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Recognitions, September 19

McCullock Named Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Kim McCullock has been named the associate vice chancellor for finance and administration.

McCullock has more than 20 years of experience in finance, auditing, and operations across several industries. Most recently, she served as director of finance and administrative affairs for the Tickle College of Engineering.

“I’m excited about this new opportunity and I look forward to expanding my contribution to the mission of the university,” said McCullock.

McCullock will lead efforts to maximize resources and seek efficiencies. She will be responsible for generating new revenue proposals, strengthening shared services, improving business processes, and establishing an entrepreneurial mindset within the division and throughout the campus.

Bates Joins Haslam as Director of Admissions for Graduate Business Programs

For Tom Bates, who recently joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business as director of admissions for graduate business programs, feeling that he fit within the culture of the college was a key factor in his decision to move from Indiana to Knoxville.

“The individuals that make up the Haslam community are extremely authentic and warm-hearted,” Bates says, who is excited about the college’s connections to industry leaders, its top-ranked supply chain program and its niche programs in areas like aerospace and defense and healthcare.

Bates, who relocated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, says his goals at Haslam include continuing with the college’s “tradition of a high-touch, applicant-friendly experience.” He wants to actively engage with Haslam’s alumni network and students on campus.

Two Professors Selected to Participate in Diplomacy Lab Projects

Led by two faculty members from the College of Communication and Information, UT students will explore topics of national importance and influence policy this fall as part of the US Department of State’s Diplomacy Labs.

The State Department accepted seminar proposals from Stuart N. Brotman, Howard Distinguished Endowed Professor of Media Management and Law and Beaman Professor of Journalism and Electronic Media, and Michelle Violanti, an associate professor in the School of Communication Studies.

“CCI faculty have been very active in leading Diplomacy Lab projects,” said CCI Dean Mike Wirth. “Each seminar has provided a unique and interesting learning experience for our students, with an added bonus of contributing to the diplomatic efforts of our country. We look forward to seeing what these latest projects yield for our students and the US Department of State.”

Professors Receive CAREER Awards from National Science Foundation

This year, Sharani Roy and Sarah Lebeis will join the exclusive group of College of Arts and Sciences faculty to be honored with a National Science Foundation CAREER award—one of the highest honors an early-career faculty member can receive.

The CAREER award indicates great promise in a burgeoning faculty member, and those selected receive a five-year grant toward their particular research project. Applicants must show great promise in their research as well as devotion to higher education.

This is a significant achievement for the College of Arts and Sciences. To date, the department has received nine awards; Roy and Lebeis will constitute the 10th and 11th.

“NSF CAREER awards are designed to prepare tenure-track faculty for a lifetime of outstanding research and education service,” said Drew Haswell, research coordinator for the college.

Student-Made Documentaries Take Home Awards at Knox Film Festival

Two documentaries with ties to UT’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media and Land Grant Films took home awards at the 2018 Knox Film Festival.

Welcome Home Brother took third place and Lieselotte took second place in the Tennessee Film Documentary category. Lieselotte also placed second in the Documentary Short Film category.

Both documentaries involved recent graduate Isaac Fowler, who had personal ties to each film. Fowler’s father served in the Vietnam War, and Lieselotte “Lottie” O’Brien is an icon in his hometown of Kingston, Tennessee.

“The festival is a huge asset to our local film community, and this year it proved to be an exhibition ground for documentary film produced through the JEM and Land Grant Films programs,” said Fowler. “JEM students and our larger university community should take advantage of having a well-established regional film festival in our backyard by submitting their films and screening other films selected by the fest during next year’s event.”