Nurses in Parsons

The recently announced expansion of a registered nursing program at UT Martin Parsons Center got another significant boost with a $1 million commitment from the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation. UT Martin officials announced in May that the school’s four-year bachelor of science nursing degree would be extended to the Parsons campus beginning in fall 2014. Gov. Bill Haslam made the expansion possible by including $1 million for the project in his budget, which was approved by General Assembly in May.

Love Award and a Degree

Johnny Dyer’s life goal was to be a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, so school was never important to him. But things changed for the Obion County native, and he graduated with highest honors in secondary education-history May 4 from UT Martin. Dyer became the 28th person from UT Martin to earn a Harold Love Community Service Award presented by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. He was recognized for a history of community service, including his role as founder of UT Martin’s Skyhawk Veterans Association and broad community service in the Union City area.

 

Grayson Smith, UT Martin engineering graduate and Bassmaster Angler of the Year Top Bass Angler

Grayson Smith, a May 2013 engineering graduate, wrapped up the coveted Bassmaster Angler of the Year honor when he won the 2013 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #3 in May. Smith placed first on Logan Martin Lake; sixth on Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tenn.; and 12th on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla. Smith, from Clarksville, Tenn., caught more than 61 pounds of fish and finished in the money in all three tournaments. His future may include turning pro, but for now Smith will keep working at an engineering firm in Clarksville.

 

Former U.S. Rep. Ed JoneRenewed Lecture Series

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Jones made many contributions to agriculture during his lifetime. Now his legacy will continue with a $12,500 leadership gift by Farm Credit Mid-America to fund the Ed and Llew Jones Distinguished Lecture Series at UT Martin. The original Ed Jones Distinguished Lecturer Series began in 1989, and Jones (Martin ’32, Knoxville ’34) actively supported the series until it ended in 1995. This is the first step toward endowing the lecture series, which will now carry his late wife’s name.