Comments for MocBlog http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog UTC Alumni Affairs Blog Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:58:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on UTC Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers by Eric Pritchard http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2008/09/04/utc-appalachian-trail-thru-hikers/#comment-2677 Eric Pritchard Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:06:42 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/?p=42#comment-2677 I personally do not know anyone who has Thru-Hiked it, but i want to do it one day. I personally do not know anyone who has Thru-Hiked it, but i want to do it one day.

]]> Comment on Chattanooga Mocs Beat Tennessee Vols in Football - Celebrating Fifty Years Later by sam hudson http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2008/05/21/chattanooga-mocs-beat-tennessee-vols-in-football-celebrating-fifty-years-later/#comment-2569 sam hudson Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:01:29 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/?p=36#comment-2569 Seems like this game should have been Homecoming for this year.That way as many of the past player would be there to also honor our past leader in football. Sam Hudson class of 81' Seems like this game should have been Homecoming for this year.That way as many of the past player would be there to also honor our past leader in football.

Sam Hudson class of 81′

]]> Comment on Death & Memory of UTC Professor Ken Smith by Aloha Buffington http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2525 Aloha Buffington Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:23:15 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2525 My first class from Ken was his first class. Spring, 1986. A lifetime has passed. His sons were precocious, dinosaur experts - preschool, mini-Kens. So much has happened since that time, I wonder why I suddenly feel as though more than two decades have been paused, rewound and then pushed to fast-forward. His positive influence extends beyond the appreciation and awareness of his friends and family. He is loved and missed by those he touched, and has influenced those they touched. My first class from Ken was his first class. Spring, 1986. A lifetime has passed. His sons were precocious, dinosaur experts - preschool, mini-Kens. So much has happened since that time, I wonder why I suddenly feel as though more than two decades have been paused, rewound and then pushed to fast-forward. His positive influence extends beyond the appreciation and awareness of his friends and family. He is loved and missed by those he touched, and has influenced those they touched.

]]> Comment on Chattanooga Mocs Beat Tennessee Vols in Football - Celebrating Fifty Years Later by MocBlog » Blog Archive http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2008/05/21/chattanooga-mocs-beat-tennessee-vols-in-football-celebrating-fifty-years-later/#comment-2416 MocBlog » Blog Archive Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:36:41 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/?p=36#comment-2416 [...] November 8 - Chattanooga vs. Appalachian State University, 2:00 p.m. (1958 Mocs Football Reunion) [...] [...] November 8 - Chattanooga vs. Appalachian State University, 2:00 p.m. (1958 Mocs Football Reunion) [...]

]]> Comment on Death & Memory of UTC Professor Ken Smith by Brian Hicks http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2373 Brian Hicks Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:17:16 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2373 I was in awe of Ken Smith. I was lucky enough to have him for a couple of classes in the late 1980s, when I only dreamed of being a writer. He taught me what it really meant to do it, with encouragement and kind, gentle criticism that did exactly what it was supposed to do. He passed on to his students a love of language, the art of storytelling, the thrill of a perfectly turned phrase. He made everyone he taught a better writer. I just learned of Ken's death at a reunion of some UTC friends in Chattanooga. Every post on this site echoes the way I felt - a deep sense of loss and guilt. I wish I had kept up, I wish I had sent him the books I eventually published in no small part because of his help. Not only was Ken a wonderful, thoughtful writer, he was an outstanding gentleman and kind soul. I hope his family realizes how much he meant to so many people. He will be greatly missed. I was in awe of Ken Smith. I was lucky enough to have him for a couple of classes in the late 1980s, when I only dreamed of being a writer. He taught me what it really meant to do it, with encouragement and kind, gentle criticism that did exactly what it was supposed to do. He passed on to his students a love of language, the art of storytelling, the thrill of a perfectly turned phrase. He made everyone he taught a better writer. I just learned of Ken’s death at a reunion of some UTC friends in Chattanooga. Every post on this site echoes the way I felt - a deep sense of loss and guilt. I wish I had kept up, I wish I had sent him the books I eventually published in no small part because of his help. Not only was Ken a wonderful, thoughtful writer, he was an outstanding gentleman and kind soul. I hope his family realizes how much he meant to so many people. He will be greatly missed.

]]> Comment on Death & Memory of UTC Professor Ken Smith by Susan McLeod-Harrison http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2278 Susan McLeod-Harrison Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:31:55 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2278 I, like the last writer, remember Ken's welcoming words to me at the age of 18 (I am now 39). I also was too much of a stranger but out of shy admiration. I took his classes, ate up his affirmations and corrections, and he became a part of my heart permanently. We last talked ten years ago, when I wanted him to know that a book I had written was being looked at by a major publisher (only this year is it being published, by a much less major publisher!). He is in the Acknowledgments, and I was doing a search for his address on this website last night only to be stricken with this news. I wanted to send him a copy of my book, as he had asked for me to do. I feel so sad. Ken, thank you for all you did for me! I am not the writer you taught me to be, but I believe in my ability to be, in large part, because of you. I, like the last writer, remember Ken’s welcoming words to me at the age of 18 (I am now 39). I also was too much of a stranger but out of shy admiration. I took his classes, ate up his affirmations and corrections, and he became a part of my heart permanently. We last talked ten years ago, when I wanted him to know that a book I had written was being looked at by a major publisher (only this year is it being published, by a much less major publisher!). He is in the Acknowledgments, and I was doing a search for his address on this website last night only to be stricken with this news. I wanted to send him a copy of my book, as he had asked for me to do. I feel so sad. Ken, thank you for all you did for me! I am not the writer you taught me to be, but I believe in my ability to be, in large part, because of you.

]]> Comment on Death & Memory of UTC Professor Ken Smith by Jonathan Webber http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2087 Jonathan Webber Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:06:57 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/09/death-memory-of-utc-professor-ken-smith/#comment-2087 I was organizing some papers last night and happened upon some short fiction I wrote for Ken's classes in the '90s. One copy, a revision of a revision of a revision...was marked up in Ken's hand, with my grade for the story and for the class written on the last page, preceded by a short paragraph of his usual qualified praise. At the end he wrote, "Don't be a stranger." Well, I moved on and away, and unfortunately have not much developed the gift he told me I had. And I was a stranger. Did I write him any letters? No. When I finally got on the internets, did I email him? No. When I was in the neighborhood, did I drop into his office and pay him a visit? No. Today, I decided to google Ken and get his contact information, and I found this page. My feeling of guilt was almost as instant as my sorrow. I had planned to write him and thank him for what he has given me. My debt to him in my approach to narrative is greater than to any literature professor (sorry, Arlie; sorry Verbie). When I am jarred by a point of view shift, I think of Ken. When a main character is carried by events and makes no moral choices, I think of Ken. When my own writing becomes florid in shades of purple, Ken puts my feet back on the ground. Tonight, I will read "Decoys and Other Stories". Then, I will write. I was organizing some papers last night and happened upon some short fiction I wrote for Ken’s classes in the ’90s. One copy, a revision of a revision of a revision…was marked up in Ken’s hand, with my grade for the story and for the class written on the last page, preceded by a short paragraph of his usual qualified praise. At the end he wrote, “Don’t be a stranger.”

Well, I moved on and away, and unfortunately have not much developed the gift he told me I had. And I was a stranger. Did I write him any letters? No. When I finally got on the internets, did I email him? No. When I was in the neighborhood, did I drop into his office and pay him a visit? No.

Today, I decided to google Ken and get his contact information, and I found this page. My feeling of guilt was almost as instant as my sorrow. I had planned to write him and thank him for what he has given me. My debt to him in my approach to narrative is greater than to any literature professor (sorry, Arlie; sorry Verbie). When I am jarred by a point of view shift, I think of Ken. When a main character is carried by events and makes no moral choices, I think of Ken. When my own writing becomes florid in shades of purple, Ken puts my feet back on the ground.

Tonight, I will read “Decoys and Other Stories”.

Then, I will write.

]]> Comment on New Logo for University of Tennessee Alumni Association System Offices by Ronald K Wade http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/29/new-logo-for-university-of-tennessee-alumni-association-system-offices/#comment-2021 Ronald K Wade Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:31 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/10/29/new-logo-for-university-of-tennessee-alumni-association-system-offices/#comment-2021 Maybe the Previous Chancellor at UT knows more than we do! Maybe the Previous Chancellor at UT knows more than we do!

]]> Comment on Share your university story! by Mildred Perry Miller http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/09/19/share-your-university-story/#comment-1988 Mildred Perry Miller Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:44:43 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/09/19/share-your-university-story/#comment-1988 I came to UC in 1945 as a voice major with the hopes of having a career in singing opera. In the summer of 1946 I was given the opportunity to sing the role of Queen Gertrude in Dr. Edwin Lindsey's opera, "Hamlet." What a thrill! I was nineteen years old, had never acted or even seen an opera, bbut under the direction of Doroty Ward, and the musical training of Dr. Werner Wolff and his wife, Madame Emmy-Land Wolff, I was able, I believe, to give a creditable performance which took place in Patten Chapel with hundreds of returned WWII GIs in attendance. On the strength of my singing that day, I made two lifelong friends, Macon Wilson and Carl Warren. Also in the cast of that performance were Sam Car- ter, Peggy Osborne, Harry Au, Milton Allen, and many other fine student and local singers, and Dr. Lindsey's opera was a tremendous success. I am sending along a picture made of the cast. To me it is beautiful and harks back to a time when the whole world was a stage and I was one of the actors. UC provided me with transforming musical experiences and I have used my degree in music and the expertise I gained, in school teaching,oper atic performances, church singing, and many other spheres of musical performance. I was a junior when I transferred to UC but those two years there were two of my life's greatest years. Thank you, UC, and I hope I have made you proud and never disappointed you. I came to UC in 1945 as a voice major with the hopes of having a career in singing opera. In the
summer of 1946 I was given the opportunity to sing
the role of Queen Gertrude in Dr. Edwin Lindsey’s
opera, “Hamlet.” What a thrill! I was nineteen
years old, had never acted or even seen an opera, bbut under the direction of Doroty Ward, and the
musical training of Dr. Werner Wolff and his wife,
Madame Emmy-Land Wolff, I was able, I believe, to
give a creditable performance which took place in
Patten Chapel with hundreds of returned WWII GIs
in attendance. On the strength of my singing that
day, I made two lifelong friends, Macon Wilson and
Carl Warren.

Also in the cast of that performance were Sam Car-
ter, Peggy Osborne, Harry Au, Milton Allen, and
many other fine student and local singers, and
Dr. Lindsey’s opera was a tremendous success. I
am sending along a picture made of the cast. To
me it is beautiful and harks back to a time when
the whole world was a stage and I was one of the
actors. UC provided me with transforming musical
experiences and I have used my degree in music
and the expertise I gained, in school teaching,oper
atic performances, church singing, and many other
spheres of musical performance. I was a junior
when I transferred to UC but those two years
there were two of my life’s greatest years. Thank
you, UC, and I hope I have made you proud and never disappointed you.

]]> Comment on Share your university story! by Kayvon Sadrabadi http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/09/19/share-your-university-story/#comment-927 Kayvon Sadrabadi Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:52:02 +0000 http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Alumni/alumniblog/2007/09/19/share-your-university-story/#comment-927 1. How did your college education prepare you for your career? My undergraduate degree was in Engineering, however I did not pursue a career in Engineering. It taught me how to “think” in general, specifically about problem solving, anything which I faced in my career or personal life. My MBA on the other hand has prepared me immensely for my current job. I work in the “corporate world” where it helps to have a well rounded knowledge of what it takes to run a business. Having studied Marketing, Finance, Management, Leadership, Accounting, Management Information System, Statistics, etc helps me understand how decisions made in one area of the company can have profound effects on other areas. These are not always direct relationships and understanding the subtleties of business has helped me enormously. 2. What are some of your favorite campus memories? I used to work full time so I was in and out most of the time unless I was studying in the library. Now this is not a “favorite” memory but it’s the one which stands out in my mind; studying for an exam on a Sunday afternoon when I knew my friends were out “playing”. I used to daydream about being done with school so that I could enjoy my weekends. :-) well, I was lucky enough to stick it out to the end. Hallelujah! 3. Looking back at your experience during your years at UTC and post-graduate, how have you changed? I have changed in many ways! I used to not worry about anything but paying the bills and having enough left over to have some fun. Going to school was a way to make sure that I would get a good job and make some money. I have a family now and working is more than just a paycheck. Interestingly, we spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our families, think about it… I want more from work than just a paycheck, I also look for some personal gratification. I am glad that I was lucky enough to get a good education which has opened doors for me with some real options. I also would like to point out that schools can not do it all for you, it is up to me to do well with what I have learned in school. 4. How did you feel when you walked across the stage at graduation and received your diploma? I can not remember, honestly it is all a blur. Not for the reasons you are thinking! I was so excited that I had finally done it I could not think straight. I will tell you however that my graduate degree had an entirely different feel to it. I had pursued my MBA for “me”, I wanted it, so it was quite gratifying to be walking down that stage. Of course part of me was thinking, “what you gonna do now?!” 5. What’s been your greatest accomplishment since you’ve graduated? I have two beautiful, happy and healthy children. Nothing will ever top that, believe me! 6. What goals do you have for the future? I want to continue to learn and grow. I have an internal drive which I really think it comes from being insecure in some ways! In any case, I continue to be curious and try to get just a little bit further ahead. Lord knows there’s plenty out there to learn. Thank you for asking. :-) 1. How did your college education prepare you for your career?
My undergraduate degree was in Engineering, however I did not pursue a career in Engineering. It taught me how to “think” in general, specifically about problem solving, anything which I faced in my career or personal life. My MBA on the other hand has prepared me immensely for my current job. I work in the “corporate world” where it helps to have a well rounded knowledge of what it takes to run a business. Having studied Marketing, Finance, Management, Leadership, Accounting, Management Information System, Statistics, etc helps me understand how decisions made in one area of the company can have profound effects on other areas. These are not always direct relationships and understanding the subtleties of business has helped me enormously.
2. What are some of your favorite campus memories?
I used to work full time so I was in and out most of the time unless I was studying in the library. Now this is not a “favorite” memory but it’s the one which stands out in my mind; studying for an exam on a Sunday afternoon when I knew my friends were out “playing”. I used to daydream about being done with school so that I could enjoy my weekends. :-) well, I was lucky enough to stick it out to the end. Hallelujah!
3. Looking back at your experience during your years at UTC and post-graduate, how have you changed?
I have changed in many ways! I used to not worry about anything but paying the bills and having enough left over to have some fun. Going to school was a way to make sure that I would get a good job and make some money. I have a family now and working is more than just a paycheck. Interestingly, we spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our families, think about it… I want more from work than just a paycheck, I also look for some personal gratification. I am glad that I was lucky enough to get a good education which has opened doors for me with some real options. I also would like to point out that schools can not do it all for you, it is up to me to do well with what I have learned in school.
4. How did you feel when you walked across the stage at graduation and received your diploma?
I can not remember, honestly it is all a blur. Not for the reasons you are thinking! I was so excited that I had finally done it I could not think straight. I will tell you however that my graduate degree had an entirely different feel to it. I had pursued my MBA for “me”, I wanted it, so it was quite gratifying to be walking down that stage. Of course part of me was thinking, “what you gonna do now?!”
5. What’s been your greatest accomplishment since you’ve graduated?
I have two beautiful, happy and healthy children. Nothing will ever top that, believe me!
6. What goals do you have for the future? I want to continue to learn and grow. I have an internal drive which I really think it comes from being insecure in some ways! In any case, I continue to be curious and try to get just a little bit further ahead. Lord knows there’s plenty out there to learn. Thank you for asking. :-)

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