College Notes:

Luke, who holds both a master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Columbia (S.C.) International University, will begin his duties at the college Jan. 3.

As director of discernment, Luke is responsible for initiating and conducting student programming that encourages and supports discernment of vocation; providing follow-up reflection and guidance for students, faculty and others exploring the various aspects of vocation; partnering with the Campus Minister in organizing and leading programs related to theological exploration of vocation; and teaching college courses that connect issues of vocation to the college curriculum.
Luke comes to the college with experience as a career services assistant, a mental health counselor, intake clinician and primary therapist. His most recent position was with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he served as an intern and graduate assistant in the career services department. He taught career exploration courses to freshman students, provided individual counseling to students still deciding on majors and careers, and developed and presented career planning seminars to area middle school and high school students.

Since 2004, Luke has also been self-employed as a mental health counselor in private practice, where he conducted individual, family and group therapy for adolescents and their families.

Associate Academic Dean Dr. Mardi Craig said the College was delighted to have Luke join the CCand C staff.

"Chad Luke brings a strong background in counseling to the position as well as specific experience with career counseling in higher education," Craig said. "As an experienced counselor, I believe that he will relate well to our students as they work together in an integrated and holistic approach toward vocational discernment."

Established in 2002 as a part of the college’s Lilly Endowment Inc.-funded Initiative on Vocation, the Center for Calling and Career fosters moral, spiritual and personal reflection on issues of vocation and vocational discernment. This is achieved though assessment, counseling and placement services. The CC and C offers information on major selection, résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, conducting a job and internship searches, applying to graduate school and other issues of professional and vocational development. Students can receive one-on-one advising in the office as well as research job and internship opportunities on the CCCNet, the Center’s online database.

MC Scots cheerleaders to host regional competition
The Maryville College Scots cheerleaders will host the Maryville Cheer and Dance Open, a Cheer Ltd. qualifier competition, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, in the Cooper Athletic Center on the College campus.

Cheerleading and dance teams from across the region are invited to compete for a bid to the Cheer Ltd. International Cheer and Dance Championships at CANAM in Myrtle Beach, S.C., set for March 16-18, 2007.

Andy Lewter, cheerleading coach, is coordinating this regional event. Nationally certified judges will score the teams.

Competition is available in more than 56 divisions from pee wee through open, including high school, middle school, all-stars
and recreation teams, Lewter said.

Individual cheerleaders, dancers and partner stunt teams may also choose to compete in the Maryville Cheer and Dance Open for a bid to the 2007 International Cheerleader Championships, International Dancer Championships and the International Partner Stunt Championships held in conjunction with the Cheer Ltd.

Spectators are welcome the day of the open. Tickets will be sold at the door for $8 for adults and $5 for students, children under 5 are free. Teams and individuals who wish to compete in the Maryville Cheer and Dance Open should contact Cheer Ltd., Inc., headquarters at 1-800-477-8868. For more information about Cheer Ltd. visit their web site at
www.cheerltd.com.

Pellissippi State names Blount students to dean’s list
Pellissippi State Technical Community College has named 609 top students to the fall 2006 semester dean’s list. To be included on the list, a student must take a full course load and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average. Honorees from

Blount County include:
Tiffany Lea Ann Anderson, Roger Dale Andrews Jr., Christopher Gene Bain, Marybeth Jean Borg, Rachel D. Born, Natasha Lee Brewer, Brittney Christen Brisson, Angella Roch Broussard-Chrisman, Emeline Nicole Carver, Jonathan Michael Cooper, Bethany R. Davidson, Derek Patrick Dennis, Jerry Dustin Devine, Jerrica L. Dickenson, Nathan Lloyd Doolittle, Jared B. Duckett, Jessica Ann Ducote, Lisa Marie Frank, James D. Gandy, William Adam Gentry, Synnove Klara Glarum, Richard J. Gonyea II, Stefanie Jenae Gore, Stephanie Lynn Gorman, Phyllis Kaye Grant, Stephanie C. Gregory, Bobbie Jo Guthrie, Jennifer Lynn Harmon, Sharlene A. Hart, Caitlin Lauren Hedberg, Cale Anderson Hensley, Cory Patrick Huffstetler, Christopher Justin Hughes, Marcee L. Iler, Charlie Nicole Jennett, Brian Keith Jones, David William Kirby, Matthew Mark Kuzara, Katie Lynn Landis, Johnny Chung Law, Steve Landon Manuel, Jason Michael Lang, Amy Nicole Mashburn, Donna Lynn Matlack, Laura Ashley McCulloch, Ashley Marie McIntire, John M. McReynolds, Ashton K. Mencer, Rebecca S. Merritt, Heather Nicole Myrick, Alisha C. Nuchols, Jessica Lynn Paquette, Joseph Morgan Pollard, Michelle Gabbriel Prater, Carolyn Denise Reeves, Adam L. Renninger, Katherine Beth Rhodes, Shirley Ashley Riley, Jessica Michelle Roberson, Bailey N. Robinson, Stephanie Rogers, Courtney Amber Starling, Jennifer Leeanne Stevens, Glen Richard Stevenson, Teresa Ann Stitt, Jeffrey Andrew Sullivan, Charles Kevin Tacy, Rachel Marie Thomas, Jessie Wayne Tipton, Savannah Jade Tosh, Kenneth R. Vaughn, Samuel Neill Wagner Jr., Jennifer Beth Walker, Theodore Benjamin West, Megan Amanda White, Jason Aaron Zellner.

Pellissippi State offers non-credit fly-fishing classes
Pellissippi State Technical Community College is offering a one-day non-credit fly-fishing course for both beginners and those who want to better understand the basics.

The course is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road on these Saturdays: Feb. 17, March 17, April 14 and May 12.

Participants will learn all the basics, including where to find fish and how to rig an outfit. Students will also learn how to cast, and a casting demonstration will take place, weather permitting.

The cost is $75 per person and $60 for each additional family member who registers at the same time.

To register or learn more, call Pellissippi State’s Business and Community Services at 865-539-7167.

Pellissippi State offers herbal medicine classes
Pellissippi State Technical Community College is now taking registrations for two non-credit courses at the Blount County Center focusing on herbal medicine.

The first, "Introduction to Herbal Medicine: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," will meet Thursdays, Jan. 25-Feb.
15. This introductory class will provide an overview on how herbs work and on drug and herb interactions. In addition, participants will learn to prepare herbs safely for different body systems and combine herbs wisely.

Those interested in learning more about how herbs work should sign up for the follow-up course, which meets Thursdays, Feb. 22-March 22.

Both courses meet 6-9 p.m. The cost for each is $65, and a textbook is required for the introductory course.

Please call Pellissippi State’s Business and Community Services at 865-539-7167 to register and learn how to purchase the book.