MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSMon) -- The University of Memphis issued the following news release: The University of Memphis received a $2.2 million gift from the estate of Roger E. and Mary E. Campbell to establish scholarships for students who demonstrate academic excellence in the College of Education. "Estate gifts are truly transformative for the University of Memphis," said President M. David Rudd. "We are thankful for the Campbells' vision and commitment to higher education. By includ  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSRes) -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: Dr. Michael Kruppa, an East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine faculty member, has received a grant to study a global emerging fungal infection, Candida auris. The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, awarded a R21 grant to Kruppa for his study "Genetic Characterization of phosphomannan biosynthesis in C. auris." The two-ye  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSPro) -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: Thinking about teaching at a college or university someday? This fall, the Clemmer College at East Tennessee State University will offer a graduate certificate in Higher Education Teaching. The 15-credit hour program is designed for those who are seeking higher education teaching positions as well as current faculty who want to enhance their skills. Students will learn about pedagogical and  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSAwa) -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: East Tennessee State University professor Dr. Ted Olson is one of two postsecondary level winners of the 2020 Stephen L. Fisher Award for Excellence in Teaching, awarded by the Appalachian Studies Association (ASA). The Fisher Awards are sponsored by the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services at ETSU. The other postsecondary level award went to Dr. Rachael Meads of Shephe  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSPer) -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: As he nears the end of his first year as chair of the Department of Literature and Language at East Tennessee State University, Dr. Daniel Westover is pleased with what the department has been able to accomplish despite the challenges of the pandemic. These accomplishments include bringing online a new technical and professional writing minor, a new Japanese major concentration, and updates   more

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, April 3 (TNSPro) -- Middle Tennessee State University issued the following news: Middle Tennessee State University has been awarded top ranking status for multiple online degree programs by Intelligent.com, a website that recently released its higher education resource guide for best online programs for 2021. According to the Seattle, Washington-based company, the "comprehensive research guide" targeted toward students and prospective students is based on an assessment  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 (TNSPer) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Centennial Professor of Philosophy John Lachs will retire and receive emeritus status on Aug. 15, after more than 50 years of teaching at Vanderbilt University. Lachs' thought-provoking lectures have been perennial favorites among not only students but also many alumni, who eagerly have signed up for his many appearances at Reunion and Vanderbilt Chapter events. "Professor Lachs' scholarly insights and e  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 26 (TNSOps) -- Lipscomb University issued the following news: Lipscomb University's cinematic arts students recently had a unique opportunity to learn from one of the top industry leaders in a special event hosted by the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts' School of Film and Creative Media. Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios and Academy Award(R)-winning director of Monsters Inc., Up and Inside Out, met with students in a vir  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSAwa) -- Lipscomb University issued the following news: College journalists representing 29 universities were honored virtually at the 33rd annual Southeast Journalism Conference's (SEJC) Best of the South Awards on Friday. Students from Lipscomb's Department of Communication and Journalism earned nine awards, fifth-most among the competing universities and the highest number of any school in Tennessee. Five students were honored for their outstanding work th  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, April 2 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release on April 1, 2021: Attorney General Josh Stein, along with Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, today led a bipartisan group of 45 attorneys general calling on Twitter, eBay, and Shopify to act immediately to prevent people from selling fraudulent CDC vaccination cards on their platforms. The attorneys general raised concerns about the public health risks of these fake cards in  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, April 2 -- Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson issued the following news release on April 1, 2021: Attorney General Peterson today called on Twitter, eBay, and Shopify to act immediately to prevent people from selling fraudulent CDC vaccination cards on their platforms. A bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general, led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, raised concerns about the public health risks of these fake  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 30 (TNSOps) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Prominent scholars, journalists, historians and activists gathered virtually for a daylong symposium discussing the fight for equity. "Racial Justice, Freedom and Activism in Nashville and Beyond: Then and Now" was hosted by Vanderbilt University on March 26. Esteemed leaders from the Nashville movement in the 1960s, including Distinguished University Professor emeritus at Vanderbilt, the Rev. James Law  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, March 30 (TNSAwa) -- Rhodes College issued the following news: Jacob Fontaine, president of Rhodes Student Government, is among 42 select graduating college seniors nationwide to receive the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, which provides a $36,000 grant for one year of independent study and travel outside the United States. Fontaine is an international studies and economics major from Flower Mound, TX. His project is titled "Fostering Environmentalism through Culture, Religion  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSRes) -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: For the eighth consecutive year, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) earned the 2021 Health Nonprofit Brand of the Year distinction in the latest national Harris Poll EquiTrend(R) Study, which also named St. Jude the Most Trusted Brand and the Most Loved Brand among health nonprofits. The 2021 Harris Poll EquiTrend(R) Equity Score is an annual brand equity study that compares t  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSPer) -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: Martine Roussel, Ph.D., a molecular oncologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, has been elected to the 2021 Class of Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research. Roussel is a member of the Department of Tumor Cell Biology at St. Jude. Her research into childhood brain tumors, conducted over the past fifty years, has led to new avenues of treatments and therap  more

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 30 -- Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III issued the following news: Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III announced that Tennessee, as part of a coalition of 41 Attorneys General, has settled with Retrieval-Masters Creditors Bureau, a debt collection agency doing business as American Medical Collection Agency ("AMCA"). The settlement resolves a multistate investigation into the 2019 data breach that exposed the personal information of over 7 million individ  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 -- The Tennessee Department of Education issued the following news release: The Tennessee Department of Education announced a $14 million grant opportunity to establish the new Innovative High School Models program, intended to empower local communities and collaborate to boost student readiness and prepare students for a bright future in high-demand jobs in their region. The goal of the Innovative High School Models program is to encourage strong and strategic i  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 30 -- Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee, issued the following news: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee re-introduced the Mental Health Trust Fund in a renewed proposal to assist K-12 families who are facing significant mental health issues in the wake of COVID-19. This proposal allocates $250 million in available funds to create strong mental health services for school-aged students through a systemwide, evidence-based approach. "The mental health of all Tennessee students is ess  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSBook) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Three recent titles from Vanderbilt University Press examine the history and celebrate the culture that distinguish Nashville as a unique Southern city. Hot, Hot Chicken: A Nashville Story by Rachel Louise Martin recounts the history of the city's Black communities through the story of "hot chicken," a distinctly Nashville delicacy. The James Beard Foundation recognized Nashville restaurant Prince's Ch  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSPer) -- Welch College issued the following news release: Tim Owen, highly respected pastor and denominational leader, will become the Director of the Welch Fund for Welch College, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Owen, a Florida native, is a 1982 graduate of Welch. His wife Karen is also a graduate. Most of Owen's ministry was spent in his home state of Florida where he served three churches for thirty years. He was a  more

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama, March 31 (TNSOps) -- The University of Alabama issued the following news: UA RESEARCHERS TO STUDY SEVERE WEATHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - A study led by researchers at The University of Alabama will examine the effectiveness of tornadic-related weather information on the general public. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research awarded a $15,000 grant to UA's Dr. Cory Armstrong for the research as part of a program sponsored by the National Weather Service. Armstron  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSRes) -- The University of Memphis issued the following news release on April 1, 2021: LENA and the University of Memphis are pleased to announce an initiative to improve kindergarten readiness by encouraging parents to talk more with their children. LENA(TM) features parent classes in English and Spanish that employ LENA (language pedometer) technology to measure how much parents are talking with their children and how much children are responding. The program of  more

OXFORD, Mississippi, March 26 (TNSPro) -- The University of Mississippi issued the following news release: University of Mississippi alumnus Matthew Murphy, of Nashville, Tennessee, hopes a recent gift to his alma mater will encourage more students to study banking and ultimately bridge a generational gap he has noticed in the mortgage industry. The 2015 graduate's $100,000 gift will establish the Matthew C. Murphy Scholarship Fund and the Matthew C. Murphy Fund for Excellence in the School of  more

MOBILE, Alabama, March 26 (TNSOps) -- The University of South Alabama issued the following news release: As a well-traveled hospital executive with Community Health Systems, Wilson Thomas worked everywhere from Cedar Park, Texas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Crestview, Florida, with stops in Emporia, Virginia and Franklin, Tennessee. Now the Mobile native is closer to home as CEO of the Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock in Bay St. Louis. "It's 99 miles, door-to-door," Thomas said. "When you wo  more

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSAwa) -- The University of Tennessee's Chattanooga Campus issued the following news release: Thomas Wiegand had plenty of academic highlights during his undergraduate days at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He attended and presented at the World Congress on Undergraduate Research in Germany. He spent the better part of two years conducting "probably the most comprehensive review of plant rarity research that has ever been done," he said, completin  more

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSOps) -- The University of Tennessee's Chattanooga Campus issued the following news release: McKenzie Mack enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to pursue a graphic design degree. She's graduating with a degree in cybersecurity. Nothing at all against graphic design, she quickly said, but the digital world grabbed her attention, and she switched majors in her freshman year. "It's an emerging field with a lot of jobs in it. There's a lot of   more

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSAwa) -- The University of Tennessee's Chattanooga Campus issued the following news release: Marisa Colston, head of the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, is the 2021 inductee into the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society (TATS) Hall of Fame. TATS is the official state organization representing the athletic training profession in the state of Tennessee. Its Hall of Fame, the highest award bestowed on an   more

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSRes) -- The University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture issued the following commentary: * * * A Native Showstopper: Virginia Bluebells By Jason Reeves, horticulturist, UT Gardens, Jackson "From the moment the blue green mouse-ear shaped leaves break the soil in the spring until they disappear in the summer, these plants provide immense pleasure," says Allan Armitage in his second edition of Herbaceous Perennial Plants. I could not agree more! I fell   more

MARTIN, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSPro) -- The University of Tennessee's Martin Campus issued the following news release: The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources has established a Bachelor of Science degree in Obedience Studies that will begin accepting students in the fall 2021 semester. This is the first degree of its kind in the world. Dr. Jason Roberts, professor of animal science, says the new degree program was a result of pet owners  more

MARTIN, Tennessee, March 30 (TNSGra) -- The University of Tennessee's Martin Campus issued the following news release: Help is on the way to increase the number of qualified science and math teachers in West Tennessee. The University of Tennessee at Martin has received a National Science Foundation award totaling $1.2 million over five years to recruit 25 individuals who have science, math or engineering degrees to complete master's degrees and teach STEM subjects. Lauderdale County Schools, Ob  more

MARTIN, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSPer) -- The University of Tennessee's Martin Campus issued the following news release: Athletic director Kurt McGuffin has announced the hiring of Ryan Ridder as the University of Tennessee at Martin head men's basketball coach. A formal meet-and-greet event with Ridder, his wife Jen and daughters Brixton and Remi will be held on campus next week with more details to follow. "I am beyond thrilled to welcome Ryan, Jen and their young family to Martin," McGuffin   more

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, March 26 (TNSAwa) -- The University of Tennessee's Chattanooga Campus issued the following news release: Drew Reynolds admits he knew very little about the SMILE Fund during his first couple of years as a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student. That shouldn't be surprising. Reynolds, now a senior, had plenty on his docket as a mechanical engineering major. And the SMILE Fund (Student Managed Investment Learning Experience) is housed in the Gary W. Rollins Colleg  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 (TNSOps) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Hiba Baroud, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is a co-principal investigator on a project that will develop and deploy tools to intelligently aid in disaster preparation, response and recovery. The project is centered in Harris County, Texas--a region that suffered through this year's winter storms and associated public health emergencies--and includes the Houston Food Bank as a  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSPar) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center have entered an educational partnership agreement that will link top-tier experts from Vanderbilt and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the ERDC's Educational Partnership Agreement is to encourage education in science, mathematics, engineering, and professional areas of interest to th  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSEve) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Manuel Zapata Olivella, a prominent Afro-Colombian novelist who became known throughout Latin America as the dean of Black Hispanic writers, will be commemorated during an international conference April 8-10 hosted virtually by Vanderbilt University. "Celebrating the Legend of Manuel Zapata Olivella in his Centennial" brings together leading scholars from Colombia and the United States to explore the sig  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 30 (TNSMon) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Vanderbilt University today publicly launched the Vandy United Fund, an ambitious fundraising vehicle that will invest $300 million in Vanderbilt's student-athletes and athletics programs through major facilities and operational enhancements. Since the initial quiet phase of the campaign began in the fall, Vanderbilt has already identified $200 million toward the $300 million goal, with a $100 million c  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSJou) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Polar bears are often considered the poster-child species for climate change impacts. With global warming and sea-ice declines, it becomes harder for polar bears to hunt their preferred prey--seals. Increased global temperatures are having the greatest impact on Arctic and Antarctic environments, with arctic polar bears projected to decline by 30 percent by 2050. Larisa DeSantis, paleontologist and assoc  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSEve) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: During the spring 2020 semester--before the COVID-19 pandemic began--Curb Public Scholar Emily Habeck, who is pursuing a master's degree in education in community development and action and a master's in theological studies, conceived of a research project for an ethnography class to understand how artists in Nashville serve the community during crisis. At the time, the crisis was hypothetical for Nashvil  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 (TNSOps) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: A Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student-led effort has led to Dixie Place, the city street that runs between Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Central Garage and the Oxford House on 21st Avenue South, being renamed Vivien Thomas Way. A brief program will be held Monday, April 5, at 1 p.m. to unveil the new street sign. The event will be livestreamed so that those who wish to attend the ev  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 29 (TNSRes) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Applications are being solicited for support by the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (IRG). These funds are designed to provide seed money to support junior faculty members with an interest in cancer research who do not have external grant support. The ACS defines junior faculty as investigators at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent who are eligible to apply as a principal  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSAwa) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Douglas Fuchs, who holds the Nicholas Hobbs Chair of Special Education and Human Development, has received the 2021 Award for Contributions to Research, Practice, and Advocacy from the Learning Disabilities Association of America. It is the highest honor bestowed by the nonprofit organization, which is devoted to supporting, educating and advocating for individuals affected by learning disabilities. "I a  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSAwa) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: The Rev. James Lawson, civil rights icon and Vanderbilt University Distinguished Professor, emeritus, has received the prestigious NAACP Chairman's Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change. Past recipients of the award include then-Sen. Barack Obama; Reps. John Lewis and Maxine Waters; former Surgeon General Re  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 (TNSPer) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Cleo D. Rucker, who has worked over the past decade to build strong workplace culture, support employee growth and meet organizational goals at Vanderbilt University, has been promoted to the new position of chief human resources officer. "Vanderbilt University is firmly committed to recruiting and retaining the very best staff, and creating this dedicated position is an important step in the process," C  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 (TNSAwa) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Chancellor Daniel Diermeier presented prestigious awards to seven academic leaders at the Spring Faculty Assembly. The awards recognize teaching, research, service and commitment to diversity. Recipients are honored for their contributions and commitment to the university. Recognized during the April 1 virtual ceremony were: * Alice Randall, Madison Sarratt Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 1 (TNSEve) -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Each year the Writing Studio's annual Undergraduate Writing Symposium creates a space to celebrate Vanderbilt undergraduates' achievements as writers and scholars while spotlighting the deep connections between writing, learning and discovery within the undergraduate experience. This April, the Undergraduate Writing Symposium will be held as two separate events, each entirely over Zoom and each with its   more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 31 (TNSPer) -- Welch College issued the following news release: After ten years as Director of the Welch Fund, Dr. Mike Edwards has announced that he and his wife Karen will be leaving Welch College, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Welch. Edwards will assume the role of Head of School at Faith Christian Academy in Effingham, South Carolina. FCA is a ministry of the Lebanon Free Will Baptist Church, where the Edwardses' s  more