College Notes:

Wan, who began her appointment at the college last fall, holds an artist diploma from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a doctoral degree in piano performance from the University of Iowa and double masters’ degrees in piano and music therapy from Loyola University-New Orleans. Her New York debut is a result of winning a Special Presentation Award from the Artists International Recital Management, a non-profit organization that aims at promoting
professional classical musicians worldwide, who have not yet given a formal recital in New York City but are ready for one.

Wan’s program includes Bach’s English Suite in A minor, Mozart’s Piano Sonata in F, K. 332 and Schumann’s Davidsbundlertanze, Op. 6. In addition, she will play two Chinese melodies transcribed for the piano, "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon" and "Reflection of the Moon on Lake Erquan."

The recital at Maryville College, which is free and open to public, is scheduled for Fri, March 2 at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Music Hall.

For more information, please contact Wan at 865-981-8152 or email agnes.wan@maryvillecollege.edu.

Heritage High wins regionals for U.S. Academic Decathlon at Pellissippi State
A team representing Heritage High School in Blount County earned the gold medal at the East Tennessee Regional Competition of the U.S. Academic Decathlon hosted by Pellissippi State Technical Community College Jan. 27.

Teams from Loudon, Seymour, William Blount and Heritage high schools prepared for months to take a series of written tests related to this year’s competition theme, "China and Its Influence on the World."

William Blount won the silver medal, and Loudon won the bronze.

All four schools qualify for the state competition Feb. 23-24 at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.

Unlike most other scholastic competitions, the decathlon includes students from all academic abilities and achievement levels. Each nine-member team consists of three "A," three "B" and three "C" or below students. Each team member competes against other students in his or her division.

This is the first year Pellissippi State has hosted the regional competition.

The national scholastic competition was established to help high school students gain a greater respect for knowledge, experience an inter-school academic competition and develop better communication skills.

MC hosts Presbytery of East TN conference
Maryville College will host the third annual Loaves and Fishes Experience, an education and church leadership conference organized by the Presbytery of East Tennessee. With the theme, Fully Alive ~ Fully Aware, the event will be March 16-17 and is open to all with pre-registration. This year’s gathering features noted poet Ann Weems, editor-in-chief of The Presbyterian Outlook, Rev. Jack Haberer and more than 40 workshops by distinguished writers, clergy, artists and a variety of presenters with church-related expertise.

"With this year’s focus on the arts, the presbytery’s planning team has again created what is sure to be an outstanding, energizing event for lay leaders, clergy and the community. Loaves and Fishes also reflects the college’s commitment to learning, service, faith and vocation that are key in the MC student experience," said Kathleen Farnham, director of church relations at the college.

The keynote speaker for the event is Ann Weems, nationally known poet, speaker, liturgist, workshop leader and author.
Some of her writings include Kneeling in Bethlehem, Kneeling in Jerusalem, Family Faith Stories, Psalms of Lament and Searching for Shalom. Ann will address the group at 7 p.m., March 16, in the college’s Wilson Chapel. Registrants will also have an opportunity to have lunch with Weems at 11:45 a.m. on Sat., March 17. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required.

Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required.

Cost to attend the event for adults 18 and up is $40/weekend ($30 if postmarked by Feb. 1), $25 for either Friday or Saturday ($17.50 if postmarked by Feb. 1). The cost for youth ages 12 - 17 is $20/weekend ($15 if postmarked by Feb. 1), $12.50 for either Friday or Saturday ($7.50 if postmarked by Feb. 1). Young adults (ages 18 - 35) may receive Scholarship Assistance by contacting the Rev. Mark Lampley at 865-522-9804 or mlampley@sequoyahchurch.org by Feb. 15. There is no charge for children 11 and under.

Registration is required. For more information, see the Presbytery of East Tennessee web site at www.presbyteryeasttn.org or call 865-688-5581.

More than 60 Blount Countians on Dean’s List
The Dean’s List for the 2006 fall semester was announced recently by administrators of Maryville College, and 66 students from Blount County were among those meeting requirements for the academic distinction.

Qualification for the Dean’s List includes a grade point average of at least 3.6 in all work undertaken with no grade below a "C." Only full-time students are considered for the Dean’s List.

The following students from Blount County were named to the Dean’s List:

• From Alcoa High School: Susanna Anderson, Brandon Brewer, L. Elizabeth Deal, Samuel Howell, April Petree, Lauren Sipe, Koral Stache, Julia Walker;

• From Heritage High School: Lonnie Burns, Keith Edmonds, Kristen Edmonds, Heather Griffiths, C. N. "Nikki" Hyde, Danielle Jones, Sheri Lovegrove, Kristie McCarter, Jason McTeer, Samantha Sutton, Malinda Taylor, Caitlin Teaster, Nicci Williamson, P. Michelle Wilson;

• From Maryville High School: Xamena Bangash, Emily Brewer, W. R. "Trey" Brewer, Lauran Canacaris, Jill Copeland, Cory Everett, Beth Gamble, Stephanie Gibson, E. A. "Beth" Gowan, Emily Harrill, Brittany Goin-Heppeny, Kelli Ierulli, Bret Lindsey, Andrea May, Kimberly Morton, Erin O’Donnell, Ashley Rang, E. Hope Robinson, Miranda Talley, Angela White;

• From Maryville Christian High School: Kayla Clemmer;

• From William Blount High School: Coy Blair, Andrew Diggs, Erin French, Thomas Hankinson, Amber Hawk, Lindsey Hill, Karen Huskey, K. H. "Katie" Irwin, Stephanie Kerr, Ashley Kissick, Jarrod Myers, Allen Phelps, Brian Phelps, Lauren Smalley;

• Other Blount County students earning the distinction include: Ashley Baldwin, Ramona Ferguson, Ciara Harris, Jonathan Howe, Ashley McBee, Joshua Phillips, Whitney Pruitt, Jennifer Seivers and Hannah Smith.
  Classes for the 2007 spring semester begin Jan. 31. Commencement is scheduled for May 20.

Maryville College announces Summer Institute courses
Students wishing to get ahead on their coursework, catch up or experience new studies will benefit from reviewing the 2007 Summer Institute schedule of courses at Maryville College.

Enrollment and registration for all summer courses will begin on March 29, with some classes (in sessions one, three and five) getting underway May 29. Session two begins June 19, while classes in session four begin July 3. Non-MC students interested in enrolling in the Summer Institute should contact the Admissions Office at 865-981-8092.

Approximately 30 different for-credit courses are offered through the Summer Institute, although students may sign up for audit. Some specific course titles include "Positive Psychology," "Senior Seminar: The Moon," "Children’s Literature" and "Sociology of Education." Disciplines of study represented in the Summer Institute range from art to history, business to world culture, education to psychology, literature to outdoor recreation. Elementary Spanish is offered, as well as introductory and inferential statistics.

Complete schedules, course descriptions, class times and application information are all available on the college’s website, www.maryvillecollege.edu/academics/summer-institute/index.asp. Fees are $280 per credit hour.

The mission of the Summer Institute at Maryville College is to insure that the vibrant intellectual life of the college exists on a year-round basis, particularly during the summer months. All courses are taught by the college’s renowned faculty, and are offered in three-week, five-week or 11-week summer terms, beginning in late May and continuing until early August. These courses are the perfect opportunity, not only for Maryville College students, but also for non-MC students in the local community to continue their studies during the summer.

For additional information or to obtain printed materials, contact Dr. John Gallagher, director of the Summer Institute, at 865-981-8235 or john.gallagher@maryvillecollege.edu; or Maryville College Registrar Martha Hess at 865-981-8211 or martha.hess@maryvillecollege.edu.

Blount students on honors list at Hiwassee College
Hiwassee College is pleased to announce its Academic Honors List for the 2006 Fall Semester.

To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must achieve a semester grade point average of 4.00 on a full course load of 12 hours or more. Local students earning this honor include Ryan Alan Archer of Maryville and Zachary Walker of Friendsville.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a semester grade point average between 3.50-3.99 on a full course load of 12 hours or more. Local students earning this honor include John McDowell Gingrich and Katherine Elizabeth Gingrich of Friendsville; Jonathan Phillip Settlemire of Louisville; Bryan Thomas Beason, Steven Derek Boring, and James
Kenyon Davis of Maryville.