Spring 2003 Scene
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UT Martin's Volume XXXVII, Campus Winter/Spring 2003 Scene Competing on the Big Stage Success and the lessons learned when the stakes are high from the Chancellor Chancellor Nick Dunagan The summer months are a good time to reflect on what was This year my goal is for each administrative unit to take a look at its accomplished the previous academic year and what needs to take "processes" and ask the question, "Can we do this in a way that is place in the new academic year. During this process, the chancellor’s more student friendly?" I hope each faculty member, department staff began to discuss slogans and terms that we might use in new chair, and dean will take a look at their part of the curriculum recruiting brochures, annual reports and other publications. Most and ask, recently we have used the phrases "Live the Total Collegiate • "Is this what our graduates need?" Experience" and "Natural Learning Environment." About 10 years • "Can this be presented in a more effective manner?" ago the phrase "The Campus That Cares" was used in reference to • "What can I do outside the classroom to make the UT Martin UT Martin. experience richer for my students?" After talking with various campus groups, it became obvious that of These are difficult and time-consuming questions. If we can do all the phrases used during the past few years, "The Campus That this, we can truly set UT Martin a step ahead of most colleges and Cares" seemed to have more staying power and recognition. It was universities in the nation. "brainstormed" at our annual Administrative Retreat in early August, and I announced at the opening faculty meeting our intent to empha- A campus-that-cares approach also sets high expectations of students. size this philosophy in our recruiting materials, but more importantly It provides opportunities for a traditional college experience in its in our practices throughout the campus. campus housing and through multiple academic and social organiza- tions. It provides opportunities for students to study abroad and What does "The Campus That Cares" mean? In my mind, there are learn from professors with international experiences. It fosters three key components: leadership opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, it is willing to adopt new technologies, new pedagogy, and new processes as the 1. Each secretary, grounds keeper, faculty member, administrator, need arises. coach, custodian, craftsman, and other support staff members must interact with students and each other in a way that projects We are already offering our students wonderful opportunities – kindness, concern, and a dose of reality. we simply must never be satisfied with what we are. Being “The 2. Each faculty member must exhibit a concern that what they are Campus That Cares" is much more than a slogan to put on a presenting in their classes and in their out-of-class interactions brochure. We expect it to be a way to continually improve and is moving their students closer to realizing their potential. evolve into the type of institution that makes students, alumni, 3. As a university, we must foster an environment that embraces faculty, staff and friends proud and pleased. our students in a supporting way, but also gives them opportunities and space to expand and explore. 2 CAMPUS SCENE VOLUME XXXVII, WINTER/SPRING 2003 THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF UT MARTIN CampusScene Published biannually by 4 The University of Tennnessee at Martin Martin, Tenn. 38238 Dr. John Shumaker, President The University of Tennessee System Dr. Nick Dunagan, Chancellor Features 6 The University of Tennessee at Martin 4 Competing on the Big Stage Len Parks Hoffman Three Miss Tennessees who have Vice Chancellor attended UT Martin are big believers for University Advancement in what pageant competition can do 12 Jacky Gullett for a person. Director of Alumni Affairs 6 Attitude is Everything Kara Hooper For Kevin Wright, achieving educational 8 Campus Scene Editor and professional success was never in Robert Muilenburg question, in spite of challenges in front Coordinator of Photographic Services of him. 10 Editorial Contributions 8 Good Business Sense Makes This Candace Cooper, David Critchlow Jr., Scientist a CEO Nick Dunagan, Bud Grimes, 20 Jacky Gullett, Karen Helgeson, Dr. Christy Shaffer applies her keen Len Hoffman, Joe Lofaro mind to new business opportunities. Design and Layout 10 Just One World News Briefs Kara Hooper Physics professor Dr. Tahira Arshed 18 Homecoming Reflections and Events Photo Contributions spent time in Sri Lanka as a Fulbright 22 Sports Updates Rashid Arshed, Randy Berger, scholar and shares her experiences 23 New Faculty/Chairs of Excellence David Critchlow Jr., Bud Grimes, and inspiration from her visit. 24 Retired and Distingushed Professors Robert Muilenburg, 25 Student Organizations Recognized Copy Editors 12 Moving Ahead Bud Grimes, Karen Helgeson Despite a personal tragedy during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Maj. Tamatha Patterson approaches the future with Departments 24,000 copies printed by 16 University Advancement Franklin Graphics, Nashville, Tenn. hope and determination. 17 Along the Alumni Trail 8 Making Hometown News: With 26 Alumni Notes New Set of ‘Wheels,’ Duo Hits 30 In Memoriam Road in ‘Minivan’ Local country music duo is poised to hit it big. WINTER/SPRING 2003 3 By Bud Grimes lise Neal Davis and Linda Workman Shumate had already been production team did she decide to aim for her state's top pageant there. For Valli Kugler, September 2002 marked her first visit. crown. "...There are a lot of opportunities that I didn't want to miss ETheir common destination was Atlantic City, N.J., to represent by not doing this," she said, "and I guess just basically I didn't want Tennessee in the Miss America Pageant. to have any regrets." Besides the Miss America experience, Winning Miss Tennessee sent her to represent the state in the they share the common achievement coveted Miss America competition, a three-week experience Valli Kugler of having worn the Miss UT Martin that she will never forget. "They treat you like royalty, which crown. Each competed in different can get you a little spoiled; but you know, you come back to times, and each has different memories reality pretty soon after you get back to your state," Kugler said. from pageant competition, but all She enjoyed meeting the other contestants, participating in the three walked away from the pageant rehearsals and described the whole pageant atmosphere as spotlight with life-changing experiences. "comforting and exciting." Kugler, of Rutherford, Tenn., claimed Kugler did not place in Atlantic City, but her personal philosophy the Miss UT Martin crown for the sec- of living life without regret prevents her from being disappointed. ond time in November 2001, earning She also believes everything hap- the chance to compete in the Miss pens for a reason. "I really felt Tennessee Scholarship Pageant in that I did the best that I could June 2002 in Jackson, Tenn. She used do in every category, and it was two previous years of performing in the Miss Tennessee just simply they weren't looking production to build what she described as a "home court for someone like me this year," advantage" to compete for and win the Miss Tennessee she said. crown. The pageant road then led to Atlantic City. Kugler will finish her reign as Beautiful, talented, and down-to-earth, Kugler's road to Miss Tennessee, return next year the Miss America Pageant was no overnight success story. She began to UT Martin to finish her degree and then try to break into the performing and competing at the age of six, but not until her last music business in Nashville. "Like I said, no regrets; and if I try that year of performing in Miss Tennessee as a member of the pageant (becoming a professional singer), I know I won’t have regrets there, either," she said. 4CAMPUS SCENE Linda Workman Shumate and runner-up in this fall pageant, and then she won Miss UT Martin in Elise Neal Davis share similar spring 1976 to earn her first of three trips to Miss Tennessee. Davis philosophies with Kugler, and was Miss Okra when she won Miss Tennessee in 1979 and went on both applaud Kugler's to compete for Miss America. performance in Atlantic City. Davis described winning Miss UT Martin in 1976 as "incredibly Shumate, who lives in Union City, important to me," and like Shumate and Kugler, shares credit with Tenn., began participating in pag- others for her pageant success. For Davis, her mother, Allison eants as she Nelson-Loebbaka, provided the most influence. Davis remembers grew up in her mother, a UT Martin professor emeritus of music and Davis' Portageville, major college professor, investing "huge amounts of time into Mo. She won helping me develop as a person." the Miss UT Cathy Dunagan, Martin title Her mother's involvement paid dividends as Davis persevered and Linda Workman in 1967 at won the Miss Tennessee Pageant on her third try. "The third time Shumate, and the age of 18 I was, I think, very self-assured," Davis remembers. "I knew that Chancellor Nick and went on I had become as good as I could be at that particular point in Dunagan talk during a recep- to win Miss my life." tion on the UT Tennessee and then compete for Miss America. Her Martin campus. daughter, Ali, now an attorney in Memphis, was As with Shumate and Kugler, the Miss Tennessee in 1995 and vied for the Miss Miss America experience did not America crown as well. intimidate Davis; she still relishes having had the opportunity to "It (her daughter's pageant success) was a wonderful experience compete and win a "Non-Finalist for me, especially as she won Miss Knoxville and went on to win Talent Award" at the pageant.