Volume 33, Number 3
September 2021 Newsletter
Retirement Receptions for Tim Cross
UTIA Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor Tim Cross retired effective August 31, 2021. From assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics to dean of UT Extension to his final leadership post, which he held from 2016, Tim served the Institute with dedication and excellence for twenty-seven years.
Three ice cream socials were held across the state to give faculty, staff, and supporters a chance to congratulate Dr. Cross and thank him for his dedicated service to UT and Tennessee agriculture. Events were held July 21 at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson; July 22 at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center at Spring Hill; and August 9 at the UT Gardens in Knoxville.
Many UTIA retirees participated in each of the three events to celebrate the collective impacts and accomplishments realized under his leadership and wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter.
An initiative has been announced to perpetually honor Dr. Cross. To recognize his twenty-seven years of service to the UT Institute of Agriculture, a fund has been established in his name that may be used by all forthcoming Institute leaders to provide opportunities throughout UTIA. The goal is at least $25,000. The Tim L. Cross Permanent Quasi-Endowment Fund will be an unrestricted-use fund used for the benefit of the Institute to support opportunities and needs within the Institute. Personal contributions may also be made via check through the UT Foundation, Inc. Indicate “Tim L. Cross Permanent Quasi-Endowment” in the memo line or online.
Interim Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor for UTIA
Linda C. Martin will serve as interim senior vice president and senior vice chancellor for the UT Institute of Agriculture. Linda started in this interim role beginning September 1, following the retirement of Tim Cross.
Linda currently serves as the vice president for academic affairs and student success for the UT System, and her tenure home is in the Department of Animal Science. “We are grateful she has agreed to step into this role to support the critically important work of UTIA, in Knoxville and at Extension and AgResearch sites across Tennessee,” said UT President Randy Boyd and UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman.
Prior to joining the UT System in 2017, Linda had a 10-year career at the Ohio State University that included serving as the Sandord G. Price and Isabelle P. Barbee Chair for Teaching, Advising, and Learning, as well as associate dean and director for academic affairs for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. She served from 2002-2007 as assistant dean for academic programs for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. Linda began her career in higher education as a faculty member at Kansas State University, serving in the department of animal sciences and industry for fifteen years.
Morgan Hall Centennial Celebration
Ruth Henderson McQueen, President
On Monday, June 7, dozens of individuals gathered in the festively decorated first floor of Morgan Hall to celebrate the centennial. Due to the threat of rain the event was held inside and provided an excellent venue to view exhibits, have refreshments, listen to speakers, and view the contents of the time capsule that was placed behind the cornerstone in 1921 and to also see the contents that were gathered to put in a new time capsule that was placed on August 23.
Retirees were well represented at the centennial celebration along with current staff members and students and a cadre of invited guests and visitors. It was an exciting day to pay homage to the past, celebrate the present, and look forward with anticipation to the future.
After one hundred years, Morgan Hall still stands proudly at the top of the hill on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus. The building was dedicated in 1921 and was named for Harcourt A. Morgan, an agricultural expert who was UT President from 1919-1934. It serves as the headquarters for most UTIA administrators and houses academic departments and student classrooms. As the flagship building and the headquarters for agriculture, thousands of people pass by on the highway each day and admire the impressive structure. However, for the hundreds of faculty, staff, and students who have spent time in this building, it is filled with fond memories. While upgrades have happened—like the elevator, internet connections, and fire doors—the building retains its historical importance and stateliness.
UT Southern Campus Added to UT System
Big news for the University of Tennessee System, including UTIA, is the addition of a fifth campus, UT Southern in Pulaski, Tennessee. This is the first campus added to the system in more than fifty years, and it will be a new opportunity for two-year and four-year degrees at a campus located in the south-central part of the state. “We’re discussing possible partnerships and programs with UT Southern, given the importance of agriculture and natural resources in the area, and I expect there will be several opportunities for UTIA to expand its reach through collaborations with this new campus,” said Senior Vice President Tim Cross. “We’ve also developed project proposals in cooperation with the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Tourist Development for American Rescue Plan Act funding consideration, and we look forward to responses to these proposals in the near future.”
UTIA Retirees Association 4-H Sponsorship
Ruth Henderson McQueen, President
For decades the UTIA Retirees Association has provided sponsorship for the 4-H Art Poster and 4-H State Essay programs. The awards are presented at 4-H Congress annually, usually by an officer of the Association.
During the past few months several notes of appreciation have been received from 4-H members who have been recipients of the awards that the Association has provided. I have chosen a few excerpts of these to share.
- “Thank you for supporting Tennessee 4-H. I love the awesome opportunities I have in 4-H, and I get to do all of them because of people like you.” – Ally
- “Thank you so much for supporting 4-H and providing youth like myself with opportunities to grow.” – Courtney
- “Thank you for being the sponsor of the 4-H Art Poster Contest and sponsoring awards. I enjoyed making a poster to promote 4-H.” – Maggie
- “Thank you for my award and encouragement.” – Adaline
We also received a lovely note from the UT Extension Putnam County agents:
“Thank you so much for your sponsorship of the Sate 4-H Poster Contest. This event showcases the artistic talent of the 4-H’ers across the state. We were proud to have one of our own students place in the top ten this year with their digital poster. We appreciate the continued support UTIA retirees give to 4-H.” – Melissa Henry and Trent Jones
Dear Friends,
In previous years the September issue of this newsletter would have been anticipated because of information about retiree gatherings. A few weeks ago it looked as if the pandemic had lessened enough to schedule fall activities. Alas, with the recent increases in COVID-19 cases, it seems that the time has not yet come. At this point, after consulting with area officers, the plan is to look forward to spring area/state meetings in 2022. The current officers will continue in their leadership roles and schedule dates at the beginning of the new year. Read my complete letter online.
Power of Positive Thinking
John Jared, Past President, UTIA Retirees Association
Writing in the midst of the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the current baseball season, I’m reminded of the positive thinking of two well-known athletes and how it impacted their accomplishments.
While working at the 1996 NACAA National Convention at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, I had the privilege of speaking to Mary Lou Retton. As many of you recall, she won a gold medal in women’s gymnastics at the 1984 Olympic Games at the age of sixteen. What I remember most about her winning was the answer she gave to a reporter’s question.
Needing a perfect score in her performance to win a gold medal, she turned to the television camera and gave one of her famous smiles to the millions of people watching around the world. The young gymnast then headed down the runway, landed a perfect score, and won the gold. Later, when asked what she was thinking when on camera, she simply replied, “I was thinking: Watch this, I’m going to do it.” When I saw her at Opryland, she was still smiling and still only four feet nine inches tall.
Her positive thinking reminded me of the words of one of baseball’s most famous players.
After taking two strikes, Babe Ruth pointed his bat to the place where he would hit a home run in Yankee Stadium. He turned and did just that and won the game for the Yankees. Asked later by a young reporter how he would have felt had he not hit the home run, Ruth replied, “Son, that never even entered my mind.”
In retirement, we should never focus on ways that we might fail. Instead, we should concentrate on how to succeed which begins with a positive attitude.
Information about retirees
Retirees Gather for Lunch on June 6—After a hiatus from most gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Faye Hochnedel organized lunch for a few UT Extension retirees on June 9. The group met at a tearoom in Powell and enjoyed good food and fellowship. Not pictured but in attendance were Becky Murray and Ruth Henderson McQueen.
Several UTIA Retirees attended the retirement reception for Neil Rhodes on July 30, 2021. The event was held on campus in the Plant Biotechnology Building.
The UT Extension Davidson County office sponsored a retirement event celebrating the career of David Cook on June 29, 2021 in Nashville. David retired with twenty-four years of service to UT Extension.
The Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association honored the late Bob Sliger with a memorial ceremony on August 13 and a plaque to be hung in the lobby of the East Tennessee Livestock Center in Sweetwater. The program highlighted innovations and recommended practices that the former UT Extension Monroe County promoted during his long career helping local farmers.
UTIA Retiree Marie Moyers doesn’t have a computer, but she recently attended a food preservation class conducted by June Puett, Extension agent for UT Extension Hamilton County. After being retired more than twenty years, Marie brought her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, who all practice the art of canning food, to the workshop. Marie wants to make sure they continue canning and use research-based methods. They also brought canned goods for critique and shared produce from their garden.
- Timothy ‘Tim’ Fawver
- Allie ‘Ruth’ Correll
The UT Human Resources Office reports the following persons retired or departed recently from UTIA.
Retirements
- Penny Jeanne Barnhart, Financial Associate II, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Zong-Ming Cheng, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences
- David Lynn Cook, Extension Agent III, Davidson County
- Suchita Das, Researcher II, Department of Animal Science
- Alisia Crouch Freels, Administrative Associate, Morgan County
- Melissa A. Kennedy, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, UTCVM
- Wanda F. McCall, Administrative Associate, Department of Plant Sciences
- Denice Wanda Milligan, Administrative Associate 1, Department of Animal Science
- Kathleen C. Morrow, Financial Associate 2, Ridley 4-H Center, UT Extension
- Penny S. Perry, Extension Program Assistant II, Roane County
- David Edward Qualls, Extension Agent III and County Director, Lincoln County
- Joan Carol Reese, Extension Area Specialist III, Western Region
- Gilbert Neal Rhodes, Jr., Professor, Department of Plant Sciences
- Debbie P. Saylor, Operations Specialist 2 , Clyde Austin 4-H Center, UT Extension
- Martha Jane Shaeffer, Extension Program Assistant III, Fayette County
- Thomas C. Stebbins, Extension Agent III, Hamilton County
- Diane Tudor, Administrative Associate 1, UTCVM
- Gaye Nelle Wyatt, Veterinary and Animal Care Technician 2, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UTCVM
- Kathy Rhea Yates, Financial Associate 3, UTCVM Administration
Departures
- Kathryn Davis Bishop, Extension Program Assistant II, Hamilton County
- Jared Matthew Bruhin, Extension Specialist I, Center for Profitable Agriculture, UT Extension
- Jason Neil Burris, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
- Steven A. Chapman, Administrative Professional 3, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Mary Ann Douglas, Facilities Services B&G Assistant 1, Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center
- Jayme Michelle French, Teaching and Learning Designer 1, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, UTCVM
- Mark Andrew Garrison, Extension Agent I, Dickson County
- Willis Garland Green, Extension Program Assistant II, Shelby County
- Aimee Elizabeth Hebrard, Research Lab/Facility Management 2, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, UTCVM
- Jeffrey Dale Hester, Extension Agent I and County Director, Sumner County
- Marina Elisa Lavender, Financial Associate 2, Center for Renewable Carbon, UT AgResearch
- Tamara Annette Marcum, Extension Program Assistant III, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
- William Dalton McCurley, Research Technician 2, Department of Plant Sciences
- John J. Morgan, Ag and Natural Resources Management 1, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Jacob Lee Nelson, Communications and Marketing Associate 2, Department of Plant Sciences
- Melissa D. Smith, Veterinary and Animal Care Technician 2, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UTCVM
- Jacqueline Christine Whittemore, Associate Professor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UTCVM
- Elizabeth Anna Wunschel, Extension Agent I, Knox County
Name links to obituary.
Kay Hodge, who retired from 4-H, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Morning Pointe of Powell. The family received friends and a funeral service was held at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church.
Troy W Hinton, age 95, of Powell, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Dr. Hinton retired in 1989 as associate dean of UT Extension. Friends were received at Weaver Funeral Home in Knoxville and the obituary can also be viewed at a second link.
Clare Nell Chandler Breeden, age 76 of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at her residence. Clare Nell was active in the UTIA Retirees Association serving a term as vice president of the Chattanooga area group and assisting with many area events. Before retirement in 2004 with over thirty-eight years of service, she was an Extension agent and county director for UT Extension in Meigs County. Services were held on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Decatur First Baptist Church.
Billy Gene Hicks, age 88 of Knoxville, died peacefully at his home, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Dr. Hicks was former dean and director of UT Extension and retired in 1999. He is remembered for his concern about fairness and equity. As dean, he hired the first female division director for UT Extension and ensured funding was increased to assist African American farmers within the state.
A private service was held at his request. Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy and Ann Hicks Endowment Fund, c/o Executive Director 4-H Foundation, 205 Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle Drive, Suite 205, Knoxville, TN 37996 or the charity of your choice.
We express sincere comfort and/or speedy healing to the following UTIA employees or retirees:
Sympathy is expressed to UTIA Retiree Odessa Roberts in the death of her sister, Betty Murrell, who passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021. An obituary is available online.
Belva Bise Holleman, widow of deceased UTIA agricultural economist Gordon Holleman, passed away peacefully Monday, May 24 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. View the full article online.
Sympathy is expressed to UTIA Retiree Paula Spears in the death of her husband, Howard, who passed away Saturday, May 29. Paula was the family and consumer sciences agent and county director for UT Extension in Lewis County prior to her retirement in 2014. An obituary is available online.
UTIA has dedicated a new research and extension initiative to help farmers and agricultural industries across the state keep pace with the changing technologies. The UT Precision Livestock Farming program will be coordinated by Robert Burns, distinguished professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science. It includes nearly two dozen UTIA faculty members across several academic disciplines.
The program will advance livestock and poultry production through the application of existing and emerging technologies to improve the management of animals within modern production systems. Research efforts will include real-time monitoring of images, sounds, and other biological, physiological, and environmental parameters to assess and improve individual animal health and well-being within herd or flock production systems, ultimately enhance production sustainability. An animal’s environment, housing systems, feeding and watering systems, manure storage and collection, lighting and other production system components all fall under the precision farming umbrella.
Farmers, economists, and other interested parties will find several livestock and poultry projects that were already ongoing easy to review at the UT Precision Livestock Farming website. Future projects will also be posted on the website as news becomes available.
The Precision Agriculture Technology Unit at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center has been named for Columbia, Tennessee, retired business executive and philanthropist Waymon Hickman, an alumnus of the now-named UT Herbert College of Agriculture, former member of the UT Board of Trustees, and longtime supporter of UTIA. Hickman, with family members gathered by his side, was surprised by the gesture during the July 22 meeting of the UT Commission on Agriculture, which occurred at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill. Everyone on hand was pleased to honor Hickman for his leadership and dedication to Tennessee agriculture. UT President Randy Boyd made the announcement while a mockup of the outdoor sign was unveiled. The actual sign was installed at the center’s main entrance the next day.
Earlier this year, UT AgResearch announced the realignment of capabilities at two of its ten AgResearch and Education Centers to better support the state’s dairy, beef, and poultry industries. The Little River Animal Environment Unit of the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center near Knoxville is upgrading its dairy research capabilities, and the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill is refocusing its facilities to support beef and poultry production research.
Hollie Schreiber has been appointed director of the UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs. She began her new role on June 28. Rumira Xhaferaj led the office as interim director and returned to her assistant director role as Schreiber joined the team. “We are very grateful to Rumira for her excellent leadership during this period and look forward to her continued dedicated service,” said Hongwei Xin, dean and director of UT AgResearch.
Schreiber joined the University after spending nearly sixteen years at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater where she most recently served as director of Sponsored Programs for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Hollie joined Oklahoma State University in 2008 as a proposal specialist before she was promoted to manager and later to director in 2018.
Herbert College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications opened doorways with an online degree program. This exciting new offering provides students the ability to complete a Bachelor of Science degree online.
Scott Senseman left his position as professor and head of the UTIA Department of Plant Sciences, effective June 30, 2021, to take an administrative role at Oklahoma State University (OSU). His new position is associate vice president for the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Scott served UTIA in many capacities, including as deputy assistant dean for strategic planning for the Herbert College of Agriculture and, more recently, as interim dean of UT Extension. Gary Bates will be serving as interim department head of the Department of Plant Sciences until the position is filled.
Jodi Letham joined UTIA as assistant director of the Ames AgResearch and Education Center on July 6. Jodi joins us from Cornell University, where she served as an extension specialist for the Northwest New York Dairy Livestock and Field Crops Team. She is the first woman to serve as part of the statewide AgResearch and Education Centers’ leadership team.
Spenser Smith is the new coordinator for communications and employer relations for the Herbert College of Agriculture and the newest member of the Dean’s Office.
Robert Burns, distinguished professor of biosystems engineering, has been selected to serve on two advisory boards regarding livestock production and air quality. Burns is serving on the USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force and has also been appointed to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Technical Advisory Group on Methane.
UT Extension has hired Ty Wolaver as area farm management specialist to serve the northeastern region of the state. Wolaver earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. He grew up in Lincoln County.
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
2621 Morgan Circle Drive || Knoxville, TN 37996
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