A Quarterly Newsletter

Kemp to presentWomen Making History Lecture

Funded through the generosity of ETSU alumna Barbara Murphy Brooks, the guest speaker for the 2008 Women Making History Lecture is Coach Karen Kemp, head women’s basketball coach for East Tennessee State University. Entitled “Dare to Dream: My Journey in Women’s Athletics,” the Kemp lecture is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Location is the East Tennessee Room, D.P. Culp University Center. A reception will follow Kemp’s lecture.

As head women’s basketball coach, Kemp is the only coach to lead the ETSU Women’s Basketball Team to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Kemp, named head coach on August 8, 1994, came to ETSU after successful stints as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi State University and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. A native of Chatsworth, Ga., Kemp spent seven seasons at Chattanooga where she helped guide the Lady Mocs to Southern Conference regular season titles in 1991 and 1992 and the Southern Conference Tournament Championship in 1989 and 1992. In 1988, Kemp took on the added duties of Senior Women’s Administrator at UTC and was responsible for the administration of six intercollegiate sports. Prior to joining the UTC staff, Kemp served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi State.

Kemp played on the collegiate level at Berry College in Mount Berry, Ga., where she was a two-time All-America selection while helping lead the school to a four-year record of 120-19. A four-year starter, she averaged over 12 points and nine rebounds during her career and was a four-time NAIA All-District pick. She was also named to the NAIA National All-Tournament team as a freshman and junior.

Kemp earned a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies from Berry College in 1985. She is married to Eddie Gregory and is the mother of two children: Marcus (15) and LaKeisha (10).

Entering into her 15th season at the helm for the Lady Bucs, Kemp has posted 173 career wins, giving her the most wins in school history, since taking over the program in 1994. Kemp is just the second ETSU head coach to reach the 100-win milestone, doing so when her team defeated Western Carolina at Memorial Center on February 11, 2002. Two years later Kemp became the all-time wins leader when her Lady Bucs defeated Davidson on February 7, 2004, capturing her 119th career victory.

During Kemp’s tenure at ETSU, the Lady Bucs have reached peaks never before achieved in the program’s history. Kemp’s 1994-95 squad tied a school record with 21 victories and won the only Southern Conference regular season title in school history. That team went on to participate in the National Women’s Invitational Tournament, also a first for a Lady Buc squad.

For additional information regarding the Kemp lecture, contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

Some article contents adapted from staff reports prepared by the Athletics Media Relations Office at East Tennessee State University.

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Dance artist Ann Law to present“Passion Flower”

Dance artist Ann Law is guest performer for her one-woman show “Passion Flower.” Scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2008, at 8:00 p.m., location is the Bud Frank Theatre in Gilbreath Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each.

In June 2006, Law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had no symptoms. A tiny mass was discovered during a routine mammogram. Twelve days later, she underwent a radical mastectomy of her right breast. Seven weeks later, she removed her left breast preventively. “I don’t know if I survived this cancer, but part of my healing from breast cancer is participating 100 percent,” Law said in a documentary video made by Chattanooga videographer Jarrod Whaley.

A nationally recognized solo performance artist, Law has created a powerful, poignant performance about her experience with breast cancer. Law’s understanding of breast cancer grew, like a passionflower vine, from malignant seed to radiant flower. She decided not to use a padded bra or seek reconstructive surgery due to the restrictions it placed upon her dancing skills. Scars across her chest, Law pondered the purpose of breasts for months. Searching for clothing, she found no fashions for her new look; “never naked” had become her mantra.

Last October, she decided she’d had enough. Artist Mary Petruska, a longtime friend, drew a picture of a passionflower vine. Skip Cisto, a former dance student, tattooed it across her chest. The tattoo wasn’t designed as a cover-up, Law said. It was an artistic statement — a stylish, polite way to say: “I will not let you get the best of me. I am here. I am powerful. I am strong. I am still, and always will be, beautiful.”

Following the tattoo process, Law wrote ten monologues; then she danced. “At the beginning I felt betrayed by my body, having something so dangerous living inside of it and not being aware of it. But by rehearsing this work, creating this work and practicing this work, I heal every day,” Ms. Law said. Though many questions remain unanswered, one, she said, is known: “How can we ever heal alone?”

Tickets for “Passion Flower” are $10.00 each and Law will donate her proceeds from the ticket sales to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

This event is sponsored by ETSU Mountain Movers Dance Company, ETSU Department of Theater and Dance, and ETSU Women’s Resource Center. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kintner at 423-439-7043 or the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

Some article contents adapted from Chattanooga Times Free Press staff reporter Sarah Gilbert’s article entitled “Dancing with CANCER: Survivor Ann Law uses performance as therapy” located at http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/12/dancing-cancer-survivor-ann-law-uses-performance-t/?print.

 

Solot and Miller to present
“The Female Orgasm”

Sex educators Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller bring a playful, honest approach to their program entitled “The Female Orgasm.” Solot and Miller combine sex education and women's empowerment with a hearty dose of laughter and they are packing the house on college campuses. With warmth and humor, they illuminate the subject of female orgasm for women who aren't having them, guys who want to make their girlfriends happy, and students who are debating the existence of the G-spot or "to fake or not to fake?". Students love that Solot and Miller are a couple, bringing both a male and female perspective to the conversation. Administrators often compliment them on presenting "sexy" material in a tasteful, appropriate manner. And Solot and Miller know that people who are well-informed about sexual topics are more likely to make healthy decisions about the risks associated with sex. The program is inclusive of people of all genders and sexual orientations.

Scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium of the D.P. Culp University Center, Solot and Miller’s straightforward and candid program focuses on individuals making sexual decisions that are right for them, including whether to use the information now or when married or in a serious relationship. Solot and Miller analyze the messages women receive about their bodies and sexuality from media, religion, families, and elsewhere; discuss body image, and the links between "befriending your body" and experiencing physical pleasure; and talk about the value of learning how to say "no" to sex--and the problems college-age and adult women sometimes encounter when they realize that's all they ever learned.

Sponsors for “The Female Orgasm” are Buctainment, Campus Advocates Against Sexual Violence (CAASV), FMLA @ ETSU, Greek Life, Residence Hall Association, Student Government Association, Women’s Studies Program, and Women’s Resource Center. For more information contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

Murray to conduct self-discovery workshop

Pam Murray, B.A., M.B.A., local artist and art instructor, returns to campus during Fall Semester 2008 to conduct a two-part series entitled “Illustrated Self-Discovery through Collaging.” A dynamic, enjoyable, imaginative way to bring out and find out about the real you that is often lying dormant or buried just beneath the surface, collaging can bring out the Ah Ha! moments and awaken the deep-rooted self.

Scheduled for October 21 and 28, both sessions will be held at the Women’s Resource Center, Panhellenic Hall, basement suite 2, at noon. Reservations are required. To reserve a space or should you need additional information, contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

 

Love Your Body Day 2008

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Location: Basler CPA
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more information on Love Your Body Day 2008 contact the Counseling Center at
423-439-4841.

Poster acknowledgment: Whitney Calvert, of Linesville, Penn., was the Grand Prize Winner for the 2008 Love Your Body Day Poster Contest. Article partially adapted from the National Organization for Women (NOW) website at http://www.now.org/press.

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Women’s Health Series – Fall 2008

A registered dietitian is the safest bet to ensure adequate education and training in the biomechanics of nutrition. However, an additional option available to regional folks related to nutritional health therapy is a local area chiropractor who is knowledgeable in the biomechanics of nutrition therapy.

If you want more in-depth information on nutritional health therapy then mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 4, 2008, for “Women and Nutritional Health Therapy.” Guest speaker Charley Ward, D.C., owner of Ward Chiropractic Center in Elizabethton, Tenn., and the Women’s Nutritional Health Center in Johnson City, Tenn., is conducting this women’s health seminar. When asked about his practice philosophy, Ward described it succinctly with the following: “The primary purpose of Women’s Nutritional Health Center is to help women regain and maintain their health and vitality with the belief, that by doing so, she will influence her children, her spouse/partner, her extended family, and her friends to also lead a healthy life. The ultimate result will be a healthier community now and in the future.”

Location and time for the Ward Women’s Health Series Lunch Break Seminar is the East Tennessee Room, D.P. Culp University Center, at noon. For more information, contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

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Saluting the Women of ETSU

 

2008 Distinguished Faculty Awards

East Tennessee State University bestowed one of its highest honors upon Marcia Songer, M.A., with the presentation of the 2008 Distinguished Faculty Awards for Teaching, Research and Service on Friday, August 22, 2008. Songer, an associate professor in the Department of English, received the Distinguished Faculty Award in Service. She was nominated and selected by her faculty peers and received a medallion, a plaque and a $5,000 check during Faculty Convocation, an annual event that marks the beginning of the new academic year and fall semester.

Songer taught high school and college freshman classes both at University School and ETSU, as well as schools in Indiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Saudi Arabia, before becoming a full-time ETSU English instructor in 1983. She has also taught English as a second language at the Universidad Estatal de Bolivar in Johnson City’s sister city of Guaranda, Ecuador.

In addition to a heavy teaching load, Songer has been involved in nearly every departmental committee. According to her nomination, she was the department’s assistant chair for undergraduate studies for six years and coordinator of the English honors-in-discipline program in its early years. She was also on the Public Relations Committee at its inception and edited the first three department newsletters.

Songer served the university as associate director of the University Honors Scholars program beginning in 2002 and was responsible for some 250 students in 13 honors-in-discipline programs. She also stepped in as interim director following the director’s death in 2007, then mentored her department colleague, Dr. Michael Cody, when he was named the new director.

In her field, Songer is a member of and has held leadership roles in such organizations as the Tennessee Philological Association, Popular Culture Association, and both the state and national levels of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Songer has served the community as a commissioner and vice mayor of Johnson City and a member and chair of the Johnson City Power Board. She has also been active in the Johnson City Symphony Guild and Board of Directors, Intercity Ballet Guild, Johnson City Area Arts Council, American Association of University Women, Tennessee Municipal League Executive Board, and many other organizations.

“Perhaps as a child I took to heart the injunction that it was better to give than to receive, or maybe I simply absorbed that lesson from the actions of those around me,” Songer wrote. “Whatever the source, I have always believed in wholly participating in activities of home, community, and workplace . . . For me, community service has been a welcome duty, willingly performed.”

She holds a B.S. in education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and an M.A. in English from ETSU.

Article adapted from staff reports prepared by the Office of University Relations at East Tennessee State University.

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Dr. Ramona Milhorn Williams named vice provost

Ramona Milhorn Williams, Ed.D., was named vice provost for Enrollment Services at East Tennessee State University on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Williams has served in the position as interim since January 2007.

Among the duties of the vice provost’s position are supervising the directors of Enrollment Services areas, including Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Transfer Articulation, the Scholarship Office, Undergraduate Student Advisement, technical systems for Enrollment Services, and Enrollment Marketing. In addition, the vice provost chairs major university initiatives aimed at enhancing student retention and persistence to graduation. The position is responsible for development and coordination of the university’s student recruitment and marketing plans for enrollment services.

Williams earned three degrees at ETSU: a bachelor’s degree in political science with secondary education certification in 1983, a master’s degree in counseling and guidance in 1985, and, in 1996, a doctoral degree in education (Ed.D.) through the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

Williams has been employed at ETSU in various capacities for 23 years. From 1997 through 2006, she served as director of University Advisement. She was appointed assistant vice provost for Student Retention during the latter half of 2006, and was then named as the interim vice provost for Enrollment Services.

In 2006, Williams received a Distinguished Staff Award, and she was inducted into the ETSU Claudius G. Clemmer College of Education Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005.

Article adapted from staff reports prepared by the Office of University Relations at East Tennessee State University.

Harley, Hamm, and Stephens receive
Distinguished Staff Awards in 2008

Outstanding staff at East Tennessee State University are honored by their peers through the Distinguished Staff Awards, which are presented annually at the university’s Staff Picnic sponsored by the ETSU Staff Senate. A $1,000 check is presented to each recipient, along with a plaque from the Staff Senate.

Awards are made in six non-faculty employment categories, with Career Awards given as merited to staff members in any category. University employees nominate individuals for the awards based on one or more of these criteria: a staff member whose performance of assigned tasks deserves recognition and inspires other employees, positive attitude in working with others, commitment to the university community and exercise of extraordinary courage. This year three, well-deserving ETSU women received staff awards on May 16, 2008.

Dr. Debbie Harley, assistant vice president for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership, won the Distinguished Staff Award in the Executive/Administrative/Managerial Category. Recently honored as a “Tennessee Treasure” by the National Campus Contract, Harley studies, teaches and models leadership. One nominator says, “She is a tireless advocate for both undergraduate and graduate students.” An ETSU employee since 1985, she earned a doctorate in education in 1998. In addition to her demanding job, she serves as faculty secretary for Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and helps coordinate the annual Constitution Day celebration. (Pictured left to right, Dr. Paul Stanton, ETSU President, Harley, and Lisa Blackburn, ETSU Staff Senate President.)

 

Tammy Hamm, associate director of Human Resources, received the Professional/Non-Faculty Category award. A nominator notes she “has taken a large role in the implementation of the Banner Human Resources/Payroll system,” an ongoing process for the past three years. In addition to her regular duties, Hamm assumed extra responsibilities when her department lost an administrative position. Her nomination letter stated that it is common to see her “taking home a full box of files just to keep the enormous amount of paperwork moving” and that she “makes sure that people always come first, always has a smile on her face, and is willing to go the extra mile for our employees.” She has been an ETSU employee since 2000. (Pictured left to right, Dr. Paul Stanton, ETSU President, Hamm, and Lisa Blackburn, ETSU Staff Senate President.)

 

Vanessa Stephens, custodial forewoman, received the Service/Maintenance Category award. Beginning at ETSU in 1976 as a custodian in Warf-Pickel Hall, she later spent 12 years at Memorial Center (the Mini-Dome). In her current position in Housing Facilities, one nominator describes her as “a humble ambassador of goodwill on behalf of the university. Her words of comfort and reassurance have helped calm the anxiety of many a parent as they’ve left their child at one of the residence halls for the first time.” She is described as “leading her crew by example, right there in the middle of a mess with a mop and a broom.” She has “a sunny and helpful attitude, is quick to volunteer,” and has served on Staff Senate and several university committees. One of her favorite responses when asked to do something is “We’ll get it!” (Pictured left to right, Dr. Paul Stanton, ETSU President, Stephens, and Lisa Blackburn, ETSU Staff Senate President.)

Article adapted from staff reports prepared by the Office of University Relations at East Tennessee State University.

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Marlow named an Outstanding Grad Student

Patti Andrews Marlow received the Outstanding Capstone Award from the School of Graduate Studies for her project, “The Quilt, the Patterns, the Makers Yesterday and Today: From a Utilitarian Mainstay to a Twenty-first Century Object of Art.” The award included a plaque and $100, and her name, along with the names of other outstanding graduate student award winners, will be on permanent display in the Graduate Studies lobby on the third floor of Burgin E. Dossett Hall.

The recipient of an associate degree from Milligan College, Marlow earned a bachelor’s degree at ETSU and is currently pursuing a master of arts in liberal studies degree with a concentration in Appalachian Studies. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda honorary society, and she has been employed by the ETSU Department of Music for 18 years, serving as events coordinator. The wife of Randy Marlow and mother of two children, Marlow is the daughter of Walter and Betty Andrews of Hampton and resides in Elizabethton.

Article adapted from staff reports prepared by the Office of University Relations at East Tennessee State University.

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