa Giorgino, and brother Joseph E. Jaynes. The family received friends Friday, November 9, with the funeral following at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. A graveside service was held Saturday, November 10, at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tusculum College (academic scholarship fund) or Erin Presbyterian Church (Hugh Jaynes memorial fund).
Lacy Upchurch passed away October 19, 2018. He was an alumnus of the University of Tennessee, a former UT Extension agent, a farmer, and past president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau. Services were held Sunday, October 21, at the First United Methodist Church, 100 Braun Street, Crossville, Tennessee. He attended UT, receiving a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in agriculture with concentrations in animal science. After graduation in 1967, he went to work for UT Extension in Madison County, and would later transfer closer to home as a 4-H agent, adult agricultural agent, and county director in Cumberland County. In 1977, he left Extension to farm in partnership with Ed Lanquist raising both hogs and cattle. During that period, he was actively involved in state organizations such as the Tennessee Livestock Producers, Tennessee Pork Producers, and Tennessee Farm Bureau. His longstanding participation with the TFB would lead to his 2005 election as the organization’s seventh president. As TFB president, he and Kay moved to Columbia, Tennessee, where he led the nation’s largest Farm Bureau organization. He retired from the Tennessee Farm Bureau in December 2015, and moved back to his home in Homestead to spend more time with Kay, his kids, grandkids, and great grandson.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Lacy and Kay Upchurch Student Educational Fund. Gifts to support this fund should be made to the UT Foundation Inc. with a notation referencing the Lacy and Kay Upchurch Student Educational Fund. Mail to: UTIA Office of Institutional Advancement, Attn: Robin Haefs, 2621 Morgan Circle, Room 107, Knoxville, TN 37996-4502.
Margaret Miles Price, former UT Extension agent in Lawrence and Putnam Counties, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018, in Bartlett, Tennessee. She was born near Erin, Tennessee, on August 4, 1930. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, she worked as an Extension home agent for several years. She is survived by two sons Randel M. of Memphis, Tennessee, and Douglas K., wife Kathleen, and their son Nicholas of Fairfax, Virginia; one sibling George B. Miles of Boone, North Carolina; and nieces and nephews. A graveside service was held Friday, March 9, 2018, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Sympathy is expressed to Pat Lester and other family members and friends of Herb Lester, who passed away Friday, September 21, 2018. He retired from UTIA in 2010 as Central Regional Extension director. Visitation and services were held Monday, September 24, at Bradley’s Creek Baptist Church, 8505 Bradley’s Creek Road, Lascassas, Tennessee.
Michael A. Cunningham, information specialist II at UTCVM, passed away August 25, 2018. A Celebration of Life was held Wednesday, September 5 (his thirty-eighth birthday), at the Life Event Center, 1404 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, Tennessee. Cherishing his memory are his adoring wife of thirteen years, Christie; parents Lynn and Debbie Cunningham; maternal grandmother Betty Manry; and many others. Michael didn’t like flowers, so he requested any donations be made to the ASPCA or St. Jude’s.
We express sincere comfort and/or speedy healing to the following UTIA employees or retirees:
Sympathy is expressed to Sharon Littlepage in the death of her mother, Freda Irene Stricker, who died Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Tennova in Knoxville at age 99. A graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney.
Sympathy is expressed to Rick Carlisle, director at Ames Plantation, in the death of his mother, Mildred Marie Carlisle, 89, who passed away October 24, 2018, in Summit, Mississippi. Visitation was held Monday, October 29, 2018, at Bolton Baptist Church in Bolton, Mississippi, with burial held in Lakewood Cemetery, Clinton, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the memory of Mildred Carlisle to St. Luke Home Health and Hospice, Attn: Michelle McGuffee, PO Box 1103, McComb, Mississippi 39649.
Sympathy is expressed to Wanda Russell, in the death of her husband, JV Russell. Wanda retired in 2012 as senior publications editor, UTIA Marketing and Communications, with twenty-seven years of service.
UT Institute of Agriculture Announces New AgResearch Dean
The UT Institute of Agriculture has named Hongwei Xin, currently assistant dean for research in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University, as UTIA’s new dean for AgResearch. Xin will begin his new role in May 2019, after the conclusion of the current academic year.
In a letter to staff and stakeholders announcing Xin’s appointment, Tim Cross, UTIA chancellor, noted Xin’s deep understanding of the land-grant mission and collaborative style. Cross wrote, “Hongwei comes to UTIA with an international reputation for research and academic leadership. His work has had major impacts on US and global animal agriculture and has produced significant contributions to scientific literature and engineering practices related to animal production systems.” Xin has served as the principal or co-principal investigator of more than $23.7 million in competitive grants and contracts for research, Extension, and education programs.
Xin is also known for his collaborative work in facilitating linkages between academics, research, and economic development; supporting international academic partnerships; and raising significant private dollars to fund a state-of-the-art poultry teaching and research farm. “His wealth of experience will be invaluable to UTIA as we continue to explore ways to enhance our public-private partnerships,” Cross wrote.
In addition to serving as assistant dean at Iowa State, Xin is the director of the Egg Industry Center, interim director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Animal Science.
Fred Tompkins, former head of the Department of Biosystems Engineering, former president and CEO of the UT Research Foundation, and former director of the Office of Oak Ridge Operations for the UT System, has been serving as interim dean since April 9, 2018. Tompkins will continue serving in this role until Xin arrives on campus in May.
DiPietro Bids Farewell to UTIA
Dozens of UTIA well-wishers gathered in Hollingsworth Auditorium on Thursday, November 15, to honor retiring UT President Joe DiPietro and his wife, Deb DiPietro. The auditorium was decorated beautifully with trees, flowers, and plants befitting the season. Current and former staff members enjoyed coffee in UTIA mugs and tasty breakfast foods. Many from UTIA expressed pleasure that DiPietro came here first before going to be the system president. Many also expressed happiness for he and Deb in their new role of retirement, but regret that UT will no longer have his leadership. Tim Cross, UTIA Chancellor, presided over a brief program that included remarks by the retiring UT president, special recognition and the presentation of gifts—two rocking chairs handmade in Middle Tennessee from a variety of native woods. DiPietro’s comments included progress that has been made in achieving goals over the past eight years and a few humorous items as well. He also said, “it has been a good ride” and expressed thanks to all those on the UT team.
UT Institute of Agriculture Professor Receives Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Impacts
In recognition of his global reputation for quantitative analysis, intelligent manufacturing, and statistical process control in the forest industries, Tim Young, professor in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, has been awarded one of the highest honors bestowed by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Young is an alumnus of UWM and a native of Wisconsin. The Distinguished Alumni Award he has received recognizes both his achievements at UT as well as his continuing involvement with the forest industry in Wisconsin.
Young is a member of the Center for Renewable Carbon, a unit of UT AgResearch based in the department. During his career, he has published 272 scientific articles and secured more than $7.2 million in extramural funding for his research. In 2013 Young was named a Fulbright Scholar for an exchange in Austria, where he has developed linkages for UT with both the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and BOKU University in Vienna. Next, he was named to a five-year term as a Fulbright specialist in agricultural statistics. This ends in 2020 and has included, to date, an appointment in Austria two years ago.
Young holds two degrees from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, a BS in natural resources awarded in 1979 and an MS in 1983 in forest economics. He continued his education at UT, earning a second master’s in statistics in 1993 and a PhD in natural resources in 2007. Young worked in industry before returning to UT where he has been a faculty member since 1998.
Lamb Named UT Extension Western Region Director
Following a national search for a new Western Region director, Jerry Lamb has accepted the Western Region director position effective January 14, 2019. Lamb began his employment with UT Extension in 1992 as a 4-H agent in Claiborne County. He also served as a 4-H agent in Humphreys County and as an agricultural agent and county director in Rhea County. Lamb served as the interim Eastern Region director from June 2017 to March 2018. He received a BS in Agriculture from New Mexico State University with a major in agricultural economics and business and an MS degree in agriculture from Arkansas State University. Lamb’s honors include receiving the Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Hicks Award of Excellence from TAAA&S; the Team Recognition Award for LEAD95 from Epsilon Sigma Phi; and the Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education Team Award from TAE4-HW. Lamb is also a member of the 2018-19 Land Grant System Leadership Program class.
Appointment of Ty Petty as UT Extension Eastern Region
ANR/4-H Program Leader
Following a national search for a new Eastern Region ANR/4-H program leader, Ty Petty accepted the position effective November 15, 2018. Petty began his employment with UT Extension in 2002 as the ANR/4-H agent and county director in Unicoi County, Tennessee. He has served as chair of many Eastern Region 4-H events and served as a team member of the Eastern Region Green Industry Grant Program in 2010. He received a BS in agriculture from Purdue University with a major in animal science. His MS degree in agriculture is also from Purdue University in animal science. Petty served as interim research manager with Bos Technica Research Services Inc. in Syracuse, Kansas, and he completed a Feedlot Management Internship Program with the University of Nebraska. His achievements include receiving the Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Early Career Award from TAAA&S; the William D. Bishop UTIA Outstanding Service Award; the Charles and Julie Wharton UTIA Award for Outstanding Extension Achievements; and the Mary Neal Alexander Outstanding 4-H Agent Award.
Donaldson Joins NC State Faculty
Joseph Donaldson has joined the North Carolina State University Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, where he is an assistant professor and Extension specialist for Extension Education and Community Engagement.
Donaldson said, “I appreciate the varied opportunities I have had to contribute to the University’s missions and provide for the welfare and growth of Tennesseans. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated and talented co-workers.
“I wish much success for you and all University of Tennessee faculty, staff, students, alumni, and constituents. Every blessing to you!”
Membership in the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Retirees Association is for anyone who has worked five or more years for The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The organization’s membership includes former employees from the Herbert College of Agriculture, the College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension.
It doesn’t matter if you were one of the support staff, a teacher, research scientist, Extension educator, a farm worker, custodian, laboratory technician or an administrator. If you worked at UTIA, we welcome you to join.
A major objective of UTIA Retirees Association is to unite all former University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture workers and to provide channels for communication and friendship after employees leave the Institute. Our newsletter and web pages are communication links with the Institute and current and retired employees.
When employees retire or terminate employment at UTIA, their names are added to our mailing list to receive a complimentary issue of the quarterly newsletter and an invitation to the next area meeting scheduled in the area where they reside. During this period, retirees have the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to continue their contact with former co-workers by joining the UTIA Retirees Association. The cost is $30 for a lifetime membership.
The UTIA Retirees Association newsletter is published quarterly by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
UTIA Retirees Association
2621 Morgan Circle Drive || Knoxville, TN 37996
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