Pellissippi State

SUMMER 2018 VOL. 13, No. 1 Portraits of ALUMNI

Ryan Parker Regina Jennings

J. TRAVIS HOWERTON

BEN STERLING CHRIS HIGGINS Pellissippi State

From the President SUMMER 2018 VOL. 13, No. 1

editors Every time I preside over a Commencement ceremony Julia Wood at Pellissippi State, I cannot help but look out over [email protected] the new graduates and think about the wonderful opportunities that await them. Many will go on to Joel Southern [email protected] earn a bachelor’s degree—or higher; others will start their careers right away. designer Mark Friebus [email protected] When I shake their hands as they cross the stage, I know how hard they’ve worked to get their degree. photographer I know the sacrifices they’ve made. I see their smiles Jessie Tipton and hear the clapping of family and friends. And I see [email protected] it has all been worth it. It makes me proud to know writer that Pellissippi State has played an important role in Heather Beck their future. Connections is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications office of Pellissippi State Community College to spotlight the people, programs and initiatives of Pellissippi State. I find it just as rewarding later when I hear about the To find previous issues of Connections, please visit: awe-inspiring things they are doing with their lives. www.pstcc.edu/mc/publications/connections Our graduates work for some of the biggest and best Contact us at 865.694.6530 or email [email protected]. employers in East Tennessee. They help others while Address Changes working in hospitals, nonprofits and schools. They Change of address notices should be sent with the mailing panel on this magazine to are employed in media careers or manufacturing Pellissippi State Foundation jobs. They start their own businesses. They give back 10915 Hardin Valley Road to their communities. P.O. Box 22990 Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

This issue of Connections tells the stories of just a handful of the thousands of graduates who’ve passed Follow Pellissippi State on Social Media! through our doors. We’d love to hear your stories as well. If you are a graduate of Pellissippi State, we Facebook: pellissippi encourage you to keep in touch with us through our alumni events and social media. We value our alumni Instagram: @pellissippistate and wish them continued success. Twitter: @ps

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L. A nthon y Wise Jr. President Pellissippi State Community College portr a its of a lumni

“I grew up here in Knoxville in a family that hiked and went caving, and as soon as I could drive I was going off to cave by myself. A lot of people don’t know this, but East Tennessee and central Tennessee have the highest concentration of caves in the entire world,” Higgins says. “That’s how I started. I would tell people about what I did, but they could never picture it. They could never completely understand what I was talking about when I described the colors inside a cave, for instance, so I started taking photographs.” Higgins, a West High School graduate, studied photography at Pellissippi State after a few years debating his major. He and his wife, Meagan, who teaches kindergarten at West Hills Elementary, met on campus. “I never had a professor at Pellissippi State that I didn’t like. That’s CHRIS HIGGINS part of why I stayed for so long. I had a chance to find myself there and figure out what I wanted to do,” Higgins says. For a time, he worked as an EMT, and he still goes out on occasion- al emergency rescues on a volunteer basis. He also does marketing “The ‘story’ doesn’t tell the whole for Little River Trading Co. in Blount County, but most of his time is devoted to adventure photography, which has taken him from story,” Pellissippi State alumnus Alaska to Brazil, Nevada to Peru, Florida to France, and almost Chris Higgins says. “That’s why I’m everywhere in between. “It started with photography as a hobby,” Higgins says. “I took pho- a photographer. Photos tell a story tos of my own trips and adventures. Then, people started inviting me to go on trips with them as their photographer. As Instagram and show details that, otherwise, grew and I started posting photographs there, I started tagging companies whose equipment I used, and then they began to ask me people could not understand.” to take photographs for them.” Higgins, who graduated from Pellissippi State in 2013 with a Today, Higgins sells his adventure photography and serves as a general Associate of Science degree, is a professional adventure social media brand ambassador for major outdoor gear companies photographer whose images are popular with nearly 15,000 people including Lowepro, Petzl, Joby, Outex and Drobo. on his Instagram account @chrishigginsphoto. His images take viewers from the bottom of deep, water-filled caves to the peaks of snowy mountains.

Many caves Higgins explores contain water, meaning the photographer and his crew have to wade or swim through, as they did in this 50-degree water.

One of Chris' favorite photos, the Keystone River cave in Tennessee connections • summer 2018 • 5 a comprehensive compendium of miscellanea a comprehensive compendium of miscellanea

To truly grasp the scope of this cavern, LOOK CLOSER. Those aren't lights on the ground, those are other people!

Anthodite Hall is near the bottom of the cave system known as Sistema “The most amazing part of doing Huautla in central Mexico. Sistema Huautla is the deepest cave in the this for a living is how incredible western hemisphere at 5,069 feet. Photographing this room required Higgins and his crew to camp underground for a week. it is to shine light into places that have never been lit before,” Higgins says. “You spend hours hiking down to a cave that’s completely dark, but once we light it and photograph it, you see these colors and Higgins’ favorite photograph is of the Keystone River cave strong that it caused hurricane-force wind gusts at the bottom of “That may not be the most technically amazing photo, but it’s my patterns and structures inside the cave. A lot of that stone has in Middle Tennessee, which is famous for the river that runs the cave,” Higgins says. “I had covered my camera with a garbage favorite because I know how much went into it,” Higgins says. “I never seen the light before, never been photographed. through it, culminating in a 250-foot underground waterfall, bag to protect it, but it was so wet that I knew even just to remove know the story of it. That’s why I do this. I love being able to share down which cavers and spelunkers rappel. the lens cap, I would only get one shot. Hours down into the cave, the places that a normal person might never go to, and that no one “The photos that are most grueling to get are my favorite — and I had one chance at the photograph.” can stay in. It might take hours to hike into a cave, hours to set “When we went to Keystone River, it was after a lot of rain when you’re working in total darkness and are just hoping that up a photograph and then just a few seconds to take it — but that and the river was completely swollen. We had to swim The shot worked. It depicts a fellow hiker rappelling down the roar- the photograph turns out.” photograph makes it all worth it.” through parts of the cave you could typically walk through, ing underground falls, lit by a friend holding a large, old-fashioned His Instagram account proclaims, “Misery is memorable.” His with just inches of air between the water and the cave flash bulb — the best light source Higgins has found to illuminate photographs prove it. ceiling. Then, at the waterfall, the force of the water was so some of the darkest places on earth.

6 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 7 Regina Jennings

“I loved marketing! I loved the networking aspect. It may seem like there’s not a big connection between banking and marketing, but you’re marketing yourself and the place that you work,” Jennings says. She started out in banking as a teller at Citizens Bank in Blount County. She slowly made her way through various positions within the banking business: bookkeeping, loans, CDs and teller supervisor. She eventually became a branch manager and worked in business development. After 16 years, she moved to BB&T, where she was a vice president. She started work at Pinnacle in 2015. During her time with Citizens Bank, the mother of one also finished her bachelor’s degree in organizational management at Tusculum College and served in the Air National Guard, traveling across the country and even spending some time in the United Kingdom. “I say that you should live life to the max every single day,” Jennings says. “You only get one chance at it.” In that vein, Jennings volunteers on numerous boards and with community organizations including Blount County Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club and the Maryville Alcoa Home Builders Association. In 2016, she was nominated for the Blount County Athena Leadership Award. This year, she and her husband are the campaign chairs for United Way of Blount County. Accolades plaster her office walls. “I like being part of everything and finding ways to help. People say all the time, ‘Oh, someone should do that,’ and I just think that someone is me,” Jennings says. She carries that sentiment to work, where she works in retail, small business and commercial lending. “The best part of my job is being able to help people who come in Lending a with an idea or a concept,” Jennings says. “I also make a point of sharing what I know with the people who work with me. Some people don’t do that; I guess they’re afraid that if they share their Regina Jennings bubbles with enthusiasm ing Technology at Pellissippi State — then called State Technical knowledge they’ll lose something. But I feel that, if I’ve mentored in her light-filled office at Pinnacle Finan- Institute at Knoxville. “Whoever you meet, you’re also meeting someone I manage so well that they could take my job, then I’m free cial Partners in Maryville, where she is a all the people they know. Those investments in people are crucial; to take something higher up. senior vice president and financial advisor. they always come back around. That’s why you never meet people “I’ve been able to help a lot of fine men and women move up in the One chair is pulled up closely to her desk, for selfish reasons. You always look for ways to help them.” Helping Hand banking business by mentoring them, and that comes out of simply allowing an up-close-and-personal setting. Jennings enrolled at State Tech after high school. Initially, she loving what I do,” Jennings says. “I remember learning that passion That’s how Jennings prefers it. decided to study computer science because it was the “up-and- at State Tech. My professors loved what they did, and they Regina Jennings, giving back through coming technology.” However, she soon found that programming taught me to love what I do. When you truly love what you “I love what I do. I love helping people,” was not for her. Eventually, she discovered marketing. do, it’s not work.” mentoring and volunteerism says Jennings, a 1983 graduate in Market-

8 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 9 portr a its of a lumni

Sitting on Ryan Parker’s desk is a framed quote by William James: “The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” Parker, a Pellissippi State alumnus, spends his day living up to that motto as develop- ment director at Wesley House, a Christian ministry that provides academic, emotional and spiritual support to inner-city students and senior citizens. “I always knew that I wanted to do mar- keting, which is what I studied while I was at Pellissippi State, but it was once I came to work here that I realized how amazing it was to have a purpose to marketing,” Parker says. “I have a reason to reach out to people, RYAN to ask for funding or to put on an event, Finding inPurpose the because we change people’s lives.” After graduating from high school in West Tennessee, Parker enrolled at Middle “In this position, I have the chance to get to them to Wesley House for Friday lunchtime Community Tennessee State University. But like many know entire families — the children attend Bingo sessions. He even comes into the Parker college students, he quickly found himself one of our youth programs and the grand- office on snow days. After all, “fundraising overwhelmed in the large university parents come to our senior citizens program doesn’t stop just because of the snow.” environment. — and they are my biggest motivator. I’m Parker spends each day devoted to Wesley not just asking for five dollars or throwing “I wasn’t really ready for college and so House and the people it serves — but the an event or whatever; I’m building relation- my grades began to suffer. I researched community center is not the only object ships with people,” Parker says. community colleges and found Pellissippi of his gratitude and devotion. He remains State. When I came here, Pellissippi was so “I like the creative ways you can fundraise. involved with Pellissippi State through the different; it felt like family,” Parker says. That appeals to me from a marketing Alumni Relations office. perspective. I write grants, but I also am an He studied marketing at Pellissippi State, “Pellissippi helped me. It gave me a second event planner. I love it when people come graduating in 2010. His favorite professors chance to earn my degree, and without it, I to the door, and I’m able to give them a tour not only taught him, but also encouraged wouldn’t be here. I’ve always been an that shows them everything we do.” him to network with other marketers advocate for Pellissippi State because through professional organizations in He still drives the bus for the seniors he they were once mine.” Knoxville, an activity Parker continues to affectionately calls “grannies,” bringing this day. After completing his degree at Pellissippi State, he transferred to King University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Throughout that period, Parker worked at Wesley House, first in after-school and summer programs with children and interactive events with senior citizens who might otherwise live in isolation. “I started working here as a program counselor with the kids ministry and a bus driver for the senior citizens,” Parker says. “Then I worked my way up, becoming an assistant program director and finally becoming development director. This is the position I always knew I wanted. I wanted to do marketing and development for Ryan Parker visits with Wesley House guests Wesley House. before a fun game of bingo with the "grannies."

connections • summer 2018 • 11 portr a its of a lumni

For Thomas and Melody, a last-dollar scholarship opens the doors grandchildren. The couple, married for 31 years, returned to school to training that will help them in their chosen careers. Melody, who at the same time their granddaughters, both six years old, entered is a receptionist at Helen Ross McNabb Center Outpatient Services, kindergarten and first grade. is studying Administrative Professional Technology with a Medical “Our granddaughters were so nervous to start school,” Melody says. Office concentration. Thomas, who works for DENSO Manufactur- “But because we were starting school, too, we were able to comfort ing Tennessee, is studying Engineering Technology. them. We told them we were all doing it together; the only differ- “I am training on a lot of the new technology they’re introducing ence was that we wouldn’t take a big yellow school bus to school. at DENSO on the manufacturing line,” Thomas says. “There are “As the school year has passed, they have started calling us to ask people on my line who do engineering work, and that’s what I’d like how we do on our tests. They ask me how many answers I missed, to do. At Pellissippi, I can learn the technology skills needed to use and they will tell me what they missed on their own tests. I tell these new machines. I’ve gone as far as I can without a degree, and them that we can all study and work harder and do better next I’d like to do something different.” time.” Of course, being back in school for the first time in more than three Their grandchildren are not the only family members who support decades has not come without its bumps in the road. For one, the Melody and Thomas in their quest for a college degree. technology in the classroom has drastically changed. “Our children and all of our family and friends have been so “The last time I was in school, we had spiral notebooks and encouraging,” Melody says. “They call to check on us. Our kids pencils,” Thomas says. “I’ve had a learning curve with computers support us and ask if we need help with homework. They are very in the classroom, but the professors have been wonderful to answer proud of us and recognize what a huge step this is for us.” questions and offer tutoring. It’s been really good.” For Melody and Thomas, Reconnect Now has opened the door to “It has been tough sometimes,” Melody says, “but it feels good to be a life they did not think was possible for them, though they spent back in school. It feels like an accomplishment.” years ensuring it was available for their children. They do not take Both Thomas and Melody have learned new computer skills as the opportunity lightly. they have progressed through their classes, and have found help “It feels good to take a chance. We know that we can do this. through resources like tutoring and mentoring. They have also We’re not going to give up,” Melody says. found support from their son and daughter — and even their

Taking Time to RECONNECT

Then last summer, Melody began to see billboards for Reconnect In fall 2017, Thomas and Melody Now at Pellissippi State. Smith stepped through the doors of Reconnect Now was the College’s last-dollar scholarship that covered the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for qualified adults. Pellissippi State — and for the first Pellissippi State launched the program for the 2017-18 academic time, they did so as students, not as year, in advance of the state’s rollout of Tennessee Reconnect. “When we heard about Reconnect Now, I researched it and told my the parents of students. husband that we would be crazy to pass this up,” Melody says. “It The Blount County couple had long emphasized the importance of was our chance to better ourselves as people and at our jobs.” a college education to their two children, and to their grandchil- Thomas and Melody, like other participating, qualified students dren, but the possibility of earning a college degree for themselves enrolled in Reconnect Now, will transition into Tennessee Recon- seemed like a pipe dream. They both had full-time jobs, and they nect this fall. “Family time” now includes doing homework around had already worked hard to afford college — and all of its associated the table with granddaughter Brooklyn. costs — for their children. “We could not have afforded college for ourselves without Recon- nect Now,” Thomas says.

12 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 13 portr a its of a lumni

Three Pellissippi State students earn high school and college degrees in the same month.

President L. Anthony Wise Jr. presents Savannah Keck with a ceremonial graduation stole to commemorate her achievement.

“It was weird at first because I was younger, but I got used to it. I’ve the students in the school's first graduating class and to develop new enjoyed the experience,” says Jerome. “I don’t think many have opportunities for student achievement moving forward,” says Wise. known that I’m a dual enrollment student. Those who have found Folsom took classes at the Hardin Valley Campus and online. She out were surprised, but they didn’t treat me any differently.” says that dual enrollment gave her more opportunities than were Folsom agrees. “Age wasn’t an issue. Some of my best friends were available at her high school. She often took classes that her high adult learners.” school didn’t offer, such as American Sign Language. She says that this allowed her to get used to a college environment and to meet “I found dual enrollment to be a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity to new people. Haley Folsom Andrew Jerome Savannah Keck get ready for attending a college,” adds Jerome. Folsom will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and major in neurosci- Keck was a student at Career Magnet Academy, which is located on “High achieving” doesn’t begin to describe left to earn a college degree,” says Folsom, 17, They also took additional classes during ence. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to continue her Pellissippi State’s Strawberry Plains Campus. The two schools have three students who earned their associate who attends L&N STEM Academy. the summer. Taking these classes allowed education to become a brain surgeon. degrees from Pellissippi State during the them to earn college credit while still in high a partnership in which CMA students take dual enrollment classes “How many high school students get to Spring 2018 Commencement ceremony. school. Pellissippi State offers a wide range through Pellissippi State and then earn their associate degree after The next stop for Keck is Michigan State University where she will say they’re graduating from college at the Unlike the other graduates who walked of dual enrollment courses in both high they graduate from high school. In May, CMA celebrated their first study criminal justice and international affairs. She will be part of same time?” asks Keck, 17. “It has been an across the stage to receive their diploma, schools and on the college’s campuses. graduating class. Keck was not only a part of that class, but she was James Madison College, a residential college at MSU where students amazing experience.” these three had not yet graduated from high the first CMA student to complete high school and an associate and faculty examine the major political, legal, social and economic “I heard about dual enrollment classes at school—though they accomplished that, too, “We celebrated the success of these degree simultaneously. issues affecting our world. Pellissippi State and starting taking them later that month. exceptional students at Commencement,” in 9th grade,” says Jerome, 18, and a home- “It has been a crazy, amazing experience,” says Keck. “I love going to “It’ll be a big change, but I’m looking forward to it,” she says. says L. Anthony Wise Jr., president of Although difficult to imagine, Andrew schooled student under the umbrella of a high school located on a college campus. The standards are higher; Pellissippi State. “They have excelled as dual Jerome will attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major Jerome, Haley Folsom and Savannah Keck Christian Academy of Knoxville. “In my it’s more challenging. And I love being taught by actual college enrollment students and demonstrated they in computer science. He plans to study German and participate in earned their college degree almost simul- junior year, I realized that I would soon earn professors. The CMA teachers work with you one-on-one. They can succeed in a rigorous academic envi- the college’s competitive and challenging Two Steps Ahead Interna- taneously with their high school diploma. a college degree.” trust us to be more responsible and give us more freedoms.” ronment. I have every confidence they will tional German Student Exchange Program, which will allow him to Each student had invested years of hard do well as they transition to their chosen Jerome began taking classes at the Hardin Keck even found time to participate in Pellissippi State’s student spend a year studying in Germany. work, determination and self-motivation to four-year institutions.” Valley Campus when he was just 14. He clubs and work in the summer as a New Student Orientation leader reach this milestone. All three students said that they would recommend dual started out with one Spanish class. His older who helps new students acclimate to the college. These students have been able to accomplish enrollment classes to other high school students as a way to “I’ve always been up for a challenge. I brother, also a dual enrollment student, this by taking a combination of advanced “Savannah Keck’s success is a great example of what we believe the get ahead in their college courses and careers. started taking classes that interested me, showed him where to go and what to do placement and dual enrollment classes partnership between Pellissippi State and Career Magnet Academy and before I knew it, I only had one class during that first semester. alongside their regular high school courses. can produce. We are taking the time to celebrate the success of all

14 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 15 For Sterling, Pellissippi State was a safe stepping-stone to acclimate to the college experience. “I was not socially prepared for a four-year university, and I knew it,” Sterling says. “Enrolling at Pellissippi let me stay at home and take smaller-sized classes. It allowed me to have an introduction to the college experience without the culture shock. It helped me learn how to be a college student.” Even so, Sterling admits he changed his major four times before eventually selecting political science. He later transferred to Austin Peay State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in public management in 2013. Soon after taking his first post-college job, he says he began hearing about a bill that was making its way through the Tennessee state legislature. The bill was to create Tennessee Promise, a program that expanded knoxAchieves, now tnAchieves, across the state. He knew immediately that he wanted to be a part of this initiative. He realized that Tennessee Promise would change the face of education in Tennessee, because he knew what knoxAchieves had done for him. More importantly, he knew this could be a way for him to help others break through the barriers to a college education. He contacted Krissy DeAlejandro, the executive director of tnAchieves, which manages Tennessee Promise across the state, about joining her team. Coincidentally, DeAlejandro had taught him political science at Pellissippi State. The rest, as they say, is history. Sterling joined tnAchieves in 2014 as an outreach coordinator. He now serves as assistant director of outreach. He helps to recruit, manage and communicate with 9,000 mentors every year, as well as build community partnerships and develop local advocates. “I believed that I had an opportunity by joining the team to directly impact the likelihood of a student breaking the cycle of a lack of higher education. I wanted to change not only a student’s perspective on college, but also the perspective of families and communities,” he says. Sterling freely shares his experiences as a first-generation college student benefitting from tnAchieves with the high school students Ben Sterling he encounters across the state. Sterling graduated from Karns High School in 2009. He says his parents were unfamiliar with the path to post-secondary “Whenever I’m communicating with a group of students, I can opportunities. Like many first-generation college students, he, actually say, ‘I’ve been there in your shoes—nine years ago I sat in too, did not know that he had educational options. He simply my tnAchieves meeting. I can assure you that if you follow these Achievement Unlocked steps, it’s going to make the difference,’” explains Sterling. “I tell knew that he did not have the finances or academic standing to attend the University of Tennessee. students about the great environment I found at Pellissippi and how I had amazing professors, and that reassures them.” It was during this time that knoxAchieves, a last-dollar schol- There are many reasons why a person chooses a particular career. own family—face challenges from a lack of opportunities. It is a arship that allowed students to attend a community college or “The most satisfying part of my job is seeing the direct impact we’re For Ben Sterling, it was personal. It was a way to take the educa- generational cycle that is difficult to break. college of applied technology tuition-free, began in Knoxville. having on communities. I love seeing a student go from being not at tional opportunities he had received and pay them forward. Yet, Sterling managed to do just that. For the first time, Sterling saw a way to get an education. He all interested in the college-going process to seeing the possibilities. Although Sterling grew up in Karns, in northwest Knox County, his took advantage of knoxAchieves and enrolled in Pellissippi I love seeing their perspective change from ‘why’ to ‘where,’” His parents relocated to Karns when Sterling was in second grade. parents and extended family are from rural northeast Tennessee. State. In doing so, he became the first one in his family to go to says Sterling. “We see it every day.” Although they didn’t have college educations, they found success He has seen firsthand that many in that community—including his college and a part of the first class of students to participate in in the area. knoxAchieves.

16 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 17 portr a its of a lumni portr a its of a lumni Where Are They Now Wednesday Alumni Benefits Gym Membership For just $16 per semester, alumni can access the 24,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center and enjoy fitness classes, the weight room, basketball, tennis, racquet- ball and more. Library Resources Visit the Educational Resources Center on any campus to receive a free Community Borrower’s Card and gain access to more than 100,000 print and electronic #PSCCAlumni books – and free movies as well. Howerton receives the Distinguished Alumni Award from President L. Anthony Wise Jr. The Alumni Relations office posts a “Where Are They Now Wednesday” feature the first Wednesday of each month on Facebook. Alumni Joe Atkins Career Services 2018 a lu m n us of t h e y e a r was featured in February 2018 with this post: Career Services helps alumni by Joe began his college career at a four-year Pellissippi State, have numerous business- connecting them to a job board university, but found the school too large. es. These include JoPhoto, Knox Photo and career fairs. J. Travis Howerton Joe then came to Pellissippi State and Bus, and they are the owners of the venue majored in video production. Joe enjoyed Gallaher Bend. Three years ago, Go to www.pstcc.edu/placement. When J. Travis Howerton graduated from Pellissippi State in 2002 Howerton’s entire career has been marked by innovation and his time here and felt that Pellissippi State Joe invented a new product with a degree in Computer Science Technology, he also secured recognition. He created the Pegasus Information Management greatly prepared him for what he does now called Atmosphere Aerosol. what he thought was a job interview with Oak Ridge National Lab System used by Y-12 National Security Complex and the National Discounts by giving him a hands-on experience. This product makes it easy to around the same time. Nuclear Security Administration, and he served as the first-ever Alumni receive discounts at area add haze or fog to a photo shoot chief technology officer for the NNSA. The next step for Joe was working for an “I bought a new suit for the interview, but it turned out that I didn’t and it creates visually stunning businesses. Check the Alumni advertising company for 10 years creating even need it,” says Howerton, recounting that turning point in his Pellissippi State recognized Howerton this year with the Distin- rays of light. The product is now life. “When I showed up to interview, they shook my hand and told guished Alumni Award at the College’s annual Alumni Luncheon. TV commercials and videos. Today, Joe Relations website to learn details. sold internationally. me that I already had the job.” The award is given to an individual in recognition of significant and his wife Kathleen, who also attended professional achievement, service to the community and support of The US Department of Energy, which managed ORNL, was hungry the College and the Pellissippi State Foundation. to hire entry-level .NET/SQL developers, and Howerton’s education and skillset was a perfect match. Thanks in part to Pellissippi State’s “I’m very proud to be an alumnus at Pellissippi State,” says How- curriculum and the special nudging by Professor Jerry Sherrod, erton. “I worked my way through school, and classes at Pellissippi Howerton showed up ready to work. State were amenable to my schedule. The facilities and curriculum were great. I took advantage of the library – up and beyond what Today, Howerton is the senior director for transformation at Bechtel We‛d love to was required of the course. I was a self-starter, and you get out of Corporation in Oak Ridge. In the 16 years working in IT and cyber something what you put into it.” security, he has garnered more than a dozen significant local and national awards. Last year, the East Tennessee Economic Council When Howerton transferred to Pellissippi State, he plunged into his hear from you! awarded him the prestigious Postma Young Professional Medal, passion for computer modeling and programming. which was created to honor young professionals who have led top “I had good professors all around. Dr. Jerry Sherrod was one of the priority transformation projects in our region and have demonstrat- teachers who recognized talent in me and pushed me to find it,” says Angela Pugh is Pellissippi State’s alumni liaison. ed innovation, along with an emerging sense of community vision Travis. “I feel fortunate that PSCC helped me find a career where I and leadership. Reach out to Angela at [email protected] or 865-539-7275. have a life-long passion for my work.”

18 • connections • summer 2018 connections • summer 2018 • 19 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit 303 Knoxville, TN

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