Dr. Erwin’s gift provides funding for the current Fund and establishes the Lynn McKee Erwin Children鈥檚 Literacy Conference endowment, ensuring the conference鈥檚 support in perpetuity at 果冻影院. 

Earnings from the Lynn McKee Erwin Children鈥檚 Literacy Conference endowment will be used to fund the annual conference. This conference is a place where educators gather to learn, connect and ignite a love of literacy.

To be held on Feb. 20, 2027, the conference brings together faculty, staff, educators, authors and other literacy leaders for professional development opportunities that cover topics including, but not limited to, evidence-based literacy instruction, reading development, curriculum design and strategies for supporting young learners.

As it looks ahead to its fifth year, the new endowment will allow the conference to become a permanent fixture on the 果冻影院 campus, honoring Lynn McKee Erwin, Martin Methodist (now 果冻影院) alumna. The conference mission remains grounded in Lynn Erwin鈥檚 belief that children deserve stories that inspire them and teachers deserve meaningful support. Attendees will receive free books to enrich their classroom or personal library.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Dr. Erwin for investing in the future of our students,鈥� Chancellor Melinda Arnold said. 鈥淓stablishing this endowment helps to ensure that the Lynn McKee Erwin Children鈥檚 Literacy Conference will continue to serve generations to come. Partnerships like this remind us of the lasting impact we can make when our campus and community come together around a shared commitment to student success.鈥�

About the 果冻影院

The 果冻影院 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 果冻影院 offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

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The event is a collaboration among the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the 果冻影院 College of Arts & Sciences and the 果冻影院 Turner Center for Rural Leadership. The program is also supported by the Dr. Charles D. and Tammy B. Haney Faculty Development Fund.

Through discussion and interactive exercises, participants will explore five central themes: the historical presence of incivility; how today鈥檚 environment differs from earlier periods; the causes of polarization and communication breakdown; strategies for communicating across disagreement; and ways to practice civility within communities and workplaces.

Two versions of the workshop will be offered on Monday, Oct. 5, in the Martin Hall Auditorium. Student sessions will be held at 8:00鈥�8:50 a.m. and 9:00鈥�9:50 a.m. A workshop designed for 果冻影院 faculty, staff and community members will be held from 11:00 a.m.鈥�12:00 p.m.

The workshops will be led by William (Bill) Lyons and Andrew (Andy) Busch of the Baker School.

Bill Lyons serves as associate director for community outreach for the Institute of American Civics and director of policy partnerships at the Baker School. He is also professor emeritus of political science at UT Knoxville. Lyons retired from the university in 2011, following more than 35 years of teaching, administrative leadership and research.

Andy Busch is the associate director and professor at the Institute of American Civics in the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His teaching and research focus on American political institutions, elections, and public policy. He has authored, co-authored or edited more than two dozen books.

鈥淯niversities should be places where people learn not only how to develop and defend ideas, but also how to listen, disagree thoughtfully and remain in relationship with people who see the world differently,鈥� said Prentice Chandler, Ph.D., provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and student experience. 鈥淭his collaboration amongst universities allows us to bring practical tools for civil discourse to our students and employees while modeling the kind of partnership and engagement we want to strengthen across our campus and communities.鈥�

The event reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 commitment to creating opportunities for thoughtful dialogue, civic engagement and stronger communities through education and partnership.

About the 果冻影院

The 果冻影院 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 果冻影院 offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

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果冻影院 rose to No. 43 in the Regional Colleges South category, an 11-spot improvement from 2026鈥檚 No. 54 spot. Among the Top Public Schools in the Regional Colleges South category, the university climbed from No. 19 to No. 12, placing it among the leading public institutions in the region. 果冻影院 also improved its standing among Top Performers on Social Mobility in the Regional Colleges South category.

“These rankings are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, and they tell the story of an institution on the rise,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold. “Moving up 11 places in our region and seven places among public colleges in the South is a meaningful signal that the investments we are making in academic quality and the student experience are paying off. 果冻影院 exists to open doors, especially for first-generation students and families in southern Middle Tennessee and we will keep working every day to make sure a 果冻影院 degree changes lives and strengthens our communities.”

The U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluate institutions on measures including graduation and retention rates, graduate outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion and social mobility, which assesses how schools enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants.

Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 果冻影院 joined the University of Tennessee System in 2021 and offers undergraduate and graduate programs rooted in a tradition of personalized education dating back to 1870.

For the complete rankings, visit .

About the 果冻影院
The 果冻影院 is a public university located in Pulaski, Tennessee, and a campus of the University of Tennessee System. 果冻影院 is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for meaningful careers and engaged citizenship. Learn more at utsouthern.edu.

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鈥淭hese awards reflect the very best of what we value at 果冻影院: excellence in teaching, meaningful scholarship and service and a commitment to making a difference beyond the classroom,鈥� Chandler said. 鈥淧aul Cockson, Stanton Belford and Claire Paul each represent those values in distinct and important ways. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and grateful for the impact they continue to have on our students, our university and the communities we serve.鈥�

Three bi-annual awards were presented during the address:

Rising Faculty Award: Paul Cockson, assistant professor of biology

This award recognizes a full-time faculty member, whether tenure-track or non-tenure-track, in the first five years of building a strong record of teaching, scholarship, or creative activity and service, who demonstrates exceptional promise and momentum. Cockson combines student-centered research with experiential learning, including research on Dionaea muscipula (Venus fly traps), giving students opportunities to apply classroom concepts through hands-on scientific research.

External Impact Award: Stanton Belford, associate professor of biology

This award recognizes a full-time faculty member whose work advances 果冻影院鈥檚 external presence through community partnership, public-facing impact and regional or professional engagement. Notably, Belford leads coral reef monitoring and conservation efforts in Trinidad and Tobago that bring together research, education and community outreach while engaging students in efforts to address environmental challenges.

Fred E. Ford Exemplary Educator Award: Claire Paul, assistant professor and special education program coordinator

This award recognizes a 果冻影院 full-time faculty member whose teaching demonstrates sustained excellence, student engagement and meaningful contribution to student learning and success during the academic year. Paul consistently supports 果冻影院鈥檚 Teacher Education and Grow Your Own programs, helping prepare future educators and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in education.

The recognition of Cockson, Belford and Paul highlights the breadth of contributions made by 果冻影院 faculty through teaching, scholarship, service and engagement. Their accomplishments reflect the university鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence and student success and the meaningful impact of faculty work across the university.

About the 果冻影院
The 果冻影院 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 果冻影院 offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

Media Contact
Kyley Wolf, kwolf@utsouthern.edu
931-424-2015 ext. 3078

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Dr. Rebecca Todd Garvin, Prof. Cochran Pruett and Prof. Nan Wakefield will present their proposal, 鈥淏efore the Sign: Building the Linguistic Landscape Through Community Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Research.鈥� The presentation highlights work from a 果冻影院 interdisciplinary team spanning the history, computer science and English departments.

The project, known as the Maplewood Project, brings together faculty, archaeologist Claiborne Sea and community leaders in Pulaski to examine how language, history and place intersect. The research focuses on documenting and interpreting the region鈥檚 linguistic landscape through collaborative, community-based approaches.

Garvin will also co-present a second paper, 鈥�(Dis)embodied LL Narratives of Post-Crisis,鈥� with Dr. Stefania Tufi, head of the Italian linguistics program at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

That study explores post-crisis narratives in both Italy and the United States, analyzing how they are represented through printed materials, images, public signage and memorial landscapes. The research includes a focus on Italian cultural and historical expression following World War II.

The Linguistic Landscape Workshop is an international forum for scholars examining the role of language in public spaces, bringing together researchers from across disciplines to explore how language can shape identity, memory and community.

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Established in 1966, the UTAA awards program honors outstanding faculty across the University of Tennessee System. 果冻影院 began participating in the program in 2023.

Faculty are nominated by students, with final selection determined by campus leadership. In nominations, students consistently highlighted Young鈥檚 dedication, accessibility and impact on their academic and professional development.

Students described Young as 鈥渒ind, patient, respectful, resourceful鈥� and credited her with providing consistent support throughout their academic careers. Several noted her guidance during Praxis exam preparation and clinical experiences, emphasizing her role in helping them build confidence as future educators.

Young reflected on the recognition and the impact of her work with students.

鈥淚 am deeply humbled and honored to receive the 果冻影院 Teacher of the Year award,鈥� Young said. 鈥淚 am grateful to be part of such an incredible community of educators. Most importantly, I am thankful for my students as they are my 鈥榳hy.鈥� They inspire and challenge me every day to grow and do this work with purpose.鈥�

鈥淲hat truly sets her apart is her accessibility and compassion,鈥� one student wrote. 鈥淪he is consistently willing to go above and beyond to support her students, ensuring that no one feels overlooked or unsupported.鈥�

Young is a dedicated educator, having spent 29 years in K-12 education before joining 果冻影院 full-time in March 2023 as the Grow Your Own Coordinator. During her tenure in K-12, Young taught kindergarten, served in leadership roles in Giles and Fayetteville City Schools and led partnerships with local industry. Young has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Grissom School of Education since 2017.

Young will be recognized at the UTAA Board of Governors meeting in June in Knoxville. As part of the award, she will receive a $1,000 stipend, along with travel and event accommodations. The recognition reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 continued emphasis on high-quality instruction and student-centered learning.

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Biology faculty and students attended the Annual Association for Southeastern Biologists conference, held March 25-28 in Mobile, Alabama. During the conference, faculty contributed to the academic program through session leadership and research presentations, including a lightning talk focused on assessing stream health in Pleasant Run Creek using integrated biological and water quality metrics.

Students Denton Watkins, Leighanna Williams and Shanna D. Hanes presented research on fish community structure as an indicator of water quality in Pleasant Run Creek. Williams, Watkins and Hanes also presented a quantitative stream health assessment based on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. Rebecka Roddy and Stanton Belford presented research on crayfish diversity in Giles County, while Olivia Cheplin and Samara Mattiello explored evolutionary drivers of mimicry in Papilio glaucus.

Faculty also supported the broader scientific community by moderating sessions and serving as judges for student research presentations, while students gained experience presenting their work in a professional setting.

At the same time, mathematics faculty attended the 105th Annual Conference of the Mathematical Association of America Southeast Section, held March 26-28. Dr. Sarah Eskew presented on mastery-based grading in a remedial math course, Dr. Jac Cole presented on a flipped-classroom approach to teaching statistics and Dr. Jennifer Aust presented on strategies for teaching logic and proof writing.

Chemistry student Drew Britton also presented research titled 鈥淔rom Solar System to Strata: Modeling the Atmospheric Heating of Cosmic Dust鈥�, building on work developed through the SCUDEM Differential Equations Modeling Contest.

Eskew also contributed in her role on the section鈥檚 executive board, helping lead Project NExT sessions that support early-career mathematics faculty across the region.

These experiences reflect 果冻影院鈥檚 continued emphasis on experiential learning, faculty scholarship and opportunities for students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world academic and professional settings.

The department will continue that work April 22 as 果冻影院 hosts its 11th Annual EarthFest Creek Cleanup, inviting campus and community members to participate in environmental stewardship efforts.

Kyley Wolf

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All sessions will be held in the Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall on the 果冻影院 campus (433 W. Madison Street, Pulaski). Finalist names and background information will be provided one day prior to each public forum and will be available on the聽.

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The forums will also be streamed live on the  for faculty, staff and students to view, and will also be archived and available for viewing by the general public at the conclusion of the final forum.  Opportunities to provide feedback will be available on the  when interviews begin.

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The 果冻影院 is inviting alumni, friends, and the local community to take part in FIRE Week, its annual celebration of philanthropy and school spirit, happening February 10鈥�14, 2025. This special giving week is a time to rally support for 果冻影院 and its students, ensuring they continue to have access to the personalized, high-quality education that defines the university.

Throughout the week, 果冻影院 will host various events to engage both the campus and community, culminating in the university鈥檚 Official Giving Day on Thursday, February 13.

FIRE Week Events Open to the Community: 路 Tuesday, February 11 鈥� A Taste of Common John (Info & Tickets Here)

路 Wednesday, February 12 鈥� Enjoy a Food Truck Lunch on The Green, then cheer on the Firehawks at The Curry during the home basketball game, featuring exciting giveaways and fan engagement.

路 Thursday, February 13 鈥� Official Giving Day 鈥� Join Us in Making an Impact! Community members, businesses, and alumni can show their support by making a gift. Every contribution helps expand opportunities, enrich student experiences, and strengthen 果冻影院鈥檚 as a pillar of education in the region.

FIRE Week is a time for our community to come together in support of our students and the future of 果冻影院. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a direct impact on student success. For more information about FIRE Week, visit /event/fire-week/.

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Most recently, Blumenthal served as Executive Vice President of Administration & Finance at Portland Community College (PCC), Oregon鈥檚 largest community college. During his tenure, he oversaw a $1.5 billion biennial budget, directed financial operations across multiple divisions, and led major initiatives, including bond programs that achieved significant taxpayer savings and the implementation of the Workday ERP system. He also developed PCC鈥檚 comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to his role at PCC, Blumenthal held leadership positions at the University of Western States, Portland State University, and other institutions, consistently driving financial improvements, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing institutional growth. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the Oregon Presidents Council鈥檚 Cam Preus Award for extraordinary commitment to community colleges and the Portland Business Journal CFO of the Year honor.

Blumenthal holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Boston College, graduating cum laude. An active community leader, he has served on boards such as NAMI Clackamas and as a peer evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

鈥淓ric鈥檚 extensive expertise and leadership will be instrumental in advancing 果冻影院鈥檚 financial and administrative priorities,鈥� said Linda C. Martin, Chancellor, 果冻影院. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome him to our campus during this pivotal time.鈥�

Blumenthal鈥檚 appointment reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 ongoing commitment to operational excellence and financial stewardship as the university continues to grow and serve the region.

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