June 2021 Newsletter

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Volume 33, Number 2

June 2021 Newsletter


President’s Letter

Dear Friends,

All things have their season and the last 16 months have proven this to many of us. Now spring has arrived and the world is looking more optimistically to the future. Personally, spring is my favorite time of year. In East Tennessee many people flock to the Smoky Mountains in October to see the golds, reds, and the colors of fall. However, the months of April and May featuring the greening of trees, pastures, and hay fields and the pink, red, and purple of many flowers, have always been my preference. Read the complete letter online.

Ruth
Ruth Henderson McQueen

Rules to Live by in Retirement

John Jared, Past President, UTIA Retirees Association

Retirement can be some of life’s best years if we will only will it so! However, just as was true during working years, deliberate steps must be taken in order to achieve our goals. The following are some steps I feel important in order to capitalize on the full benefits of retirement.

  • Understand and Accept Who You Are—All of us are unique individuals. No one can take our place. You are SOMEBODY! The challenge is to be the “best you” in your retirement years. If you are not happy with yourself, you will not be happy with others. Lou Holtz once stated that the two most important days in life are, “The day we were born and the day we realized why.”
  • Accentuate the Positive—A positive attitude is primarily a matter of choice. Often people in similar circumstances develop totally different mindsets. Always be grateful for the things you are still able to accomplish despite what you may have given up. Those who accentuate the positive are often those who live beyond themselves, focus on others and enjoy life more. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, either way you will be correct!
  • Avoid Resentment—Few people have ever reached retirement years without having been slighted, overlooked, injured, insulted, mistreated, or just rubbed the wrong way in some form or another. Each of these situations can quickly turn into a resentful or negative attitude that will become permanent if entertained too long.
  • Do Common Things Uncommonly Well—That’s how individuals become successful. That’s how ball games are won. That’s how businesses survive. That’s how you got to where you now are. That’s how retirement becomes even more rewarding and enjoyable. Expect to win and work at it!
  • Develop Rewarding Routines—Make it a habit to help others, become a volunteer in an area of need, develop a new skill or skills, make friendships a priority, and begin or maintain, as much as possible, an active exercise routine.

Avoid the ruts of living in years left behind. More effort is required to maintain the past than to prepare for the future! Press on!

Cross Announces Retirement

UTIA Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor Tim Cross announced in late April that he would be retiring effective August 31, 2021. “I feel this is an excellent time to step away from the UTIA leadership role that I’ve been fortunate to hold, with the Institute positioned so positively for current and future success,” Cross said in his announcement to faculty and staff. Cross has served in various capacities at UTIA for twenty-seven years.

UT Extension Welcomes Stokes

Ashley M. Stokes, DVM, PhD, MBA, who previously served as the associate vice president for engagement and deputy director of Colorado State University Extension, began her new role as the leader of UT Extension February 22, 2021.

UTIA Hosts June 7 Centennial Celebration for Morgan Hall

Time capsules, speakers, and even a Facebook Live were part of the June 7 celebration of Morgan Hall. The building was dedicated June 6, 1921, and this year marks one hundred years as its home for agricultural activities. The event included the reveal the contents of a time capsule placed behind Morgan Hall’s cornerstone in 1919 and the display of a new time capsule to be opened by future UT agricultural faculty, staff, and students in year 2121.

Students Celebrate Spring 2021 Commencement in Neyland

After a year unlike any other, the University of Tennessee celebrated with graduation ceremonies unlike any other. For the first time, students graduated at Neyland Stadium. The is an extra layer of celebration asceremonies marked the largest in-person events UT has had in over a year. The pandemic closed the university last spring and postponed 2020 graduation ceremonies. Although ceremonies were conducted in the fall, they were much smaller than this event.

Information About Retirees

Bill Brown served for ten years as dean of UT AgResearch before leaving UTIA in 2018 to become dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University. Brown announced in March that he is stepping down from his position due to personal health issues. He clearly made a very positive impact during his time at Texas Tech, just as he did here at UTIA.

  • F. David Kirkpatrick
    Retired as Professor and Extension Animal Science Specialist, August 2020
  • Marilyn Tritt
    Retired as Extension Agent, 4-H and FCS, Crockett County, September 2000
Michelle & Michael at the virtual gender-reveal

Cathy Faust
February 26, three days after our first COVID-19 shots, Rick and I headed to Phoenix to visit our daughter, Michelle, and son-in-law, Michael, who are expecting their first baby, Ruby Capri, July 11.

We decided to take a side-trip to Utah to see the Arches, Monument Valley, and Meteor Crater. We returned home, March 16, driving more than 1,000 miles the last day of the trip. We were trying to get ahead of bad weather moving into the Arkansas/Tennessee area. I retired from Extension in Shelby County/Memphis two years ago. I was a family and consumer sciences agent for thirty years.

Collage of Rick at Arches and Rick and Cathy at Meteor Crater, Winslow, AZ
Rick at Arches and Rick and Cathy at Meteor Crater, Winslow, Arizona

The UT Human Resources Office reports the following persons retired or departed recently from UTIA.

Retirements

  • Paul D. Ayers, Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
  • Allie Ruth Correll, Extension Agent II and County Director, Wilson County
  • John Gaylon Doty, Communication and Marketing Professional, National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
  • Timothy P. Fawver, Chief Business Officer, UTIA
  • Kathryn Brooks Finley, Extension Agent III, Robertson County
  • Jacquelyn German, Administrative Support Assistant II, Family and Consumer Sciences
  • William E. Hart, Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
  • Steven Charles Hickman, Research Technician III, Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Dawn J. Hills, Clinical Specialist I, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UTCVM
  • Joanne Logan, Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
  • Tomas Martin-Jimenez, Associate Professor, Biomedical and Diagnostic Science, UTCVM
  • June Leann McElhaney, Business Manager, Herbert College of Agriculture
  • Larry David Moore, Agriculture and Natural Resources Associate I, Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Jacqueline Ramsey Payne, Extension Program Assistant II, Claiborne County
  • Kathryn E. Thacker, Administrative Support Assistant II, Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Susan Harriet Thomas Laird, Research Specialist III, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Hwa-Chain Robert Wang, Professor, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, UTCVM

Departures

  • Christopher Alan Bridges, Research Associate I, Milan AgResearch and Education Center
  • Tiaran Brielle Bryan, Extension Program Assistant II, Rutherford County
  • Alycia E. Chapman, Laboratory Section Chief III, Biomedical and Diagnostic Science, UTCVM
  • Mia Justina Cunicelli, Researcher III, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Mary Ann Douglas, Facilities Services B&G Assistant I, Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center
  • Kyla-Jo Roan Farmer, Administrative Specialist II, Department of Animal Science
  • Garrison Jensen Fogt, Extension Assistant I, Clyde York 4-H Center
  • Jason Urain Guinn, Agricultural Service Aide II, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Rongbin Hu, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Shannon Michael Kite, Administrative Professional I, Sponsored Programs
  • Orville Eugene O’Brien, Agriculture and Natural Resources Associate I, Clyde Austin 4-H Center
  • Rebecca Tyler Poplawski, Administrative Program Support II, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UTCVM
  • Priya Ranjan, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Alexandria Lee Smith, Agriculture and Natural Resources Associate III, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Kimberly Ann Spangler, Administrative Support Assistant II, Extension Eastern Region
  • Amber Dawn Wilsey, Research Technician III, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Mikayla Electra Wilson, Extension Assistant II, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Jennifer Bruckert Winkler, Extension Administrative Support Assistant II, Jefferson County
  • Rebekah Louise Wright, Coordinator II, Herbert College of Agriculture

Name links to obituary.

Ray Graves, former research associate in what was the Department of Plant and Soil Science, died in May 2018. Information was not reported at that time and an obituary is not available online. If anyone has additional details, please send them for printing in a later edition.

in-memoriam

Mary Myers, retiree of UTIA General Services, passed away on December 2, 2020. Mary was the postal worker who delivered “special items” to and from main campus. A celebration of life was held Saturday, April 24, at Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville. You may reach out to Mary’s husband James Myers at 8112 Sam Cruze Road, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Melvin A. Newman, age 77 of Jackson, passed away on March 28, 2021 in Bells, Tennessee. He joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in 1973, where he served on the Extension faculty until his retirement in 2012. He was stationed at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Jackson. Private funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Bob Sliger, retired Extension agent and county director from Monroe County, passed away Sunday, March 21. Bob began his career with UT Extension in 1966 and retired in 2009. The family received friends at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater on Friday, March 26, 2021, with a graveside service in Middle Tennessee the following day. Bob’s wife passed away in 2019 and Bob had moved from Madisonville to Kingsport to be near his daughter, known by family and friends as Skeeter. You may reach out to Cecile at the following address: Cecile Wimberley, 1000 Sheringham Court, Kingsport, TN 37660. A memorial written by a fellow retiree is included in this newsletter.

Jim Willhite, retired 4-H agricultural agent working in Robertson County from 1962 to 1981, passed away May 7, 2021. Funeral Services for Jim were held Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Street Church of Christ, Springfield, Tennessee. Burial followed in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Visitation was held at the Main Street Church of Christ, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 12, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

We express sincere comfort and/or speedy healing to the following UTIA employees or retirees:

It saddens me to inform you of the passing of Roy Baird, husband of Darla Baird (Extension administrative assistant in Campbell County) and uncle of Connie Greiner (FCS/4-H Extension agent in Campbell County). A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, March 11, at 12 p.m. at the Old Pathway Gospel Church at 202 S. 14th St. in LaFollette. If you would like to send a card to the family you may do so by mailing to: Darla Baird, 441 Morton Road, LaFollette, TN 37766. A full obituary is available online.

Sympathy is expressed to Robert Burns in the passing of his father, Charles Edward Burns, on Friday, April 16, 2021. A full obituary is available online. Please direct cards to Robert Burns, PO Box 5598, Maryville, TN 37802

Sympathy is expressed to Clyde Holmes, retired manager of the UTIA Dairy Farm from 1962 until 1999, and the Holmes family in the death of Clyde’s wife, Connie Weaver Holmes. A full obituary is available online.

Sympathy is expressed to J.B. Shepard, who retired as Extension agent and county director in Maury County, and the Shepard family in the death of J.B.’s wife, Emily Jean Bratton Shepard, age 90. Cards may be sent to: J.B. Shepard, 300 Hilltop Drive, Columbia, TN 38401. A full obituary is available online.

Sympathy is expressed in the passing of Lorenzo Townes, husband of Ashley Hillsman Townes, SNAP-ED Extension agent in Madison County. A funeral was held Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Long Heights Baptist Church, 260 Old Paris Road, McKenzie, TN 38201. Send cards to: Ashley Townes, 309 North Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305. A full obituary is available online.

Sympathy is expressed to Les Humpal, Farm Manage Agent in Maury County, lost his mother as a result of an accident over the weekend of April 3-4. Please keep Les and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards may be directed to Les and Penny Humpal, 865 Rands Way, Columbia TN 38401. A full obituary is available online.

Sympathy is expressed in the passing of Nell Madewell, the grandmother of Extension administrative assistant Jennifer Penn in Moore County. If you desire to send condolences, you may send to the Extension office in Moore County.

Elanor M. Tom Jaynes passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at age 94. Eleanor was preceded in death by husband of 65 years, UTIA Retiree Hugh Jaynes, former head of the Department of Food Science and Technology Department. A graveside service for Elanor was held Monday, April 26, at 11:00 a.m., at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1121 Shiloh Road, Greeneville, TN. A celebration of life service will be held at Erin Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, once pandemic restrictions are relaxed. A full obituary is available online.

RiverLine Project Brings Together Communities

Just like University of Tennessee Extension brings many services to the state’s residents, the Tennessee RiverLine Project is poised to make waves by empowering and engaging communities that lie along the Tennessee River. Read on to find out how these two program missions converge.

Fall Looks Bright for Return to Classrooms

John Stier, Associate Dean, Herbert College of Agriculture
This fall, we expect to return to in-person instruction for all classes, with seating capacities in rooms back to their pre-pandemic levels. Many students and faculty have missed the personal connections that can help make college a successful experience and are looking forward to fall semester.


UTIA Names Craig Pickett Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A familiar face will soon be present on campus—but in a brand new role. Craig Pickett will rejoin the Institute next month as director for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Pickett previously served as the coordinator for student life and diversity for the Herbert College of Agriculture from 2013 to 2017.

As an Institute, demonstrating respect for all is a core part of our identity. This action is critical to our ability to advocate for the communities we serve statewide and to create an environment where all feel welcome.

Mark Your Calendar for 2021 Field Days

AgResearch Field Days for 2021 will be held through October across the state and will be presented on a variety of topics. Many of these educational events will be held in-person with appropriate safety measures in place. See the full list of field days and make your plans now to join us.

UT AgResearch to Upgrade and Refocus Two Facilities

Hongwei Xin, Dean, UT AgResearch
We are fortunate to have ten active, strategically placed AgResearch and Education Centers that support our agricultural industries across Tennessee. To best serve our state, we are always looking at ways we can more effectively realize our mission of providing research, teaching, and extension at these facilities. To that end, we will be realigning the capabilities at two of our centers to better support the state’s dairy, beef, and poultry producers.

Extension Hosts NAE4-HYDP 2021

We have a tremendous opportunity to plan and host the 2021 NAE4-HYDP that will be held in Memphis, Tennessee November 15-18 2021 at The Peabody Hotel through the efforts of our state organization, TAE4-HW, and Tennessee Extension. Our State Extension program supports agent involvement in the planning and preparations of the conference. This is an outstanding opportunity for Tennessee to showcase Extension and 4-H to a national audience. This meeting will not only spotlight Tennessee’s thriving agricultural industry and our work to improve the lives of our clientele—it will also be a key platform for all of our stakeholders and the additional organizations and businesses that also serve our audiences.

Department of Animal Science Welcomes New Advisor

Meet Jeremy Mobley, the new student success advisor for the Department of Animal Science. Mobley joins us from an advising position with the UT Department of Civil Engineering and is excited to hit the ground running.

Leffew and Pepper Win Awards

A project led by the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture’s Megan Bruch Leffew and Hal Pepper has received two awards for excellence in risk management education. The project was recently named one of three 2020 Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC) Projects of Excellence and was also awarded the 2021 Extension Risk Management Education Center (ERME’s) Outstanding ERME Project for the Southern Region.

English and DeLong Garner Honors

Faculty members Burt English and Karen DeLong have recently been recognized by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) for their professional contributions. English was awarded the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in bioenergy research. DeLong was awarded the Emerging Scholar Award.

Awards Help UTIA Improve Eastern Grasslands

Researchers at the UT Institute of Agriculture have been awarded nearly $500,000 from the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to improve Eastern grasslands. Three large-scale field experiments will be conducted across the Eastern US including one replication at East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.

Pat Keyser, a professor of forestry, wildlife and fisheries who also directs the UTIA Center for Native Grasslands Management, and his colleagues are seeking to change the overall health of these ecosystems by studying novel grassland systems across the eastern US.

Hugh McCampbell

Agriculture and Monroe County has lost a true stockman, dedicated agricultural public servant, and friend to all. Robert Lee Sliger passed away at his home in Kingsport, Tennessee, Sunday morning, March 21, 2021. Bob had a stellar career in agriculture. Even folks outside of Monroe County have heard of him and the excellent career he had as for many years as our Extension agent. Read the complete memorial online.

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
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