FUNDED PROPOSALS: (2/24/11 – 3/31/11)
CONGRATULATIONS!
The following UTC faculty member recently attracted $3,000 in external grant funding:
Dr. Deborah Arfken, Professor of Political Science, secured $3,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for a course that will introduce first-year students to the concepts of philanthropy and civic responsibility and present them with the challenges of disbursing money. In addition to learning from leaders of local non-profit organizations and foundations, the students will serve as a board of directors for a mock foundation and award funds to a local United Way agency that meets selection criteria developed by the students.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (2/24/11 – 3/31/11)
GOOD LUCK!
The following UTC faculty and staff members submitted proposals with the potential to generate $1,037,236 in external funding, if awarded:
Ms. Sandy Cole (Center for Community Career Education) requested $36,950 from the Hamilton County Department of Education to offer after school programming for the remainder of the 2011 school year as well as a 5 week summer camp for youth in participating schools. The CCCE will provide staff, student mentors, and its college awareness curriculum to enhance Hamilton County students’ awareness and skills and assist them in their academic success.
Drs. Steve Symes (Chemistry) and Margaret Kovach (Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences) requested $159,907 as part of a proposal submitted to the U.S. Army by the UT College of Medicine. The proposal will address major technological barriers in the treatment of bone repair by developing a nanofiber-based device which can deliver drugs while facilitating regeneration of the bone. Working with Dr. Currey of the UT College of Medicine, Drs. Symes and Kovach will perform chemical and biological analyses of the repair device.
Dr. Deborah McAllister (Teacher Preparation Academy) requested $749,178 from NASA for a four year project to improve the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills of area teachers and students. The project will reach 2,500 students from grades 4-8 and 150 teachers per year through hands-on activities, technology, and constructivist strategies for teaching and learning. Using NASA-themed materials, the project will focus primarily on mathematics in addition to four important areas identified by NASA: Earth science, robotics, aeronautics, and rockets.
Mr. Bob Boyer (Fine Arts Center) requested $7,500 from South Arts to bring the Evidence Dance Company to Chattanooga. During their three-day residency, the artists would hold a public performance at the UTC Fine Arts Center and teach two master classes—one for UTC students and the other for students at the Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts.
Dr. John McCormack (WUTC) requested $12,821 from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the acquisition of equipment (a digital console, audio processor, microphones, and audio work station) needed to create digital programming. With this equipment WUTC could begin a second broadcast service featuring local and national programming, special options for music lovers, and offerings designed for minority children.
Drs. Barbara Medley and Susan Ritz (Center for Applied Social Research) requested $70,880 from Memorial Hospital to conduct research through the Catholic Health Initiatives Violence Prevention Grant. Drs. Medley and Ritz and other researchers will create an inventory of the domestic violence services available in Hamilton County, identify needed services, and evaluate existing services for overall effectiveness.
FUNDED PROPOSALS: (2/9/11 – 2/23/11)
CONGRATULATIONS!
The following UTC faculty member recently attracted $3,680 in an external grant award:
Dr. Susan North, Assistant Professor of English, acquired $3,680 from the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Dr. North and her assistant will collect data on policies and curriculum and use it to create a baseline analysis of conditions that inform the writing instruction of Tennessee students.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (2/9/11 – 2/23/11)
GOOD LUCK!
The following UTC faculty and staff members submitted proposals with the potential to generate over $2,255,591 in external funding, if awarded:
Dr. Irv Resnick (Philosophy & Religion Department) requested $177,318 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to conduct a four-week summer institute for college and university teachers. Participants will investigate the significance of the Holy Land and the Holy City in Classical Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in late antiquity and the middle ages.
Ms. Tricia Henderson (Counseling & Career Planning) requested $30,000 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association for a program titled “MOCS CHOICES: Making Our Choices Successful.” Funding for this program will be used to enhance existing alcohol prevention efforts on campus, as well as to initiate new prevention efforts and programs.
Dr. Li Yang with Dr. Joseph Kizza and Ms. Kathy Winters (Engineering and Computer Science) requested $160,000 from the National Science Foundation for a collaborative project that will develop college faculty expertise in Information Assurance through case studies and hands-on experiences. This proposal represents collaboration among UTC, North Carolina A&T State University, and UNC-Charlotte. Funding will be used to hold two summer workshops that will provide training and partnership opportunities for Information Assurance instructors.
Dr. Jean Howard-Hill (Undergraduate Admissions) requested $20,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for The Many Faces of Diversity at UTC Program. Begun in 2007, the program assists potential first generation college attendees and at-risk students in gaining access to higher education. Academic assistance is provided to 11th and 12th grade students in Hamilton County.
Dr. Claire McCullough, along with Drs. Joe Dumas and Yu Cao (Engineering and Computer Science) and Sandy Watson (UTeaChattanooga), requested $194,040 from the National Science Foundation for a project to increase interest in Computer Science among teenagers. Dr. McCullough and her colleagues are particularly interested in increasing the number of African-American, female, and economically disadvantages students who enter the fields of computing and information technology.
Dr. Mbakisya Onyango with Drs. Joe Owino and Ignatius Fomunung (Civil Engineering Department) requested $480,945 from the National Science Foundation for a project that will attempt to predict permanent deformation in flexible pavements using finite element analysis. This research could lead to changes in pavement and road construction that would lower the amount of taxpayers’ money used for construction and repairs of asphalt pavements.
Drs. Sandy Watson and Stephen Kuhn (UTeaChattanooga) requested $1,193,288 from the National Science Foundation to fund 30 summer internships, 20 student/faculty research partnerships, and up to 30 scholarships for future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers. The project goals are to increase the number of STEM majors from underrepresented groups, to improve the training of future STEM teachers, and to attract highly qualified STEM majors to secondary science and mathematics teaching careers in high needs schools.
Drs. Kay Lindgren and David Levine (Nursing and Physical Therapy, respectively) requested funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration for scholarships for disadvantaged students at UTC. The scholarships will support undergraduate and graduate nursing students as well as graduate physical therapy students.
FUNDED PROPOSALS: (1/17/11 – 2/9/11)
UTeaChattanooga Co-Directors Dr. Steve Kuhn, Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Sandy Watson, Associate Professor of Science Education, acquired a $770,000 congressionally-directed grant to establish the Center for Leadership in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. The Center will work to enhance STEM education across the K-16 educational system to prepare and motivate current and future STEM teachers and professionals.
Dr. Amye Warren, Professor of Psychology, secured $24,000 from the United Way of Greater Chattanooga to evaluate the United Way’s Project Diabetes, which promotes physical activity and healthy eating among area children. Dr. Warren will develop data collection instruments (logs, parent and teacher surveys), oversee the collection and analysis of data, and write evaluation reports.
Mr. Kim Wheetley, Executive Director of UTC’s Southeast Center for Education in the Arts (SCEA), secured $7,500 from the United Way of Greater Chattanooga to provide instructional support for teachers participating in Project Diabetes. Music and dance educators from SCEA hope to promote increased physical activity through modeled teaching strategies that demonstrate active, rather than passive, approaches to early childhood education through music and dance.
Ms. Michelle Rigler, Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities, received $15,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga to support a program titled “MoSAIC.” MoSAIC is a yearlong course that will assist students with high functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome in developing executive functioning and social skills.
Ms. Sandy Cole, Director of UTC’s Center for Community Career Education (CCCE), acquired $10,700 from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga to expand the Life Planning Program. Ms. Cole and her team will help women who have become the main income earners of their households develop their confidence, learn job seeking skills, and access training, education, and employment.
Dr. Abdul Ofoli, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, secured $20,120 from the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners for equipment to update the Electrical Engineering laboratory that is used primarily for senior design and capstone projects. This equipment will support the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering department’s efforts to prepare students for careers in the manufacturing and power industries.
Ms. Catherine Kendall, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, received $3,334 from the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners for educational laboratory equipment. Funds will be used to create a larger display area for drawings and boards and to purchase additional computer equipment that will be available to design students.
Dr. Henry Spratt, Professor of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, acquired $45,232 from the Tennessee Valley Authority to collect and analyze algae samples near a TVA fossil power plant. This project will characterize the natural algal species found in local waters and determine algal responses to various pollutants.
Dr. Joey Shaw, Assistant Professor of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, secured $93,719 from URS Corporation for the second phase of a research project begun last spring. The research will provide comparable plant survey data for decision makers to evaluate the environmental impacts of possible road construction in the Cherokee National Forest.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (1/17/11 – 2/9/11)
Dr. Kay Lindgren (School of Nursing) requested funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for two student assistance programs — Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships (NAT) and Advanced Education Nursing Traineeships (AENT). The NAT program will provide funding for full-time students enrolled in the master’s of science in nurse anesthesia program at UTC. The AENT program also provides scholarships for graduate students to cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees. Funding is divided among all successful applicants and will be determined by HRSA at the time of the award.
Dr. Greg Heath (Assistant Provost for Research and Engagement) requested $149,154 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for a project that will evaluate the implementation of the Chattanooga Bike Share Program. The project will determine how Bike Share impacts users, the environment, and policies for local and regional stakeholders.
Dr. Miriam Zwitter (School of Nursing) requested $881,716 from the Health Resources and Services Administration to fund the Get Healthy Project for the next three years. School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate students will provide supervised, integrated health promotion services in collaboration with community based agencies that serve individuals with severe persistent mental illness (SPMI).
Mr. Kim Wheetley (Southeast Center for Education in the Arts), requested $1,200 from Hamilton County Department of Education to fund a Poetry Residency at Battle Academy. Joel Baxley, Director of Visual Art Education at SCEA, will teach second grade students about writing, interpreting, and illustrating poetry.
Dr. Josh Hamblen (Physics, Geology, and Astronomy Department), requested $22,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to work on the NPDGamma experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The project would provide opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in fundamental physics research at a national lab with top scientists in the field.
Dr. Irina Khmelko (Department of Political Science, Public Administration, and Nonprofit Management), requested $2,100 from The American Political Science Association to fund a project that will research legislative institution building in post authoritarian countries. Dr. Khemlko’s work will investigate the importance of committee decisions to the lawmaking process of the Ukrainian legislature.
Dr. Yu Cao (Computer Science and Engineering), requested $416,912 from the National Science Foundation to address the need for a more robust biomedical informatics research infrastructure. If funded, UTC hopes to build a state-of-the-art High Performance Computational Infrastructure that will serve multiple biomedical informatics research projects. The proposed infrastructure will be used to attract outside users such as hospitals, biomedical research institutions, and local health professionals.
Dr. Kristin Whitson (Physics, Geology, and Astronomy Department), requested $133,314 from the National Science Foundation to acquire a Spectrofluorometer. Physics and Chemistry students and faculty will use the instrument for research and training purposes – such as conducting fluorescence measurements and studying the basic science of intra- and inter-molecular interactions.
Dr. John Graef (Department of Mathematics), requested $35,000 from the Simons Foundation to support collaborative research activities in mathematics. Funds will enable Dr. Graef to continue work on a research monograph that he is writing in collaboration with professors from Portugal and Algeria.
Dr. John McCormack (WUTC) requested $61,841 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for a Digital Radio Conversion Project. Funds will enable WUTC to purchase and install equipment that will increase its digital power level by at least four times its current power level.
FUNDED PROPOSALS: (12/6/10 – 1/7/11)
Mr. Tom Patty, Director of the Challenger STEM Learning Center, secured $55,017 from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for a program titled “STARS in the Classroom IIB: Science Teachers Achieving Real Success in the Classroom IIB.” UTC will collaborate with local school systems to provide 25 teachers with intensive professional development using the ARIES curriculum, a physical science program that is closely aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES). Participating science teachers will learn to integrate and deepen their knowledge of science, learning, and pedagogy through hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
Ms. Meg Kiessling, Lecturer for UTC’s Mathematics Department, attracted $74,988 from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for a program titled “EXPLORE-ing Middle School Mathematics.” Kiessling and other mathematics instructors and professors from UTC, the UTC Teacher Preparation Academy, and Chattanooga State Community College will collaborate and provide a week long workshop for middle school mathematics teachers this summer.
Dr. Lauren Ingraham, Professor of English, secured $71,511 from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for a program titled “Developing Expert Teachers and Readers of Nonfiction Texts: Print, Visual, and Digital.” Ingraham will hold a summer workshop that stresses strategies for using nonfiction to develop critical print and visual literacy.
Mr. Kim Wheetley, executive director of UTC’s Southeast Center for Education in the Arts (SCEA), acquired $1,800 from the Hamilton County Department of Education to conduct Visual Arts in the Library Residencies at Hardy Elementary School. Joel Baxley, SCEA Director of Visual Art Education, will conduct these residencies in March with 4th and 5th grade students at Hardy Elementary.
Mr. Robert Boyer, Patten Series Manager for the Fine Arts Center, secured $4,000 from the Tennessee Arts Commission for the Patten Performance Series Artists. Funds will help pay for The Eroica Trio to perform as part of the series.
Dr. Jonathan Mies, Robert Lake Wilson Professor of Geology, attracted $1,920 from Chattem Chemicals, Inc. to fund Chemical Analyses using X-Ray Diffraction. This partnership brings UTC’s research capacity to bear on research and development activities for Chattem, one of Chattanooga’s flagship businesses.
Dr. Herb Burhenn, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, collaborated with the UTC Development Office to secure $275,019 from the Maclellan Foundation to support a three-year faculty appointment in Scripture and Christianity. Maclellan Foundation support will enable UTC students to take Biblically and historically grounded courses in Christian studies, an essential component of UTC’s religious studies curriculum.
Dr. Lucien Ellington, UC Foundation Professor of Education and Co-Director of the UTC Asia Program, acquired $66,845 from the Association for Asian Studies to continue the publication of the Education About Asia Journal in 2011. This journal, founded in 1996, is published three times per year and features issues in Asian studies ranging from ancient cultures and literatures to current events.
Ms. Anne Gamble, Director of Project Ready for School, acquired $98,788 from United Way of Greater Chattanooga to continue the project in 2011. Ms. Gamble and her staff will partner with local, state, and national agencies to help children in local elementary schools prepare for success in school and life by encouraging parents’ involvement in their child’s early learning experiences.
Dr. Amye Warren, Professor of Psychology, secured $35,396 from United Way to continue Services for Project Ready for School and Child Care Consortium in 2011. These funds will provide two UTC graduate students with the opportunity to assist with evaluation and data services for programs sponsored by United Way.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (12/6/10 – 1/7/11)
Mr. Kim Wheetley (Southeast Center for Education in the Arts) requested $5,000 from the Tennessee Arts Commission to conduct another National Arts and Education Forum in 2012. Participants in UTC’s 5th National Arts and Education Forum will discuss how artistic concepts and processes can be implemented for more creative, meaningful instruction throughout the curriculum. Funds will be used for honoraria for conferences facilitators.
Dr. Susan North (Department of English) requested $4,000 from the Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA) for a project titled “’How Do We Reach the Top if We Don’t Know Where We Started?’: Establishing a Baseline for Evaluation of Complete College and Race to the Top.” North and her assistant will collect data on policies and curriculum in an effort to create a baseline analysis of conditions that inform the education of Tennessee students in writing instruction.
Dr. Tom Wilson (Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences) and Mr. Andy Carroll (Academic and Research Computing Sciences) requested $8,000 from The Orianne Society to research upland snakes in the Southeast. If funded, Wilson and his team will develop detailed methodology for identifying critical and suitable habitat as well as create occupancy models using GIS and Remote Sensing technologies for the Northern Pine Snake in southeastern Tennessee.
Dr. Mina Sartipi with Dr. Yu Cao and Dr. Li Yang (Computer Science and Engineering) and Dr. Nancy Fell (Physical Therapy), requested $499,916 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Smart Monitoring and Evaluation of Well-being for Post-stroke Patients Using Wearable iPod Touch and iPhone Devices.” This project will use iPhones and iPod touch devices to track the progress and recovery of patients who have suffered an acute stroke.
Dr. Li Yang (Computer Science and Engineering) and Mr. Tom Patty (Challenger Center) requested $40,000 from the National Science Foundation through the University of Cincinnati for a program titled “Anywhere Anytime Cyberspace for CS Programming Education.” UTC will participate in a collaborative effort to create a novel cyberlearning platform with innovative live learning objectives. The project aims to increase the exposure of computer science education in both formal and informal learning settings, to broaden participation of students in computer science education, and to promote students’ interest in computer science.
Dr. Joey Shaw (Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences) and Dr. Stephanie Smullen (Computer Science and Engineering) requested $256,468 from the National Science Foundation for a program titled “SouthEast Regional Network of Expertise and Collections – All Taxa (SERNEC-AT).” UTC, as part of a collaborative team, is requesting funding to analyze botanical specimens and document them in a virtual herbarium database. Additionally, the team will research and implement methods to improve the quality of data that has already been entered.
Ms. Karen Vann (Center for Community Career Education) requested $1,166,980 from the U.S. Department o f Education to continue UTC’s Educational Talent Search program. Funding will enable UTC to provide academic and social support to prepare economically disadvantaged, potential first-generation college-bound middle and high school students to enroll and succeed in postsecondary programs.
FUNDED PROPOSALS: (11/15/10 – 12/3/10)
Dianne Cox, Director of Financial Aid, acquired $60,000 from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) for the Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program. This contract funds financial assistance to eligible UTC students who are pursuing a Master’s Degree in Nursing and who agree to practice in a rural health shortage area after graduation.
Ms. Cox also secured $27,900 from TSAC to continue the High School Peer Counseling Program in 2011. Ms. Cox and her staff will train several UTC students to serve as peer counselors in local high schools, assisting high school students as they learn about and apply for state and federal student aid.
Dr. Valerie Rutledge, Head of the Teacher Preparation Academy, and Dr. Beth Dodd, Director of Continuing Education, attracted $81,380.10 from the Tennessee Department of Education to continue the Governor’s School for Prospective Teachers in 2011. The Governor’s School is a five-week summer program for high school students who are interested in pursuing teaching as a profession. Participating students will receive six hours of college credit upon completion of the program during which they will learn and implement effective teaching strategies by planning and teaching short lessons.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (11/15/10 – 12/3/10)
Ms. Kathy Winters (Computer Science and Engineering) requested $29,999 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a program titled Fostering Introductory Computing Education with Innovative Interactive Learning Model Infused Cyberlearning Space. Funding would enable a collaborative research effort focused on developing an innovative learning model and an integrated cyber-learning platform to promote introductory computing education, as well as evaluating their impacts on the learning of students and instructors.
FUNDED PROPOSALS: (10/25/10 – 11/14/10)
Ms. Sandy Cole, Director of UTC’s Center for Community Career Education (CCCE), acquired $3,000 from the Hamilton County Department of Education to continue a mentoring program at Brown Academy during the 2010-2011 academic year. Ms. Cole and the CCCE team, with the assistance of UTC student mentors, will provide an after school enrichment program and classes on literacy and math skills for students at Brown Academy.
Dr. John McCormack, Station Manager of WUTC (Chattanooga’s National Public Radio Affiliate), attracted $137,999 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to continue Radio Community Service for 2010-2012. McCormack and the WUTC staff strive to keep the community updated on local and national news and events.
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS: (10/25/10 – 11/14/10)
Drs. Kay Cowan and Valerie Rutledge (Teacher Preparation Academy) requested $74,991 from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for a program titled “Addressing STEM Objectives in the PreK – 3 Literacy.” Funds will support a summer professional development workshop for PreK-3rd grade teachers.
Tracy Hughes (Mathematics Department) requested $74,994 from THEC for a program titled “PLAN of ACTion for High School Mathematics Teachers.” Funds will support a summer professional development workshop for high school mathematics teachers.
Dr. Lauren Ingraham (English Department) requested $72,717 from THEC for a program titled “Developing Expert Teachers and Readers of Nonfiction Texts: Print, Visual, and Digital.” Ingraham and her team will conduct a professional development workshop for grade 6-12 teachers in all content areas.
Meg Kiessling (Mathematics Department) requested $74,988 from THEC for the EXPLORE-ing Middle School Mathematics program. Funds will support a week-long summer professional development workshop for middle grades mathematics teachers.
Dr. Deborah McAllister (Teacher Preparation Academy) requested $75,000 from THEC to fund Mission Mathematics: Emphasizing Connections and Promoting Inquiry. McAllister and her team will conduct a week-long summer professional development workshop for elementary grades teachers to enhance their skills in teaching mathematics.
Tom Patty (Challenger Center) requested $55,017 from THEC for the Science Teachers Achieving Real Success (STARS – IIB) in the Classroom program. Funds will be used to implement a summer professional development workshop for science teachers.
Dr. Amy Brock-Hon (Physics, Geology, and Astronomy) requested $9,992 from the U.S. Geological Survey for a geologic and geomorphic mapping project in Nevada. This project will produce a map of Late Neogene and younger sediments contained in the eastern half of the Overton NE 7.5 minute quadrangle of Nevada. This award will support an undergraduate student assistant and travel costs associated with the project.