The Disability Careers Office, established in 1999 as part of Career Services, links the resources from Career Services and the Office of Disability Services to assist students and alumni who have various disabilities to be competitive in their career search and connect to employers seeking a diverse workforce.

“It is the first program of its kind that truly bridges the gap between the offices,” said Russ Coughenour, director of Career Services which is in Division of Student Life.

The office is being presented as a model for other states at the National Governors Association institute to be held on May 10 in Pittsburgh and May 23 in Seattle.

The need for the liaison was recognized 14 years ago following UT research that uncovered a nationally pervasive disconnect between career services and disability services offices.

“This disconnect was negatively impacting our students seeking employment and the employers were having a hard time reaching this talent,” said Alan Muir, who conducted the research and co-founded Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities, a consortium housed at UT of more than 700 higher education institutions and nearly 600 major employers.

Muir and Sarah Helm, DCO coordinator, will present the DCO as a best practice to governors during the session “Preparing Youth with Disabilities for the Workforce.” The presentation is part of a one-year NGA initiative with the goal of developing a blueprint of best practices to be implemented nationwide.

“We are presenting the only higher education–related best practices at the institute,” said Helm. “This is because the DCO is a successful and effective model that can be replicated at state universities across the country.”

The DCO dedicates a person to prepare college students and recent alumni to be competitive in the career search and to fully use the resources in Career Services. It counsels students on general career development as well as disability-specific topics, including self-advocacy, disclosure of a disability, requesting workplace accommodations, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which could significantly affect career success.

“The DCO staff provided counseling on my resume and job search but also helped me better understand my disability,” said Mark Grove, a junior majoring in environmental studies, who has a learning disability. “The office offers many valuable resources for students with disabilities.”

The office sparked Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities, which supplies a number of services and events designed to provide information, awareness, and expertise to higher education and employers, as well as matching college graduates with disabilities to employers.

“Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities is the only organization that continues the national conversation about college students with disabilities and gainful employment at major corporations striving to achieve their diversity goals,” said Muir.

For more information on the Disability Careers Office, visit career.utk.edu/dco.php.

For more information about COSD, visit www.cosdonline.org.

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C O N T A C T :

Sarah Helm (865-974-6860, shelm1@utk.edu

Alan Muir (865-974-7148, amuir@tennessee.edu)

Whitney Heins (865-974-5460, wheins@utk.edu)

The results of this week’s Student Government Association elections were certified this afternoon and are available here.

We congratulate our new officers on their election. We appreciate all students who participated in the campaigns and voted.

We look forward to working with our new leaders for the benefit of our student body.

Thank you.

Jordan Humble, a senior in global politics and economics and founder of Privateer Cycling Apparel, claimed first place.

From left to right: Tom Graves, director of operations for the UT Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Dave Morehous of Morehous Legal Group; Jordan Humble; Tom Ballard of Pershing Yoakley and Associates; Andrea Fults of the UT Federal Credit Union; Dave Washburn of the UT Research Foundation; and Joy Fisher, Vol Court managing director.

The second-place winner was Alex Adams, a junior in mechanical engineering. Adams’ company, Adams Innovation LLC, designs, imports, and distributes leisure hammocks under the name Xada.

Vol Court is an entrepreneurial education series that ends with a competition among aspiring entrepreneurs for cash prizes to launch their business. The series is held both in the fall and spring and is open to students, faculty, and the general public.

Humble received $1,000 to launch his business, space at the UT Research Foundation (UTRF) business incubator, consulting services from Pershing Yoakley and Associates, and mentoring from the UT College of Business Administration’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI)—a prize package worth more than $5,000.

He will use the prize money to pay for local service providers who are helping with his business. Vol Court was the first entrepreneurial program in which he has participated, he said.

“I have learned from experience that it is so important to get the foundation of your business set, and Vol Court teaches you how to go about building that foundation,” he said.

Adams received $500, space in the UTRF business incubator, and mentoring from ACEI. He will use the money for advertising, improving his website, insurance, and defraying shipping costs associated with the initial order of hammocks.

Seven teams competed during the Vol Court pitch session, which was held on March 12 in the James A. Haslam II Business Building.

The other participants in Vol Court and their ideas were:

• Andrew Busa, a senior in sports management, with a web application to manage fantasy sports teams
• Zachary King, a sophomore in management, with an at-home personal training service
• Kathy McLain, one of the general public participants, with an aquaponics system to produce fish and vegetables
• Stephanie Pollock, a senior in mechanical engineering, with a digital media system that provides a “window to the world” for windowless rooms
• Emily Skaar, a senior in logistics, with a website that helps people with gift giving in an easy and timely manner
• Kevin White, a freshman in business analytics, with an on-campus cleaning service for students

Each team was given five minutes to pitch its business idea to a panel of judges that included current and former entrepreneurs and an investment banker. The judges had two minutes to ask questions of each team.

Vol Court is sponsored by ACEI, UT Federal Credit Union, Pershing Yoakley and Associates, Morehouse Legal Group, Tennessee Alumnus magazine, and the UT Research Foundation.

For more information on Vol Court, visit the Anderson Center website.

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C O N T A C T :

Joy Fisher (865-974-0520, joy.fisher@utk.edu)

Glenn was a member of the Tennessee Conference of the American Association of University Professors. The organization honored him in 2002 with its Claxton Award for exemplary service in higher education. He retired from UT in 2010.

Read the obituary at the Knoxville News Sentinel.

That’s the premise behind one of the holiday’s newest crazes—Elf on a Shelf. And it’s the brainchild of Carol Aebersold, a UT alumna.

Through self-publishing and grassroots marketing, Aebersold and her daughters have introduced their elf into tens of thousands of homes, while building a multi-million dollar product line.

Growing up in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Aebersold had a scout elf named Fisbee. When Aebersold married, Fisbee tagged along with her to keep an eye on her children during the holidays. After Aebersold’s children were grown, one of her twin daughters, Chanda Bell, suggested that they could write a book about Fisbee and share their elf tradition with the world.

Aebersold resisted at first. Eventually, she gave in to Bell’s request, and in 2005 the pair created the beginnings of what would become the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon.

“It was something fun for both of us to do,” Aebersold said, reflecting on the project’s humble beginning. “But no one would publish the book. So we published it ourselves.”

Aebersold’s daughter Christa Pitts sold her house and moved in with her parents while Bell maxed out her credit cards in order to get the book printed.

Carol Aebersold, center, with her daughters, Christa Pitts, left, and Chanda Bell, right.

“We asked Santa to send us some elves,” said Aebersold. “Then we printed the books and started going around to service leagues. After that it spread by word of mouth.”

And spread it has.

Less than a decade later, Elf on the Shelf is quite the holiday craze with more than a million elves having been adopted. It’s now sold at more than 10,000 stores.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the traditional time that the Elf on the Shelf watches children and reports back nightly to the North Pole, children wake up each morning eager to find where their elf is hiding. And parents say the elf provides a visible reminder for children to behave.

Last year, Elf on the Shelf inspired “The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story,” an animated television special on CBS. Aebersold—who got her bachelor’s degree in music education from UT in 1970—wrote two original songs for the show. This year, the elf appeared as a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The tradition has also inspired a legion of moms, who devote time and energy into creative endeavors for their child’s elf. There are websites and Pinterest boards dedicated to the Elf on the Shelf and the shenanigans that ensue while children are sleeping.

“My elf wasn’t quite as creative as these spectacular moms,” said Aebersold. “But Santa is such a gentleman that he will send you the kind of elf that fits your family.”

Aebersold, whom kids often mistake for Mrs. Claus, said her favorite elf story is about a family who found that their elf had lodged himself in a box of breakfast cereal and had to be extricated with salad tongs.

Why salad tongs? All good elf families know that the most important rule of Elf on the Shelf is that you don’t touch the Elf on the Shelf. Being touched by a human could cause the elf to lose all of its magic and result in a trip to the emergency room at the North Pole.

During the holidays, Aebersold spends her time traveling to more than 100 events to support Elf on the Shelf. This year, the brand went global and elves traveled from the North Pole to the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland.

“It’s all about creating family moments,” Aebersold said. “It’s wonderful to have kids coming up to me every day to ask about the elves, or to have parents tell me how it reminds them of their childhood. It’s very heartwarming.”

Beachaven Vineyards and Winery took the main prize with its 2008 Syrah during the competition this month.

Fifty wineries from across the Southeast entered the contest and submitted 392 wines. Twenty-five professional out-of-state judges evaluated the wines through a blind tasting.

Judges awarded medals in several categories, including Best of Red, Best of White, Best Sparkler, Best of Blush, Best of Dessert/Fruit, and the William Beach Award for the Best of Tennessee Fruit, which is given to a wine made with 100 percent Tennessee-grown fruit. They also awarded the Concordance Gold to 21 wines—which meant all five judges at a table had to be in agreement before the wine was given a medal.

The competition was organized by Carol Costello, director of UT’s Beer and Wine Program and a professor in the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Other Wines of the South category winners were:

Best of Red: Narmada 2009 Cabernet Franc—Cabernet Franc Reserve, Amissville, Virginia.
Best of White: Sugarland Cellars 2011 Gewurtraminer—Baskin Creek Blanc, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Best of Sparkler: Stonehaus 2011 Seval Blanc, Crossville, Tennessee.
Best of Blush: Stonehaus 2011 Helena Blush, Crossville, Tennessee.
Best of Dessert/Fruit: Old Millington 2011 Blackberry, Millington, Tennessee.
Best of Tennessee Fruit—William O. Beach Award: Beachaven 2008 Catawba—Heavenly Peach, Clarksville, Tennessee.

The Concordance Gold winners that competed in the “best of” category were:

Beachaven 2008 Syrah, Clarksville, Tennessee
Beachaven 2008 Catawba—Heavenly Peach, Clarksville, Tennessee
Narmada 2009 Cabernet Franc—Cabernet Franc Reserve, Amissville, Virginia
Narmada 2011 Midnight, Amissville, Virginia
Sugarland Cellars 2011 Gewurtraminer—Baskin Creek Blanc, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Sugarland Cellars 2011 Elkmont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Stonehaus 2011 Seval Blanc, Crossville, Tennessee
Stonehaus 2011 Helena Blush, Crossville, Tennessee
Stonehaus 2011 Tickled Pink, Crossville, Tennessee
Old Millington 2011 Blackberry, Millington, Tennessee
Reid’s Livery 2011 Norton Kentucky Table Wine, Alvaton, Kentucky
Eddy Grove 2011 Medicine Man Fireside Red, Princeton, Kentucky
Mountain Valley NV (no vintage) Mountain Blush, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Apple Barn NV (no vintage) Apple Cranberry, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Apple Barn NV (no vintage) Applewood White, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Fox Meadow 2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Linden, Virginia
Fox Meadow 2010 Owner’s Select Meritage, Linden, Virginia
Chateau Morrisette 2008 Merlot, Floyd, Virginia
Post Familie 2010 Ives Noir, Altus, Arkansas
Post Familie 2011 Blue Parachute, Altus, Arkansas
Iron Gate NV (no vintage) Sweet N’ Sassy Cherry, Mebane, North Carolina

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C O N T A C T S:

Carol Costello (865-974-6241, costello@utk.edu)

Lola Alapo (865-974-3993, lalapo@utk.edu)

Paul Hicks, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, will deliver the Ackermann PR Keynote Lecture at the event. Hicks was hired to manage the football league’s communications in 2010, and previously spent eight years as a regional CEO of the Ogilvy public relations firm.

PR Day is a biennial event that, for more than thirty years, has provided public relations professionals and students with the opportunity to develop their skills and connect with colleagues in Knoxville and the Southeast.

The event is hosted by the UT College of Communication and Information’s School of Advertising and Public Relations and by the student and professional chapters of the Public Relations Society of America.

The theme of this year’s conference is “21st Century Public Relations: PRogression Among our Profession.”

The first panel discussion is set for 9:00 a.m. The topic is “Branding the Corporate Image” and will feature the following panelists:

• Christopher Harvin, founding partner of Sanitas International, a global strategic communication firm in Washington, DC
• Cindy Dupree, director of public relations for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
• Mark McNeely, senior partner of the McNeely Pigott & Fox public relations firm in Nashville, TN
• Greg Stroud, vice president of HGTV’s Integration Team
• Penny Behling, founder of Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing of Knoxville, which produces and manages dragon boat festivals in Tennessee and the Southeast.

The second panel discussion is set for 10:30 a.m. and the topic is “Entertainment and Engagement.” Panelists include:

• Jimmy Buckner of The Scarecrow Foundation, a group of Knoxville civic leaders devoted to ending hunger in America
• Jeff Cuellar of AC Entertainment, the company that sponsors the Bonnaroo Music Festival among other events
• Hubert Smith, radio host at WUTK 90.3 FM and lecturer in UT’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media
• Hunter Baddour and Jared Karnes of Allegiant Athletic Agency.

Hicks will deliver the keynote address during lunch.

The event is open to the general public. Anyone who would like to know more about the field of public relations is encouraged to attend. Tickets to the conference are $85 for PRSA members and $95 for the general public. Students can attend for $25.

Sponsors include Ackermann PR; The Scarecrow Foundation; the integrated marketing communications master’s degree program at West Virginia University; East Tennessee Children’s Hospital; Mary Beth West Consulting LLC; the UT Risk, Health, and Crisis Communication Research Unit; McGhee Tyson Airport; and Akins Crisp Public Strategies.

For more information or to register, visit the PR Day website.

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C O N T A C T :

Lisa Fall (865-216-2507, lfall@utk.edu)

Charles Primm (865-974-5180, charles.primm@tennessee.edu)

Matt Devereaux, a child development specialist and associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, offers these tips to parents and teachers as they work with children, especially those in elementary and middle school.

“Responsibility helps with self-confidence, teaches necessary life skills, and how to prioritize their time,” he said. “Before we can help them with their grades, we have to help them with themselves.”

Provide opportunities—Tasks could include doing chores or projects around the house, or even having a pet. An allowance can teach children how to have a little budget, Devereaux said.

“In giving a kid responsibility, it gives the teacher or parent a chance to say, ‘good job,’” he said.

For more challenging children, giving them a leadership role is key. Children who tend to be more difficult to manage need extra praise and extra responsibilities to keep them motivated and involved.

“When you don’t give children responsibilities, you are communicating the message, ‘I don’t trust you,’” Devereaux said.

He added: “Comment on good behavior up to five times a day. People get sucked into looking for the misbehavior.”

For other children, Devereaux suggested asking them what responsibility they might enjoy having.

“They might not know, but give them the chance to respond,” he said.

Don’t expect perfection—They’re learning, so expect that they might fail.

“If they’re not doing it right, give them positive feedback as you help them improve,” he said.

Give rewards—Rewards should be different for each child, based on their interests. They could range from books to toys to one-on-one time with an adult.

“If you start them early enough, the rewards can be nonmonetary,” he said. “Kids love their parents and want to spend time with them, whether they say it or not.”

This is especially true of students in kindergarten through sixth grade, he said.

Set a good example—Parents and teachers should be good role models by following through on their own responsibilities.

“They’re watching,” Devereaux said.

Avoid the trap—”Since families are so busy, parents should not fall into the trap of saying, ‘it’s just easier for me to do these chores for my children,’” he said.

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CONTACT:

Lola Alapo (865-974-3993, lola.alapo@tennessee.edu)

At 10:00 a.m., attendees can peruse the Recycled Art Competition, which will feature student artwork made entirely from repurposed or recyclable material. Entries will be judged and the top three pieces will receive prizes.

At 11:00 a.m., Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville (SPEAK) will host a cookout featuring homemade vegan and veggie burgers from locally sourced, organic ingredients from the three Rivers Food Co-op.

The cookout also will feature interactive sustainability demonstrations from eleven local environmental organizations including United Mountain Defense, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Knoxville Area Transit, and Beardsley Farms.

Free bike tune-ups will be provided, courtesy of the Bike Collective.

At 12:15 p.m., the Environmental Leadership Awards will recognize members of our campus community who have demonstrated outstanding environmental leadership over the past year.

The award for undergraduate environmental leadership has been named the “Ryan Edwards Memorial Award.” Edwards, who died after a spring break accident this year, was a highly motivated and beloved employee of UT Recycling.

Now in its sixth year on campus, Earth Month promotes environmental awareness, conservation, and sustainable practices to the campus community.

For a recap of UT’s Earth Month festivities, visit www.utk.edu/go/o4. To learn more about Office of Sustainability initiatives, visit environment.utk.edu.

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C O N T A C T :

Courtney Washburn (865-974-7780, cjwash@utk.edu)

Gordie Bennett (865-974-7780, gbennet5@utk.edu)

The deadline for application submissions is April 24. The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in the College of Business Administration, administers the semi-annual fund. All Knoxville campus students are eligible to apply regardless of academic discipline or degree program. To qualify for the grant, each business must be legally established by having federal tax identification, a state business license or a similar designation. Student owners must be enrolled in a UT degree program at the time of application. However, meeting with the grant-evaluation committee after graduation is acceptable.

To apply for the grant, student owners must submit an executive summary of the business, an estimated budget, and a statement detailing how the grant would be spent to move the business forward. This information should be sent to CEI@utk.edu with the subject line, The Boyd Venture Fund.

Businesses invited to pitch to the grant-award committee will be notified by April 30 with presentations to the committee scheduled for Monday, May 14. Pitches may be done by Skype or video conferencing for management teams not on campus.

Up to $20,000 will be awarded. The money may be allocated to one company or among several companies. The Anderson Center will work with any business that receives a grant to connect it with a volunteer mentor, an experienced individual with interest in the type of business being awarded a grant.

The fund was established thanks to the generosity of UT alumnus Randy Boyd, President and CEO of Radio Systems Corporation.

The candidates, all of whom have experience in either Knoxville or campus law enforcement, will meet with administrators, the police chief search committee, UTPD officers and administration, and Student Life representatives.

Each candidate also will participate in a student open forum, where students can ask questions and discuss campus issues. The schedule is:

• Monday, April 16—Troy Lane, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the University Center, Shiloh Room (235)
• Monday, April 23—Gus Paidousis, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the University Center, Shiloh Room (235)
• Monday, May 7—Carey Drayton, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the University Center, Room 223-224
• Friday, May 11—Adam Garcia, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the University Center, Room 223-224

Here’s a look at each of the candidates:

Troy Lane, University of Wyoming

Lane, now chief of the University of Wyoming Police Department, has twenty-three years of law enforcement experience. Lane also has served in the military police and the Kansas State University Police Department. Click here (pdf) to view Lane’s resume.

Gus Paidousis, Knoxville Police Department

Paidousis is the deputy chief of the Knoxville Police Department overseeing the Criminal Investigation Division. He joined the Knoxville Police Department in 1981. Click here (pdf) to view Paidousis’s resume.

Carey Drayton, University of Southern California

Drayton, executive director of public safety/chief at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles since 2006, has more than thirty years of experience in campus law enforcement. Prior to USC, he was police chief at Florida State University. Click here (pdf) to view Drayton’s resume.

Adam Garcia, University of Nevada

Garcia has been director of University Police Services at the University of Nevada, Reno since 2001. He has more than thirty years of law enforcement experience. Click here (pdf) to view Garcia’s resume.

UT Police Chief Gloria Graham left her post in January for a similar position at the University of Chicago. She had served as chief since August 2010.

Assistant Chief Debbie Perry has served as interim chief since Graham’s departure.

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C O N T A C T :

Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)

KNOXVILLE — A University of Tennessee, Knoxville, accounting professor testified before US Congress last week about regulatory initiatives being considered by several federal agencies and corporations.

Joseph V. Carcello appeared before the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee in the United States House of Representatives. He testified about mandatory audit firm rotation and reporting on internal control over financial reporting. These initiatives are being considered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

“Mandatory audit firm rotation would require all public companies to change auditors after a certain number of years,” Carcello said. “This proposal is designed to make auditors more independent of their clients. Internal control audits are designed to assess whether a public company’s controls are adequate to provide reasonable assurance that financial statements provided to the public are accurate. This was an outgrowth of the frauds at Enron and Worldcom.”

This is the first time Carcello has testified before a Congressional oversight committee. He previously testified before a committee of the US Treasury Department.

Others who testified at the same hearing included the chief accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission, chairs of the Oversight and Standards boards, the chief executive officer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a representative of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Carcello is the Ernst & Young and Business Alumni Professor in the Department of Accounting and Information Management, which is housed in the College of Business Administration. He also is director of research for the college’s Corporate Governance Center.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to testify before a Congressional oversight committee,” Carcello said. “Very few accounting academics have this opportunity, and, in my view, this opportunity showcases the fine business programs in UT’s College of Business Administration.”

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C O N T A C T S:

Lola Alapo (865-974-3993, lola.alapo@tennessee.edu)

Cindy Raines (865-974-4359, craines1@utk.edu)

The 3:30 p.m., February 28, screening will be at Hodges Library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1015 Volunteer Blvd. Guided group discussions will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Another screening will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Both showings are free and open to the public, although the first is geared toward teens.

“Miss Representation” exposes how mainstream media portrayals of women and girls contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America—and arms the viewer with a new perspective. It uses stories from teenage girls and interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists, and academics like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson, and Gloria Steinem.

The documentary covers some challenging topics. Parents and group leaders are advised to preview the trailer before making plans to attend.

Seating is limited to 150. Anyone planning to bring a group of ten or more, or anyone needing disability-related accommodations, should contact Rachel Radom, rradom@utk.edu or 865-974-6107, as soon as possible.

The screenings are sponsored by the YWCA, the Feminist Action Collective, the UT Libraries, Department of Sociology, College of Social Work, and the Center for the Study of Social Justice.

• The current First Tennessee bank cards must not be used after you have received your new BOA card. The new BOA card can be used immediately.
• The current First Tennessee bank card will soon be canceled and will no longer work after Monday, February 13.
• First Tennessee bank cards must be turned in upon picking up the new BOA cards. New cardholder agreements will be signed at this time.
• If you are picking up a card for the first time and not turning in an old card, you will be required to take the procurement card questionnaire. Access the questionnaire here. For Knoxville and university-wide administration employees, the questionnaire must be taken in the Treasurer’s Office when you pick up the card.
• If your current card number is used for a recurring charge, please notify the vendor immediately upon receiving your new card and provide them with the new number.
• Your current card number may be registered with some websites where you make frequent purchases—such as Staples, FedEx, and Fisher Scientific. You will need to make the appropriate changes with these sites as well.

If your default account number begins with E01, R01, E17, or R17, you can pick up your card at 301 Andy Holt Tower. For more information call 974-3086.

If your default account number does not begin with one of the codes listed above, you will be notified by your campus coordinator.

Coordinators for individual campuses/units are:

• Chattanooga – Charles Scott
• Graduate School of Medicine – Debbie Brown
• AG Extension – Tim Fawver
• AG Experiment – Melinda Jones
• Vet School – Tonya Kenley
• IPS/CTAS/MTAS – Gail White
• UTSI – Courtney Maricle
• Martin – Laura Foltz
• Memphis – Linda Crouch
• UT Foundation – Robert Harrill

A mini-parade in the Watsons’ honor ran along Phillip Fulmer Way in front of the stadium. Orange-clad UT students and employees joined others from the community in cheering as the Vol Spirit Squad and several Thanksgiving-themed hot air balloons paraded down the street. The program is set to air this Thanksgiving on ABC-TV.

Daniel Watson and two of his children exit the "Extreme Makeover" bus with actress Jenny McCarthy.

Actress Jenny McCarthy substituted for show host Ty Pennington in congratulating the family. Following the parade, the Watsons left for a week’s vacation in Florida, while their home on Robinson Road in Knoxville is being remodeled.

The family’s home also plays host to Restoration House of East Tennessee, which gives single mothers and their children a place to live while they get their lives back in order. The remodeling project will allow Restoration House to continue its mission, literally, on a sounder footing: the home’s sinking foundation will be repaired as part of the overall renovation.

For more information, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/index.

“It is an honor to recognize these individuals for their exemplary service to the UT community,” Graham said. “Members of the UT Police Department conduct countless acts of valor, service, and benevolence throughout the year.”

Underwood

UTPD’s supervisor of the year is Lieutenant Jim Underwood. Underwood is the third shift patrol commander and has served with UTPD for nineteen years. While at UTPD, Underwood has served as lead firearms instructor. Underwood was described by nominators as one of the most approachable supervisors in the department with a contagious and admirable work ethic.

Wade

The officer of the year is Corporal Ron Wade, a first shift patrol officer and member of UTPD for sixteen years. Wade serves as a field training officer and Alcohol Diversion Program instructor for UTPD. Wade was described by nominators as professional, positive, and willing to always help.

Powell

The non-commissioned staff member of the year is Sean Powell, a community service officer for the past thirteen years. Powell was described by colleagues as committed and professional.

Emmerson

The community service award went to Corporal Mike Emerson, a second shift patrol officer. Emerson continually works on outreach programs within the university community and his church family.

Experts say household waste often increases more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. That means the holidays can have a negative impact on the environment.

However, there are ways to make the holidays more environmentally friendly.

“Small changes to our routines can help make the holiday season more fun and less wasteful,” said Gordie Bennett, UT Knoxville’s sustainability manager.

An informal poll of UT Knoxville faculty and staff members found some unique and easy tips for “greening” the holidays this season. Here are two more interesting sustainability-focused holiday tips from UT Knoxville’s faculty and staff:

“We are firm believers in re-gifting. We also use old paper grocery bags as wrapping paper. You can decorate it with stencils and paint, and it may end up being nicer than the gift! Also, as our tree lights fail over time, we replace them with more energy-efficient strands.” – Aly Chapman, laboratory section chief, College of Veterinary Medicine

Gordie Bennett adds: “My personal tip is to skip presents in favor of making a contribution to your loved one’s favorite charity. This reduces waste and helps make the holidays a little nicer for someone in need.”

Team Living Light stands in front of their completed house on the Washington Mall.

Competition begins today for Team Living Light, UT’s student team competing in the Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon. Our students have assembled their state-of-the-art house on the Washington Mall in Washington, D.C.

Public tours begin today along with 10 decathlon contests that judge design, sustainability, efficiency, appeal, and cost-effectiveness, among other factors. You can follow the team throughout the competition by visiting their blog at http://livinglightutk.com/blog. You can also follow the team on Twitter and Facebook.

UT’s team faces tough competition from Ohio State, Purdue, the University of Illinois, and groups representing universities in Florida, New Zealand, China, Belgium, and Canada.

You can help Team Living Light by voting for them in the People’s Choice category. Online voting begins at 8:00 a.m. Friday, September 23, at http://www.solardecathlon.gov. Voting will remain open until 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 30.